Bill Text: NH HB1461 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to penalties for unconstitutional actions by municipal officials.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-08 - Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/08/2018 House Journal 3 P. 11 [HB1461 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2018-HB1461-Introduced.html
HB 1461 - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2336
06/03
HOUSE BILL 1461
AN ACT relative to penalties for unconstitutional actions by municipal officials.
SPONSORS: Rep. Marple, Merr. 24; Rep. Comeau, Carr. 5; Rep. Howard, Belk. 8
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires municipalities to follow constitutional mandates.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2336
06/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT relative to penalties for unconstitutional actions by municipal officials.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Purpose Statement. The general court finds that municipalities are ignoring the constitutional mandate of article 20 of the first part of the New Hampshire constitution and are taking legal action without an order from a jury.
2 Powers and Duties of Towns; In General. Amend RSA 31:3 to read as follows:
31:3 In General.
I. Towns may purchase and hold real and personal estate for the public uses of the inhabitants, and may sell and convey the same; may recognize unions of employees and make and enter into collective bargaining contracts with such unions; and may make any contracts which may be necessary and convenient for the transaction of the public business of the town.
II. Any municipality that violates any constitutional mandate, including article 20 of the first part of the New Hampshire constitution, shall suffer the officials causing the unconstitutional action to be dismissed from their office and the action of such officials to be a nullity.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.