This bill modifies the procedures for establishing and managing municipal budget committees and cooperative school district budget committees. Key changes include the repeal and reenactment of RSA 32:14, III, which now specifies that voting for budget committee members will be conducted by official ballot unless the town has not adopted this method, in which case special ballots will be used. The bill also introduces new wording for the questions posed to voters regarding the establishment and composition of budget committees, including provisions for appointing initial members-at-large by the moderator or electing them with staggered terms. Additionally, it clarifies that a budget committee is considered duly constituted once a quorum of its members has been sworn in.

Furthermore, the bill amends RSA 32:15, III-IV, to outline the process for changing the number or selection method of budget committee members, ensuring that current members continue to serve until the end of their terms. It also updates the timeline for appointing members of cooperative school district budget committees from 15 to 30 days following the establishment vote. The bill repeals certain existing provisions related to the procedure if the vote is favorable and establishes that the act will take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32:14, 32:15, 195:12-a
As Amended by the House: 32:14, 32:15, 195:12-a
HB1526 text: 32:14, 32:15, 195:12-a