2002 SESSION

02-3177

09/10

SENATE BILL 417

COMMITTEE: Ways and Means

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to analyze the New Hampshire tax structure.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02-3177

09/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

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

1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to analyze the New Hampshire tax structure.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) The senate president, or designee.

(b) The speaker of the house of representatives, or designee.

(c) The house minority leader, or designee.

(d) The senate minority leader, or designee

(e) One representative of a large business and one representative of a small business, appointed by the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire.

(f) One member of the New Hampshire Hospitality Association, appointed by that association.

(g) One member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, appointed by that association.

(h) One representative of the New Hampshire Medical Association, appointed by that association.

(i) One representative of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, appointed by that association.

(j) One representative of the New Hampshire Realtors Association, appointed by that association.

(k) One representative of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, appointed by that association.

(l) Two persons appointed by the New Hampshire Municipal Association, one of whom shall represent a municipality with higher than average property tax assessments and one of whom shall represent a municipality with lower than average property tax assessments.

(m) Six public members, each from a different geographical region of the state; 2 of whom shall be appointed by the governor, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president, and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

3 Duties.

I. The commission shall analyze the current New Hampshire tax structure and make recommendations for its improvement. The committee shall consider such factors as:

(a) The recent downturn in the economy.

(b) Finding new revenue and new revenue sources to provide funding for education.

(c) Other economic resources for the state.

II. With the assistance of the legislative budget assistant, the commission shall use the tax policy simulation and forecasting models authorized by 1999, 338:23 in making its analysis.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the senate president. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Eleven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2002.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take upon its passage.