This bill establishes new requirements for cities, towns, village districts, and school districts regarding the appropriation and expenditure of public funds for membership in municipal associations, including the New Hampshire Municipal Association. It amends existing laws to ensure that any payment of dues for such memberships is subject to the provisions of RSA 31:8-b. Specifically, it mandates that no public funds can be appropriated or spent for membership unless the appropriation has been approved by a recorded roll call or ballot vote of the legislative body. Additionally, municipal associations that engage in lobbying must provide an itemized statement of their budget allocated to lobbying activities and a proposed dues amount for those activities, separate from non-lobbying services.

The bill also includes provisions that require a separate recorded vote for the appropriation of public funds specifically for the lobbying portion of dues, which must be approved by at least two-thirds of those present and voting. Furthermore, it prohibits municipal associations from denying access to non-lobbying services to any city, town, village district, or school district that chooses not to fund lobbying activities. The effective date of the act is set for 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 31:8-a
HB1359 text: 31:8-a