Bill > HB1288

This bill enables school administrative units (SAUs) to adopt budget caps, a mechanism that limits annual increases in school district budgets. Under this proposed law, SAUs can choose to implement a budget cap calculated by multiplying the current overhead cost per student by the average daily membership in residence (ADMR), with an additional inflation factor. If a proposed school administrative unit budget exceeds the established cap, each member school district must include a specific warrant article on their annual meeting ballot asking voters whether they want to approve a budget that exceeds the cap. Adoption of the budget requires a three-fifths majority vote across all districts in the SAU. The inflation factor can be either a fixed percentage or based on an inflation index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or American City and County. School districts can adopt this budget cap mechanism through a vote at their annual meeting, and they can also choose to rescind it using a similar voting process. The bill provides detailed procedures for voting, ballot preservation, and potential recounts, and it will take effect 60 days after its passage. This legislation gives school administrative units more flexibility in managing budget growth while providing voters with direct input on potential budget increases.

Education

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2022&inflect=2