Protect Public Hearings in NH Legislature

The NH House of Representatives will meet for the first time on Wednesday, Jan 8th. They will vote on the House Rules that are the operational guidelines for the legislative chamber. There is a proposal to deny guaranteed public hearings for bills in Rule 44. The Granite State has a long tradition of holding public hearings for ALL bills. Public hearings are critical in the democratic process and public participation. Hearings are often the only chance the public and voters can engage with the legislators at the State House. Next week, the Full House will vote on this proposal to change Rule 44 that will deny, with a 3/4 vote, a public hearing for a bill and recommend a motion to ‘Table’ to the full House. The proposal is below, the bold part signifies the changes:   Please email me (below) if you can come to the State House on Wednesday at 10 AM to hold signs.   Amend House Rule 44 by adding a phrase and new paragraph (f) as follows: 44. Hearings and notices. A hearing shall be held on each bill referred to a committee, unless as provided for below. Notice of committee action shall be posted as follows: (f) A committee may forego a public hearing on a bill with a motion of Refer to table if 3/4 of the committee votes in favor thereof. This means, if enough legislators on a committee do not ‘like’ a bill, they will deny it a hearing and recommend a motion to ‘Table’. A motion to Table is a step towards killing a bill. So the topic would not be discussed in committee, either on the merits of the issue or the bill proposal. Instead, the legislators would argue about time limitations and the short legislative schedule or the worthiness of the topic. Meanwhile, you and other witnesses will sit there in the room denied, prohibited from giving your testimony. NHSC is also asking you to email or call your state representative on Monday, January 6 to tell them NO CHANGES to Rule 44. Find YOUR State House Representative HERE, https://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/ PROTECT PUBLIC HEARINGS IN THE STATE HOUSE Here is a sample of what to say: Dear Representative, My name is —- and I live in your district. The New Hampshire House of Representatives has long guaranteed public hearings for ALL bills because the people of New Hampshire believe in participating in our government. We believe in transparency and honesty. New Hampshire elects 400 ‘Citizen Legislators’ who are paid $100 and mileage because we demand participation. The proposal to Rule 44 will allow a House committee with a 3/4 vote to ‘forgo’ a hearing and recommend a motion to Table for the bill. This is disgraceful and will inhibit public participation in self-governance. This will neither save time in committee or the integrity of the legislature. As your constituent, please vote NO to changes to Rule 44. CALL OR EMAIL YOUR HOUSE REP We recognize that not everyone will be able to do the action on Monday. Could you make your call or send the email before Wednesday?Last year was a real rollercoaster. Sierra Club – New Hampshire appreciates your support and staying on for 2025. Truly, Catherine Corkery Sierra Club New Hampshire Chapter Director