SB198 Public Hearing

On Tuesday, March 17,2009 a Public Hearing of importance to all property owners was held at the Legislative Office Building in Concord, New Hampshire. At that time, the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee and Committee Chair Jacalyn Cilley presided over testimony on Senate Bill 198 (SB 198) that proposes changes to the existing Assessing Standards Board.

The Assessing Standards Board (ASB) is responsible for recommending property taxation guidelines for assessing standards throughout the state, including development of the manual used by local assessing officials.

State Senator Deborah Reynolds, sponsor of SB 198, explained that the bill increases the number of public members on the ASB from 3 to 5 members in order to include more NH residents who are not trained in any specific area and are just average NH property tax payers. Additionally, the Board should be a people's board and therefore the chair should not be a legislator.

Executive Councilor Raymond Burton supported the bill, noting that SB 198 is nonpartisan and expressing his concern that more citizens are not given an opportunity to become involved in their government, including such boards and commissions. Of the ASB, he explained that "this is a perfect example of where more citizens should be involved" and dismissed arguments that citizens might have an agenda or might not be sufficiently informed to make decisions. He reminded everyone that guidance is always available from the Attorney General's Office. Councilor Burton added that about 700 nominations of citizens to our government go through the Governor's Executive Council each year and 99 percent of the time they've been very successful and they are a compliment to the citizenry of our state.

(A Note to Moultonborough Voters: The condescending argument used by some that citizens might have an agenda or not be sufficiently informed or educated enough to participate in the decisions of their own government will sound familiar because this ruse was recently used in Moultonborough to defeat SB2 and exclude the majority of voters from exercising their right to vote on town warrant articles. Apparently this argument against more citizen participation is also prevalent at the state level.)

Concern was expressed by those testifying in support of SB 198 that the current ASB has a disproportionate number of assessors and selectmen acting in this capacity and insufficient public representation. Those testifying against SB 198 insisted that assessing professionals can provide the greatest technical expertise, citing other state boards where professionals predominate.

Those supporting SB 198 represented a diverse group of NH citizens, including two from Moultonborough, who believe in more citizens being allowed to participate hi the decisions their government makes. Those opposing SB 198 were two assessors, a lawyer for the NH Municipal Association and one state representative.

All property owners should consider the benefits of Senate Bill 198, as it promotes greater representation by property owners. After viewing this video, you may want to express your views to Senator Cilley and her committee that held this hearing and is now considering the future of SB198. You may also want to contact SB198 supporters Senator Reynolds, Senator Gallus and Executive Councilor Burton. If you believe that the fight for citizens' rights is ongoing, make your voice heard and protect your rights by contacting legislators. Your letter could make the difference.