HB 1395

HB 1395 - AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to historic district commissions.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cox, Rock 24; Rep. Langley, Rock 24

This bill allows a local legislative body to prescribe that historic district commission members be elected.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to historic district commissions.

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

1 Historic District Commission. RSA 673:4 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

I. The historic district commission shall consist of not less than 3 members and not more than 7 members. One commission member shall be a member of the local governing body, appointed by the local governing body. The remaining members of the commission shall either be elected in the manner prescribed by RSA 669, or appointed in a manner prescribed by the local legislative body. Each member of the board shall be a resident of the municipality in order to be appointed or elected.

II. Historic district commissions whose members are appointed may include a member of the planning board and not more than 5 alternate members. When an alternate sits in absence or disqualification of a regular member, the alternate shall have full voting powers. In determining each member's qualifications, the appointing authority shall take into consideration the appointee's demonstrated interest and ability to understand, appreciate, and promote the purposes of the historic district commission.

III. Historic district commission members who are elected shall be elected for the term provided under RSA 673:5, II. The terms of appointed members of historic district commissions in municipalities in office on the effective date of an affirmative decision to elect such commission members shall not be affected by the decision. However, when the term of each member expires, each new member shall be elected at the next regular municipal election for the term provided under RSA 673:5, II.

IV. A local legislative body which has provided for the election of historic district commission members may rescind that action, in which event members shall thereafter be appointed in a manner prescribed by the local legislative body. The elected commission shall, however, continue in existence, and the elected members in office may continue to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.

V. Members of a historic district commission also may serve on other municipal boards and commissions, including but not limited to a conservation commission established under RSA 36-A, and a heritage commission established under RSA 673:4-a.

2 New Paragraph; Officers Who May be Elected; Historic District Commission Members. Amend RSA 669:17 by inserting after paragraph V-a the following new paragraph: