New Hampshire Executive Council

The Executive Council of the State of New Hampshire (commonly known as the Governor's Council) is the executive body of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The Executive Council advises the Governor on all matters and provides a check on the governor's power. While the governor retains the right to veto legislation passed by the New Hampshire General Court, and commands the New Hampshire National Guard, the council has veto power over pardons, contracts with a value greater than $10,000, and nominations. The Executive Council Chambers have been located in the New Hampshire State House since the chambers were added to the capitol in 1909.

The Executive Council is made up of five councilors elected for two-year terms by their respective districts. The General Court divides the state into five districts by population, as needed for the public good, with each district containing approximately 247,000 citizens.

The governor has the sole power and authority to convene the meetings of the council at his or her discretion. The council does not have the power or authority to convene itself. The governor with, or a majority of, the council "may and shall, from time to time hold a council, for ordering and directing the affairs of the state, according to the laws of the land." ()

Members of the council may be impeached by the house, and tried by the senate for bribery, corruption, malpractice, or maladministration. ()

The constitution provides for the governor and council to be compensated for their services, from time to time, by such grants as the general courts shall think reasonable. (Part II. Art. 58) Each councilor is provided a salary $12,354 (FY 2006). The councilor for District 1 receives a $5,800 stipend in lieu of expenses while the other districts' councilors receive $4,000.

As of 2012, the state is divided into five Executive Council districts:

The Governor and Council, together, have the authority and responsibility over the administration of the affairs of the state as defined in the New Hampshire Constitution, the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, and the advisory opinions of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the New Hampshire Attorney General. The General Court has also designated specific powers to the governor and council in RSA Chapter 4. Other powers of the council derive from the NH Constitution:

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