Section 21-G:30 Duties. - New Hampshire Statutes

   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 officials. Such guidelines shall be consistent with statute.
      (b) Issue interpretative rulings explaining and clarifying any law, guideline, rule, or regulation within the jurisdiction of the committee.
      (c) Render an advisory opinion, in writing within a reasonable time, in response to a written request by a person subject to any law, guideline, rule, or regulation concerning the application of any law, guideline, rule, or regulation within the committee's jurisdiction to a specific factual situation pertinent to the conduct or proposed conduct of the person seeking the advisory opinion. Any advisory opinion concerning any person subject to the provisions of this subdivision who acted in reliance thereon, shall be binding upon the committee, and it shall be an absolute defense in any complaint brought under this subdivision or prosecution under RSA 15-A or RSA 15-B that the person complained against acted in reliance upon such advisory opinion. The name of the person seeking an advisory opinion and any information in the opinion that would identify such person shall be nonpublic. A redacted version of the advisory opinion shall be public.
      (d) Receive sworn complaints, investigate allegations of violations of this subdivision or guidelines adopted thereunder by executive branch officials and make appropriate findings of fact and conclusions with respect to such conduct.
      (e) Investigate any unauthorized disclosure of information by any committee member or assistant and report to the appropriate authority any allegation which it finds to be substantiated.
   II. All actions of the committee shall require an affirmative vote of 4 or more members of the committee before becoming effective, except that a vote to summarily dismiss a complaint shall be unanimous, and a vote to dismiss a complaint after only an internal review and no investigation shall be by an affirmative vote of no less than 5 members of the committee and a vote pursuant to RSA 21-G:31, VII shall require only a majority of the members present and voting. The committee shall request to meet with the legislative ethics committee established under RSA 14-B at least twice yearly to facilitate uniformity in the interpretation of statutory provisions.
   III. The committee shall provide the legislative ethics committee with copies of all publicly issued guidelines, procedures, decisions, or opinions.

Source. 2006, 21:3, eff. June 2, 2006. 2007, 194:4, eff. Jan. 1, 2008.