2009 Legislation Watch System

• Bill Watch 2009 - This section holds descriptions of current bills, some with recommendations to oppose or support, the committee hearing dates and times, and how to contact the committees, and how to contact your legislators directly after the committees make their recommendations. NH has one of the most accessible legislatures in the country. Committee hearings are in Concord and the general public may attend and testify. If you've never done this before, but you feel you have information that could be used to help influence the vote of the committee, consult with your fellow taxpayers for procedures and tips for effective testimony.

• Legislative Committees Hearing Bill Testimony - If you cannot attend the hearings to testify in person, here are the email addresses for contacting each committee member. (Will be updated as needed)

• Newspaper Addresses - Write Letters to the Editor of the newspapers in your area to alert others about specific bills or issues. This can be done both before and after the bill has been in committee.

• Alert your Representatives and Senators - Accessible from any page on this site is the list in the righthand column of your Representatives and Senators for your town or city, with contact info. If the bill has passed committee you can still request your Representatives support or oppose the bill by writing to them before the vote is taken. Don't forget that if a bill passes in the House, it will then go to the Senate for a vote. If it originated in the Senate, it will also then need approval in the House. (HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill)

  Please note: When the bill leaves the committee, it will either be recommended as 'ought to pass' (OTP) or not recommended as 'inexpedient to legislate' (ITL). The legislators will vote for or against the RECOMMENDATION. This must be taken into consideration when you are reviewing the way a legislator may have voted. It is important to know how your legislators voted so that you can decide whether to re-elect them.