HB 175 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT relative to membership of attorneys in the New Hampshire Bar Association and lobbying by the Bar Association.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1. New Subdivision; State Bar Association. Amend RSA 311 by inserting after section 7-f the following new subdivision:

State Bar Association

311:7-g State Bar Association Membership; Vote Required.

1. The supreme court, pursuant to its power to regulate the practice of law under this chapter and its continuing supervisory authority over attorneys practicing before courts of this state, may assess fees for the purpose of regulating the practice of law and for maintaining a professional conduct committee.

2. The supreme court may require all persons engaged in the practice of law in this state to be members of the New Hampshire Bar Association; provided that the members of the Bar Association have approved the requirement pursuant to paragraph III.

3. The board of governors of the New Hampshire Bar Association shall place on the ballot with the election of officers of the Association, the following question: "Shall membership in the New Hampshire Bar Association be required for all attorneys licensed to practice in this state?" An affirmative vote of a majority of those voting on the question, shall allow for the requirement by the supreme court under paragraph II. Approval by the membership under this paragraph shall be valid for a 5-year period beginning on the date of the affirmative vote.

311:7-h Bar Association Legislative Activities.

1. The New Hampshire Bar Association, if membership is mandatory for attorneys under RSA 311:7-g, shall be prohibited from using any part of dues paid by its members for the purpose of lobbying or influencing the general court on any matter, except as provided in paragraph III.

2. If membership in the New Hampshire Bar Association is mandatory for attorneys under RSA 311:7-g, no person shall be permitted to engage in legislative activities on behalf of the New Hampshire Bar Association for the purpose of lobbying or influencing the general court on any matter, except as provided in paragraph III.

3. The Bar Association may use a part of dues paid by its members, and may engage a person to lobby or influence the legislature on its behalf provided the Association:

   1. Limits its activities before the general court to those matters which are directly related to the regulation of the legal profession and improving the quality of legal services available to the people of the state. The scope of such permissible activities shall be narrowly defined; and

   2. Has determined that substantial unanimity exists within the bar as a whole in agreement with the position taken on a matter.

4. Nothing in the section shall prevent officers and members of the Bar Association from appearing before the general court to express their views as individuals, as members of voluntary associations, or as representatives of clients.

5. Any member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, if membership is mandatory for attorneys under RSA 311:7-g, may refuse to pay that portion of the Bar Association dues that are used for lobbying or influencing the legislature or other political matters.

311:7-i Severability. If any provision of this subdivision or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications hereof which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this subdivision are severable.

2. Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.