Watchdogs on Short Leashes

In Your State - New Hampshire

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2001 — The Center interviewed ethics agency officials, scoured ethics agency Web sites and combed through pages of state statutes to conduct this survey of state ethics agencies. Below is a snapshot of answers for this state. See how this state ethics agency compares on staff and budget, oversight and enforcement power, among other topics surveyed. Find out what other type of ethics oversight this state has. Go to the methodology for an explanation of how the survey was conducted and what exact questions were asked.

Oversight Summary
Oversight Survey

New Hampshire is one of 27 states in which no outside agency oversees ethical conduct of state legislators. It is one of 8 of those states where any outside oversight for members of the legislature is lumped in with the responsibilities of the secretary of state or attorney general.

More Info

What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?
 None.

If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?
 Yes. New Hampshire has the New Hampshire General Court Legislative Ethics Committee, which is enabled by New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Chapter 14-B. The committee has six members, two each from the house, the senate and the public.
http://sudoc.nhsl.lib.nh.us/rsa/14-B-2.htm

Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?
 Yes. New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Chapter 640, "Corrupt Practices," applies to legislators.
http://sudoc.nhsl.lib.nh.us/rsa/640.htm

When were the ethics statutes enacted?
 1971

Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?
 New Hampshire Secretary of State. See Info Resources.
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/

Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?
 New Hampshire Secretary of State, Election Division
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/electionsnew.htm

Where are lobbying disclosures filed?
 New Hampshire Secretary of State, Election Division
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/electionsnew.htm

Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws' "Ethics Update" 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.