The Commission issued its final report on December 1. The report can be found here. A press release announcing the report is available here.
The New Hampshire commission to study the feasibility of public elections financing was established through legislation passed by the New Hampshire General Court in May, 2008. The charge of the commission is to:
Examine potential revenue sources for public funding of state election campaigns and develop a recommendation to the general court for a plan to fund state election campaigns in a sustainable manner. The commission may not consider revenue from the state general fund in developing its plan, but may consider voluntary contributions, in-kind donations of services, and other means to generate revenue from public and private sources. The commission may also consider the legislative framework for a system of public funding of state election campaigns developed by the election law committee at the house of representatives, which the election law committee shall file with the secretary of state within 30 days of the effective date of this section. (HB-794-FN, 55:3)
The committee is charged with issuing its final report as follows:
The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 1, 2008. (HB-794-FN, 55:5)
To read the enabling legislation, click here.
The commission will meet regularly during the months of September, October and November 2008. In general, the commission plans to meet Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building. To confirm the schedule, check here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/caljourns/default.htm
This website is intended to provide basic information about the commission's work, links to relevant materials, and as a portal for public input to the commission's charge. This website is not an official website of the state of New Hampshire, but was created by commissioners at their own expense, to enhance their ability to work effectively and to obtain public comments.
Commissioners
Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
- John Rauh (New Castle)
- Jim Rubens (Etna)
Appointed by the President of the Senate
- Stuart Comstock-Gay (Concord)
- Abigail Abrash Walton (Keene)
Appointed by the Governor
- Brad Cook (Manchester) * Commission Chair
- Martin Honigberg (Concord)
Appointed by the Secretary of State
- Barbara Hilton (Portsmouth)