HB 1222

HB 1222 - AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT establishing a commission and authorizing a portrait of Vesta Roy, New Hampshire's first woman governor.

SPONSORS: Rep. Elliott, Hills 42; Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21

This bill establishes a commission to authorize a portrait of Vesta Roy, the first woman governor of New Hampshire.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a commission and authorizing a portrait of Vesta Roy, New Hampshire's first woman governor.

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

I. Vesta Roy was acting governor from December 30, 1982 to January 6, 1983 after being elected president of the senate as a result of the untimely death of then governor Hugh Gallen.

II. During her term as acting governor she presided over governor and council meetings, swore in representatives-elect, and authorized contracts for public works projects and state planning.

III. As acting governor, she appointed and confirmed members to the judicial council, commission on human rights, and prison board of trustees.

IV. As acting governor, she nominated/confirmed with council the commissioners of banking and agriculture, as well as notary publics and justices of the peace.

V. The hanging of Vesta Roy's portrait in the state house would be consistent with the hanging of the portrait of acting governor Joseph Merrill Harper, who was acting governor in 1831, after the resignation of governor Matthew Harvey, who accepted a position as a federal judge.

VI. Acting governor Joseph Merrill Harper's portrait hangs on the third floor of the state house, outside the gallery of Representative's Hall, and appears to be appropriately placed alongside past governors.

VII. This act is intended to honor the memory and contributions of the late Vesta Roy.

2 Commission Established; Purpose. There is hereby established a commission for the purpose of commissioning a portrait of Vesta Roy, the first woman governor of New Hampshire.

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) One executive councilor representing the executive council district in which Vesta Roy resided when she was governor.

(d) One member from the New Hampshire Historical Society, appointed by the governor with the consent of the executive council.

II. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation except that legislative members shall receive mileage at the legislative rate while attending to the duties of the commission.

III. The term of legislative and executive council members of the commission shall be coterminous with their respective terms of office. Members listed in subparagraphs I(d) and (e) shall serve a 3-year term. Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term and in the same manner as the original appointment.

IV. The first-named house member shall call the first meeting of the commission within 45 days of the effective date of this section. The commission shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer at its first meeting. The commission shall meet at least quarterly, and at other times as deemed necessary by the chairperson.

III. Maintain general oversight of the project including the progress of the project and any funds received and expended on the project.

IV. Solicit funds from any non-state sources including federal grants, private gifts and donations.

V. Obtain proper authorization for the completed portrait to be displayed in the state house.

5 Gifts, Grants, and Donations. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission is authorized to accept any gifts, grants, or donations, from any public or private source, provided that such gifts, grants, or donations shall be used exclusively to advance the commission's purpose and duties.

6 Report. The commission shall submit an interim report no later than November 1, 2004, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, and the governor detailing the status of the project to date and a final report no later than November 1, 2005, detailing the results of the project.