Revision: March 4, 2022, 11:42 a.m.
Legislative Administration
February 23, 2022
2022-0815h
04/10
Amendment to HB 1033-FN-LOCAL
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT prohibiting the use of state or local grants, appropriations, or property tax revenue for lobbying activities.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 New Paragraphs; Powers; Use of Funds for Lobbying Restricted. Amend RSA 24:13 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraphs:
V. Except as provided in paragraph VII, no state grant or appropriation provided to any county shall be used for lobbying as referenced in RSA 15:1, II (a) and (b).
VI. Except as provided in paragraph VII, no funds collected from property taxes provided to any county shall be used for lobbying as referenced in RSA 15:1, II (a) and (b).
VII. Any county that wishes to engage in any of the activities prohibited in paragraph V or VI, shall segregate funds for such in a separate account, in such a manner that such funds are physically and financially separate from any funds that shall not be used for any of these purposes. Mere bookkeeping separation of state funds or county funds collected from taxpayers from other moneys shall not be sufficient.
2 New Section; Use of Property Tax Funds. Amend RSA 31 by inserting after section 8-a the following new section:
31:8-b Use of Taxpayer Funds
I. Except as provided in paragraph III, no state grant or appropriation provided to any town, city, village district or unincorporated place shall be used for lobbying as referenced in RSA 15:1, II (a) and (b).
II. Except as provided in paragraph III, no funds collected from property taxes provided to any town, city, village district or unincorporated place shall be used for lobbying as referenced in RSA 15:1, II (a) and (b).
III. Any town, city, village district or unincorporated place that wishes to engage in any of the activities prohibited in paragraph I or II, shall segregate non-taxpayer funds in a separate account, in such a manner that such funds are physically and financially separate from any funds that shall not be used for any of these purposes. Mere bookkeeping separation of state funds or county funds collected from taxpayers from other moneys shall not be sufficient.
3 New Section; Limitation on Use of Funds. Amend RSA 194 by inserting after section 5 the following new section:
194:5-a Limitation on Use of Funds.
I. Except as provided in paragraph III, no state grant or appropriation provided to a school district shall be used for lobbying as referenced in RSA 15:1, II (a) and (b).
II. Except as provided in paragraph III, no funds raised by property taxpayers provided to any school district shall be used for lobbying as referenced in RSA 15:1, II (a) and (b).
III. Any school district that wishes to engage in any of the activities prohibited in paragraph I or II, shall segregate non-taxpayer funds in a separate account, in such a manner that such funds are physically and financially separate from any funds that may not be used for any of these purposes. Mere bookkeeping separation of state funds or school district funds collected from taxpayers from other moneys shall not be sufficient.
4 Prohibited Activities; Lobbying. RSA 15:5 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
15:5 Prohibited Activities.
I. Except as provided in paragraph II, no state grant or appropriation of funds or funds collected from property taxes shall be used to lobby or attempt to influence legislation, participate in political activity, promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, any legislation pending or proposed before the general court.
II. Any entity that wishes to engage in any of the activities prohibited in paragraph I shall segregate such state funds and funds collected from property taxes in a separate account, in such a manner that such funds are physically and financially separate from any non-state grant and appropriation or property taxpayer funds that may be used for any of these purposes. Mere bookkeeping separation of the state funds or funds collected from property taxes from other moneys shall not be sufficient.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2022-0815h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits counties, municipalities, or school districts that are recipients of a state or local grant, appropriation, or property taxes from using such funds to engage in lobbying activities.