New Hampshire House to host constitutionally required Convening Day
Pursuant to Part 2, Article 3 of the New Hampshire Constitution, the House will meet at 10 a.m. today at A-Lot parking area, at the University of New Hampshire.
Press and members of the public will be allowed to attend. There will be an outdoor area to the right of the stage that will have room for a socially distanced audience.
Session day logistics are available in the most recent House Calendar. See pages 13-17 of the document available here: HC_5.pdf (state.nh.us). Information in the calendar also lists the health and safety protocols in place for the event.
While the New Hampshire Supreme Court issued an opinion that holding a House session remotely, either wholly or in part, would not violate Part II, Article 20 of the New Hampshire Constitution, the Court also provided that the House has the authority to adopt rules of proceedings and therefore prescribe a method to determine a quorum. The House has not adopted a rule which allows it to meet remotely, either wholly or in part, and until such a time as the members adopt such a rule, the House is obligated to meet in-person.
The agenda for the House session includes an election for the office of Speaker of the House, which was vacated as a result of the death of Speaker Richard W. Hinch on December 9th. Republicans nominated Sherman Packard during a caucus held on December 18th. Packard was appointed deputy speaker by Hinch, and has been serving as acting speaker since Hinch’s death. Democrats are expected to nominate House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing for the purpose of the election.
Additional business the House will take up following the election for speaker will include adoption of rules for the 2021-2022 term. Copies of the amendments recommended by the House Rules committee are available in the House Calendar. Additional amendments may be moved on the floor, provided that they are submitted to the House clerk no later than the close of business on January 5th.
The House will also be hearing the election results by the Secretary of State, and adopt the results of the report officially.