§ 49-B:4-b — Final Report

I. Upon approval from the secretary of state, attorney general, and commissioner of the department of revenue administration under RSA 49-B:4-a, the charter commission shall submit to the municipal officers its final report, which shall include the full text and explanation of the proposed new charter, such comments as the commission deems desirable, an indication of the major differences between the current form of government and the proposed charter, and a written opinion by an attorney admitted to the bar of this state that the proposed charter is not in conflict with the constitution or the general laws. Minority reports, if filed, shall not exceed 1,000 words. The submission of the final report and minority reports, if any, shall be accomplished by the date indicated below:
(a) If the charter commission was elected in a town with its annual meeting in March, on or before January 15 of the following year.
(b) If the charter commission was elected in a town with its annual meeting in April, on or before February 15 of the following year.
(c) If the charter commission was elected in a town with its annual meeting in May, on or before March 15 of the following year.
(d) If the charter commission was elected at a biennial municipal election, on or before September 15 of the following year.
(e) If the charter commission was elected in a municipality not described in subparagraph (a), (b), (c), or (d), within 245 days after its election.
II. Upon the submission of the final report, the municipal officers shall order the proposed new charter to be submitted to the voters at the next municipal election after the filing of the final report, unless the final report recommends that no charter be adopted, as provided in RSA 49-B:4, VII. In the case of municipalities with biennial elections, the charter shall be submitted to the voters at the next regular municipal election or at a special municipal election so long as such election is held at least 45 days after the filing of the final report. If the next regular election is less than 45 days after the filing of the report, the charter shall be submitted at the following regular election.
III. Except as provided in RSA 49-B:4-c, the charter commission shall continue in existence for 60 days after submission of its final report to the municipal officers, or until the date of the election at which the charter is voted upon, whichever is later, for the purpose of winding up its affairs.

Legislative History

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