This bill mandates the preservation of written public comments submitted on legislation, including those received through hearings and the state's remote sign-in system. It amends RSA 14:10 to include new provisions that require the clerk of each legislative committee to classify, arrange, and file all papers, ensuring that public comments are preserved in the permanent record of each bill. Additionally, it establishes that each standing committee must prepare a report detailing how public comments influenced their recommendations, overseen by the committee chairperson and ranking member. The reports must be submitted to the clerk and retained alongside other committee work products.

The bill also specifies that duplicate comments, those from out-of-state individuals, registered lobbyists, or comments submitted in error may be excluded from the reports. This new legal framework aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the legislative process by documenting public input and its impact on legislative decisions. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 14:10
HB1114 text: 14:10