1 Towns, Cities, Village Districts, And Unincorporated Places; Conservation Commissions; Optional Powers. Amend RSA 36-A:4-a, I(b) to read as follows:

(b) Expend funds for contributions to "qualified organizations," as defined in section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, for the purchase of property interests or facilitating transactions relative thereto to be held by the qualified organization, when such purchase carries out the purposes of this chapter . Because such contributions further the protection of the state's natural resources, they are hereby declared to be a public purpose.

2 Towns, Cities, Village Districts, And Unincorporated Places; Conservation Commissions; Appropriations Authorized. Amend RSA 36-A:5, I and II to read as follows:

I. A town or city, having established a conservation commission as authorized by RSA 36-A:2, may appropriate money as deemed necessary for the purpose of this chapter . The whole or any part of money so appropriated in any year and any gifts of money received pursuant to RSA 36-A:4 may be placed in a conservation fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year. Money may be expended from said fund by the conservation commission for the purposes of this chapter without further approval of the town meeting.

II. The town treasurer, pursuant to RSA 41:29, shall have custody of all moneys in the conservation fund and shall pay out the same only upon order of the conservation commission . The disbursement of conservation funds shall be authorized by a majority of the conservation commission. Prior to the use of such funds for the purchase of any interest in real property or for a contribution to a qualified organization for the purchase of property interests under RSA 36-A:4-a, I(b), the conservation commission shall hold a public hearing with notice in accordance with RSA 675:7.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Towns, Cities, Village Districts, And Unincorporated Places; Conservation Commissions; Optional Powers. Amend RSA 36-A:4-a, I(b) to read as follows:

(b) Expend funds for contributions to "qualified organizations," as defined in section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, for the purchase of property interests or facilitating transactions relative thereto to be held by the qualified organization, when such purchase carries out the purposes of this chapter , subject to the approval of the local governing body . Because such contributions further the protection of the state's natural resources, they are hereby declared to be a public purpose.

2 Towns, Cities, Village Districts, And Unincorporated Places; Conservation Commissions; Appropriations Authorized. Amend RSA 36-A:5, I and II to read as follows:

I. A town or city, having established a conservation commission as authorized by RSA 36-A:2, may appropriate money as deemed necessary for the purpose of this chapter , subject to the approval of the local governing body as may be required pursuant toRSA 36-A:4 and RSA 36-A:4-a . The whole or any part of money so appropriated in any year and any gifts of money received pursuant to RSA 36-A:4 may be placed in a conservation fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year. Money may be expended from said fund by the conservation commission for the purposes of this chapter without further approval of the town meeting.

II. The town treasurer, pursuant to RSA 41:29, shall have custody of all moneys in the conservation fund and shall pay out the same only upon order of the conservation commission , subject to the approval of the local governing body as may be required pursuant toRSA 36-A:4 and RSA 36-A:4-a . The disbursement of conservation funds shall be authorized by a majority of the conservation commission. Prior to the use of such funds for the purchase of any interest in real property or for a contribution to a qualified organization for the purchase of property interests under RSA 36-A:4-a, I(b), the conservation commission shall hold a public hearing with notice in accordance with RSA 675:7.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.