HB1522: relative to local spending caps.

HB 1522 – AS INTRODUCED

2010 SESSION

10-2079

06/04

HOUSE BILL 1522

AN ACT relative to local spending caps.

SPONSORS: Rep. Bettencourt, Rock 4; Rep. Chandler, Carr 1; Rep. Packard, Rock 3; Sen. Bragdon, Dist 11; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1

COMMITTEE: Local and Regulated Revenues

ANALYSIS

This bill authorizes cities and towns to adopt charter provisions establishing limitations on the growth of budgets and taxes.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

10-2079

06/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten

AN ACT relative to local spending caps.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; City Charters; Limitations on Growth of Budgets and Taxes. Amend RSA 49-C by inserting after section 23 the following new section:

49-C:23-a Limitations on the Growth of Budgets and Taxes. A city charter may provide for limitations on the growth of one or more of the following: the annual city budget, the annual school budget if the school district is contained entirely within the city, or taxes assessed by the city. Any charter adopting such limitations shall authorize the elected body to override any such limitation by a 2/3 vote of all members of the elected body or a 2/3 vote of all members of the elected body present and voting.

2 New Section; Town Charters; Limitations on the Growth of Budgets and Taxes. Amend RSA 49-D by inserting after section 5 the following new section:

49-D:6 Limitations on the Growth of Budgets and Taxes.

I. Any town that by charter has adopted the town council form of government authorized under RSA 49-D:3, I, may adopt, amend, or revise its charter to provide for limitations on the growth of one or more of the following: the annual town budget, the annual school budget if the school district is contained entirely within the town, or taxes assessed by the town. Any charter adopting such limitations shall authorize the elected body to override any such limitation by a 2/3 vote of all members of the town council.

II. Any town that by charter has adopted the official ballot town council form of government authorized under RSA 49-D:3, I-a, may adopt, amend, or revise its charter to provide for limitations on the growth of one or more of the following: the annual town budget, the annual school budget if the school district is contained entirely with the town, or taxes assessed by the town. Any charter adopting such limitations shall authorize the elected body to override any such limitation by a 2/3 vote of all members of the town council. No matter to be voted on by official ballot may be subject to a supermajority voting requirement.

III. Any town that by charter has adopted the representative town meeting form of government authorized under RSA 49-D:3, III, may adopt, amend, or revise its charter to provide for limitations on the growth of one or more of the following: the annual town budget, the annual school budget if the school district is contained entirely with the town, or taxes assessed by the town. Any charter adopting such limitations shall authorize the elected body to override any such limit by a 2/3 vote of all members of the representative town meeting.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.