Have You Ever Considered Proposing Legislation?
If so, this is the week for your Representative to file a LSR (Legislative Service Request).
In New Hampshire, a law starts when a bill is proposed by a member of the legislature, is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate and then signed by the Governor.
Idea for a bill:
A bill can originate from a legislator or be proposed by a private citizen, interest group, or state agency. The bill’s sponsor must be a member of the House or Senate.
Legislative Service Request (LSR):
The sponsor files an LSR with the Office of Legislative Services (OLS), which then drafts the idea into a formal bill with the appropriate legal language.
Introduction:
The bill is officially introduced in the chamber of the sponsor (the House or the Senate), where it is given a number (e.g., HB 10 or SB 10) and assigned to a committee.
Click here to see a current list of LSRs filed to date.
To provide your legislator with the necessary information for a Legislative Service Request (LSR), your proposal should clearly and concisely outline the problem you want to address, your proposed solution, and the justification for the change.
The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) drafts the final bill, but they will rely on the details you provide to your sponsor.
Here’s a breakdown of the information you should include in your proposal:
1. The problem and proposed solution
A concise title: Give your proposed law a clear and descriptive title (e.g., “An Act to Allow Local Options for Plastic Bag Reduction,” not “An Act Regarding Waste”).
The “what”: Clearly state what you want to accomplish and what the new law would do. For example, “This proposal seeks to address [Problem] by [Proposed Action].”
The “why”: Explain why the change is necessary and why it should be addressed by law. This can include personal stories, relevant data, or examples of the issue’s impact.
The “how”: Outline the specific changes you are proposing. If it involves amending an existing statute, be as specific as possible by referring to the current law and describing the desired changes. For a new law, explain how it would function.
2. Supporting details and analysis
Fiscal implications: Identify any potential budget implication, costs for state agencies, municipalities, or the state budget. Anticipate cost questions and address them.
Affected parties: Explain who will be impacted by the law and how. This includes individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
Constitutional and legal considerations: While the OLS attorneys handle the legal drafting, you can help by anticipating any legal questions or potential conflicts with existing laws.
3. Additional information for your legislator
Your information: Include your full name, address, email, and phone number, clearly stating that you are a constituent.
Key talking points: Summarize your three strongest points in a concise manner that your legislator can use when discussing the bill with colleagues.
Offer to be a resource: Your legislator is a part-time official and may not be an expert on your issue. Offer to be a source of information and assistance as the bill moves forward.
4. What happens next?
After you provide your legislator with this information and if they agree to sponsor it, they will file the LSR with the Office of Legislative Services (OLS). OLS attorneys will then draft the bill’s formal language. The final draft is signed by the sponsoring legislator and receives an official bill number (e.g., HB 123 or SB 123).
The window for filing LSRs is open through Friday September 19, 2025.
Get writing and you can make a difference!
Click here for contact information for your Representative(s) and Senator.
https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/
Click here for current Statutes. (Click to select the Topic; scroll down to for Statutes.)
https://gc.nh.gov//rsa/html/nhtoc.htm
Ray Chadwick, GST Board Member