RSA Chapter 16 — Special Legislative Sessions

Title I — The State and Its Government

Current through the 2025 Regular Session of the New Hampshire General Court.

Title I The State and Its Government

RSA 16:1 Powers

During any recess the general court may convene itself in special session in the manner herein provided.

Source. 1945, 134:1, par. 1, eff. April 26, 1945.

RSA 16:2 Petition

There shall be filed with the secretary of state a petition for the calling of a special session of the general court which petition shall be signed by not less than 50 members of the house of representatives, not more than 10 of whom shall reside in the same county, and signed by not less than 8 members of the senate. Said petition shall state the reason or reasons why the public welfare requires a special session of the general court.

Source. 1945, 134:1, par. 2, eff. April 26, 1945.

RSA 16:3 Notice

Upon receiving such petition, the secretary of state shall forthwith mail a copy thereof to each member of the general court together with a ballot upon which shall be stated the following question: "Are you of the opinion that the general court should meet in special session?"

Source. 1945, 134:1, par. 3, eff. April 26, 1945.

RSA 16:4 Vote Required

If within 10 days after the date of the mailing of said ballot by the secretary of state a majority of the members of the house and a majority of the members of the senate shall return said ballot marked in the affirmative, the general court shall be called in special session.

Source. 1945, 134:1, par. 4, eff. April 26, 1945.

RSA 16:5 Calling

Upon receipt of the affirmative votes above required, the secretary of state shall set a day for the convening of the general court which day shall not be more than 15 days thereafter and notice thereof shall be sent by the secretary of state to each member of both houses.

Source. 1945, 134:1, par. 5, eff. April 26, 1945.

RSA 16:6 Postponement

In the event that the governor prorogues the reassembly of the general court under the provisions of Article 50, Part II of the constitution, the general court shall reassemble the Tuesday following the expiration of the time of such postponement, unless the majority of the membership of each house shall have filed with the secretary of state not less than 7 days prior thereto a statement in writing that a special session no longer is desired. In either event the secretary of state shall give notice thereof to each member.

Source. 1945, 134:1, par. 6, eff. April 26, 1945.

RSA 16:7 Compensation and Mileage

In the event that the general court convenes itself in special session in the manner provided by this chapter, the officers and members shall receive for attendance compensation of $3 per day for a period not exceeding 15 days and the usual mileage. The attaches of the general court shall receive for attendance compensation at the rate of the next previous session, and the usual mileage.

Source. 1954, 2:1, eff. April 6, 1954.