The last time this happened was in 2015. Today, the NH Attorney General published a 2024 revised version of the Memorandum on New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law, RSA Chapter 91-A. This long-awaited revision was fittingly released during Sunshine Week. The AG’s press release described the memo this way: This memorandum reflects a significant update to the last edition with highlights including: 27 statutory amendments to the Right-to-Know law. 17 new court decisions. A reorganized meetings section to assist the reader. A more robust discussion on remote meetings and remote participation. Revise ..read more

Next week is Sunshine Week across the country. Sunshine week is an annual focus on the importance of the Right to Know for governmental accountability. The highlight in New Hampshire for Sunshine Week is a panel discussion called Keeping the Light On and Holding Government Accountable in New Hampshire sponsored by the New England First Amendment Coalition, the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and Saint Anselm College. This discussion is free and open to the public. It will be on Monday, March 11, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm Coll ..read more

Short answer: No. Long answer: The N.H. Right-to-Know Law, RSA 91-A, does not apply to the courts or any part of the judicial branch in our state.  It only applies to certain executive and legislative agencies and bodies.  Section RSA 91-A:1-a lists which public agencies, RSA 91-A:1-a, V,  and public bodies, RSA 91-A:1-a, VI, the law applies to, and these lists do not include any part of the judiciary. Even though the statute does not apply to the courts, public access to judicial records and meetings is a constitutional right in New Hampshire.  Part 1, Article 8 of the N.H ..read more

Short answer: RTK is for state and local information and FOIA is for U.S. government information.  RTK is also for records and meetings and FOIA is just for records. Long answer: The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, RSA 91-A, gives public access to state and local records and meetings within N.H.  The federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. sec. 552, gives public access to U.S. government records.  There is no federal statute for public access to meetings similar to RSA 91-A. It doesn’t matter whether the records are kept within our state boundaries.  What matters is w ..read more

“Let Your Voice Be Heard: How to promote or support a bill in the NH legislature,” is a detailed explanation of the life of a bill idea – from conception to law.  Conducted by David Saad of Right to Know NH, and Eric Pauer, President SDGA of NH. Monday, September 19, 2022  7pm – 9 pm Registration is free, but required in order to receive a Zoom invitation. Register here by September 18th:  https://sdganh.org/event/webinar-let-your-voice-be-heard-how-to-promote-or-support-a-bill-in-the-nh-legislature/?instance_id=426        ..read more

Recently, Gov. Sununu signed into Law HB481 to establish the office of the right-to-know ombudsman and creates a simpler, less expensive, and faster alternative process to resolve complaints under RSA 91-A. As an alternative to filing a petition in court, a citizen may file a written complaint with the office of the right to know ombudsman.  The ombudsman will then require the public body/agency to provide an answer to the complaint within 20 days citing any justifications for their refusal to or delay in producing the requested governmental records, access to meetings open to the public ..read more

Right to Know NH will meet on Saturday, December 18, 2021 @ 9 AM by Zoom video conference.  We will discuss Right to Know (RSA 91-A) bills for the upcoming legislative session.  The public is welcome to join us. If you’d like to join us, click on “Send us a message” under CONTACT US to the right and ask for the zoom conference meeting link ..read more

Right to Know NH will meet on Saturday, November 20, 2021 @ 9 AM by Zoom video conference.  We will discuss Right to Know (RSA 91-A) bills for the upcoming legislative session.  The public is welcome to join us. If you’d like to join us, click on “Send us a message” under CONTACT US to the right and ask for the zoom conference meeting link ..read more

The School District Governance Association in partnership with Right to Know NH will conduct a FREE webinar on the Right-to-Know Law regarding Public meetings and non-public sessions. Webinar will be held Monday November 8th 7:30-8:30PM via zoom. David Saad, RTHNH president, is the presenter and will include time for Q&A. Registration for this webinar is free, but required in order to receive a zoom invitation. To register click here ..read more

Right to Know NH will meet on Saturday, October 16, 2021 @ 9 AM by Zoom video conference.  We will discuss Right to Know (RSA 91-A) bills for the upcoming legislative session.  The public is welcome to join us. If you’d like to join us, click on “Send us a message” under CONTACT US to the right and ask for the zoom conference meeting link ..read more