HB524: (New Title) relative to the definition of "emergency" for purposes of a quorum under the right-to-know law.

HB 524 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

9Mar2017... 0354h

2017 SESSION

17-0723

01/10

HOUSE BILL 524

AN ACT relative to the definition of "emergency" for purposes of a quorum under the right-to-know law.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hull, Graf. 9

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill clarifies the definition of "emergency" for purposes of a quorum under the right-to-know law.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

9Mar2017... 0354h 17-0723

01/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

AN ACT relative to the definition of "emergency" for purposes of a quorum under the right-to-know law.

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

1 Right-to-Know Law; Quorum. Amend RSA 91-A:2, III(b) to read as follows:

(b) Except in an emergency, a quorum of the public body shall be physically present at the location specified in the meeting notice as the location of the meeting. For purposes of this subparagraph, an "emergency'' means [that immediate action is imperative] there is immediate peril to the public health or safety and that immediate action is imperative and the physical presence of a quorum is not reasonably practical within the period of time requiring action. The determination that an emergency exists shall be made by the chairman or presiding officer of the public body, and the facts upon which that determination is based shall be included in the minutes of the meeting.

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