Bill > HB1214

This bill modifies New Hampshire state law regarding public library governance by allowing a municipality's governing body (such as a city council or board of selectmen) to assume direct control of a local public library's operations through a formal election process. Currently, library trustees serve as the primary governing board for public libraries, but under this proposed legislation, a municipality can vote to transfer that governance role to its own elected or appointed municipal governing body. If a municipality chooses to do so, the existing library trustees would then shift to an advisory role, providing recommendations and guidance to the municipal governing body rather than making direct operational decisions. The bill specifies that this governance change can be enacted through the provisions of RSA 39:3, which likely outlines the specific procedural steps for municipal voting, and the new law would take effect 60 days after its passage. By making this change, the bill provides municipalities with more flexibility in how they manage their local public library's governance and administration.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1914&inflect=2