Bill > HB488

This bill, by amending RSA 669:7, aims to prevent conflicts of interest and the concentration of power within municipal governments by prohibiting individuals from simultaneously holding certain incompatible offices. Specifically, it prevents individuals from holding multiple key positions like selectman, treasurer, moderator, or tax collector at the same time, and restricts town clerks and full-time town employees from holding other elected or appointed roles, with limited exceptions. The bill also prohibits selectmen from serving on the school board or board of assessors for the same town, and prevents officials handling town funds from also being auditors. Furthermore, it bars municipal employees who support land use boards from serving on those boards, and restricts full-time employees and department heads from serving on planning, budget, or finance committees unless explicitly allowed by law. The bill clarifies that these restrictions do not prevent the sharing of information or clerical assistance between offices, nor do they stop governing body members from serving ex officio on committees they oversee, and alternates for boards are treated the same as full members. Importantly, individuals currently holding conflicting positions will be allowed to continue until the next election.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=765&inflect=2