THE THIRD BRANCH 
SUB-COMMITTEE of NH CITIZENS COMMISSION ON STATE COURTS 
Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 
Present: 
Kelly Ayotte, Donna Davey, Martin Gross, Peter Heed, Ann Kuster, Andrew Peterson (Chair,) Katrina 
Swett, Dick Winters 
Absent: 
Charles Bickford, Robert Duhaime, Francis Frasier, Michael Whalley 
Topic
Discussion
Action
Review of Discussions With 
Judicial and Political 
Leaders: 
Outcomes of previous meetings with 
1. members of the Judicial Branch November 30, and 
2. members of the Executive and Legislative Branches 
December 14 led to a short list of priorities on which to focus: 
Budget: Discussion revolved around the budget process for the 
Judiciary 
a. The Court assembles the budget 
b. The budget is delivered to the Governor 
c. The Governor reviews the budget, makes any pertinent 
comments and passes it on to the Legislators 
Kelly Ayotte with work on Budget 
Recommendations from the Committee to 
present at the next meeting. 

Recommendations of the Committee for improvements include 
the following: 
1. Involve the Governor more in the budget process, 
(keeping in mind that it is a matter of law that the 
Governor must present the Judicial Branch budget 
intact to the Legislative Branch, but may comment on 
it.) It is the consensus of the Committee that a change 
in the process including a preliminary review of the 
Judicial Budget by the Executive branch is essential to 
the understanding of the budget by both branches. 
2. Recommend that the Judicial Branch have 
representatives available at the budget hearings to 
present their own budget. This would improve their 
political status and help them make their case for 
budgetary concerns. 
3. Utilize the Judicial Council to assist in the above 
capacity. 
Public Education: The Committee acknowledged the need for 
public understanding of the Judicial Branch, as well as the 
other Branches of state government, and understanding within 
the branches of each other’s roles. There is no substitute for 
having a strong public foundation of understanding. 
Follow Up and Follow Through: Consideration was given to 
what mechanisms are in place to ensure follow up and follow 
through on opportunities for improvement. 
Marty Gross will work on Conducting 
Improved Relationships Between the 
Executive and Judiciary Branches to 
present at the next meeting. 
Katrina Swett and Dick Winters will work 
on Public Education recommendations to 
present at the next meeting. 
Ann Kuster will work on 
recommendations for Continuation to 
present at the next meeting. 
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 February 13, 2006.