Bill > HB373

This bill modifies the rules for how town selectmen can rent or lease municipal property in New Hampshire. Currently, selectmen need approval from the town's legislative body for any lease longer than one year. The proposed changes create a more flexible system: leases of one year or less can be made directly by selectmen without additional approval, while leases between one and five years require a majority vote by the legislative body authorizing the specific lease. Additionally, the legislative body can grant selectmen "universal lease authorization" to enter into leases up to five years without requiring individual votes for each lease. If such universal authorization is granted, it remains in effect until specifically rescinded, though any existing leases will continue under their original terms. Leases longer than five years but up to 99 years will still require a specific vote approving that particular lease. The bill does not affect any leases already in place when it takes effect, which will occur 60 days after passage.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0426&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB373