HB 493-FN - AS INTRODUCED
1999 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 493-FN
AN ACT relative to alteration of sample ballots.
SPONSORS: Rep. Burling, Sull 1; Rep. Buckley, Hills 44; Sen. Trombly, Dist 7
This bill prohibits the alteration of sample ballots.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
99-0310
03/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine
AN ACT relative to alteration of sample ballots.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Provisions for Purity of Elections; Illegal Influence; Alteration of Sample Ballot. Amend RSA 666 by inserting after section 7 the following new section:
666:7-a Alteration of Sample Ballot. Any person who alters a sample ballot with the intent of misleading voters, or who causes to be printed a sample ballot or replication of a sample ballot with the intent of misleading voters, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2000.
LBAO
99-0310
1/29/99
HB 493-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to alteration of sample ballots.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Judicial Council and Department of Corrections (DOC) indicate this bill may increase state and county expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2000 and each year thereafter. There is no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The AOC indicates this bill creates a new misdemeanor A offense of sample ballot alteration. It is anticipated the number of new cases will not be high, and therefor, caseload and costs are not expected to significantly increase.
The Council indicates this bill establishes a new class A misdemeanor which carries the right to counsel. It is not possible to predict the actual number of occurrences of this charge which may result. The standard contract attorney rate is $220. If assigned counsel is used the court rate of $60 per hour applies. The fee cap for misdemeanor cases is $1,000. In those counties where a jury trial project exists, if the defendant elects the right, the contract rate increases to $330. The State will seek reimbursement of these costs through the Office of Cost Containment. Incarceration for a class A misdemeanor is for a period of no more than one year. Therefor the individual would be held in a county facility.
The DOC is unable to determine how many individuals, if any, would be incarcerated. The cost to the county cannot be determined.
The Secretary of State indicates there is no cost to the Office to implement this bill.