THE THIRD BRANCH 
SUB-COMMITTEE of NH CITIZENS COMMISSION ON STATE COURTS 
Meeting Minutes 
Monday, November 14, 2005 
Present: 
Donna Davey, Martin Gross, Andrew Peterson (Chair,) Katrina Swett, Dick Winters 
Absent: 
Kelly Ayotte, Charles Bickford, Robert Duhaime, Francis Frasier, Peter Heed, Ann Kuster, Michael 
Whalley 
Topic
Discussion
Action
Committee Appointments: 
Andrew Peterson was appointed Chairperson of this sub-
committee by the NH Citizens Commission on State Courts 
prior to this first meeting. 
Donna Davey agreed to act as Clerk for the duration of the 
Committee. 
Andrew Peterson will act as Chairperson 
Donna Davey will act as Clerk 
Beginning Steps: 
The Committee discussed ways to assess how the NH 
Judiciary can work more effectively with the legislative and 
executive branches to fulfill its constitutional obligation as the 
third branch of government. 
It was agreed by all present that the first step would be to 
assess the current status of interaction between the branches in 
terms of the following: 
1. workload, 
2. budgeting process, 
3. existing policies and procedures, 
4. what fundamental rights belong to each branch, 
5. are they remaining within the scope of their powers or 
over-reaching 
6. transparency 

Beginning Steps (Continued) 
7. what are the impressions of each branch regarding how 
what is working and what is not working. 
It was determined that the best beginning would result 
from Committee members meeting with the Chief Justice, 
the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Senate 
President relating to the above questions. 
Andrew Peterson will set up meetings and 
relate the date(s) and time(s) to 
Committee Members offline. 
Committee Members will respond to the 
Chairs notification of meeting(s) in an 
RSVP manner. 
Planning Next Steps: 
Next steps were discussed. 
It was considered that we may want to have a conference call 
or email exchange to outline recommendations prior to the 
next meeting. 
Overall, we want to develop a finite number of bullet points 
and succinct expansion on those points. 
Andrew Peterson will set up a conference 
call or email exchange to discuss a 
proposed draft of member 
recommendations. 
January and February will be working 
meetings for the Committee. 
“Right to Know” issues will be addressed 
to ensure we are transparent in regards to 
all matters related to the Committee. 
A discussion will be held regarding 
educational activities that the court may 
undertake to re-charge their sense of 
legitimacy in the eyes of the public. 
Next Meeting: 
The next meeting of THE THIRD BRANCH sub-committee of 
the NH Citizens on the State Courts Commission will be held 
in conjunction with and during the next NH Citizens on the 
State Courts Commission meeting on January 17, 2005. 
Andrew Peterson will request assistance 
from Laura in providing any existing 
policies and procedures for The Third 
Branch Committee to review.