{"id": "SB805", "year": 1994, "term": "1993-1994", "title": "reorganizing and making further amendments to the administrative procedure act.", "narrative": "It was introduced on January 5, 1994 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 10, 1994. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes. On March 10, 1994 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the House on March 17, 1994 and was referred to the House Legislative Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 6, 1994. The committee held work sessions on April 19, 1994 and April 26, 1994. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 10\u20130. On May 5, 1994 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 11, 1994 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote. An enrolled bill amendment (6671) was adopted on May 26, 1994. These correct technical errors found after passage. An enrolled bill amendment () was adopted on May 26, 1994. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on May 26, 1994 \u2014 the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 10, 1994, making it Chapter 412 of the session laws. It took effect on August 9, 1994.", "stages": [{"label": "Senate Committee (Executive Departments and Administration)", "hand": "S:committee", "text": "It was introduced on January 5, 1994 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 10, 1994. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes.", "notes": []}, {"label": "On the Senate Floor", "hand": "S:floor", "text": "On March 10, 1994 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote.", "notes": []}, {"label": "House Committee (Legislative Administration)", "hand": "H:committee", "text": "It crossed to the House on March 17, 1994 and was referred to the House Legislative Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 6, 1994. The committee held work sessions on April 19, 1994 and April 26, 1994. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 10\u20130.", "notes": []}, {"label": "On the House Floor", "hand": "H:floor", "text": "On May 5, 1994 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote.", "notes": []}, {"label": "On the Senate Floor", "hand": "S:floor", "text": "On May 11, 1994 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote.", "notes": []}, {"label": "With the Governor", "hand": "G:governor", "text": "An enrolled bill amendment (6671) was adopted on May 26, 1994. These correct technical errors found after passage. An enrolled bill amendment () was adopted on May 26, 1994. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on May 26, 1994 \u2014 the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 10, 1994, making it Chapter 412 of the session laws. It took effect on August 9, 1994.", "notes": []}], "notes": [], "vote_note": "", "events": [{"date": "1994-01-05", "text": "INTRODUCED AND REF TO EXEC DEPTS+ADMIN; (JRNL CORR, SJ3,P40)", "routine": false, "cite": "SJ 3"}, {"date": "1994-02-10", "text": "HEARING FEB10 08:30 RM104,LOB FOR: EXEC DEPTS+ADMIN", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-03-09", "text": "COMM REPORT OTP/AM MAR10", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-03-09", "text": "PROP COMM AM<5491>; SC14,P21-22", "routine": false, "cite": "SC 14"}, {"date": "1994-03-10", "text": "COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; SJ8,P173-174 + 225", "routine": false, "cite": "SJ 8"}, {"date": "1994-03-17", "text": "INTRODUCED AND REF TO LEG ADMIN; HJ45,P1466", "routine": false, "cite": "HJ 45"}, {"date": "1994-03-17", "text": "IN SEAT POCKET ON 03/23/94 DUE ON 04/28/94", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-04-06", "text": "HEARING APR06 03:00 RM305,LOB FOR: LEG ADMIN", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-04-19", "text": "SUBCOM WORK SESSION APR19 10:00 RM308,LOB FOR: LEG ADMIN", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-04-26", "text": "SUBCOM WORK SESSION APR26 10:00 RM308,LOB FOR: LEG ADMIN", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-04-27", "text": "MAJ REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAY05 (VOTE 10-0)", "routine": false}, {"date": "1994-04-27", "text": "PROP COMM AM<6187>; HC57,P1846-1847", "routine": false, "cite": "HC 57"}, {"date": "1994-05-05", "text": "COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; HJ61,P1964-1965 + 1993", "routine": false, "cite": "HJ 61"}, {"date": "1994-05-11", "text": "SEN CONC WITH HOUSE AM, SEN CURRIER MA VV; SJ16,P413", "routine": false, "cite": "SJ 16"}, {"date": "1994-05-26", "text": "ENROLLED AM<6671>, AM ADOPTED; SJ20,P607-608", "routine": false, "cite": "SJ 20", "plain": "Enrolled: the final text checked before it goes to the Governor"}, {"date": "1994-05-26", "text": "ENROLLED AM, AM ADOPTED; HJ75,P2218-2219", "routine": false, "cite": "HJ 75", "plain": "Enrolled: the final text checked before it goes to the Governor"}, {"date": "1994-05-26", "text": "ENROLLED; SJ20,P620", "routine": false, "cite": "SJ 20", "plain": "Enrolled: the final text checked before it goes to the Governor"}, {"date": "1994-05-26", "text": "ENROLLED; HJ75,P2227", "routine": false, "cite": "HJ 75", "plain": "Enrolled: the final text checked before it goes to the Governor"}, {"date": "1994-06-10", "text": "SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 06/10/94 EFF: 08/09/94 CHAP.0412", "routine": false}], "next_step": "Signed into law", "archived": {"docket": true, "sponsors": true, "reports": false, "votes": false, "video": false, "hearings": true, "committee": true}, "status_source": "General Court docket", "chapter": "412", "journey": {"steps": [{"date": "1994-03-10", "body": "S", "act": "passed", "mark": "p", "text": "Passed with an amendment on a voice vote"}, {"date": "1994-05-05", "body": "H", "act": "passed", "mark": "p", "text": "Passed with an amendment on a voice vote"}, {"date": "1994-05-11", "body": "S", "act": "concurred", "mark": "p", "text": "Agreed to the House's amendment on a voice vote"}, {"date": "1994-06-10", "body": "G", "act": "signed", "mark": "p", "text": "Signed"}, {"date": "", "body": "L", "act": "law", "text": "Chapter 412, in effect Aug 9, 1994", "mark": "p"}], "rail": [{"stop": "Introduced", "mark": "p", "date": "1994-01-05", "say": "Introduced"}, {"stop": "Senate", "mark": "p", "date": "1994-03-10", "say": "Passed with an amendment on a voice vote"}, {"stop": "House", "mark": "p", "date": "1994-05-05", "say": "Passed with an amendment on a voice vote"}, {"stop": "Governor", "mark": "p", "date": "1994-06-10", "say": "Signed"}, {"stop": "Law", "mark": "p", "date": "1994-08-09", "say": "Chapter 412, in effect Aug 9, 1994"}]}, "text_url": "", "facts": {"gen_status": "SIGNED BY GOVERNOR", "house_status": "PASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT", "senate_status": "CONCURRED"}, "sponsors": [{"member_id": "", "name": "Hollingworth", "party": "", "chamber": "S", "county": "", "district": "23", "label": "Sen. Hollingworth (SD23)", "sequence": 0, "prime": true, "source": "bill text", "prime_inferred": true, "as_printed": "Sen. Hollingworth, Dist 23", "display_plain": "Sen. Hollingworth", "display": "Sen. Hollingworth", "display_full": "Sen. Hollingworth (SD23)", "district_label": "SD23", "sort": "hollingworth", "slug": ""}, {"member_id": "", "name": "MacDonald", "party": "", "chamber": "S", "county": "", "district": "3", "label": "Sen. MacDonald (SD3)", "sequence": 1, "prime": false, "source": "bill text", "prime_inferred": true, "as_printed": "Sen. MacDonald, Dist 3", "display_plain": "Sen. MacDonald", "display": "Sen. MacDonald", "display_full": "Sen. MacDonald (SD3)", "district_label": "SD3", "sort": "macdonald", "slug": ""}, {"member_id": "", "name": "Currier", "party": "", "chamber": "S", "county": "", "district": "7", "label": "Sen. Currier (SD7)", "sequence": 2, "prime": false, "source": "bill text", "prime_inferred": true, "as_printed": "Sen. Currier, Dist 7", "display_plain": "Sen. Currier", "display": "Sen. Currier", "display_full": "Sen. Currier (SD7)", "district_label": "SD7", "sort": "currier", "slug": ""}, {"member_id": "", "name": "Rodeschin", "party": "", "chamber": "H", "county": "Sullivan", "district": "4", "label": "Rep. Rodeschin (Sull 4)", "sequence": 3, "prime": false, "source": "bill text", "prime_inferred": true, "as_printed": "Rep. Rodeschin, Sull 4", "display_plain": "Rep. Rodeschin", "display": "Rep. Rodeschin", "display_full": "Rep. Rodeschin (Sull 4)", "district_label": "Sull 4", "sort": "rodeschin", "slug": ""}, {"member_id": "", "name": "Mercer", "party": "", "chamber": "H", "county": "Hillsborough", "district": "27", "label": "Rep. Mercer (Hills 27)", "sequence": 4, "prime": false, "source": "bill text", "prime_inferred": true, "as_printed": "Rep. Mercer, Hills 27", "display_plain": "Rep. Mercer", "display": "Rep. Mercer", "display_full": "Rep. Mercer (Hills 27)", "district_label": "Hills 27", "sort": "mercer", "slug": ""}], "rollcalls": [{"date": "1994-03-10", "body": "S", "question": "Ought to Pass with Amendment", "mover": "", "yeas": null, "nays": null, "passed": true, "vote_kind": "VV", "vote_kind_label": "voice vote", "threshold_note": null, "tally": {}, "members": [], "amendment": null, "mk": "otpa", "mf": {}}, {"date": "1994-05-05", "body": "H", "question": "Ought to Pass with Amendment", "mover": "", "yeas": null, "nays": null, "passed": true, "vote_kind": "VV", "vote_kind_label": "voice vote", "threshold_note": null, "tally": {}, "members": [], "amendment": null, "mk": "otpa", "mf": {}}, {"date": "1994-05-11", "body": "S", "question": "Concur", "mover": "", "yeas": null, "nays": null, "passed": true, "vote_kind": "VV", "vote_kind_label": "voice vote", "threshold_note": null, "tally": {}, "members": [], "amendment": null, "mk": "concur", "mf": {}, "mrec": "Concur"}], "stations": [{"when": "1994-02-10", "time": "08:30", "what": "hearing", "committee": "Executive Departments and Administration", "body": "S", "venue": "RM104,LOB", "video_id": "", "watch": null, "predicted": "", "start": null, "state": "prestream", "tolerance": null, "short": false, "end": null, "end_stated": false, "end_from": null, "candidate": null, "start_stated": false, "said_how": null, "end_stated_cluster": false}, {"when": "1994-04-06", "time": "15:00", "what": "hearing", "committee": "Legislative Administration", "body": "H", "venue": "RM305,LOB", "video_id": "", "watch": null, "predicted": "", "start": null, "state": "prestream", "tolerance": null, "short": false, "end": null, "end_stated": false, "end_from": null, "candidate": null, "start_stated": false, "said_how": null, "end_stated_cluster": false}, {"when": "1994-04-19", "time": "10:00", "what": "subcommittee work session", "committee": "Legislative Administration", "body": "H", "venue": "RM308,LOB", "video_id": "", "watch": null, "predicted": "", "start": null, "state": "prestream", "tolerance": null, "short": false, "end": null, "end_stated": false, "end_from": null, "candidate": null, "start_stated": false, "said_how": null, "end_stated_cluster": false}, {"when": "1994-04-26", "time": "10:00", "what": "subcommittee work session", "committee": "Legislative Administration", "body": "H", "venue": "RM308,LOB", "video_id": "", "watch": null, "predicted": "", "start": null, "state": "prestream", "tolerance": null, "short": false, "end": null, "end_stated": false, "end_from": null, "candidate": null, "start_stated": false, "said_how": null, "end_stated_cluster": false}], "reports": [], "docket_reports": [{"date": "1994-03-09", "dated": "recorded", "body": "S", "committee": "Executive Departments and Administration", "side": "", "recommendation": "OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT", "vote_yeas": null, "vote_nays": null, "amendment": "", "new_title": false, "cite": "", "cite_url": ""}, {"date": "1994-04-27", "dated": "recorded", "body": "H", "committee": "Legislative Administration", "side": "Majority", "recommendation": "OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT", "vote_yeas": 10, "vote_nays": 0, "amendment": "", "new_title": false, "cite": "", "cite_url": ""}], "report_actions": [], "veto_message": null, "bill_note": null, "subject": "State Government", "subject_source": "granite record", "house_committee": "Legislative Administration", "senate_committee": "Executive Departments and Administration", "lsr": "1994-2778", "docket_url": "https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2778&sy=1994&txtsessionyear=1994&txtbillnumber=sb805&sortoption=billnumber", "documents": [{"label": "Bill status page", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/Bill_status.aspx?lsr=2778&sy=1994&txtsessionyear=1994&txtbillnumber=sb805&sortoption=billnumber", "kind": "status"}, {"label": "Docket", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2778&sy=1994&txtsessionyear=1994&txtbillnumber=sb805&sortoption=billnumber", "kind": "docket"}], "amendments": [{"num": "6671", "kind": "Enrolled Bill Amendment", "where": "enrolment", "date": "1994-05-26", "body": "S", "adopted": true, "vote_kind": "", "mover": "", "proposed_by": "", "text": "", "source": "", "targets": [], "supersedes": []}], "billtext": {"version": "", "title": "", "analysis": "This bill repeals and replaces the current administrative procedure act, RSA 541-A, with a renumbered and reorganized version.\n\nIn addition to numerous updates in punctuation and drafting style, this bill also makes changes to the provisions of the administrative procedure act which include, but which are not limited to the following:\n\n(1) Adding wording to clarify that alternate members on the joint legislative committee on administrative rules can be designated to sit in the place of any absent member.\n\n(2) Clarifying the procedure for submitting a petition regarding a rule and allowing an agency more time to initiate a rulemaking proceeding in response to a petition granted by an agency.\n\n(3) Allowing the director of legislative services to refuse to publish a rulemaking notice if there is significant noncompliance with the required notice elements.\n\n(4) Granting authority to develop a drafting and procedure manual to the director of legislative services and the commissioner of administrative services, subject to amendment and final approval by the joint legislative committee on administrative rules.\n\n(5) Establishing that the text of a proposed rule cannot be changed until after the conclusion of the public comment period.\n\n(6) Rewriting the procedures for holding public hearings on proposed rules and allowing the continuation, postponement, or a change in the location of a public hearing.\n\nANALYSIS\n\n(Continued)\n\n(7) Allowing agencies to solicit public comment in areas of possible rulemaking prior to commencing an official rulemaking process.\n\n(8) Rewriting the requirements for establishing the text of the final proposed rule.\n\n(9) Rewriting the provisions on the effective dates of rules and extending the length of the effective period for rules.\n\n(10) Adding to the duties of the director of legislative services in publishing rules.\n\n(11) Requiring agencies to adopt rules regarding adjudicative hearings and public comment hearings.\n\n(12) Providing that rules cannot go into effect prior to the effective date of the new law, when an agency adopts rules authorized by a new law.\n\n(13) Requiring publication in the rulemaking register of every nonconfidential opinion relative to rulemaking issued by the attorney general.\n\nThe bill also changes references to RSA 541-A throughout the statutes in order to make those references conform to the amendments made to RSA 541-A in the bill.\n\nThis bill is a result of the findings of the committee to study the rulemaking process established under 1993, 150:2.", "fiscal": {"lead": "", "tables": [{"caption": "", "raw": ["The Office of Legislative Services, Division of Administrative Rules indicates this bill may have an indeterminable impact on state expenditures. There will be no impact on state, county and local revenues or on county and local expenditures."]}]}, "body": "3/10/94....5491s\n\n05/05/94.....6187h\n\n5/31/94......6671B-EBA\n\nCHAPTER 412\n\nSENATE BILL - FINAL VERSION\n\n4489B\n\nSB 805\n\nOne Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Four\n\nreorganizing and making further amendments to the\n\nadministrative procedure act.\n\nBe it Enacted by the Senate and House of\n\nRepresentatives in General Court convened:\n\n412:1 Administrative Procedure Act. RSA 541-A is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:\n\nADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT\n\n541-A:1 Definitions. In this chapter:\n\nI. \"Adjudicative proceeding\" means the procedure to be followed in contested cases, as set forth in RSA 541-A:31 through RSA 541-A:36.\n\nII. \"Agency\" means each state board, commission, department, institution, officer, or any other state official or group, other than the legislature or the courts, authorized by law to make rules or to determine contested cases.\n\nIII. \"Committee\" means the joint legislative committee on administrative rules, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.\n\nIV. \"Contested case\" means a proceeding in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a party are required by law to be determined by an agency after notice and an opportunity for hearing.\n\nV. \"Declaratory ruling\" means an agency ruling as to the specific applicability of any statutory provision or of any rule or order of the agency.\n\nVI. \"File\" means the actual receipt, by the director of legislative services, of a document required to be submitted during a rulemaking process established by this chapter.\n\nVI-a. \"Final legislative action\" means the defeat of a joint resolution sponsored by the legislative committee on administrative rules pursuant to RSA 541-A:13, VII(b) in either the house or the senate, or the failure of the general court to override the governor's veto of the joint resolution.\n\nVII. \"Fiscal impact statement\" means a statement prepared by the legislative budget assistant, using data supplied by the rulemaking agency, and giving consideration to both short and long-term fiscal consequences and includes the elements required by RSA 541-A:5, IV.\n\nVIII. \"License\" means the whole or part of any agency permit, certificate, approval, registration, charter or similar form of permission required by law.\n\nIX. \"Licensing\" means the agency process relative to the issuance, denial, renewal, revocation, suspension, annulment, withdrawal or amendment of a license, or the imposition of terms for the exercise of a license.\n\nX. \"Nonadjudicative processes\" means all agency procedures and actions other than an adjudicative proceeding.\n\nXI. \"Order\" means the whole or part of an agency's final disposition of a matter, other than a rule, but does not include an agency's decision to initiate, postpone, investigate or process any matter, or to issue a complaint or citation.\n\nXII. \"Party\" means each person or agency named or admitted as a party, or properly seeking and entitled as a right to be admitted as a party.\n\nXIII. \"Person\" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency.\n\nXIV. \"Presiding officer\" means that individual to whom the agency has delegated the authority to preside over a proceeding, if any; otherwise it shall mean the head of the agency.\n\nXV. \"Rule\" means each regulation, standard or other statement of general applicability adopted by an agency to (a) implement, interpret or make specific a statute enforced or administered by such agency or (b) prescribe or interpret an agency policy, procedure or practice requirement binding on persons outside the agency, whether members of the general public or personnel in other agencies. The term does not include (a) internal memoranda which set policy applicable only to its own employees and which do not affect private rights or change the substance of rules binding upon the public, (b) informational pamphlets, letters or other explanatory material which refers to a statute or rule without affecting its substance or interpretation, (c) personnel records relating to the hiring, dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee, or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigating of any charges against him, (d) declaratory rulings, or (e) forms.\n\n541-A:2 Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.\n\nI. There is hereby created a joint legislative committee to be known as the joint legislative committee on administrative rules. The committee shall be composed of 10 members of the general court and 4 alternates to be appointed for 2-year terms ending on the first Wednesday in December of even-numbered years as follows: 5 members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house in consultation with the minority leader, not more than 3 of whom shall be from the same party; 5 members of the senate, appointed by the senate president in consultation with the minority leader, not more than 3 of whom shall be from the same party; 2 alternate members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house in consultation with the minority leader, not more than one of whom shall be from the same party; and 2 alternate members of the senate, appointed by the senate president in consultation with the minority leader, not more than one of whom shall be from the same party. If a member of the committee is unable, for any reason, to attend a meeting or a portion of a meeting of the committee, the chairman shall designate an alternate member to serve in his place regardless of the number of other senators or representatives who attend the meeting. The committee shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members, provided that the chairmanship shall rotate biennially between the house and senate members.\n\nII. The committee shall meet at least once each month and more often\n\nas necessary for the prompt discharge of its duties and may use the staff and services of the director of legislative services. The committee shall adopt rules to govern its operation and organization. A quorum of the committee shall consist of 6 members. Members of the committee shall be entitled to legislative mileage as provided to members for attendance at sessions of the general court.\n\nIII. The committee may hold public hearings on a proposed or previously adopted rule on its own initiative. The committee shall give public notice of any hearing at least 7 days in advance in the rulemaking register. Any public hearing shall be scheduled at a time and place chosen to afford opportunity for affected persons to present their views. As appropriate, the committee may consult with the standing legislative committee having jurisdiction in the area of the rule under review.\n\nIV. In addition to its ongoing review of proposed and adopted rules, the committee shall:\n\n(a) Petition an agency under RSA 541-A:4 to adopt rules if the agency has clear rulemaking authority which it has not used.\n\n(b) Review statutory passages granting rulemaking authority. On the basis of this review, the committee shall, before each regular legislative session, make written recommendations to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house as to how such passages should be amended to eliminate confusing, inefficient, or unnecessary statutory language.\n\n(c) Make written recommendations, when appropriate, to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house as to how the legislative oversight of rulemaking might be improved. These recommendations may include proposed amendments to RSA 541-A.\n\n(d) Have the authority to amend and provide the final approval of the drafting and procedure manual developed by the director of legislative services and the commissioner of administrative services under RSA 541-A:8.\n\n541-A:3 Procedure for Adoption of Rules. Except for interim or emergency rules, an agency shall adopt a rule by:\n\nI. Filing a notice of the proposed rule under RSA 541-A:6, including a fiscal impact statement and a statement that the proposed rule does not violate the New Hampshire constitution, part I, article 28-a;\n\nII. Providing notice to occupational licensees or those who have made timely requests for notice as required by RSA 541-A:6, III;\n\nIII. Filing the text of a proposed rule under RSA 541-A:10;\n\nIV. Holding a public hearing and receiving comments under RSA 541-A:11;\n\nV. Filing a final proposal under RSA 541-A:12;\n\nVI. Responding to the committee when required under RSA 541-A:13; and\n\nVII. Adopting and filing a final rule under RSA 541-A:14.\n\n541-A:4 Petition for Adoption of Rules. Any interested person may petition an agency to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule. Within 30 days of receiving the petition, the agency shall determine whether to grant or deny the petition and notify the petitioner. If the agency decides to deny the petition, the agency shall notify the petitioner of its decision in writing and shall state its reasons for denial. If the agency grants the petition, it shall notify the petitioner and commence the rulemaking proceeding by requesting a fiscal impact statement pursuant to RSA 541-A:5 within 120 days of receipt of the petition and continuing the proceeding as specified in RSA 541-A:3.\n\n541-A:5 Fiscal Impact Statements.\n\nI. The agency shall provide the legislative budget assistant with adequate details of the intended action and supporting data to enable him to prepare a fiscal impact statement.\n\nII. The legislative budget assistant shall develop a form which shall specify the details and supporting data necessary for him to assess the fiscal impact of the proposed rule.\n\nIII. The legislative budget assistant shall establish a schedule of deadlines for submission of the fiscal impact form, and the agency shall file the completed form with the legislative budget assistant in accordance with such deadlines.\n\nIV. The fiscal impact statement issued by the legislative budget assistant shall not be limited to dollar amounts, but shall include a discussion of the methodology used by him and the agency to reach any stated amounts. In addition, the fiscal impact statement shall consist of:\n\n(a) A narrative stating the costs and benefits to the citizens of\n\nthe state and to the political subdivisions of the intended action.\n\n(b) A conclusion as to the cost or benefit to the state general fund or any state special fund of taking the intended action.\n\n(c) An explanation of, and citation to, the federal mandate for the proposed rule, if there is such a mandate, and how that mandate affects state funds.\n\n(d) A comparison of the cost of the proposed rule with the cost of the existing rule, if there is an existing rule.\n\n(e) An analysis of the general impact of the proposed rule upon any independently owned businesses, including a description of the specific reporting and recordkeeping requirements upon small businesses which employ fewer than 10 employees.\n\nV. All agencies are directed to cooperate with the legislative budget assistant in the preparation of fiscal impact statements.\n\nVI. Agencies shall also obtain an amended fiscal impact statement from the legislative budget assistant stating either that the rule did not change as a result of notice and hearing or, if it did change, explaining how this change affects the original fiscal impact statement. Agencies shall file the amended fiscal impact statement as part of the final proposal pursuant to RSA 541-A:12, II.\n\n541-A:6 Notice of Rulemaking Proceedings.\n\nI. The agency shall give at least 20 days' notice of its intent to hold a public hearing and shall also give notice of the cut-off date for the submission of written testimony pursuant to RSA 541-A:11, I, on any proposed adoption, amendment, readoption, readoption with amendment, or repeal of a rule. The notice periods shall begin on the day after the date of publication in the rulemaking register. The notice shall be in such form as the director of legislative services shall prescribe and shall include:\n\n(a) The name and address of the agency.\n\n(b) The statutory authority for the rule.\n\n(c) Whether the intended action is an adoption, amendment, repeal, readoption, or readoption with amendment.\n\n(d) The rule number and title.\n\n(e) The date of the first agency public hearing and the cut-off date for the submission of written materials to the agency.\n\n(f) A concise summary explaining the effect of the rule.\n\n(g) A listing of people, enterprises, and government agencies affected by the rule.\n\n(h) The name, address, and telephone number of an individual in the agency able to answer questions on the proposed rule.\n\n(i) The fiscal impact statement completed by the legislative budget assistant.\n\n(j) A statement, with adequate details and supporting data, that the proposed rule does not violate the New Hampshire constitution, part I, article 28-a.\n\nII. The director of legislative services may refuse to publish a notice if he determines that there is significant noncompliance with the requirements of paragraph I above.\n\nIII. The agency shall send notice to the director of legislative services, to the president of the senate, to the speaker of the house of representatives, to the chairman of the fiscal committee, to the chairmen of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over the subject matter, and to all persons who have made timely request for advance notice of rulemaking proceedings and to all persons regulated by the proposed rules who hold occupational licenses issued by the agency. Notice shall be made not less than 20 days before the first agency public hearing required by RSA 541-A:11. Notice to occupational licensees shall be by U.S. Mail, agency bulletin or newsletter, public notice advertisement in a publication of daily statewide circulation, or in such other manner deemed sufficient by the committee.\n\n541-A:7 Style of Rules. Rules shall be written in a clear and coherent manner using words with common and everyday meanings, consistent with the text of the rule, except when technical language is necessary.\n\n541-A:8 Drafting and Procedure Manual. Each agency shall conform to a drafting and procedure manual for rules, developed by the director of legislative services and the commissioner of administrative services, subject to amendment and final approval by the committee. The director may\n\nrequire any agency to rewrite any rule submitted for filing to conform to this manual until that rule is adopted and filed under RSA 541-A:14 or RSA 541-A:19.\n\n541-A:9 Rulemaking Register.\n\nI. The director of legislative services shall publish weekly a rulemaking register which shall contain:\n\n(a) Notice of intended rulemaking actions.\n\n(b) Notice of rules adopted under RSA 541-A:14, RSA 541-A:18, and RSA 541-A:19.\n\n(c) Executive orders and non-confidential opinions of the attorney general under RSA 541-A:28.\n\n(d) Final objections under RSA 541-A:13, V.\n\n(e) Notices of continued or postponed public comment hearings under RSA 541-A:11.\n\n(f) Notices of declaratory rulings issued pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 541-A:16, I (d).\n\n(g) Notice for the submission of comments on possible rulemaking under RSA 541-A:11, VIII.\n\n(h) At the request of any agency, any other notices or documents related to rulemaking, at the discretion of the director.\n\nII. The rulemaking register shall be made available upon request to agencies and officials of this state free of charge. The director of legislative services shall send a copy of the rulemaking register upon request to the clerk of each municipality in the state and upon request to any member of the general court free of charge. Copies of the register which are sent to municipalities and to members of the general court shall be sent by first-class mail.\n\nIII. The register shall also be made available upon request to other persons at prices fixed by the director of legislative services to cover mailing and publication costs.\n\n541-A:10 Filing of Proposed Rule Text. At the same time the notice required by RSA 541-A:6, I is filed, the agency shall file the text of the proposed rule with the director of legislative services. The text as filed shall not be changed or established as the text of the final proposal until\n\nafter the conclusion of the public comment period established pursuant to RSA 541-A:11.\n\n541-A:11 Public Hearing and Comment.\n\nI. Each agency shall hold at least one public hearing on all proposed rules and shall afford all interested persons reasonable opportunity to testify and to submit data, views, or arguments in writing in accordance with the terms of the notice and the provisions of this section. For rules proposed by a board or commission, a period of at least 5 days after the hearing shall be provided for the submission of such written materials, unless a shorter period is specified in the notice. If a shorter period is specified in the notice, the deadline for the submission of written materials shall not be earlier than the scheduled conclusion of the public hearing. For rules proposed by an agency official, a period of at least 5 days after the hearing shall be provided in all instances. If a hearing is continued or postponed as provided in paragraph III or IV of this section, the period for the submission of written materials shall be extended.\n\nII. For rules proposed by a board or commission, each hearing shall be attended by a quorum of its members. For rules proposed by an agency official, each hearing shall be held by the official having the rulemaking authority, or designee, who shall be knowledgable in the particular subject area of the proposed rules.\n\nIII. To provide reasonable opportunity for public comment, the agency may continue a public hearing past the scheduled time or to another date. If the agency continues the hearing, it shall notify the public by any means it deems appropriate, including notice in the rulemaking register whenever practicable.\n\nIV. A public comment hearing may be postponed in the event of any of the following:\n\n(a) Inclement weather.\n\n(b) Illness or unavoidable absence of the official with rulemaking authority.\n\n(c) Lack of a quorum due to illness or unavoidable absence.\n\n(d) Determination by the agency that postponement of the public comment hearing shall facilitate greater participation by the public.\n\nIf a public comment hearing is postponed, the agency shall provide notice in the rulemaking register at least 5 days before such postponed public comment hearing, and may also provide notice by any other means it deems appropriate.\n\nV. A public comment hearing may be moved to another location if the agency determines for any reason that the original location is not able to accommodate the public. If changing the location does not also necessitate a change in the date of the public comment hearing, the agency shall post notice of the new location at the originally scheduled facility. If changing the location necessitates a change in the date of the public comment hearing, the agency shall provide notice as required by paragraph IV.\n\nVI. On request, the agency shall promptly provide a copy of any rule as filed with the director at any stage in the rulemaking process. If the copy is mailed, it shall be sent not later than the end of the third working day after the request is received. The agency may, pursuant to RSA 91-A:4, IV, charge the actual cost of providing such copy.\n\nVII. If requested by an interested person at any time before 30 days after final adoption of a rule, the adopting authority shall issue an explanation of the rule. The explanation shall include:\n\n(a) A concise statement of the principal reasons for and against the adoption of the rule in its final form.\n\n(b) An explanation of why the adopting authority overruled the arguments and considerations against the rule.\n\nVIII. In addition to seeking information by other methods, an agency, before publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking under RSA 541-A:6, may solicit comments from the public on a subject matter of possible rulemaking under active consideration within the agency by causing notice to be published in the rulemaking register of the subject matter and indicating where, when, and how persons may provide comment on the rules under consideration.\n\n541-A:12 Filing Final Proposal.\n\nI. After considering fully public comment received pursuant to RSA 541-A:11, and any other relevant information, a quorum of the members of the agency or the agency official having rulemaking authority shall establish the text of the final proposed rule. After the text of the final proposed rule has been established, the agency shall file the final proposal no earlier than 21 days and no later than 150 days after the date of publication of the notice in the rulemaking register. If an agency is required to rewrite a rule in accordance with RSA 541-A:8, the agency shall have up to 180 days after the date of publication of the notice in the rulemaking register to file the final proposal. The agency shall file the final proposal with the director of legislative services. Final proposals filed no later than 14 days before a regularly scheduled committee meeting shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting. Final proposals filed fewer than 14 days before a regularly scheduled committee meeting shall be placed on the agenda of the following regularly scheduled committee meeting.\n\nII. The final proposal shall include:\n\n(a) A cover sheet listing:\n\n(1) The number of the notice and the date the notice appeared in the rulemaking register;\n\n(2) The name and address of the agency;\n\n(3) The title and number of the rule; and\n\n(4) A citation to the statutory authority for the rule.\n\n(b) Two copies of the established text of the final proposed rule.\n\n(c) A copy of the full text of the statutory authority for the rule.\n\n(d) An amended fiscal impact statement from the legislative budget assistant stating either that the rule did not change as a result of notice and hearing or, if it did change, explaining how this change affects the original fiscal impact statement.\n\n(e) A copy of the fixed text of the final proposed rule annotated clearly to show how the final proposed rule differs from the rule as initially proposed, if the text has changed.\n\nIII. With the final proposal, the agency shall also file the incorporation by reference statement described by paragraph IV of this section, if the agency incorporates into its rules any document prepared by any entity outside the agency. However, the agency shall not incorporate by reference any document prepared by or on behalf of the agency.\n\nIV. Any required incorporation by reference statement shall include a separately signed statement by the adopting authority:\n\n(a) Certifying that the text of the matter incorporated has been reviewed by the agency, with the name of the reviewing official;\n\n(b) Explaining how the text of the matter incorporated can be obtained by the public, and at what cost;\n\n(c) Explaining any modifications to the matter incorporated;\n\n(d) Discussing the comparative desirability of reproducing the incorporated matter in full in the text of the rule; and\n\n(e) Certifying that the agency has the capability and the intent to enforce the rule.\n\n541-A:13 Review by the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.\n\nI. Within 45 days of the filing of a final proposal with the director of legislative services, the committee may approve the rule or object under paragraph V. Objections to a rule may be made only once.\n\nII.(a) If the committee approves the rule, it shall notify the agency in writing of its approval.\n\n(b) Failure to give notice of either approval or objection at the end of the 45-day period shall be deemed approval.\n\nIII. If the rule is approved under subparagraph II(a) or (b), the agency may adopt the rule.\n\nIV. The committee may object to a proposed rule if the rule is:\n\n(a) Beyond the authority of the agency;\n\n(b) Contrary to the intent of the legislature;\n\n(c) Determined not to be in the public interest; or\n\n(d) Deemed by the committee to have a substantial economic impact not recognized in the fiscal impact statement.\n\nV. The following procedures shall govern committee objections:\n\n(a) If the committee objects to the rule, it shall first notify the agency promptly by sending the agency a preliminary written objection stating the basis for the objection and recommending that the agency amend or withdraw the final proposal. A preliminary objection shall require the assent of a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present.\n\n(b) If the committee makes a preliminary objection to the rule, the agency shall respond to the objection by withdrawing the rule, by amending the rule to remove the basis for objection, or by making no change. The agency shall respond to a committee objection only once, and shall report its response in writing to the committee within 45 days of the committee's vote to make a preliminary objection. Failure to respond to the committee in accordance with this subparagraph shall mean the rulemaking procedure for that proposed rule is invalid; however, the agency is not precluded from initiating the process over again for a similar rule. After receipt of the agency response, the committee may modify its objections made under paragraph IV or approve the rule.\n\n(c) After submitting its preliminary objection response and prior to the final committee vote on the final proposal, and in all cases, prior to the adoption of the rule by the agency, the agency may request the committee to issue a revised objection. Such revised objection shall be issued by a vote of the committee. Only one such revised objection shall be allowed by the committee. The agency shall be promptly notified in writing of the revised objection. The agency shall respond to a revised objection only once, and shall report its response in writing to the committee within 45 days of the committee vote. Failure to respond in accordance with this subparagraph shall mean the rulemaking procedure for that proposed rule is invalid; however, the agency is not precluded from initiating the process over again for a similar rule. After review of the revised objection response, the committee may approve the rule or vote to issue a final objection.\n\n(d) If the agency responds but the basis for the committee's preliminary or revised objection has not been removed or the response creates a new basis for objection, the committee may, by majority vote of the entire committee, file a final objection. The final objection shall be\n\nfiled in certified form with the director of legislative services, who shall publish the objection in the next issue of the rulemaking register.\n\nVI. After a final objection by the committee to a provision in the rule is filed with the director under subparagraph V(d), the burden of proof thereafter shall be on the agency in any action for judicial review or for enforcement of the provision to establish that the part objected to is within the authority delegated to the agency, is consistent with the intent of the legislature, is in the public interest, or does not have a substantial economic impact not recognized in the fiscal impact statement. If the agency fails to meet its burden of proof, the court shall declare the whole or portion of the rule objected to invalid. The failure of the committee to object to a rule shall not be an implied legislative authorization of its substantive or procedural lawfulness.\n\nVII.(a) The provisions of this paragraph may be used by the committee as an alternative to or in addition to the final objection procedure employed by the committee in paragraph V.\n\n(b) If an agency responds under subparagraph V(b) or (c) but the basis for objection has not been removed or the response creates a new basis for objection, the committee may, within 45 days from the date by which the objection response was due and by majority vote of the entire committee, recommend legislative action through sponsorship of a joint resolution to implement its recommendation. Such vote shall prevent the rule from being adopted and filed by the agency for the period of time specified in subparagraph VII(c).\n\n(c) If the committee votes to sponsor a joint resolution pursuant to subparagraph VII(b), the agency shall be prevented from adopting and filing such rule until final legislative action is taken on the resolution or the passage of 90 consecutive calendar days during which the general court shall have been in session, whichever occurs first. The 90 calendar day period shall commence on the date such joint resolution has been introduced. If the session of the general court adjourns prior to the 60th calendar day after such joint resolution has been introduced, then the agency shall be prevented from adopting and filing such rule until 90 calendar days, beginning with the next session of the general court, have passed.\n\n(d) The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to only the portion of the agency's rule identified in the joint resolution. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent an agency from adopting and filing the remainder of the rules in the final proposal under RSA 541-A while the committee pursues legislative action under this paragraph, nor shall it prevent the committee from also voting to enter a final objection pursuant to paragraph V.\n\n(e) Nothing in this section shall prevent the general court from introducing legislation which addresses any matter included in a joint resolution introduced under the provisions of this section.\n\n(f) Notwithstanding any house or senate rules to the contrary, a joint resolution which the committee votes to sponsor under subparagraph VII(b) may be introduced at any time during the legislative session. It shall be subject to the same rules as any other bill introduced at the beginning of the legislative session.\n\n541-A:14 Final Adoption.\n\nI. An agency may adopt a properly filed final proposed rule after:\n\n(a) The passage of 45 days from filing of a final proposal under RSA 541-A:12 without receiving notice of objection from the committee;\n\n(b) Receiving notice of approval from the committee;\n\n(c) Passage of the 45-day period for committee review of the preliminary objection response, or revised objection response, if applicable, provided that the committee has not voted to sponsor a joint resolution pursuant to RSA 541-A:13, VII; or\n\n(d) Final legislative action, as defined in RSA 541-A:1, VI-a, is taken on the joint resolution sponsored pursuant to RSA 541-A:13, VII(b) or the passage of the 90 consecutive calendar days specified by RSA 541-A:13, VII(c), whichever occurs first.\n\nII. The text of the adopted rule shall be the same as the text of the final proposed rule submitted under RSA 541-A:12, except that any specific change may be made by the agency in direct response to the committee's written objection. The director of legislative services may refuse to accept for filing any final rule which contains changes, other than minor editorial changes, that are not specifically authorized in the\n\ncommittee's written objection. The agency shall identify each minor editorial change in writing to the director of legislative services.\n\nIII. The agency shall file all adopted rules with the director of legislative services.\n\nIV. Adopted rules shall become effective under RSA 541-A:16, III on the day after filing by the agency, or at a later date, provided that the agency so specifies in a letter to the director of legislative services, and further provided that the agency does not establish different effective dates for different provisions within the same rule. If the agency has specified a later effective date, the agency may modify the date by providing a statement to the director of legislative services which shall indicate the new effective date and all reasons for modifying the date. The statement shall be published by the director of legislative services in the rulemaking register. No modified effective date shall occur earlier than the date of publication in the rulemaking register. The director shall maintain a file of all currently effective rules, and each agency shall maintain a file of its own currently effective rules, both of which shall be open to the public.\n\n541-A:15 Publication of Rules.\n\nI. The director of legislative services shall compile, index, and publish, or require agencies to publish all effective rules adopted by each agency. Compilations shall be supplemented, revised, or published as often as necessary. The compilation, indexing, or publishing of fiscal impact statements shall not be required. The director of legislative services, in consultation with state agencies, may enter into a contract for the preparation and publishing of the compilation of agency rules or any portion of it, or may certify a commercially prepared version of the compilation. Any version or portion of the code published under this section shall conform to all requirements of this chapter.\n\nII. The director of legislative services shall assist the agencies in developing a publicly accessible electronic rules database.\n\nIII. The director of legislative services may omit from the compilation any rule the publication of which would be unduly cumbersome, expensive, or otherwise inexpedient, if the rule in printed or processed form is made available on application to the adopting agency, and if the compilation contains a notice stating the general subject matter of the omitted rule and stating how a copy thereof may be obtained.\n\n541-A:16 Rules; Filing Required.\n\nI. In addition to other rulemaking requirements imposed by law, each agency shall:\n\n(a) Adopt as a rule a description of its organization, stating the general course and method of its operations and the methods by which the public may obtain information or make submissions or requests.\n\n(b) Adopt rules of practice setting forth the nature and requirement of all formal and informal procedures available, including:\n\n(1) A description of all forms and instructions used by the agency;\n\n(2) Rules governing adjudicative hearings; and\n\n(3) Rules governing public comment hearings for rulemaking.\n\n(c) Adopt rules setting the format and procedures for submitting, considering, and disposing of rulemaking petitions under RSA 541-A:4.\n\n(d) Adopt rules relating to filing petitions for declaratory rulings and their prompt disposition.\n\nII. Each agency shall also:\n\n(a) Make available to the public all written statements of policy or interpretations, other than rules, formulated or used by the agency in the discharge of its functions.\n\n(b) File with the director of legislative services all declaratory rulings issued.\n\nIII. A rule shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the day after the filing of the adopted rule or as of 12:01 a.m. on the date specified by the agency pursuant to RSA 541-A:14, IV or RSA 541-A:19, X, or such other date and time as specified, provided that filing occurs before such\n\neffective date and time. A rule adopted under RSA 541-A:14, IV shall expire after the last day of the eighth year following its becoming effective, unless sooner amended, readopted, or repealed.\n\nIV. If any deadline for action by an agency, the public, or the committee imposed by this chapter falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or state legal holiday, the deadline for such action shall be extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or state legal holiday.\n\n541-A:17 Time Limit.\n\nI. No rule shall be effective for a period of longer than 8 years, but the agency may adopt an identical rule under RSA 541-A:5 through RSA 541-A:14.\n\nII. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, the organizational rules proposed and adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A:16, I(a), shall not expire, provided that they have been approved by the committee. However, if a statute governing the agency reorganizes or reassigns any of the responsibilities outlined in the agency's rules describing its organization, such rules shall expire one year after the effective date of the statute that makes such change, and the agency shall commence rulemaking to amend its rules no later than 6 months after the effective date of such statute. If the agency reorganizes its organization and responsibilities in such a way that the agency's rules describing its organization are no longer accurate, the agency shall amend its rules as soon as is practicable, but shall commence rulemaking not later than 6 months after such changes occur.\n\n541-A:18 Emergency Rules.\n\nI. If an agency finds that an imminent peril to the public health or safety requires adoption of a rule with less notice than is required under RSA 541-A:6 and states in writing its reasons for that finding, it may proceed to adopt an emergency rule. The rule may be adopted without having been filed in proposed or final proposed form and may be adopted after whatever notice and hearing the agency finds to be practicable under the circumstances. The agency shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that emergency rules are made known to persons who may be affected by them.\n\nII. Notwithstanding RSA 541-A:16, III, emergency rules adopted under this section shall not remain in effect for more than 120 days from the date and time of filing with the director of legislative services. An agency may propose a permanent rule on the same subject at the same time that it adopts an emergency rule, but it shall not adopt the same emergency rule when the emergency rule expires.\n\nIII. Emergency rules adopted under this section shall include:\n\n(a) The name and address of the agency.\n\n(b) The statutory authority for the rule.\n\n(c) Whether the intended action is an adoption, amendment, or repeal.\n\n(d) The rule number and title.\n\n(e) A signed and dated statement by the adopting authority explaining the nature of the imminent peril to the public health or safety, including a summary of the effect upon the state if the emergency rule were not adopted.\n\n(f) A listing of people, enterprises, and government agencies affected by the rule.\n\n(g) The name, address, and telephone number of an individual in the agency able to answer questions on the emergency rule.\n\nIV. Emergency rules adopted under this section shall not be adopted solely to avoid the time requirements of this chapter. The committee may petition the adopting agency to repeal the rule if it determines that the statement of emergency required by RSA 541-A:18, III(e) is inadequate and does not demonstrate that the rule is necessary to prevent an imminent peril to the public health or safety.\n\nV. Effective rules which are amended or repealed by adoption of an emergency rule shall again be effective in their original form upon expiration of the emergency rule.\n\nVI. An agency may repeal an emergency rule by filing a statement with the director of legislative services which includes:\n\n(a) The name and address of the agency.\n\n(b) The rule number and title.\n\n(c) The effective date of the repeal.\n\n(d) The name, address, and telephone number of an individual within the agency able to answer questions about the repeal.\n\n(e) An explanation of why the rule is being repealed.\n\n541-A:19 Interim Rules.\n\nI. An agency may adopt as an interim rule any rule which amends an existing rule, repeals an existing rule, or creates a new rule, and which is designed solely to allow the agency to:\n\n(a) Conform with a new or amended state statute, provided, however, that an agency shall not publish notice of a proposed interim rule more than 90 days after the effective date of the new or amended statute;\n\n(b) Conform with a controlling judicial decision;\n\n(c) Conform with a federal requirement which must be met sooner than the time periods allowed under RSA 541-A for a rule adopted under the procedures listed in RSA 541-A:3;\n\n(d) Continue its rules which would otherwise expire prior to the completion of the readoption of the rules by the agency; or\n\n(e) Minimize the time between the expiration of rules and their subsequent readoption by the agency.\n\nII. An agency may adopt an interim rule without meeting the requirements of RSA 541-A:5 through RSA 541-A:14 except, however, the agency shall meet the requirements of RSA 541-A:7 and 541-A:8 provided the agency:\n\n(a) Publishes notice of a proposed interim rule in a newspaper of daily statewide circulation and files the proposed interim rule, with the cover sheet as provided in paragraph IV, with the legislative budget assistant and the director of legislative services no later than the date of publication of the notice; or\n\n(b) Files the proposed interim rule with the cover sheet as provided in paragraph IV, and the notice of the proposed interim rule with the legislative budget assistant and the director of legislative services, and has published notice in the rulemaking register.\n\nIII. Notice of an agency's intent to propose an interim rule shall include:\n\n(a) The name and address of the agency.\n\n(b) Citation to the statutory or other rulemaking authority for the proposed interim rule.\n\n(c) Whether the proposed interim rule is an adoption, readoption, amendment, readoption with amendment, or repeal.\n\n(d) The rule number and title.\n\n(e) A concise summary explaining the effect of the proposed interim rule.\n\n(f) A listing of people, enterprises, and government agencies affected by the proposed interim rule.\n\n(g) A summary of the effect upon the state if the proposed interim rule were not adopted.\n\n(h) The name, address, and telephone number of an individual in the agency able to answer questions on the proposed interim rule.\n\n(i) The date the proposed interim rule will be filed with the legislative budget assistant and director of legislative services.\n\n(j) The expected date of review by the committee.\n\nIV. Proposed interim rules filed under paragraph II shall include a cover sheet stating:\n\n(a) The name and address of the agency.\n\n(b) Citation to the statutory rulemaking authority for the proposed interim rule.\n\n(c) Whether the intended action is an adoption, readoption, amendment, readoption with amendment, or repeal.\n\n(d) The rule number and title.\n\n(e) A signed and dated statement by the adopting authority explaining why an interim rule is necessary, including documentary evidence to prove the agency is acting in accordance with the terms of this section and is not adopting an interim rule solely to avoid the time periods imposed by RSA 541-A, except as provided in paragraph I of this section.\n\n(f) A listing of people, enterprises, and government agencies affected by the proposed interim rule.\n\n(g) The name, address, and telephone number of an individual in the agency able to answer questions on the proposed interim rule.\n\nV. A proposed interim rule filed under paragraph II no less than 14 days before a regularly scheduled committee meeting shall be placed on the committee's agenda for review for that meeting. Publication of notice shall occur no less than 7 days before a regularly scheduled meeting. If the agency has published notice in a newspaper, pursuant to subparagraph II(a), the agency shall file a copy of the notice as it was published no later than 3 days after the date of publication. Proposed interim rules filed less than 14 days before a regularly scheduled committee meeting shall be placed on the agenda for review at the following regularly scheduled committee meeting or at a special meeting, as determined by the committee.\n\nVI. The committee shall vote to approve the rule or object under paragraph VII. Objections to a proposed interim rule may be made only once.\n\nVII. The committee may object to a proposed interim rule if the rule is:\n\n(a) Beyond the authority of the agency;\n\n(b) Contrary to the intent of the legislature;\n\n(c) Determined not to be in the public interest; or\n\n(d) Deemed by the committee not to meet the requirements of paragraph I.\n\nVIII. The following procedures shall govern committee objections:\n\n(a) If the committee objects to the proposed interim rule, it shall notify the agency promptly by sending the agency a written objection stating the basis for the objection and recommending that the agency amend or withdraw the proposed interim rule. An objection shall require the assent of a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present.\n\n(b) If the committee makes an objection to the proposed interim rule, the agency may cure the defect or withdraw the interim rule. The agency shall respond to a committee objection only once, and shall report its response in writing to the committee prior to its next regularly scheduled meeting. Failure to respond to the committee in accordance with this subparagraph shall mean the rulemaking procedure for that proposed interim rule is invalid; however, the agency is not precluded from initiating the process over again for a similar rule, provided that the conditions in paragraph I are met.\n\n(c) The committee shall review the response and vote to approve the response or continue the objection.\n\n(d) The committee's objection shall not preclude the agency from adopting the substance of an interim rule by meeting the requirements of RSA 541-A:3.\n\nIX. No proposed interim rule shall be adopted unless within 90 days of publication of the notice the committee votes to approve the proposed interim rule.\n\nX. No proposed interim rule shall be adopted unless the committee has voted to approve the proposed interim rule. An adopted interim rule shall be filed with the director of legislative services no later than 30 days following committee approval. An interim rule shall be effective under RSA 541-A:16, III on the day after filing with the director of legislative services, or at a later date, provided the agency so specifies in a letter to the director of legislative services and the effective date is within 30 days following committee approval. Interim rules shall be effective for a period not to exceed 120 days. During the time an interim rule shall be in effect, the agency may propose a permanent rule to replace the interim rule once it expires, but it shall not adopt another interim rule to replace the expiring interim rule.\n\n541-A:20 Initiating Rulemaking Prior to Effective Date of Statutory Authority. After the enactment and before the effective date of any statute granting rulemaking authority, the agency to whom such authority is granted may initiate procedures to adopt such rules; provided that the effective date of the rule, under RSA 541-A:14, IV or RSA 541-A:19, X shall not occur before the effective date of the act granting statutory authority for that rule.\n\n541-A:21 Exceptions.\n\nI. Authority granted under the provisions of the following statutes shall be exempt from RSA 541-A:\n\n(a) RSA 230:53, relative to the use of limited access highway facilities.\n\n(b) RSA 236:1, II, relative to regulating, permanently or seasonally, the use of certain class I, II and III highways by the posting of traffic control stop signs, devices, and signals thereon.\n\n(c) RSA 265:22, relative to painted marking of highways.\n\n(d) RSA 265:62, relative to the establishment of state speed zones.\n\n(e) RSA 265:71, relative to stopping, standing, or parking and the placing of signs relative thereto on certain highways.\n\n(f) RSA 236:9, relative to excavation permits.\n\n(g) RSA 236:13, relative to driveway permits.\n\n(h) RSA 231:161, relative to licensing utility poles and appurtenances within public highways.\n\n(i) RSA 266:18-c, V, relative to bridge weight limits.\n\n(j) RSA 651-A:22, II, relative to credit for good conduct of prisoners.\n\n(k) RSA 111, relative to the state guard.\n\n(l) RSA 284:12, IV, relative to the sale of pari-mutuel pools as authorized under RSA 284:22 and RSA 284:22-a.\n\n(m) RSA 237:5, II; 237:9; 237:17; 237:24, I; 237:34; and 237:40, relative to the establishment of toll rates for turnpikes.\n\n(n) RSA 12-G, relative to the Pease development authority.\n\n(o) RSA 375-A:14, RSA 375-B:17 and RSA 376:21, relative to a single state registration system.\n\n(p) RSA 268 and RSA 261:72-a, V, relative to motor vehicle emissions.\n\n(q) RSA 374:8, relative to a uniform system of accounts for regulated utilities.\n\nII. Rules adopted under RSA 394-A:7 shall be exempt from committee review under RSA 541-A:13.\n\nIII. Rules adopted under RSA 161:4, VI, relative to rates of reimbursement to providers of medical services under the medical assistance program, shall be exempt from the requirements of RSA 541-A:5 through RSA 541-A:14.\n\n541-A:22 Validity of Rules.\n\nI. No agency rule is valid or effective against any person or party, nor may it be enforced by the state for any purpose, until it has been filed as required in this chapter.\n\nII. Rules shall be valid and binding on persons they affect, and shall have the force of law unless amended or revised or unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise. Except as provided by RSA 541-A:13, VI, rules shall be prima facie evidence of the proper interpretation of the matter that they refer to.\n\nIII. An agency shall not by rule:\n\n(a) Provide for penalties or fines unless specifically authorized by statute.\n\n(b) Require licensing, as defined in RSA 541-A:1, IX, unless authorized by a law which uses one of the specific terms listed in RSA 541-A:1, VIII.\n\n(c) Require fees unless specifically authorized by a statute enforced or administered by an agency. Specific authorization shall not include the designation of agency fee income in the operating budget when no other statutory authorization exists.\n\n(d) Provide for non-consensual inspections of private property, unless the statute enforced or administered by the agency specifically grants inspection authority.\n\n(e) Delegate its rulemaking authority to anyone other than the agency named in the statute delegating authority.\n\n(f) Adopt rules under another agency's authority.\n\n(g) Expand or limit a statutory definition affecting the scope of who may practice a profession.\n\nIV. No agency shall grant waivers of, or variances from, any provisions of its rules without either amending the rules, or providing by rule for a waiver or variance procedure. The duration of the waiver or variance may be temporary if the rule so provides.\n\n541-A:23 Remedies for Procedural Failures.\n\nI. The following shall prevent a rule from taking effect:\n\n(a) Failure to file with the director of legislative services;\n\n(b) Failure to file with the committee;\n\n(c) Failure to respond to an objection of the committee as required by RSA 541-A:13, V; or\n\n(d) Failure to receive approval of the committee for a proposed interim rule, as required by RSA 541-A:19, X.\n\nII. The following shall not affect the validity of a rule:\n\n(a) Inadvertent failure to make required assurances relating to an incorporation by reference;\n\n(b) Failure to certify that all procedures required by this chapter have been satisfied;\n\n(c) Failure to meet the style requirements of RSA 541-A:7; or\n\n(d) Inadvertent failure to mail notice or copies of any rule.\n\nIII. For other violations of this chapter, the court may fashion appropriate relief.\n\nIV. An action to contest the validity of a rule for noncompliance with any of the provisions of this chapter other than those listed in paragraph I shall be commenced within one year after the effective date of the rule. Such actions shall be brought in the Merrimack county superior court.\n\n541-A:24 Declaratory Judgment on Validity or Applicability of Rules. The validity or applicability of a rule may be determined in an action for declaratory judgment in the Merrimack county superior court if it is alleged that the rule, or its threatened application, interferes with or impairs, or threatens to interfere with or impair, the legal rights or privileges of the plaintiff. The agency shall be made a party to the action. A declaratory judgment may be rendered whether or not the plaintiff has requested the agency to pass upon the validity or applicability of the rule in question.\n\n541-A:25 Unfunded State Mandates.\n\nI. A state agency to which rulemaking authority has been granted, including those agencies, the rulemaking authority of which was granted prior to May 6, 1992, shall not mandate or assign any new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision in such a way as to necessitate further expenditures by the political subdivision unless such programs or responsibilities are approved for funding by a vote of the local legislative body of the political subdivision. Such programs include those functions of a nature customarily undertaken by municipalities whether or not performance of such functions is required by statute.\n\nII. Such programs also include, but are not limited to, functions such as police, fire and rescue, roads and bridges, solid waste, sewer and water, and construction and maintenance of buildings and other municipal facilities or other facilities or functions undertaken by a political subdivision.\n\nIII. Included in the scope and nature of such programs are those municipal functions which might be undertaken by a municipality or by a private entity and those functions which a municipality may legally choose not to undertake.\n\n541-A:26 Administration of Federal Mandates. Any state agency, when administering federal mandates, shall not mandate or assign to any political subdivision any new, expanded or modified programs or responsibilities additional to the federal mandate in such a way as to necessitate additional local expenditures by the political subdivision unless such programs or responsibilities are fully funded by the state or unless such programs or responsibilities are approved for funding by a vote of the local legislative body of the political subdivision.\n\n541-A:27 Notification of Federal Statute and Regulation. Any new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities based upon a federal mandate and lawfully mandated or assigned to any political subdivision shall specifically state the federal statute and regulation requiring such new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities.\n\n541-A:28 Executive Orders and Opinions of the Attorney General. The secretary of state shall transmit each executive order received from the governor to the director of legislative services, who shall publish the text of the executive order in the register of notice of rulemaking proceedings. The attorney general shall transmit a copy of every non-confidential opinion relative to rulemaking or rulemaking authority issued by him or in his name to the director of legislative services. The director shall publish such opinions in the rulemaking register.\n\n541-A:29 Agency Action on Applications, Petitions and Requests. In processing an application, petition or request, in any matter other than rulemaking or a declaratory ruling, in which a response is specifically addressed to the applicant, petitioner or requester, the agency shall:\n\nI. Within 60 days of receipt, examine the application, petition or request, notify the applicant of any apparent errors or omissions, request any additional information that the agency is permitted by law to require, and notify the applicant of the name, official title, address, and telephone number of an agency official or employee who may be contacted regarding the application.\n\nII. Within a reasonable time, not to exceed 120 days, after receipt of the application, petition or request, or of the response to a timely request made by the agency pursuant to paragraph I, the agency shall:\n\n(a) Approve or deny the application, in whole or in part, on the basis of nonadjudicative processes, if disposition of the application by the use of these processes is not precluded by any provision of law; or\n\n(b) Commence an adjudicative proceeding in accordance with this chapter.\n\nIII. If the time limits prescribed by this section conflict with specific time limits provided for by other provisions of law, the specific time limits provided for by such other provisions shall control.\n\n541-A:30 Agency Action Against Licensees.\n\nI. If a timely and sufficient application has been made in accordance with agency rules for renewal of a license for any activity of a continuing nature that does not automatically expire by law, the existing license shall not expire until the agency has taken final action upon the application for renewal. If the agency's final action is unfavorable, the license shall not expire until the last day for seeking judicial review of the agency's action, or a later date fixed by the reviewing court.\n\nII. An agency shall not revoke, suspend, modify, annul, withdraw, or amend a license unless the agency first gives notice to the licensee of the facts or conduct upon which the agency intends to base its action, and gives the licensee an opportunity, through an adjudicative proceeding, to show compliance with all lawful requirements for the retention of the license.\n\nIII. If the agency finds that public health, safety or welfare requires emergency action and incorporates a finding to that effect in its order, immediate suspension of a license may be ordered pending an\n\nadjudicative proceeding. The agency shall commence this adjudicative proceeding not later than 10 working days after the date of the agency order suspending the license. Unless expressly waived by the licensee, agency failure to commence an adjudicative proceeding within 10 working days shall mean that the suspension order is automatically vacated. The agency shall not again suspend the license for the same conduct which formed the basis of the vacated suspension without granting the licensee prior notice and an opportunity for an adjudicative proceeding.\n\n541-A:31 Availability of Adjudicative Proceeding; Contested Cases; Notice, Hearing and Record.\n\nI. An agency shall commence an adjudicative proceeding if a matter has reached a stage at which it is considered a contested case or, if the matter is one for which a provision of law requires a hearing only upon the request of a party, upon the request of a party.\n\nII. An agency may commence an adjudicative proceeding at any time with respect to a matter within the agency's jurisdiction.\n\nIII. In a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for an adjudicative proceeding after reasonable notice. The notice shall include:\n\n(a) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing.\n\n(b) A statement of the legal authority under which the hearing is to be held.\n\n(c) A reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved.\n\n(d) A short and plain statement of the issues involved. Upon request an agency shall, when possible, furnish a more detailed statement of the issues within a reasonable time.\n\nIV. Opportunity shall be afforded all parties to respond and present evidence and argument on all issues involved.\n\nV. (a) Unless precluded by law, informal disposition may be made of any contested case, at any time prior to the entry of a final decision or order, by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default.\n\n(b) In order to facilitate proceedings and encourage informal disposition, the presiding officer may, upon motion of any party, or upon\n\nhis own motion, schedule one or more informal prehearing conferences prior to beginning formal proceedings. The presiding officer shall provide notice to all parties prior to holding any prehearing conference.\n\n(c) Prehearing conferences may include, but are not limited to, consideration of any one or more of the following:\n\n(1) Offers of settlement.\n\n(2) Simplification of the issues.\n\n(3) Stipulations or admissions as to issues of fact or proof, by consent of the parties.\n\n(4) Limitations on the number of witnesses.\n\n(5) Changes to standard procedures desired during the hearing, by consent of the parties.\n\n(6) Consolidation of examination of witnesses by the parties.\n\n(7) Any other matters which aid in the disposition of the proceeding.\n\n(d) The presiding officer shall issue and serve upon all parties a prehearing order incorporating the matters determined at the prehearing conference.\n\nVI. The record in a contested case shall include all of the following that are applicable in that case:\n\n(a) Any prehearing order.\n\n(b) All pleadings, motions, objections, and rulings.\n\n(c) Evidence received or considered.\n\n(d) A statement of matters officially noticed.\n\n(e) Proposed findings and exceptions.\n\n(f) Any decision, opinion, or report by the officer presiding at the hearing.\n\n(g) The tape recording or stenographic notes or symbols prepared for the presiding officer at the hearing, together with any transcript of all or part of the hearing considered before final disposition of the proceeding.\n\n(h) Staff memoranda or data submitted to the presiding officer, except memoranda or data prepared and submitted by agency legal counsel or personal assistants and not inconsistent with RSA 541-A:36.\n\n(i) Matters placed on the record after an ex parte communication.\n\nVII. The entirety of all oral proceedings shall be recorded verbatim. Upon the request of any party, or upon the agency's own initiative, such record shall be transcribed if the requesting party or agency shall first pay all reasonable costs for such transcription.\n\nVIII. Findings of fact shall be based exclusively on the evidence and on matters officially noticed in accordance with RSA 541-A:33, V.\n\n541-A:32 Intervention.\n\nI. The presiding officer shall grant one or more petitions for intervention if:\n\n(a) The petition is submitted in writing to the presiding officer, with copies mailed to all parties named in the presiding officer's notice of the hearing, at least 3 days before the hearing;\n\n(b) The petition states facts demonstrating that the petitioner's rights, duties, privileges, immunities or other substantial interests may be affected by the proceeding or that the petitioner qualifies as an intervenor under any provision of law; and\n\n(c) The presiding officer determines that the interests of justice and the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings would not be impaired by allowing the intervention.\n\nII. The presiding officer may grant one or more petitions for intervention at any time, upon determining that such intervention would be in the interests of justice and would not impair the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings.\n\nIII. If a petitioner qualifies for intervention, the presiding officer may impose conditions upon the intervenor's participation in the proceedings, either at the time that intervention is granted or at any subsequent time. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to:\n\n(a) Limitation of the intervenor's participation to designated issues in which the intervenor has a particular interest demonstrated by the petition.\n\n(b) Limitation of the intervenor's use of cross-examination and other procedures so as to promote the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings.\n\n(c) Requiring 2 or more intervenors to combine their presentations of evidence and argument, cross-examination, and other participation in the proceedings.\n\nIV. Limitations imposed in accordance with paragraph III shall not be so extensive as to prevent the intervenor from protecting the interest which formed the basis of the intervention.\n\nV. The presiding officer shall render an order granting or denying each petition for intervention, specifying any conditions and briefly stating the reasons for the order. The presiding officer may modify the order at any time, stating the reasons for the modification.\n\n541-A:33 Evidence; Official Notice in Contested Cases.\n\nI. All testimony of parties and witnesses shall be made under oath or affirmation administered by the presiding officer.\n\nII. The rules of evidence shall not apply in adjudicative proceedings. Any oral or documentary evidence may be received; but the presiding officer may exclude irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence. Agencies shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law. Objections to evidence offered may be made and shall be noted in the record. Subject to the foregoing requirements, any part of the evidence may be received in written form if the interests of the parties will not thereby be prejudiced substantially.\n\nIII. Documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts if the original is not readily available. Upon request, parties shall be given an opportunity to compare the copy with the original.\n\nIV. A party may conduct cross-examinations required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.\n\nV. Official notice may be taken of any one or more of the following:\n\n(a) Any fact which could be judicially noticed in the courts of this state.\n\n(b) The record of other proceedings before the agency.\n\n(c) Generally recognized technical or scientific facts within the agency's specialized knowledge.\n\n(d) Codes or standards that have been adopted by an agency of the United States, of this state or of another state, or by a nationally\n\nrecognized organization or association.\n\nVI. Parties shall be notified either before or during the hearing or by reference in preliminary reports or otherwise of the material noticed, including any staff memoranda or data, and they shall be afforded an opportunity to contest the material so noticed. The agency's experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge may be utilized in the evaluation of the evidence.\n\n541-A:34 Examination of Evidence by Agency. If a majority of the officials of the agency who are to render the final decision in a contested case have not heard the case or read the record, the decision, if adverse to a party to the proceeding other than the agency itself, shall not be made until a proposal for decision is served upon the parties and an opportunity is afforded to each party adversely affected to file exceptions and present briefs and oral argument to the officials who are to render the final decision. The proposal for decision shall contain a statement of the reasons for the decision and shall set forth each issue of fact or law necessary to the proposed decision, prepared by the person who conducted the hearing or one who has read the record. The parties by written stipulation may waive compliance with this section.\n\n541-A:35 Decisions and Orders. A final decision or order adverse to a party in a contested case shall be in writing or stated in the record. A final decision shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated. Findings of fact, if set forth in statutory language, shall be accompanied by a concise and explicit statement of the underlying facts supporting the findings. If, in accordance with agency rules, a party submitted proposed findings of fact, the decision shall include a ruling upon each proposed finding. Parties shall be notified either personally or by mail of any decision or order. Upon request, a copy of the decision or order shall be delivered or mailed promptly to each party and to his recognized representative.\n\n541-A:36 Ex Parte Communications. Unless required for the disposition of ex parte matters authorized by law, officials or employees of an agency assigned to render a decision or to make findings of fact and conclusions of law in a contested case shall not communicate, directly or indirectly,\n\nin connection with any issue before the agency, with any person or party, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. This notice requirement shall not apply to:\n\nI. Communications between or among agency personnel, or between the agency and legal counsel.\n\nII. Communications between or among the presiding officer and one or more personal assistants.\n\n541-A:37 Waiver. Except to the extent precluded by law, a person may waive any right conferred upon that person by this chapter.\n\n541-A:38 Informal Settlements. Except to the extent precluded by law, informal settlement of matters by nonadjudicative processes is encouraged. This section does not require any party or other person to utilize informal procedures or to settle a matter pursuant to informal procedures.\n\n541-A:39 Notice to Municipalities.\n\nI. In addition to any other requirements imposed by this chapter, each agency shall give notice to and afford all affected municipalities reasonable opportunity to submit data, views, or comments with respect to the issuance of a permit, license, or any action within its boundaries that directly affects the municipality. Such actions shall include those which may have an effect on land use, land development, or transportation; those which would result in the operation of a business; or those which would have an immediate fiscal impact on the municipality or require the provision of additional municipal services.\n\nII. Each agency shall give notice by first class mail to the town or city clerk.\n\nIII. In the event of emergency circumstances which require prompt attention, prior notice or opportunity to comment shall not be required. However, notice contemporaneous with the action shall be required.\n\nIV. This section shall not apply to the issuance of professional or occupational licenses unless such issuance also results in actions meeting the criteria set forth in paragraph I. This section shall not apply to reissuance or renewal of licenses or permits issued prior to August 23, 1985.\n\n541-A:40 Suspension of Provisions.\n\nI. To the extent necessary to avoid a denial of funds or services from the United States which would otherwise be available to the state, the governor may suspend, in whole or in part, one or more provisions of this chapter. When the governor determines that a suspension is no longer necessary to prevent the loss of funds or services from the United States, he shall issue an order specifying the dates of termination of a suspension.\n\nII. The original copy of any suspension order or order recognizing the termination of a suspension issued by the governor shall be dated, certified and filed in the office of legislative services.\n\nIII. If any provision of this chapter is suspended pursuant to this section, the governor shall promptly report the suspension to the general court. The report shall include recommendations with respect to any desirable legislation that may be necessary to conform this chapter with federal law.\n\n541-A:41 Effect of Prior Law. This chapter shall govern all agency rulemaking procedures, hearings, and appeals, except as specifically exempted by this chapter. Conflicts between this chapter and prior or existing statutes shall be resolved by following the stricter requirements.\n\n412:2 Reference Change. Amend RSA 14:31-b, I(c) to read as follows:\n\n(c) Prepare fiscal impact statements as defined in RSA 541-A:1, [V] VII.\n\n412:3 Reference Change. Amend RSA 17-L:5, VII to read as follows:\n\nVII. The committee shall study and review each implementation plan submitted to it and shall approve or disapprove such plans. The committee shall hold at least one public hearing prior to approving or disapproving any implementation plan submitted by a commissioner and shall hold at least one public hearing prior to setting an effective date for any plan drafted by the committee. Notice of these hearings shall be published in the house and senate calendars, and the rulemaking register provided for by RSA 541-A:[3, I(a)(2)(iii)] 9, I, at least 7 days prior to the date of the hearing.\n\n412:4 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-G:13, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. Upon the abolition of each agency whose powers, duties, functions and responsibilities are transferred in accordance with this\n\nsection, the existing rules of each agency shall continue in full effect, without interruption, as the rules of the department to which those powers, duties, functions and responsibilities have been transferred. Rules so continued shall be effective for the remainder of the period originally established under RSA 541-A:[2, IV] 17, I.\n\n412:5 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-I:43, III to read as follows:\n\nIII. The director shall consult with a designee of each labor organization certified to represent classified state employees regarding all proposals to adopt, amend, or repeal rules prior to filing a notice of proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6.\n\n412:6 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-I:46, V to read as follows:\n\nV. The board may advise the director with regard to all existing rules of the division. The director shall submit all proposals to adopt rules to the board for their advice prior to filing a notice of proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6.\n\n412:7 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-O:5, V to read as follows:\n\nV. The director of water resources shall present all proposed rules to the water resources council for consideration prior to filing notice of a proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6. The council shall present any objections to proposed rules to the director of water resources in writing within 15 days. The director of water resources may adopt a rule to which the council has objected only after presenting a written reply to the council detailing his reasons for adopting the rule over the objections of the council.\n\n412:8 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-O:7, V to read as follows:\n\nV. The director of water supply and pollution control shall present all proposed rules to the water supply and pollution control council for consideration prior to filing a notice of proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6. The council shall present any objections to proposed rules to the director of water supply and pollution control in writing within 15 days. The director of water supply and pollution control may adopt a rule to which the council has objected only after presenting a written reply to the council detailing his reasons for adopting the rule over the objections of the council.\n\n412:9 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-O:9, VI to read as follows:\n\nVI. The director of waste management shall present all proposed rules regarding solid and hazardous waste management to the waste management council for consideration prior to filing a notice of proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6. The council shall present any objections to proposed rules to the director of waste management in writing within 15 days. The director of waste management may adopt a rule to which the council has objected only after presenting a written reply to the council detailing his reasons for adopting the rule over the objections of the council.\n\n412:10 Reference Change. Amend RSA 21-O:11, V to read as follows:\n\nV. The director of air resources shall present all proposed rules to the air resources council for consideration prior to filing a notice of proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6. The council shall present any objections to the proposed rule to the director of air resources in writing within 15 days. The director of air resources may adopt a rule to which the council has objected only after presenting a written reply to the council detailing his reasons for adopting the rule over the objections of the council.\n\n412:11 Reference Change. Amend RSA 106-F:7, III and IV to read as follows:\n\nIII. Applications for license renewals shall be reviewed subject to the provisions of RSA 541-A:[15] 30.\n\nIV. The commissioner shall notify an applicant of an application denial in writing, including a complete statement of the reasons for denial. An applicant may request a hearing on such denial within 15 days of receipt of the notice of denial. Not later than 30 days following receipt of a timely request for hearing, the commissioner shall hold a hearing on the denial, and shall notify the applicant of the time, date and place of such hearing in writing. Hearings under this section shall be held pursuant to the contested case provisions of RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36.\n\n412:12 Reference Change. Amend RSA 143:5-a, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. The division of public health services shall use the provisions\n\nof RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36 in any adjudicative proceedings and hearings resulting from closures.\n\n412:13 Reference Change. Amend RSA 147-A:4, VII to read as follows:\n\nVII. In administering this section, the division of waste management shall be exempt from the provisions of RSA 541-A:[14] 29, II, but shall act on all matters before it under this section in as expeditious a manner as the law permits.\n\n412:14 Reference Change. Amend RSA 149-M:10-b to read as follows:\n\n149-M:10-b Process for Permit Application Review. In processing applications for a permit under this chapter the division shall comply with time limits prescribed in RSA 541-A:[14] 29.\n\n412:15 Reference Change. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 151-C:6, I to read as follows:\n\nI. If a standard of need, which precludes additional services, has existed for longer than 24 months, any person may request that the standard be reviewed to determine whether the standard should be continued. The 24-month requirement may be waived if it can be demonstrated that there has been a change in technology, market, or price which would warrant review of the standard. Notwithstanding RSA 541-A:[6] 4, the procedure shall be as follows:\n\n412:16 Reference Change. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 151-C:6, II to read as follows:\n\nII. In the case of a service for which there is no standard, any person may request, in writing, that the board develop a standard. Notwithstanding RSA 541-A:[6] 4, the procedure shall be as follows:\n\n412:17 Reference Change. Amend RSA 155:74, I to read as follows:\n\nI. The director or his designee shall investigate any complaint regarding noncompliance with the provisions of this subdivision or rules adopted under it. The investigation shall include a full opportunity for the person in charge to be informed of and to address the complaint. If during the investigation a probable violation of this subdivision is found, or if the person in charge requests, an adjudication proceeding shall be carried out in accordance with RSA 541-A:[16 et seq.] 31-36 prior to the division seeking a penalty under RSA 155:76, III.\n\n412:18 Reference Change. Amend RSA 155-D:10 to read as follows:\n\n155-D:10 Rulemaking. The public utilities commission shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, relative to amendments to the New Hampshire Code for Energy Conservation in New Building Construction adopted under RSA 155-D. Before filing a notice of proposed rule under RSA 541-A:[3-a] 6, the commission shall hold an informal conference open to all affected parties.\n\n412:19 Reference Change. Amend RSA 162-A:19, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. Any hearings held under this chapter shall be for the information of the governor and council or the authority and shall not be treated as determining the rights, duties, or privileges of any entity or person. Neither the authority nor the governor and council shall be required to conduct adjudicative proceedings under RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36 in connection with any action taken under this chapter.\n\n412:20 Reference Change. Amend RSA 162-I:16, II to read as follows:\n\nII. No notice, hearing, proceedings or approval shall be required with respect to any action taken under this chapter except as provided in this chapter. Any hearing required by RSA 162-I:9 or RSA 162-I:9-b shall be informational and shall not be treated as determining the rights, duties, or privileges of any entity or person. Neither the authority nor the governor and council shall be required to conduct adjudicative proceedings under RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36 in connection with any action taken under this chapter.\n\n412:21 Reference Change. Amend RSA 170-G:4-a, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. The appeal shall be heard under RSA 541-A:[16 through 541-A:21] 31-36 by the commissioner or his designee and 2 members from the advisory board established by RSA 170-G:6. The chairman of the advisory board shall appoint its 2 members. No person hearing the appeal shall have had any involvement in establishing the rate or deciding on the certification that is the subject of the appeal, or be affiliated in any way with the appellant.\n\n412:22 Reference Change. Amend RSA 178:24, I to read as follows:\n\nI. Persons seeking a license under this chapter shall file an application with the commission which is in such form and contains such\n\ninformation as the commission may establish by rule, consistent with the purposes of this chapter. The commission shall establish application fees which are sufficient to recover the fully distributed costs of processing and investigating each type of license application required. All applications shall be processed in accordance with RSA 541-A:[14] 29.\n\n412:23 Reference Change. Amend 179:56, I to read as follows:\n\nI. The commission shall adopt and publish rules pursuant to RSA 541-A, to govern its proceedings and to regulate the mode and manner of all investigations and hearings before it. All hearings before the commission shall be in accordance with RSA 541-A:[16-22] 31-36. In any such investigation or hearing the commission shall not be bound by the technical rules of evidence. The commission, or any member, may subpoena witnesses and administer oaths in any proceeding or examination instituted before or conducted by it, and may compel, by subpoena, the production of any accounts, books, contracts, records, documents, memoranda and papers of any kind whatever. Witnesses summoned before the commission shall be paid the same fees as witnesses summoned to appear before the superior court, and such summons issued by any justice of the peace shall have the same effect as though issued for appearance before such court.\n\n412:24 Reference Change. Amend RSA 179:57, I to read as follows:\n\nI. The commission shall cause frequent inspections to be made of all the premises with respect to which any license has been issued under the provisions of this title. If any licensee violates any of the provisions of law or any of the rules of the commission adopted under this title or fails to superintend in person or through a manager approved by the commission the business for which the license was issued or allows the premises with respect to which the license was issued to be used for any unlawful purposes or knowingly employs in the sale or distribution of liquor or beverages any person who has been convicted of a felony or otherwise fails to carry out in good faith the purposes of this title the license of such licensee may be suspended or revoked after notice and hearing, in accordance with RSA 541-A:[16-22] 31-36. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the commission after the appropriate hearing may impose a fine of a specific sum, which shall not be less than\n\n$100 nor more than $5,000 for any one offense. Such a fine may be imposed instead of, or in addition to, any suspension or revocation of a license by the commission.\n\n412:25 Reference Change. Amend RSA 200-C:12 to read as follows:\n\n200-C:12 Appeals. The contested case provisions of RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36 shall apply when a person is aggrieved by a decision of the director under this subdivision. Appeals shall be governed by the provisions of RSA 541.\n\n412:26 Reference Change. Amend RSA 221-A:5-a, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. Notwithstanding RSA 541-A:[2, IV] 17, I, any rule adopted pursuant to RSA 221-A:5, I concerning the establishment and operation of a perpetual monitoring endowment shall remain effective unless and until amended pursuant to RSA 541-A by the board or, pursuant to 1987, 340:4, the council on resources and development.\n\n412:27 Reference Change. Amend RSA 260:5 to read as follows:\n\n260:5 Rulemaking Authority. All rulemaking authority expressly granted under the provisions of this title to the department or any of its administrators, officials, divisions or bureaus, or to any agency as defined in RSA 541-A:1, II, shall be subject to the provisions of RSA 541-A. Whenever, under the provisions of this title, the department or any of its administrators, officials, divisions or bureaus, or any other agency, has been granted authority to prescribe or otherwise require forms, reports or other matter included in the definition of rule in RSA 541-A:l, [XIII] XV, such authority shall be construed as rulemaking authority and shall be subject to RSA 541-A. Provided, however, that under the provisions of this title wherever any administrator, official, division or bureau in the department has been granted the authority to adopt rules, either expressly or as stated above, such authority shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner. Unless otherwise specified in this title, appeals from any order or decision of the director, commissioner, division, department or other agency acting under the provisions of this title shall be pursued as provided in RSA 541.\n\n412:28 Reference Change. Amend RSA 263:59 to read as follows:\n\n263:59 Suspension for Incompetency or Improper Driving.\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of RSA 541-A:[15] 30, the director may order the suspension of the license of any driver in his discretion, and without a hearing, and may order the license to be delivered to the department, whenever he has reason to believe that the holder thereof is physically or mentally an improper or incompetent person to drive motor vehicles, or is driving improperly or so as to endanger the public, or has appealed from a conviction of the violation of any provision of this title, or has made a material false statement in his application; and the license shall not be reissued unless, upon examination or investigation, or after hearing, the director determines that the person should again be permitted to drive. Provided, however, that if the director revokes or suspends a driver's license under the provisions hereof, said driver, upon his written application to the department, shall be granted a hearing by the department within 15 days after the filing of said application.\n\n412:29 Reference Change. Amend RSA 270:74-a, I to read as follows:\n\nI. The commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A establishing procedures for the public hearing process contained in this section. For the purposes of adopting the initial set of rules required by this section the commissioner shall be authorized to adopt emergency rules as provided in RSA 541-A:[3-g] 18.\n\n412:30 Reference Change. Amend RSA 282-A:179 to read as follows:\n\n282-A:179 Exemption. The provisions of RSA 541-A:[16-20] 31-36 shall not apply to proceedings conducted in accordance with RSA 282-A:42-46.\n\n412:31 Reference Change. Amend RSA 310-A:6, III to read as follows:\n\nIII. At least 40 days prior to any hearing to be held pursuant to RSA 541-A:[3-c] 11, the board shall furnish a copy of any proposed rules of professional conduct, or amendments thereto, to all affected professionals licensed by the board.\n\n412:32 Reference Change. Amend RSA 310-A:32, III to read as follows:\n\nIII. At least 40 days prior to any hearing to be held pursuant to RSA 541-A:[3-c] 11, the board shall furnish a copy of any proposed rules of professional conduct, or amendments thereto, to all affected professionals licensed by the board.\n\n412:33 Reference Change. Amend RSA 315:10, VII to read as follows:\n\nVII. Any person may file a written complaint with the board which charges that a person licensed by the board has committed misconduct. The board may hold preliminary hearings to facilitate the informal disposition of complaints which, during the preliminary hearing, are found to be unwarranted or unjustified. The board shall follow the provisions of RSA 541-A:[16] 31, V in conducting such hearings. Some or all of the allegations in a complaint may be consolidated with another complaint or with issues which the board wishes to investigate or hear on its own motion. If an investigation of a complaint results in an offer of settlement by the licensee, the board may settle the allegations against the licensee without the consent of a complainant, provided that material facts are not in dispute and the complainant is given an opportunity to comment upon the terms of the proposed settlement.\n\n412:34 Reference Change. Amend RSA 316-A:22, V to read as follows:\n\nV. The board may informally dispose of any complaint by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default. The board may hold preliminary hearings to facilitate the informal disposition of complaints which, during the preliminary hearing, are found to be unwarranted or unjustified. The board shall follow the provisions of RSA 541-A:[16] 31, V in conducting such hearings. All such investigations and preliminary hearings shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of RSA 91-A; provided that the board shall make public any action taken under RSA 316-A:22, III resulting from a preliminary hearing or investigation.\n\n412:35 Reference Change. Amend RSA 317-A:18-b to read as follows:\n\n317-A:18-b Temporary Suspension Where Imminent Threat. In cases involving imminent danger to life or health, the board may order suspension of a license or privilege granted under this chapter pending hearing for a period of no more than 60 days. In such cases, the basis for the board's finding of imminent danger to life or health shall be reduced to writing and combined with a hearing notice which complies with RSA 317-A:18-a, II and RSA 541-A:[16] 31, III. Notwithstanding the requirements of RSA 541-A:[15] 30, III, the board's hearing may commence as much as 30 days after the date of the order suspending the license. If the board does\n\nnot commence the hearing within 30 days, the suspension order shall be automatically vacated, but a licensee shall be allowed additional time to prepare for or to complete a hearing under this paragraph only by agreeing to a further suspension commensurate with the additional time extended.\n\n412:36 Reference Change. Amend RSA 318:30-a to read as follows:\n\n318:30-a Temporary Suspension Where Imminent Threat. In cases involving imminent danger to life or health, the board may order suspension of a license or privilege granted under this chapter pending hearing for a period of no more than 60 days. In such cases, the basis for the board's finding of imminent danger to life or health shall be reduced to writing and combined with a hearing notice which complies with RSA 318:31, II and RSA 541-A:[16] 31, III. Notwithstanding the requirements of RSA 541-A:[15] 30, III, the board's hearing may commence as much as 30 days after the date of the order suspending the license. If the board does not commence the hearing within 30 days the suspension order shall be automatically vacated, but a licensee shall be allowed additional time to prepare for or to complete a hearing under this section only by agreeing to a further suspension commensurate with the additional time extended.\n\n412:37 Reference Change. Amend RSA 326-F:17 to read as follows:\n\n326-F:17 Temporary Suspension Where Imminent Threat. In cases involving imminent danger to life or health, the board may order suspension of a license or privilege granted under this chapter pending hearing for a period of no more than 60 days. In such cases, the basis for the board's finding of imminent danger to life or health shall be reduced to writing and combined with a hearing notice which complies with RSA 326-F:[16] 31, II and RSA 541-A:16, III. Notwithstanding the requirements of RSA 541-A:[15] 30, III, the board's hearing may commence as much as 30 days after the date of the order suspending the license. If the board does not commence the hearing within 30 days, the suspension order shall be automatically vacated, but a licensee shall be allowed additional time to prepare for or to complete a hearing under this section only by agreeing to a further suspension commensurate with the additional time extended.\n\n412:38 Reference Change. Amend RSA 328-B:4, II to read as follows:\n\nII. Hold hearings, conduct inspections, and conduct investigations, public or confidential, and issue orders relating to such hearings and investigations. The contested case provisions of RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36 shall apply when a person is aggrieved by a decision of the director under this chapter. Appeals shall be made in accordance with RSA 541.\n\n412:39 Reference Change. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 329:9-d, I to read as follows:\n\nI. At the same time the board files the text of a proposed rule with the director of legislative services under RSA 541-A:[3-a, VII] 10, the board shall provide the commissioner of the department of health and human services with a copy of the text of the proposed rule. The commissioner shall monitor the rulemaking activity of the board under RSA 329:9 to ensure that all rules adopted are:\n\n412:40 Reference Change. Amend RSA 329:9-e, I to read as follows:\n\nI. When the board is required by law to adopt a new rule or to amend or repeal a previously adopted rule under RSA 541-A, the board shall have completed the rulemaking process and filed the adopted rules with the director of legislative services in accordance with RSA 541-A:[3-f] 14, within 6 months of the effective date of such law.\n\n412:41 Reference Change. Amend RSA 329:14, I to read as follows:\n\nI. The board shall make no final decision concerning the qualifications of a new or reinstatement applicant until it has received the results of all required examinations and all third-party certifications required to be submitted with the license application, and the time periods specified by RSA 541-A:[14] 29 shall be calculated from the date the last of the required documents is received by the board.\n\n412:42 Reference Change. Amend RSA 329:18, VIII to read as follows:\n\nVIII. Any person may file a written complaint with the board which charges that a licensee or license applicant has engaged in professional misconduct or should not be licensed. Such complaints shall be treated as petitions for the commencement of disciplinary proceedings, shall be investigated by the board, and shall be exempt from the time limitations of RSA 541-A:[14] 29. Some or all of the allegations in a complaint may\n\nbe consolidated with another complaint or with issues which the board wishes to investigate or hear on its own motion. If an investigation of a complaint results in an offer of settlement by the licensee, the board may settle the allegations against the licensee without the consent of a complainant, provided that material facts are not in dispute and the complainant is given an opportunity to comment on the terms of the proposed settlement.\n\n412:43 Reference Change. Amend RSA 332-B:14, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. The board may informally dispose of any complaint by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default. The board may hold preliminary hearings to facilitate the informal disposition of complaints which, during the preliminary hearing, are found to be unwarranted or unjustified. The board shall follow the provisions of RSA 541-A:[16] 31, V in conducting such hearings. All such investigations and preliminary hearings shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of RSA 91-A, provided that the board shall make public any action taken under RSA 332-B:14, III resulting from a preliminary hearing or investigation.\n\n412:44 Reference Change. Amend RSA 354-A:21, IV to read as follows:\n\nIV. In administering this section, the commission shall be exempt from the provisions of RSA 541-A:[14] 29, II, but shall act on all matters before it under this section in as expeditious a manner as the law permits.\n\n412:45 Reference Change. Amend RSA 384:12-a, II to read as follows:\n\nII. Prior to the issuance of any order to cease and desist pursuant to paragraph I, the commissioner shall give notice to the institution to be issued the order. Such notice shall contain a statement of the reasons for which the order is to be issued and the date upon which the order is to take effect. Upon petition of any interested party, the commissioner shall provide a hearing in conformity with RSA 541-A:[16-21] 31-36 prior to the effective date of any order issued pursuant to paragraph I.\n\n412:46 Reference Change. Amend RSA 394-A:7, II and III to read as follows:\n\nII. Any 3 or more state-chartered financial institutions desiring the adoption of a rule governing the exercise of any power, right, benefit or privilege conferred upon the members of their class by this chapter shall petition the commissioner pursuant to RSA 541-A:[6] 4 requesting such a rule. Any such petition shall specify the power, right, benefit or privilege proposed to be exercised and shall be accompanied by copies of the federal legislation, regulations and rulings governing the exercise of such power, right, benefit or privilege by corresponding federally-chartered financial institutions.\n\n\u00a8 III. As provided in RSA 541-A:[6] 4, within 30 days of submission of a petition, the commissioner shall deny the petition in writing, stating his reasons for denial, or shall initiate rulemaking proceedings in accordance with RSA 541-A. If the commissioner engages in rulemaking under this paragraph, he shall act in conformity with the purpose and principles of construction enunciated in RSA 394-A:1.\n\n412:47 Reference Change. Amend RSA 394-A:7, X to read as follows:\n\nX. Notwithstanding RSA 541-A:[2, IV] 17, I, or any other law to the contrary, any rule adopted pursuant to this section shall continue in force and effect until amended or repealed. The procedure for amending or repealing a rule shall be the same as that prescribed in this section for the adoption of a rule.\n\n412:48 Reference Change. Amend RSA 397-A:17, III-V to read as follows:\n\nIII. Any license revocation, license suspension, or unfavorable action by the banking department on a license shall further comply with the provisions of RSA 541-A:[15] 30.\n\nIV. An aggrieved licensee may, pursuant to RSA 541-A:[15] 30 and RSA 541, appeal unfavorable action by the banking department to the board of trust company incorporation.\n\nV. The banking department may take action for immediate suspension of a license, pursuant to RSA 541-A:[15] 30, III.\n\n412:49 Reference Change. Amend RSA 421-B:2, XVIII to read as follows:\n\nXVIII. \"Rule\" means a rule as defined in RSA 541-A:1, [XIII] XV, subject to all of the requirements of RSA 541-A.\n\n412:50 Reference Change. Amend RSA 430:31, II to read as follows:\n\nII. Hold hearings concerned with rulemaking where required by RSA 541-A:[3-c] 11. The board may, in its discretion, hold hearings, issue notices of hearings, and take testimony in situations where a person may be aggrieved by a decision of the division concerning the issuance of permits and certificates of registration, administrative penalties levied pursuant to RSA 430:42, VII and RSA 430:45, III, and the issuance of orders pursuant to RSA 430:42, II and V.\n\n412:51 Reference Change. Amend RSA 483-B:14 to read as follows:\n\n483-B:14 Rehearings and Appeals. Where the requirements of this chapter amend the existing statutory authority of the department or other agencies relative to certain established regulatory programs and shall be enforced under these established regulatory programs, the existing procedures governing contested cases and hearings and appeals regarding these requirements shall apply. Where requirements of this chapter are new and do not amend existing statutory authority relative to any established regulatory programs, the procedures set forth in RSA 541-A:[16] 31 for contested cases shall apply.\n\n412:52 Application; Uniform System of Numbering and Drafting. Notwithstanding RSA 541-A:8 as inserted by section 1 of this act, the requirements of the uniform system of numbering and drafting provided for in RSA 541-A:3-a, VIII that are in effect on the effective date of this act shall remain in force until the drafting and procedure manual for rules authorized in RSA 541-A:8 as inserted by section 1 of this act is developed by the director of legislative services and the commissioner of administrative services, subject to amendment and final approval by the joint legislative committee on administrative rules.\n\n412:53 Application.\n\nI. The provisions of section 1 of this act shall govern the following on or after the effective date of this act:\n\n(a) All rulemaking initiated by filing a notice of rulemaking under RSA 541-A:6.\n\n(b) All emergency rules adopted under RSA 541-A:18.\n\n(c) All interim rules initiated by providing notice of an interim rule under RSA 541-A:19, II.\n\nII. The provisions of RSA 541-A:1, VI-a; RSA 541-A:13, V(b) and (d); RSA 541-A:13, VII; and RSA 541-A:14, I(c) and (d) as inserted by section 1 of this act as derived from HB 686 shall apply to final proposals which are filed on or after the effective date of this act.\n\n412:54 Authority to Conform Other Laws. If any act, the provisions of which contain references to RSA 541-A as it existed prior to its repeal and reenactment by this act becomes law, the director of legislative services is authorized to make any necessary reference changes, and any technical changes to the numbering in any bill sections or RSA sections as necessary to conform said sections to proper bill or RSA format. Any such changes shall be subject to the approval of the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. The authority granted under this section shall not include the power to make any substantive changes and shall expire upon the printing of 1994 session laws.\n\n412:55 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.\n\nApproved: June 10, 1994\n\nEffective: August 9, 1994\n\nLBAO\n\nLSR 94-2778\n\n3/18/94\n\nFISCAL NOTE for an act reorganizing and making further amendments to the administrative procedure act.\n\nMETHODOLOGY:\n\nThe Division states it is not known whether the amendments would cost the agencies more or less than the original legislation. However, to the extent that the amendments add flexibility for the agency, by increasing the maximum period from notice to final proposal from 120 to 150 days; by allowing for revised JLCAR objections at the agency's request; and by specifying an objection response period of up to 45 days, the amendments should save the agencies expense in the personnel time and administrative costs of addressing problems caused in part by existing time constraints.", "in_text": [], "chars": 105501}, "nver": 0, "namd": 0, "rsa": {"RSA 541-A": "/laws/541-a", "RSA 541-A:31": "/laws/541-a#s31", "RSA 541-A:36": "/laws/541-a#s36", "RSA 541-A:13": "/laws/541-a#s13", "RSA 541-A:5": "/laws/541-a#s5", "RSA 541-A:4": "/laws/541-a#s4", "RSA 541-A:8": "/laws/541-a#s8", "RSA 541-A:6": "/laws/541-a#s6", "RSA 541-A:10": "/laws/541-a#s10", "RSA 541-A:11": "/laws/541-a#s11", "RSA 541-A:12": "/laws/541-a#s12", "RSA 541-A:14": "/laws/541-a#s14", "RSA 541-A:3": "/laws/541-a#s3", "RSA 541-A:19": "/laws/541-a#s19", "RSA 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"/laws/270#s74-a", "RSA 282-A:179": "/laws/282-a#s179", "RSA 282-A:42-46": "/laws/282-a", "RSA 310-A:6": "/laws/310-a#s6", "RSA 310-A:32": "/laws/310-a#s32", "RSA 315:10": "/laws/315#s10", "RSA 316-A:22": "/laws/316-a#s22", "RSA 91-A": "/laws/91-a", "RSA 317-A:18-b": "/laws/317-a#s18-b", "RSA 317-A:18-a": "/laws/317-a#s18-a", "RSA 318:30-a": "/laws/318#s30-a", "RSA 318:31": "/laws/318#s31", "RSA 326-F:17": "/laws/326-f#s17", "RSA 326-F": "/laws/326-f", "RSA 328-B:4": "/laws/328-b#s4", "RSA 329:9-d": "/laws/329#s9-d", "RSA 329:9": "/laws/329#s9", "RSA 329:9-e": "/laws/329#s9-e", "RSA 329:14": "/laws/329#s14", "RSA 329:18": "/laws/329#s18", "RSA 332-B:14": "/laws/332-b#s14", "RSA 354-A:21": "/laws/354-a#s21", "RSA 384:12-a": "/laws/384", "RSA 394-A:1": "/laws/394-a", "RSA 397-A:17": "/laws/397-a#s17", "RSA 421-B:2": "/laws/421-b", "RSA 430:31": "/laws/430#s31", "RSA 430:42": "/laws/430#s42", "RSA 430:45": "/laws/430#s45", "RSA 483-B:14": "/laws/483-b#s14", "RSA 541-A:3-a": "/laws/541-a#s3-a"}, "amends": {"RSA 14:31-b": "/laws/14#s31-b", "RSA 17-L:5": "/laws/17-l", "RSA 21-G:13": "/laws/21-g#s13", "RSA 21-I:43": "/laws/21-i#s43", "RSA 21-I:46": "/laws/21-i#s46", "RSA 21-O:5": "/laws/21-o#s5", "RSA 21-O:7": "/laws/21-o#s7", "RSA 21-O:9": "/laws/21-o#s9", "RSA 21-O:11": "/laws/21-o#s11", "RSA 106-F:7": "/laws/106-f#s7", "RSA 143:5-a": "/laws/143#s5-a", "RSA 147-A:4": "/laws/147-a#s4", "RSA 149-M:10-b": "/laws/149-m", "RSA 151-C:6": "/laws/151-c", "RSA 155:74": "/laws/155#s74", "RSA 155-D:10": "/laws/155-d", "RSA 162-A:19": "/laws/162-a#s19", "RSA 162-I:16": "/laws/162-i#s16", "RSA 170-G:4-a": "/laws/170-g#s4-a", "RSA 178:24": "/laws/178#s24", "RSA 179:57": "/laws/179#s57", "RSA 200-C:12": "/laws/200-c#s12", "RSA 221-A:5-a": "/laws/221-a", "RSA 260:5": "/laws/260#s5", "RSA 263:59": "/laws/263#s59", "RSA 270:74-a": "/laws/270#s74-a", "RSA 282-A:179": "/laws/282-a#s179", "RSA 310-A:6": "/laws/310-a#s6", "RSA 310-A:32": "/laws/310-a#s32", "RSA 315:10": 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