Bill Text: NH SB542 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

New Hampshire Senate Bill 542

Bill Title: Creating a committee to study fish and game department funding and partnerships.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-04-17 - Executive Session: 05/07/2024 11:45 am Legislative Office Building 307 [SB542 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2024-SB542-Amended.html

SB 542 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

04/05/2024 1343s

2024 SESSION

24-2864

08/10

SENATE BILL 542

AN ACT creating a committee to study fish and game department funding and partnerships.

SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Rep. Darby, Hills. 11

COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill creates a committee to study fish and game department funding and partnerships.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

04/05/2024 1343s 24-2864

08/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

AN ACT creating a committee to study fish and game department funding and partnerships.

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

1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study fish and game department funding and partnerships.

2 Membership and Compensation.

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

(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the fish and game committee, one of whom shall be a member of the resources, recreation, and development committee, and one of whom shall be a member of the finance committee.

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. Consult with the commission and the executive director on current funding sources and budgets, including capital budget needs, and their sustainability.

II. Consider proposals for general fund needs for department operations, particularly to sustain personnel costs at current and increased staffing levels needed to fulfill the mission of the department.

III. Consider proposals for general funding needs to sustain other programs and operations of the department not provided by federal funding.

IV. Consider land use and conservation, agricultural, timber, and recreational use managed by other state departments and private entities that connect with the mission of the fish and game department, and whether potential reorganization of responsibilities and new partnerships would be advantageous to the department.

V. Consider revisions to RSA 206:2-a such as membership or other forms of representation on or consultation with the fish and game commission for entities with interests in conservation, outdoor recreation, agriculture, forestry, that currently or may in the future contribute resources to the mission of the department.

VI. Consider revisions to RSA 206:33-c to enhance funding partnerships, particularly in the area of outdoor recreation, land conservation and easements, and environmental adaptation.

4 Chairperson. 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 senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.

5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2024.

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