New Hampshire State Government

The General Court

• members are elected every 2 years
• they write and pass all laws in NH
• truly a "citizen" legislature, members only receive a $100 stipend each year plus reimbursement of mileage

Every bill before the General Court that has been assigned to a committee gets a hearing. Currently there are 847 bill requests (LSR).

• New Hampshire has the second largest legislature in the United States.
• Only the US Congress and the English and Indian Parliaments are larger.

• Each of the five Executive Councilors represents approximately 264,000 people
• The Executive Council is responsible for approving spending and appointments
• Councilors serve a 2 year term

There are three levels in the NH court system:

• The Supreme Court - the final place that decisions are made
• Superior Court - cases of serious crimes and larger lawsuits
• Circuit Courts (district, family, probate-wills and guardianship) - cases for small claims and some criminal cases

The Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice and four associate justices

The Executive Council

Judges can't serve after 70

Every bill before the General Court has a hearing

The legislative branch is not involved in appointments

NH gets most of its revenue ($) from property taxes

How does the state government of New Hampshire contrast with the national government?

The Legislative Branch

All revenue bills start in the House of Representatives so they decide what taxes we have in our state.

NH gets money from property taxes and "sin" taxes on things like cigarettes. There is also a tax on gas.

The General Court

The Senate

The House of Reps

Chester

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/LSR_Results.aspx

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wmlresults.aspx?town=Chester

• 24 members
• elected every 2 years
• must be 30 years old
• 7 years a resident

Who represents you?

Derry

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wmlresults.aspx?town=Derry

Auburn

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wmlresults.aspx?town=Auburn

Hampstead

• 400 members
• elected every 2 years
• must be 18 years old
• all revenue ($) bills must originate here

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wmlresults.aspx?town=Hampstead

The Executive Branch

The Governor, Executive Council, and state agencies are responsible for the execution of the law.

The Executive Council

Governor

Chris

Sununu

http://www.nh.gov/council/overview.html

Christopher C. Pappas represents Auburn and Derry in District 4

New Hampshire

State Government

Russell E. Prescott represents Chester and Hampstead in District 3

http://www.nh.gov/nhinfo/stgovt.html

Criminal vs. Civil

The Judicial Branch

The 3 Branches Explained

Judges serve until they retire or reach age 70 (although they may be removed for cause)

Judges are nominated by the Governor and appointed by the Governor and Council