AI-assisted research summary: The legislative body may approve certain capital-project appropriations for more than one fiscal year, up to 5 fiscal years, if the vote and article requirements are met.
In addition to any other appropriation authority, and notwithstanding any other provisions of law, at any annual meeting the legislative body may, by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of those present and voting, or by the affirmative vote of 3/5 of those voting on the question in a town or district that has adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting, appropriate funds for a term beyond one fiscal year, but not to exceed 5 fiscal years, as follows: I. The appropriation shall be only for an identified project, as described in the article authorizing the appropriation, for which it would be lawful to issue a bond or note under RSA 33:3 or RSA 33:3-c. II. The article authorizing the appropriation shall state the term of years of the appropriation, the total amount of the appropriation, and the amount to be appropriated in each year of the term. III. For each year after the first year, the amount designated for that year as provided in paragraph II shall be deemed appropriated without further vote by the legislative body, unless the appropriation is rescinded as provided in paragraph VI. In a town or district that has adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting, the amount designated for each year shall be included in the default budget for that year. IV. If the amount appropriated for any year is not spent during the year, the unexpended amount shall not lapse, but shall be available for expenditure in a subsequent year during the term; provided that all unexpended amounts shall lapse at the end of the term. V. The approval of an appropriation under this section shall not constitute the establishment of a capital reserve fund, and any amounts appropriated shall not be deposited into such a fund. VI. Prior to the expiration of the term, the legislative body may, at any annual meeting, rescind the appropriation by an affirmative vote of a majority of those voting on the question. Upon rescission, any unexpended amount shall lapse immediately. Source: Source. 2013, 109:2, eff. Aug. 23, 2013.