N.H. Admin. Code § Pol 210.05

Current through Register No. 45, November 7, 2024

Section Pol 210.05 - Conduct of Public Comment Hearings

The following shall apply to the conduct of public comment hearings:

(a) Public comment hearings shall be attended by a quorum of the council.

(b) Public comment hearings shall be presided over by the council chair or a council member knowledgeable in the subject area of the proposed rules who has been designated by the council to preside over the hearing.

(c) The chair or other person presiding over a hearing shall:

(1) Call the hearing to order;

(2) Identify the proposed rules that are the subject matter of the hearing and provide copies of them upon request;

(3) Cause a recording of the hearing to be made;

(4) Recognize those who wish to be heard;

(5) If necessary, establish limits pursuant Pol 210.03 and Pol 210.04;

(6) If necessary to permit the hearing to go forward in an orderly manner, effect the removal of a person who speaks or acts in a manner that is personally abusive or otherwise disrupts the hearing;

(7) If necessary, postpone or move the hearing; and

(8) Adjourn or continue the hearing.

(d) A hearing shall be postponed in accordance with RSA 541-A:11, IV when:

(1) The weather is so inclement that it is reasonable to conclude that people wishing to attend the hearing will be unable to do so;

(2) The council chair or other person designated by the council to preside over the hearing is ill or unavoidably absent; or

(3) Postponement will facilitate greater participation by the public.

(e) A hearing shall be moved to another location in accordance with RSA 541-A:11, V when the original location is not able to accommodate the number of people who wish to attend the hearing.

(f) A hearing shall be continued past the scheduled time or to another date in accordance with RSA 541-A:11, III when:

(1) The time available is not sufficient to give each person who wishes to speak a reasonable opportunity to do so; or

(2) The capacity of the room in which the hearing is to be held does not accommodate the number of people who wish to attend and it is not possible to move the hearing to another location.

N.H. Admin. Code § Pol 210.05

#9223-A, eff 8-1-08