NHMA Legislative Policy Process

The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) uses a member-driven process to determine legislative policy. While the details of the process change from time to time, it is always local officials from member municipalities who ultimately adopt the policy positions advocated by NHMA government affairs staff.

After NHMA was reorganized under the umbrella of the New Hampshire Local Government Center (LGC), the Municipal Advocacy Committee (MAC) was created to oversee NHMA’s advocacy activities. MAC comprises the 12 municipal members of the LGC Board and an additional 17 local officials elected by NHMA member municipalities. Also established was the Committee on Government Affairs (CGA), a 75-member committee, which includes the members of MAC. Both CGA and MAC members were elected for the first time at the 2005 NHMA Annual Meeting. The CGA is responsible for recommending legislative policy positions to the NHMA membership at the Legislative Policy Conference. MAC and CGA are committees of elected and appointed local officials, and the membership of each can be found on this Web site.

The CGA divides into three policy committees: Municipal Administration and Finance Management; Planning and Environmental Quality; and General Government, Revenue and Intergovernmental Relations. Each committee discusses policy proposals submitted by members and other local officials. Their final recommendations are mailed to each member municipality for review prior to the Legislative Policy Conference.

The Legislative Policy Conference is held every two years, coinciding with the 2-year state legislative session. Each member municipality, regardless of size, has one vote and policy proposals require a 2/3 vote to become NHMA Legislative Policy Positions. The 2008 NHMA Legislative Policy Conference is scheduled for September 12, 2008 at the New Hampshire Local Government Center.

For more information about the 2009-2010 Legislative Policy Process and to review the recommended proposals, visit the 2009-2010 Legislative Policy Process page.

Visit the NHMA Legislative Principles page for an overview of the standards that guide NHMA staff.

For a further explanation of the NHMA legislative policy process, contact the Government Affairs Department at 603.224.7447, ext. 384 (or for Members, 800.852.3358, ext. 384) or e-mail governmentaffairs@nhlgc.org.