20feb03... 0248h

2003 SESSION

03-0001

03/09

HOUSE RESOLUTION HR 6

ANALYSIS

This house resolution articulates certain principles to be followed in apportioning representative districts.

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20feb03... 0248h

03-0001

03/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

Whereas, under part II, article 9 of the New Hampshire constitution, "There shall be in the legislature of this state a house of representatives, biennially elected and founded on principles of equality, and representation therein shall be as equal as circumstances will admit. The whole number of representatives to be chosen from the towns, wards, places, and representative districts thereof established hereunder, shall be not less than three hundred seventy-five or more than four hundred. As soon as possible after the convening of the next regular session of the legislature, and at the session in l97l, and every ten years thereafter, the legislature shall make an apportionment of representatives according to the last general census of the inhabitants of the state taken by authority of the United States or of this state. In making such apportionment, no town, ward or place shall be divided nor the boundaries thereof altered"; and

Whereas, under part II, article 11-a of the New Hampshire constitution, "a law providing for an apportionment to form representative districts under articles 9 and 11 of part second may divide a town, ward or unincorporated place into two or more representative districts if such town, ward or place, by referendum requests such division"; and

Whereas, under part II, article 5 of the New Hampshire constitution, "full power and authority are hereby given and granted to the said general court, from time to time, to make, ordain, and establish, all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes, ordinances, directions, and instructions, either with penalties, or without, so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this constitution, as they may judge for the benefit and welfare of this state, and for the governing and ordering thereof"; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the general court, in apportioning representative districts, should assure and preserve representation from the many small towns and villages of our state in order that the people of New Hampshire may elect representatives who reflect and represent their interests; and

That when the general court, in apportioning representative districts, finds it necessary to combine towns to form such districts, the combinations should reflect the common interests, interactions, school districts, economic patterns, history, and geographic boundaries of the towns in order to maintain the closeness of the people to their elected representatives; and

That the general court should assure that the small towns are not, by virtue of an apportionment plan, subordinated to the larger cities and towns in the state; and

That the general court, in apportioning representative districts, should establish as many districts as possible in order that the citizens of the state of New Hampshire may have easy access to, and accountability from, their elected representatives to the general court.