Bill > SB643

This bill requires municipalities to follow specific procedural requirements when seeking to override local tax or spending caps, aimed at increasing government transparency and citizen participation. The bill mandates that before any vote to override a tax or spending cap, a municipality must hold a public hearing with at least 30 days' advance notice, provide a minimum 60-minute public comment period, and record the final vote as a roll call vote where each legislative body member's name and vote is documented. Additionally, the results of the roll call vote must be published prominently on the next property tax bill, clearly showing how each member voted. The bill does not change existing requirements that such overrides still need approval by a supermajority vote or ballot vote. The legislative findings emphasize the importance of providing taxpayers with clear, timely information about how their elected representatives vote on decisions that could directly impact property tax levels. The bill would take effect 60 days after passage and is expected to result in a modest increase in administrative costs for municipalities, estimated at under $10,000 per city.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1280&inflect=2