HB 1200 – AS INTRODUCED

2012 SESSION

12-2094

10/04

HOUSE BILL 1200

AN ACT relative to reduced spending alternatives in proposed county budgets.

SPONSORS: Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 15; Rep. Simard, Graf 8; Rep. Kurk, Hills 7; Rep. Weyler, Rock 8; Rep. Belvin, Hills 6

COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government

ANALYSIS

This bill requires county commissioners to submit a reduced spending alternative prior to adoption of the county budget.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12-2094

10/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

AN ACT relative to reduced spending alternatives in proposed county budgets.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Counties; Recommended Budgets; Reduced Spending Alternative. Amend RSA 24:21-a, I to read as follows:

I. Except as provided in paragraph II, the county commissioners shall deliver or mail to each member of the county convention who will be in office on the date that appropriations are voted and to the chairperson of the board of selectmen in each town and the mayor of each city within the county and to the secretary of state prior to December 1 annually:

(a) Their itemized recommendations of the sums necessary to be raised for the county in the year next ensuing, stating therein in detail the objects for which the money is required, together with a statement of actual expenditures and income for at least 9 months of the preceding calendar year.

(b) A reduction level expenditure estimate for next fiscal year for administration, operation, and program services, which shall be an estimate for a reduced level of expenditure for the next year that is 10 percent, not including debt service, less than the actual expenses of the previous year, including adjustments or subsequent appropriations, additions, or reductions.

(c) If any county department fails to submit timely estimates to the commissioners, the commissioners shall cause to be prepared such estimates for such department as in the commissioner’s opinion are reasonable and proper.

(d) Upon completion, estimates submitted pursuant to this section shall be publicly available under RSA 91-A.

I-a. All moneys to be appropriated by the county must be stipulated in the budget on a “gross” basis, showing revenues from all sources, including grants, gifts, bequests and bond issues, as offsetting revenues to appropriations affected.

2 Hillsborough County Budget. Amend RSA 24:13-c, II and III to read as follows:

II. Not later than March 31 of each year, each department head shall mail or deliver to the county commissioners their itemized recommendations of the sums necessary to operate their department for the next year, and a reduced spending alternative in accordance with RSA 24:21-a, I(b).

III. The county commissioners shall mail or deliver to the executive committee of the county convention, each other member of the county convention, the chairperson of the board of selectmen in each town, and the mayor of each city within the county, and the secretary of state, prior to May 10 annually, their itemized recommendations of the sums necessary to be raised by the county for the next year, and a reduced spending alternative in accordance with RSA 24:21-a, I(b)-(d). They shall state in detail the objects for which the money is required and the sources of revenue to fund such recommendations. They shall also provide a statement of actual income and expenditures for at least 9 months of the preceding fiscal year. The county commissioners shall conduct a public hearing on such itemized recommendations after they have been mailed or delivered, and prior to the May 10 submission date.

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