SB488: establishing a committee to study the effects of electric utility restructuring on state dams and the alternatives for the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams.

CHAPTER 121

SB 488 – FINAL VERSION

02/12/04 0344s

15Apr2004… 1074h

2004 SESSION

04-3206

06/01

SENATE BILL 488

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the effects of electric utility restructuring on state dams and the alternatives for the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams.

SPONSORS: Sen. Johnson, Dist 2; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Below, Dist 5; Rep. Royce, Ches 28; Rep. Spang, Straf 72; Rep. M. Blanchard, Rock 86

COMMITTEE: Energy and Economic Development

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the effects that electric utility restructuring has had on the state’s hydro-lease program and the state dam maintenance fund and to study alternatives for funding the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/12/04 0344s

15Apr2004… 1074h

04-3206

06/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the effects of electric utility restructuring on state dams and the alternatives for the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams.

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

121:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the effects that electric utility restructuring has had on the state’s hydro-lease program and the state dam maintenance fund and to study alternatives for funding the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams.

121:2 Membership and Compensation.

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

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

(b) Six members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house:

(1) One of whom shall be a member of the finance committee;

(2) One of whom shall be a member of the fish and game committee;

(3) Two of whom shall be members of the science, technology and energy committee; and

(4) Two of whom shall be members of the resources, recreation and development committee.

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

121:3 Duties. The committee shall study the need for the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams, the existing funding sources for the operation and maintenance of state-owned dams including the state’s hydro-lease program, established under RSA 481:32, and the state dam maintenance fund, established under RSA 482, and the effects of electric utility restructuring, under RSA 374-F, on revenue to the state’s hydro-lease program and the state dam maintenance fund. The committee shall develop recommendations for the continued operation and maintenance of state-owned dams and options for funding the state dam maintenance fund.

121:4 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 senate 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.

121:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 1, 2004.

121:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: May 17, 2004)

(Effective Date: May 17, 2004)