2023-0826s — Amendment

Election Law and Municipal Affairs
March 7, 2023
2023-0826s
02/05


Amendment to SB 111-LOCAL

Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:

	1  Local Option-Town Charters; Town Charters.  Amend RSA 49-D:2, I to read as follows:
		I.  As distinguished from adopting a city form of government described in RSA 49-C, a town may adopt a charter pursuant to RSA 49-B which abolishes the open town meeting and vests all legislative authority in a town council as the elected body, with the same powers and authorities as a city council under RSA 49-C subject to the provisions of RSA 41:16, or, in the alternative, vests authority to make appropriations in a budgetary town meeting.  A charter establishing this form may reserve authority by the voters, at a referendum, over amendments to land use ordinances pursuant to RSA 675 and approval of bond issues consistent with RSA 33. 
	2  Town Clerk; Election and Bond.  Amend RSA 41:16 to read as follows:
41:16 Election and Bond.  Every town at the annual meeting shall choose, by ballot, a town clerk, who shall record all votes passed by the town while she or he remains in office, and discharge all the duties of the office according to law.  The position of town clerk shall be elected regardless of the form of government established under RSA 49-D.
	3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2023-0826s
AMENDED ANALYSIS

	This bill clarifies that towns which adopt town council-town manager charters have the same powers and authorities as city councils under RSA 49-C.  It also requires that town clerks be elected regardless of the form of municipal government.