Reaching for Indian Commission in NH

Feb. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- "I was pleased at the unanimous support for HB 1610," stated Rep. Daniel Carr, who introduced the bill for a Commission on Native Affairs in New Hampshire.

"We are trying to build up an effective commission in increments; recognition on the state level is purposely not included in the first stage."  "It is my vision that the first stage of the commission, composed of Native American members, will work towards goals they set themselves to develop the commission," continued Rep. Carr.

The NH State-Federal and Veterans Committee passed unanimously on February 18, 2010, (17-0), HB1610 as amended by Rep. Kris Roberts.

Amended was the Title of the Bill to read:

"AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs and recognizing all Native American residents as a minority population in the state of New Hampshire."

Amended was 21-K:24 New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs Established to read:

The commission shall consist of 7 members, appointed by the Governor, who are residents of New Hampshire. The governor shall appoint up to 5 of the initial members from a list of 15 candidates compiled by the New Hampshire Intertribal Native American Council on behalf of American Indian groups within the state.
Thereafter, the governor shall appoint members based on recommendations submitted by the commission.
The Native American commission shall be nonpartisan. Each member of the commission shall serve a 3-year term, and no member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms. Initial appointments by the governor shall be for staggered terms of one, 2, or 3 years.

Amended was Recognition of Abenaki People to read:

Recognition of Native American People

I. The state of New Hampshire recognizes all Native American people who reside in New Hampshire as a minority population.

II. Recognition of the Native American people provided in paragraph I shall be for the sole purposes specified in section 1 of this act and shall not be interpreted to provide any Native American with any other special rights or privileges that the state does not confer on or grant to other state residents.

Rep Carr stated that "Our neighbors in Maine and Vermont have been even more supportive and quite rightly have focused on the positive opportunities of the legislation for the Native Americans in our state."

New Hampshire and nine other states nationwide do not have established Native American Commissions, with the only other New England state being Rhode Island.

Bill has been placed on the consent calendar for a floor vote in the House.

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