HB230: relative to the referendum procedure for public water systems.

HB 230 - AS INTRODUCED

2017 SESSION

17-0354

08/01

HOUSE BILL 230

AN ACT relative to the referendum procedure for public water systems.

SPONSORS: Rep. Fraser, Belk. 1

COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government

ANALYSIS

This bill changes the referendum procedure for public water systems.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17-0354

08/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

AN ACT relative to the referendum procedure for public water systems.

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

1 Referendum Procedure for Public Water Systems Serving More Than One Political Subdivision; Number of Petitioners. Amend RSA 485:14-a, I to read as follows:

I. Upon the written [application of the aggregate of 10 percent of the registered voters in all of the towns served by a water system] petition of a number of voters equal to at least 20 percent of the number of ballots cast in all of the towns served by a water system at the last regular municipal election, but in no case fewer than 10 voters, presented to the clerk of the town owning the water system at least 90 days before the day prescribed for an annual town meeting or city election, the clerk shall forward a copy of the petition to each town served by the water system. Upon receipt of the petition, the selectmen of the town shall insert on the warrant or the official ballot the following question: "Shall fluoride be used in the public water system?'' Beside this question shall be printed the word "yes'' and the word "no'' with the proper boxes for the voter to indicate his or her choice. If a majority of those voting in a water system that serves multiple towns does not approve the use of fluoride in the public water system, no fluoride shall be introduced into the public water system for said towns. After such popular referendum, the selectmen shall not insert an article relative to the use of fluoride in the public water system in the warrant nor shall such question be inserted on the official ballot for a minimum period of 3 years from the date of the last popular referendum and only upon written [application at that time of not less than the aggregate of 10 percent of the registered voters of all of the towns] petition of a number of voters equal to at least 20 percent of the number of ballots cast in all of the towns served by a water system at the last regular municipal election, but in no case fewer than 10 voters.

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