Title I, The State and Its Government

The words "said" and "such," when used by way of reference to any person or thing, shall apply to the same person or thing last mentioned.

Unless otherwise expressly declared: I. Words purporting to give a joint authority to 3 or more public officers shall give such authority to a majority of them. II. The authority of any board, commission, or other body whose members are approved by the governor and council to con…

The word "grantor" may include every person by or from whom any estate or interest in land passes in or by any deed; and the word "grantee" may include every person to whom any such estate or interest passes in like manner.

The word "mortgagor" or "mortgagee" may include any person claiming under such party or having his right.

The words "insane" or "insane person" shall include every idiot, non-compos, lunatic, insane, or distracted person.

The word "spendthrift" shall include anyone who is liable to be put under guardianship on account of excessive drinking, gaming, idleness, debauchery or vicious habits of any kind, or who is unable to manage his affairs with prudence.

Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases, and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law, shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appro…

The word "issue," as applied to the descent of estates, shall include all the lawful lineal descendants of the ancestor.

I. The words "land," "lands" or "real estate" shall include lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and all rights thereto and interests therein. II. Manufactured housing as defined by RSA 674:31 shall be included in the term "real estate."

The word "will" shall include codicils.

The words "written" or "in writing" may include printing or any other mode of representing words and letters, except where the written signature of a person is required. The signature of any corporate officer upon a corporate bond or other corporate obligation for the payment of …

The word "oath" shall include "affirmation" in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath; and, in like cases, the word "sworn" shall include the word "affirmed."

The word "sworn," when applied to public officers required by the constitution to take oaths therein prescribed, shall refer to those oaths; when applied to other officers it shall mean sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of their offices before a justice of the peace, …

Whenever a person is required to recognize or give bond "with sufficient sureties," with "corporate sureties," or "sufficient bond" or "give security" in any court proceeding the deposit of cash in the required amount shall be deemed sufficient.

The word "highway" or "road" shall include all bridges thereon.

The word "county" may mean the county in which the subject matter referred to is situate, belongs, or is cognizable.

The words "county solicitor" or the word "solicitor" when referring to the county law official, shall mean the county attorney.

I. The word "selectmen" may mean the selectmen of the town or ward, or the mayor and aldermen of the city, to which the subject matter to be acted upon belongs or in which it is situate; and the words "town clerk" may mean the clerk of the town, ward, or city to which the subject…

The word "clerk" as used in the election laws shall mean city clerk, town clerk or ward clerk unless specifically defined otherwise.

The words "school board" may mean any agent, committee, school board, or board of education entrusted with the hiring of teachers and the management of the prudential affairs of the district.

Words importing the singular number may extend and be applied to several persons or things; words importing the plural number may include the singular; and words importing the masculine gender may extend and be applied to females. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital rel…

The word "place" may mean city or town, unless some other meaning is implied by the context.

When a court, officer, or board is named by official title, such designation shall apply to the court, officer, or board of the county, town, or district within and for which they are qualified to act in such capacity.

The phrase "governor and council" shall mean the governor with the advice and consent of the council.

I. By the words "publish," "published," "publishing," or "publication," when notice is required or permitted to be given by publication, shall be intended publication in a newspaper circulated in the vicinity, and the publication shall be for 3 weeks successively, and the last pu…

The words "registered mail" when used in connection with the requirement for notice by mail shall mean either registered mail or certified mail.

By the words "spirit," "liquor," "spirituous liquor," "intoxicating liquor" shall be intended all distilled liquors, or rectified spirits; vinous, fermented, brewed, and malt liquors; and any beverage, by whatever name called, containing more than one percent of alcohol by volume…

Whenever a statute provides for appointment to a position in a state office, agency, commission, or board for a term of stated and limited duration by the governor and council or requires approval or confirmation of such an appointment by the governor and council, such statute sh…

The term "vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term", when used in connection with appointments to the state service by the governor and council shall be construed to mean that the successor shall be commissioned for a term equal in length to the unexpired balance of the ter…

I. The word "farm" means any land, buildings, or structures on or in which agriculture and farming operations or activities are carried out or conducted and shall include the residence or residences of owners, occupants, or employees located on such land. Structures shall include…

I. Except where specifically stated to the contrary, when a period or limit of time is to be reckoned from a day or date, that day or date shall be excluded from and the day on which an act should occur shall be included in the computation of the period or limit of time. II. If a…

The standard time within the state, except as hereinafter provided, shall be based on the mean astronomical time of the seventy-fifth degree of longitude west from Greenwich, known and designated by the federal statute as "Eastern Standard Time." At 2 o'clock ante-meridian of the…

The repeal of an act shall in no case affect any act done, or any right accruing, accrued, acquired, or established, or any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil case, before the time when repeal shall take effect.

No suit or prosecution, pending at the time of the repeal of any act, for any offense committed or for the recovery of a penalty or forfeiture incurred under the act so repealed, shall be affected by such repeal.

The repeal of an act shall not revive any other act which has been repealed.

The word "state," when applied to different parts of the United States, may extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall include said district and territories.

Statutes using the words "pledge", "mortgage", "conditional sale", "lien", "assignment" and like terms in referring to a security interest in personal property shall also apply to a corresponding type of security interest under RSA 382-A.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the words "adult", "majority", "age of majority", "full age or lawful age", and all other terms of referring to those persons who are to be considered adults, shall mean those persons who have attained the age of 18 years.

The term "bylaw" when used in reference to legislative action taken by a city, town, county or village district shall have the same meaning as an ordinance and shall be subject to the same procedures for enactment.

The words "mobile home" shall mean manufactured housing as defined by RSA 674:31.

When used to refer to a municipality, and in the absence of applicable chapter or subdivision definitions, the term "legislative body" shall mean a town meeting, school district meeting, village district meeting, city or town council, mayor and council, mayor and board of alderme…

When used to refer to a municipality, and in the absence of applicable chapter or subdivision definitions, the term "governing body" shall mean the board of selectmen in a town, the board of aldermen or council in a city or town with a town council, the school board in a school d…

"Sexual orientation" means having or being perceived as having an orientation for heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality. This definition is intended to describe the status of persons and does not render lawful any conduct prohibited by the criminal laws of this state or …

The word "town" shall extend and be applied to any place incorporated, or whose inhabitants are required to pay any tax, and shall mean that city, town, ward, or place in which the subject-matter referred to is situate, or in which the persons referred to are resident, unless fro…

I. (a) "Veteran" means any person who: (1) Served in the United States armed forces for more than 4 years and continues to serve; or (2) Has been discharged or released from duty in the United States armed forces with: (A) An honorable discharge; or (B) An uncharacterized dischar…