Kevin Clilfford

Testimony in Support of HB 1465 New Hampshire House of Representatives Dear Chairman, Vice Chair, and Members of the Judiciary Committee: My name is Kevin Clifford and I am a New Hampshire resident. I write in strong support of HB 1465. HB 1465 represents a necessary and measured step toward restoring balance between the rights of citizens and the authority of the judiciary. At its core, this bill establishes a mandatory reporting framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and public confidence, values that are essential to the legitimacy of any justice system. At present, many members of the public have lost confidence in the judiciary’s ability to police itself. That loss of confidence is not abstract; it is grounded in lived experience and recent history. When individuals entrusted with the administration of justice are perceived as insulated from meaningful accountability, public trust erodes rapidly. A judiciary that is not subject to clear reporting obligations risks appearing untouchable, regardless of intent or individual merit. The controversy surrounding the return of Supreme Court Justice Hanz-Marconi to the bench following a criminal conviction has amplified this concern. Regardless of one’s personal view of that specific outcome, the broader institutional consequence has been unmistakable: many citizens now question whether the judiciary is held to the same standards it enforces. When accountability mechanisms are opaque or discretionary, confidence in impartial justice is undermined. HB 1465 does not weaken judicial independence. Rather, it strengthens the judiciary by reinforcing public trust. Mandatory reporting requirements are not punitive; they are preventative. They ensure that issues are surfaced promptly, reviewed appropriately, and addressed through established processes rather than through rumor, speculation, or public outrage after the fact. Importantly, this bill respects due process while recognizing that accountability and independence are not mutually exclusive. A system that demands transparency from other branches of government should not exempt the judiciary from reasonable oversight standards, particularly where ethical or legal violations may be involved. In a constitutional republic, legitimacy flows from public confidence. HB 1465 helps restore that confidence by ensuring that no office, however important, is beyond scrutiny. It reassures citizens that the rule of law applies evenly and that mechanisms exist to address misconduct when it occurs. For these reasons, I urge the committee to recommend HB 1465 as Ought to Pass. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Clifford