Title I, The State and Its Government

I. For purposes of this section, legal proceeding includes, but is not limited to, any suit, action, incidental demand or action, claim, and any other matter filed or pending before any court, administrative agency, or other quasi-judicial body. II. For purposes of this section, …

I. The general court hereby specifically states that this chapter is in no way and to no extent intended to, nor shall it be construed in any manner to, impair the contractual or other obligations of any agency abolished by the general court or of the state of New Hampshire. It i…

This chapter and any laws enacted by the general court relative to executive branch reorganization shall not be construed or applied in any way which will prevent full compliance by the state, or any department, office, or agency thereof, with the requirements of any act of the C…

All books, papers, records and unexpended appropriations or other funds, actions, and other property of every kind, movable and immovable, real and personal, heretofore possessed, controlled, or used by each agency abolished whose powers, duties, functions and responsibilities ar…

All employees heretofore engaged in the performance of duties in each agency abolished whose powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities are transferred in accordance with this chapter and any laws enacted by the general court relative to executive branch reorganization are h…

Wherever any agency abolished, whose powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities are transferred in accordance with this chapter and any laws enacted by the general court relative to executive branch reorganization, is referred to or designated by any law or contract or other…

The general court finds that: I. The state constitution provides for the separation of powers within state government among the legislative, the executive and the judicial branches. The legislative branch has the broad objective and responsibility to determine policies and progra…

I. After July 1, 1983, no agency, as defined in RSA 21-G:5, III, shall be established unless it shall be structured in accordance with this chapter. II. After July 1, 1983, no new powers, duties, functions, responsibilities or programs shall be assigned to any agency, as defined …

In this subdivision: I. "Agency" means any executive branch agency, department, division, board, commission, or entity of the executive branch. I-a. "Classified employee" means any person in the state classified service system as defined in RSA 21-I:49. II. "Conflict of interest"…

Executive branch officials and classified employees shall avoid conflicts of interest. Executive branch officials and classified employees shall not participate in any matter in which they, or their spouse or dependents, have a private interest which may directly or indirectly af…

No executive branch official or classified employee shall: I. Disclose or use confidential or privileged information acquired in the performance of his or her duties for the state for personal benefit or for financial gain. II. Use his or her position with the state to secure pri…

An executive branch official or classified employee who is a candidate for an elective office that is not subject to the reporting requirements of RSA 664 and who accepts a political contribution from any person or entity which is or is likely to become subject to that executive …

Volunteer service shall not be used, directly or indirectly, for personal financial gain, or to facilitate non-public communications with executive branch officials or classified employees for the purpose of promoting or advancing any matter on behalf of a third party, or to infl…

For 6 months after leaving office or employment with the state, no executive branch official or classified employee shall appear as a lobbyist: I. To promote or oppose directly any specific legislation pending or proposed before the general court; or II. To directly promote or op…

No executive branch official or classified employee shall directly hire, evaluate, set the compensation or salary for, supervise, or terminate the employment of any full-time or part-time employee, temporary employee, or member of a state board or commission if such employee or m…

In addition to this code, each agency may promulgate a supplemental ethics code to address issues specific to that agency. In the event of a conflict with the provisions of this code, a stricter provision of an agency code shall govern. To the extent that this code or an ethics c…

I. The secretary of state shall designate an individual to serve as the state filing officer, who shall be responsible for the administration of this subdivision. II. The filing officer shall: (a) Review the administrative requirements of this subdivision and the submission of fo…

I. There is hereby established an executive branch ethics committee to issue guidelines, interpretive rulings, and advisory opinions relative to standards for ethical conduct in the executive branch and to resolve, through procedures established under RSA 21-G:32, issues, questio…

The general court declares the following to be the policy and objectives of the state: I. The organization of state government should assure its responsiveness to popular control, as expressed through the state's elected officials. It is the goal of reorganization to improve legi…

I. The committee shall be authorized to: (a) Issue guidelines consistent with the executive branch code of ethics, RSA 21-G:21-27, RSA 15-A, and RSA 15-B, relative to proper and appropriate conduct for individuals relating to the performance of their duties as executive branch of…

I. Each complaint shall be submitted in writing and signed under oath by the complainant. The sworn complaint shall be filed confidentially with the committee and shall contain the name and address of the complainant. Before any other action is taken by the committee, the executi…

I. Any executive branch official may request, in writing, an advisory opinion regarding the application of any law, guideline, or rule within the committee's jurisdiction to a specific factual situation pertinent to the requester's conduct or proposed conduct. Notwithstanding any…

The committee may initiate or any person may request an interpretive ruling explaining or clarifying a law, guideline, or rule of general applicability within the committee's jurisdiction. If the committee determines that a requested interpretive ruling will be helpful to those i…

The committee shall adopt, publish, and make available to the public rules governing its procedures, including provisions for disqualification of members for conflict of interest and provisions for the committee to discipline its members for breach of committee procedures, consis…

The committee shall be administratively attached to the department of justice, which shall provide appropriate administrative and investigative staff and legal counsel in support of the committee's activities, at the committee's request. Files and records of the committee shall b…

I. Any person who knowingly or willfully violates RSA 21-G:21-27 or makes unauthorized disclosure of confidential matters or materials contrary to RSA 21-G:31, or interferes with or obstructs lawful activities of the committee, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject …

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the…

In this subdivision: I. "Agency" means any executive branch department, commission, board, institution, bureau, office, or other executive branch entity established in the state constitution, statutes, session laws, or executive orders. II. "Bidder" means a contractor, supplier, …

I. In order to protect the integrity of the bidding process, notwithstanding RSA 91-A:4, no information shall be available to the public, or to the members of the general court or its staff concerning specific responses to requests for bids (RFBs), requests for proposals (RFPs), …

I. From the time the bid is published until a contract is awarded, no bidder shall offer or give, directly or indirectly, any gift, expense reimbursement, or honorarium, as defined by RSA 15-B, to any elected official, public official, public employee, constitutional official, or…

The following provisions shall serve as general guidelines for accomplishing executive branch reorganization consistent with the policy and objectives of the state: I. In order to allow the chief executive to efficiently and effectively implement legislative policy and programs, …

In this chapter: I. "Administratively attached agency" means an independent agency linked to a department for purposes of reporting and sharing support services. II. "Administrative head of the agency" means the individual, by whatever title conferred upon them by the relevant st…

All departments of the state established following July 1, 1983, shall be structured as follows, unless otherwise provided for specifically by the general court: I. The department shall be the principal administrative unit of the executive branch, and each department shall be hea…

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the head of any state agency or department and any authorized employee or agent of the head, may accept credit cards or debit cards for the online payment of any of the taxes, penalties, interest, or fees administered by…

I. Constitutional offices are as follows: (a) The executive department, comprising the office of the governor. (b) The department of state, comprising the office of the secretary of state. (c) The state treasury, comprising the office of the state treasurer. (d) The department of…

I. A department shall not establish field operations unless specifically authorized to do so by statute; except that temporary field operations may be established upon a specific written declaration by the governor and council that an emergency exists. A temporary field operation…

I. The commissioners of all departments established after July 1, 1983, shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the council, except as otherwise provided by law. Each commissioner shall be an unclassified employee. II. Each commissioner shall nominate for appointm…

The commissioner shall be the chief administrative officer of the department and shall have the following powers and duties: I. The commissioner shall manage all operations of the department and administer and enforce the laws with which the commissioner or the department is char…