HB 1447 - AS INTRODUCED
2000 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 1447
AN ACT establishing a legislative oversight committee on judicial conduct.
SPONSORS: Rep. Mirski, Graf 12; Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 44
COMMITTEE: Legislative Administration
This bill establishes a legislative oversight committee on judicial conduct. The committee shall review judicial conduct complaints from the public and recommend actions, such as impeachment or address, to the legislature.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
00-2065
09/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand
AN ACT establishing a legislative oversight committee on judicial conduct.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Legislative Oversight Committee on Judicial Conduct. Amend RSA 490 by inserting after section 30 the following new subdivision:
Legislative Oversight Committee on Judicial Conduct
490:30-a Legislative Oversight Committee on Judicial Conduct.
I.(a) There is hereby established a legislative oversight committee on judicial conduct, which shall consist of the following members:
(1) Five members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.
(2) Two members of the senate, appointed by the senate president.
(b) Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
II. The committee shall receive and investigate judicial conduct complaints from members of the public. The committee shall have the same investigatory powers as the general court and may take evidence under oath, issue subpoenas for records, and compel testimony. After reviewing each complaint, the committee shall either dismiss the complaint or recommend action, including impeachment or address, to the legislature.
III. The committee may request legal assistance by attorneys employed as staff by the legislature and may request funds to hire outside counsel from the legislative fiscal committee.
IV. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.