HB1247: relative to a statewide law library network.

HB 1247-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-2087

03/09

HOUSE BILL 1247-FN

AN ACT relative to a statewide law library network.

SPONSORS: Rep. Franklin, Sull 20

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the establishment of a statewide law library network, with member libraries in each county.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-2087

03/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT relative to a statewide law library network.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Subdivision; Statewide Law Library Network. Amend RSA 201-A by inserting after section 27 the following new subdivision:

Statewide Law Library Network

201-A:28 Statewide Law Library Network.

I. The state librarian, in consultation with the New Hampshire law library, the supreme court, and the New Hampshire Bar Association, shall develop standards for designating a public library as a member of the statewide law library network. The primary purpose of the standards shall be to assure that pro se litigants have free and public access to materials necessary for basic legal research and advocacy, including electronic aids to legal research and advocacy.

II. The state librarian shall establish a statewide law library network by designating public libraries as members of the network. Each member of the network shall meet or exceed the standards established pursuant to paragraph I. There shall be at least one member library in each county.

III. The state librarian shall assist public libraries in acquiring materials necessary to meet the standards established pursuant to paragraph I, to the extent that such assistance is necessary to assure that there is a member library in each county.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

03-2087

7/25/03

HB 1247-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to a statewide law library network.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Cultural Resources states this bill will increase state general fund expenditures by $50,000 in FY 2004 and each year thereafter, and may increase county expenditures by $3,200 in FY 2004 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on state, county, and local revenue or local expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department of Cultural Resources states should the State Library Network be allowed access to the New Hampshire Bar Association's Casemaker product at no cost, the impact would only require staff development. If a commercial package such as Lexis-Nexis or Westlaw was required, the annual subscription cost is estimated at $50,000 for a maximum of 20 libraries. The Department estimates county costs could include 8 hours of training per library on an annual basis, at a total cost of $3,200.

The Judicial Branch states the New Hampshire Law Library and New Hampshire Supreme Court are mentioned in this bill in only consultant roles. Any fiscal impact, if any, should be minimal.

The Association of Counties states this bill does not appear to require county governments to participate, host, or in any other fashion be involved in a law library. The county designation appears to be geographical based and not based on political subdivision. The Association states this bill will have no effect on county revenues or expenditures.