This bill revises the budget adoption procedures for school administrative units (SAUs) by eliminating the alternative budget procedure and instituting a standardized process. Key changes include the requirement that the SAU budget warrant article be placed at the beginning of the school district warrant, following any bond or note proposals. It mandates the posting of a report to voters prior to any budget adoption meeting to enhance transparency. The bill also clarifies that single-district SAUs will be treated as individual school districts, detailing specific responsibilities for budget adoption and public hearings, and ensuring that the budget is presented to voters as a separate warrant article.

Additionally, the bill introduces new voting procedures for SAU budgets, assigning the moderator the task of delivering ballots and recording vote totals. A majority vote is necessary for budget adoption, and if not achieved, the previous year's budget will be adjusted for continuing contracts. The bill also stipulates that any unassigned general fund balance at the end of the fiscal year will be returned to the constituent school districts based on prior funding distributions. It repeals existing provisions related to alternative budget procedures and clarifies that new budget cap regulations will apply to previously adopted caps without local amendments. The act is set to take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32:5-e, 189:76, 194-C:3, 194-C:9
As Amended by the Senate: 32:5-e, 189:76, 194-C:3, 194-C:9
Version adopted by both bodies: 32:5-e, 189:76, 194-C:3, 194-C:9
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 32:5-, 189:76, 194-C:3, 194-C:9, 194-C:9-a