§ 49-B:4-a — Review and Approval by State Departments

I. The chairman of the charter commission, if any, and otherwise the municipal clerk shall file a report, which shall include the name and address of the clerk and the chairman of the charter commission, with the secretary of state, the attorney general, and the commissioner of the department of revenue administration as follows:
(a) The chairman of the charter commission shall file a copy of the preliminary report relative to any new municipal charter or charter revision at the same time the preliminary report is filed with the municipal clerk pursuant to RSA 49-B:4, VI.
(b) Within 10 days after the filing of the report relative to any charter amendment, if initiated by the municipal officers, the municipal clerk shall file a certified copy of the report.
(c) Promptly after the filing of the petitioners' affidavit relative to a charter amendment, the municipal clerk shall file a certified report consisting of a copy of said affidavit.
(d) Within 14 days of receipt of such report, the secretary of state, the attorney general, and the commissioner of the department of revenue administration shall notify in writing the municipal clerk and the chairman of the charter commission, if any, of his or her receipt. Within 45 days after the receipt of the report the secretary of state, attorney general, and commissioner of the department of revenue administration shall review the proposed charter, charter revision, or charter amendment to insure that it is consistent with the general laws of this state, and shall give notice to the municipal clerk approving or disapproving the proposed charter.
II. If the secretary of state, the attorney general, or the commissioner of the department of revenue administration does not approve, the proposed charter question shall not be placed on the municipal ballot unless the objections to the proposed charter are resolved as provided in this section. If the proposed charter amendment was initiated by a petition, official petition forms shall not be provided. The secretary of state, attorney general, and commissioner of the department of revenue administration shall specify their objections in writing to the municipal clerk, and to the petitioners' committee if relative to a charter amendment initiated by such petitioners' committee, within the period of time allowed for review and shall offer recommendations for changes in language which would correct any inconsistencies they may find in the proposed charter to be voted upon. Failure to specify objections to a proposed charter within 45 days shall constitute approval by the secretary of state, attorney general, or the commissioner of the department of revenue administration.
III. Upon receiving notice of such objections, the charter commission may make such changes as appear necessary and resubmit the proposed charter within 30 days to the official or officials who raised the objections. Such officials shall thereafter make reasonable efforts to review the changes and provide notice of approval or disapproval to the municipal clerk in time to enable the charter commission to file its final report by the deadline stated in RSA 49-B:4-b.
IV. The governing body of the municipality may seek judicial review of a decision of the secretary of state, attorney general, or the commissioner of the department of revenue administration by appeal in superior court, pursuant to RSA 49-B:10, IV.

Legislative History

2014, 292:2, eff. Sept. 30, 2014.