This bill modifies the definition of "default budget" in RSA 40:13, IX(b) to incorporate salary and benefit reductions resulting from position turnover. The new definition specifies that the default budget will include the same appropriations as the previous year's operating budget, adjusted for debt service, contracts, and other legal obligations. It will also account for one-time expenditures, salaries and benefits of eliminated positions, and the actual salaries and benefits of filled positions as of the public hearing for the proposed budget. Notably, the bill clarifies that eliminated positions do not include those that are vacant but under recruitment unless they were vacant before the previous year's budget approval.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 40:13, XI(a)(3) to include language regarding one-time expenditures, specifically mentioning reductions to line items for transfers made for these expenditures. The effective date for this act is set for January 1, 2026. Overall, the changes aim to provide a clearer framework for calculating the default budget while ensuring that salary and benefit adjustments due to turnover are accurately reflected.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40:13
As Amended by the House: 40:13
Version adopted by both bodies: 40:13