HB 1259 – AS INTRODUCED
2014 SESSION
06/01
HOUSE BILL 1259
AN ACT relative to the functions of the municipal associations.
SPONSORS: Rep. Ulery, Hills 37; Rep. Itse, Rock 10; Rep. Comerford, Rock 33
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
This bill:
I. Permits the board of selectmen to pay for membership in any organization that deals with the administration of a municipality.
II. Prohibits municipal associations from supporting or opposing the legislative actions of any elected state official or candidate for state office.
III. Permits the board of selectmen to participate in programs offered by service providers.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
14-2298
06/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen
AN ACT relative to the functions of the municipal associations.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Authorization to Pay Dues to Municipal Associations. Amend RSA 31:8-a to read as follows:
31:8-a Authorization to Pay Dues. The board of selectmen may vote to pay[, from amounts appropriated by the town for town officers’ expenses,] such amounts as shall be payable for annual membership in the New Hampshire Municipal Association or any other organization or association organized under the laws of the state that deals with the administration of a municipality, and expenses incurred in attending regular meetings of the said association, provided that the appropriation of such dues and expenses has [not previously been rejected] been approved by a vote at the annual town meeting and provided further that the association shall not record association positions before the general court or committees thereof on matters which do not directly affect New Hampshire towns and cities, nor engage in partisan political activity by endorsing, or otherwise supporting, any political party or candidate in any manner including, but not limited to, offering honors, awards, testimonials, or any indirect support of or opposition to the legislative actions of a governor, a member of the general court or the governor’s council, or a candidate for any such elective office. No such association shall offer a position or opinion, publicly or at any meeting of the association, of any person being considered for any appointed position within the state of New Hampshire unless such opinion has been publicly solicited and the opinion is stated publicly.
2 New Section; Service Provider Programs. Amend RSA 31 by inserting after section 8-a the following new section:
31:8-b Provision of Services The board of selectmen may participate in any program offered by any qualified insurance or service provider entity whether or not that entity is affiliated with an association of towns or municipalities. No such association shall reject the membership of a municipality if the member municipality declines to participate in any or all of the services offered by the association.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.