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Senate panel restores Human Rights Commission funding, undoes prior repeal
Summary
The Senate Finance Committee approved amendments that reverse earlier repeal language for the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, restore funding and modify the commission's membership and reporting structure.
The New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee voted Oct. 26 to restore the Human Rights Commission, returning funding and undoing earlier repeal language enacted by the House.
Committee members said the package of three provisions deletes language that would have abolished the commission, restores a previously removed staff position and associated funding, restores an IT budget cut, and revises the commission's membership and reporting requirements. The item passed in committee without recorded opposition.
Committee members discussed oversight and accountability. Senator Lang said the Senate's performance audit and oversight committee will increase follow-up on outstanding audit findings and plans to summon division heads if audits remain unaddressed. Senator Waters asked whether annual reporting should require a formal response to audit findings; members replied the measure establishes a one-year advisory committee under the judicial branch to monitor the commission and provide support. The advisory committee, members said, is intended as an alternative to direct micromanagement given the commission's sensitive caseloads.
The amendment also restores a position that had been eliminated and places some administrative attachment language to other bodies so shared staff and reporting functions can operate smoothly. Senator Rosenbaum pressed for clarification about the housing appeals board language; committee staff and sponsors said the action simply reverses the prior repeal and leaves the housing appeals board in place, with administrative attachment language to allow shared employee provisions with the Board of Tax and Land Appeals.
Committee members said the restored structure is intended to reduce outstanding audit issues and improve managerial support for the commission. The motion to approve the package of sections passed with the ayes prevailing.
The committee recorded no formal roll-call spelled out in the transcript for individual senators' votes on this item; the chair announced "the ayes have it."
