HB220: creating a committee to study amending the constitution to require that government decisions affecting the environment reflect consideration of the welfare of future generations.

HB 220 - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0676

08/09

HOUSE BILL 220

AN ACT creating a committee to study amending the constitution to require that government decisions affecting the environment reflect consideration of the welfare of future generations.

SPONSORS: Rep. P. Allen, Ches 27

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

ANALYSIS

This bill creates a committee to study amending the constitution to require that government decisions affecting the environment reflect consideration of the welfare of future generations.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0676

08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT creating a committee to study amending the constitution to require that government decisions affecting the environment reflect consideration of the welfare of future generations.

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

1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study amending the constitution to require that government decisions affecting the environment reflect consideration of the welfare of future generations.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Consider amending the New Hampshire constitution to include a provision regarding the state's responsibility to protect its agricultural and natural resources for the use of future generations.

II. Review similar provisions in the constitutions and statutes of other states.

III. Develop draft language for a constitutional amendment-concurrent resolution.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2003.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.