New Hampshire Senate Bill SB88

New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23
• Report Pass: 2/21/23
• Engrossed: 3/20/23
• Refer: 3/20/23
• Report Pass: 5/15/23

Caption

Relative to the annual dues paid by towns and cities to town officers' associations.

Impact

The bill also imposes a restriction on the use of these funds, specifically prohibiting them from being allocated towards lobbying activities as defined under New Hampshire law. This measure is intended to align the financial operations of the towns and cities with the ethical standards expected of public officials, thereby fostering transparency and trust in municipal governance.

Summary

SB88 is a legislative act focusing on the annual dues paid by municipalities to various town officers' associations in New Hampshire. The bill proposes to increase the cap on the amount that towns and cities can contribute to these associations from $20 to $50. This adjustment aims to ensure these organizations can adequately support their officials in fulfilling their responsibilities, particularly in terms of education related to taxation and other civic duties.

Contention

While the bill appears to have a straightforward intention to facilitate better education for town officials, there may be some contention regarding the implications of the increased dues. Critics may argue that even a modest increase could place a financial burden on smaller municipalities that operate under tight budgets. Furthermore, the prohibition on using dues for lobbying activities might lead to discussions about the balance between advocacy for local interests and maintaining ethical funding practices.