Updated January 1, 2008     Home >> Right-to-Know Law

Right-to-Know Law

New Hampshire

The League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley has prepared the following two documents to assist public committees with understanding the requirements of the NH Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A). This law provides public access to proceedings and to their associated documents.

  1. Quick Guide to the NH Right-to-Know Law
  2. Best Practices for Local Public Committees in NH

Additional Resources:

Vermont

Letter to the Editor - Valley News

To the Editor:

The League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley has recently distributed copies of its "Quick Guide to the New Hampshire Right-To-Know Law" to eleven towns on the NH side of the Upper Valley. Chairmen of the elected Select Boards, School Boards and appointed bodies such as Planning Boards and Finance Committees received copies for distribution to committee members.

The League of Women Voters, nationally and locally, has long encouraged citizen participation in all facets of local governance. An essential requirement for effective participation is access to basic information, knowing when meetings will take place and what their agendas will be, and what decisions have been made.

Requirements for "transparency in government", and public accountability of officials, were laid out in New Hampshire's Constitution in 1784: "All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them" (Part 1, Article 8). In 1976 the people of New Hampshire amended this section of the Constitution by adding "Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive. To that end, the public's right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted."

In spite of this clarity of principle, questions and uncertainties often arise. Is a sub-committee of less than a quorum of a full committee such as a Planning Board exempt from posting notices of meetings and agendas or keeping meeting minutes? What communications between Board members are allowed outside of meetings? The one-page 'Quick Guide' answers these and other common questions for the experienced, hard-working volunteers and elected officials who conduct our public business. It should also be a useful orientation tool for new appointees as well as for citizens following issues and wishing to make their voices heard in timely and appropriate ways.

Barbara McIlroy, President
League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley