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HB 475 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Default budget reduction rules

AI-generated

relative to the reductions from the default budget for official ballot town meetings.

Alters the definition of default budget for official ballot town meetings to include salary and benefit reductions resulting from position turnover.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · December 17, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“Recruiting and retaining first responders is of paramount importance for public safety, and local departments across our state are facing enough difficulty with this already.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 15, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 24

The House voted 178–175 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained.

Analysis

This bill alters the definition of default budget to include salary and benefit reductions which occur as a result of position turnover.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ron DunnRPrimeVice Chair· Resources, Recreation and Development
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader

Also: Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Riché ColcombeR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

197 signed in online · 27 wrote testimony

7% support93% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of HB 475. This bill is an important measure that seeks to bring clarity and consistency to our local budgeting process by establishing a well-defined method for determining the default budget for official ballot town meetings.…”
— Blossom Dodge, Concordsupports
“I fully support this Bill which removes slush money from the budget. People opposed have read words into this Bill which do not exist.”
— Gordon Springate, Wiltonsupports
“Granite State Taxpayers supports efforts and legislation to promote awareness of the financial impact on taxpayers of spending and taxing options, to institute and defend tax cap legislation, and promote better public awareness of the impacts of proposed projects and ballot choices.…”
— Ray Chadwick, BEDFORDsupports
“I oppose HB 475 because reducing the default budget based on voluntary turnover or retirements artificially lowers funding, potentially jeopardizing critical programs and services for students.…”
— Laura Abbene, Orfordopposes
“As public educator for 38 years, I urge you to vote this bill down. Leave the default budget alone - it should be in the hands of the school district to avoid a school budget from being totally decimated if the proposed budget is voted down.”
— Carolyn Leite, Manchesteropposes
“I am writing to register my opposition to this bill. Thank you for your time.”
— Christine Hodsdon, EXETERopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-279:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-109:30 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-05-139:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsLOB 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 3 P. 12
  2. Feb 27, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/27/2025 01:45 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 10, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0600h 03/10/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 65
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0600h: AA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 91
  7. Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0600h: MA RC 195-159 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 91
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 10
  9. May 13, 2025SenHearing: 05/13/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:40 am; SC 21
  10. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/22/2025; Vote 3-2; CC; SC 22
  11. May 22, 2025SenHB 475 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  12. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  13. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 58
  15. Jul 15, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025 HJ 19 P. 24
  16. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 178-175 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.