Members Drive NHMA's Legislative Policy Process

Cordell Johnston, NHMA Government Affairs Counsel

The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.

In April 2014, almost 60 local officials from NHMA member municipalities kicked off the legislative policy process for the 2015-2016 biennium. As always, this year’s process has been driven by a broad base of volunteers, with local officials submitting legislative policy proposals which are then reviewed by committees of other local officials. This year’s policy committees included selectmen, city and town managers and administrators, clerks, planners, assessors, finance directors, public works directors, road agents and many others.

Members Volunteer for Different Reasons

Like so much of NHMA’s work, the legislative policy process depends on the dedication of our members. NHMA would like to recognize and thank those who participated this year. Here is what a few of them had to say about the experience.

“I volunteered to understand the governance process better and to meet other local officials,” said first-timer Scott Bugbee, a selectman in the Town of Lee. “I learned that although municipalities do a lot of things the same, there are things that we do differently.”

This was the first time too for Pat Tucker, town clerk/tax collector for the Town of Ashland. Tucker said, “I enjoyed the diversity of members on the committee and the expertise that is shown during discussions on the various topics.”

Phil D’Avanza, a member of the Goffstown planning board, and a former longtime selectman, was more direct. “As an elected official, I have a duty to participate.“ D’Avanza has participated in NHMA’s legislative policy process for over 20 years and believes the process helps promote awareness of common local municipal issues by providing a forum for public officials to discuss these issues. More importantly, said D’Avanza, “Policies are determined by member municipal public officials and not staff members of the NHMA.”

Another member who has participated in NHMA’s policy process for years is Jane Taylor, city solicitor in Claremont. “It is important for individual municipalities to voice local concerns and try to have these reflected in the legislative policy,” said Taylor. “Since New Hampshire is not a home rule state, if municipalities do not participate in trying to shape legislative matters, they have no choice but to follow state mandates.“ Added Taylor, “Few municipalities have the resources to either draft legislation or lobby members other than their own delegation on legislation that may have significant impact on the municipality. NHMA provides these services on a consensus basis, which is important on issues that cross individual municipal lines.”

George Saunderson is a member of Loudon’s planning boards and an alternate on the town’s zoning board of adjustment. “This has been a really fascinating and eye opening experience for me. As a group, we have discussed the pros and cons of certain legislative proposals, going down the checklist -- who would be for this proposal/who would be against it -- has been particularly helpful. I have really enjoyed this experience.”

Advocacy Matters!

“I feel as a town administrator, it is part of my job to stay on top of possible changes and to provide my feedback based on what is best for my town,” said Shaun Mullholland, town administrator for Allenstown. “It is important that we work together collectively as municipal officials to address issues facing local government. We need to be vocal in advocating for more effective and efficient government at the local level through positive legislation at the state level.”

This strong feeling toward advocacy is shared by Jeanne Beaudin, the Belmont town administrator. “Advocacy is important at all levels of town and state government,” said Beaudin. “Participation in the process on behalf of Belmont keeps us informed of what is being considered by our legislators and what the impact of their eventual decisions may be. If my participation can assist in providing information that may change the outcome of what could be considered a poor bill or a bill with considerable impact, Belmont is better for it.”

Policy Committees and Process

This year, three policy committees comprising 18-20 local official members each (see policy committees and member participants), met from April through May to review, discuss and recommend policy proposals. Approximately 20 proposals were submitted from member municipalities and from NHMA affiliate groups. These were in addition to the approximately 60 existing legislative policy proposals.

The three policy committees are:

Finance and Revenue,

Infrastructure, Development, and Land Use, and

General Administration and Governance.

Each committee was charged with approving two or three “Action Recommendations,” which are legislative proposals to be drafted by staff for introduction in the 2015-2016 legislative session. Each committee also approved a number of “Priority Recommendations,” which may be developed into legislation depending on staff resources and other factors, and “Standing Policy Recommendations” which are generally relied upon in responding (positively or negatively) to legislation filed by others.

Policy Review Checklist

Policy committees are asked to consider each proposal using a Policy Review Checklist. The checklist asks the following questions:

Where does the policy come from?


What is the need for this legislative change/how widespread is this problem?


What could we lose and what are the risks of pursuing this proposal? What could we gain?


Who would likely be opposed to this proposal? Who would likely support it?


Does this proposal require financial analysis?


Would the policy cost money for municipalities? For the state?


Would the policy be divisive for municipalities? Would it tend to pit one community against another?

Policy Recommendations Sent to Members

The policy recommendations adopted by the three committees have been reviewed by the NHMA Board of Directors and sent to all municipal members. We are asking municipal governing bodies to take a position on each policy recommendation and to send a delegate to participate in our Legislative Policy Conference on September 26th, where final decisions will be made on all policy recommendations.

Floor Policy Proposals Due by August 15th

If you have policy suggestions, it’s not too late to send them in. Municipalities still have an opportunity to submit floor policy proposals for consideration at the Legislative Policy Conference. Each floor policy proposal must be approved by the governing body of the municipality submitting it, but the proposals will not be reviewed or recommended by NHMA’s legislative policy committees. Floor policy proposals will be voted on separately at the conference. All policy recommendations must receive a 2/3 vote of those present and voting to be adopted. Please complete the official submission form on the next page and email to governmentalaffairs@nhmunicipal.org or fax to 224.5406. All floor policy proposals must be received by August 15, 2014.