Revision: Dec. 14, 2021, 1:52 p.m.
SB 273-A - AS INTRODUCED
2022 SESSION
22-2912
12/08
SENATE BILL 273-A
AN ACT relative to broadband infrastructure funding.
SPONSORS: Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Rep. Dolan, Rock. 5; Rep. Egan, Graf. 2; Rep. Thompson, Coos 1; Rep. Gordon, Graf. 9; Rep. Maggiore, Rock. 22
COMMITTEE: Finance
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ANALYSIS
This bill permits towns to authorize the borrowing of money for broadband infrastructure at special meetings.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
22-2912
12/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
AN ACT relative to broadband infrastructure funding.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Powers and Duties of Towns; Special Meetings. Amend RSA 31:5, I(a) to read as follows:
I.(a) No money shall be raised or appropriated or shall any appropriation previously made be reduced or rescinded at any special town meeting except by vote by ballot, nor unless the ballots cast at such meeting shall be equal in number to at least 1/2 of the number of legal voters borne on the checklist of the town entitled to vote at the annual or biennial election next preceding such special meeting; and such checklist, corrected according to law, shall be used at any meeting upon the request of 10 legal voters of the town. This section shall not apply to money to be raised for the public defense or any military purpose in time of war or to money to be raised for the purpose of financing broadband infrastructure bonds under RSA 53-G:5, X(c). In case an emergency arises requiring an immediate expenditure of money, the selectmen may petition the superior court for permission to hold a special town meeting which, if granted, shall give said meeting the same authority as an annual town meeting.
2 Corporate Body; Powers. Amend RSA 53-G:5, X to read as follows:
X. Each communications district shall have the power, by vote of the members at an annual meeting or at a special meeting pursuant to subsection (c) below, to borrow money and issue its notes or bonds in accordance with RSA 33, subject to the following:
(a) In the case of broadband infrastructure bonds, under RSA 33:3-g.
(b) In the case of revenue bonds, under RSA 33-B, when the board, at a regular or special meeting called for such purpose, determines by resolution passed by a vote of a majority of members present and voting that the public interest or necessity demands communications plant improvements, or a long-term contract, and that the cost of the same will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district, the board may pledge communications plant net revenues and enter into long-term contracts to provide for such improvements. In this chapter, a "long term contract" means an agreement in which the district incurs direct or conditional obligations for which the costs are too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenues of the district, in the judgment of the board. In this chapter, the term "communications plant improvements" includes improvements that may be used for the benefit of the public, whether or not publicly owned or operated. The pledge of communications plant net revenues and other obligations allowed by law may be authorized for any purpose permitted by this chapter, or any other applicable statutes.
(c) Notwithstanding RSA 31:5, the members may hold a special meeting for the limited purpose of voting to borrow money and issue bonds or notes in accordance with RSA 33 to finance broadband infrastructure bonds under RSA 33:3-g.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.