enabling the governor to declare a state of emergency due to the failure of the legislature to pass a budget or continuing resolution to fund the New Hampshire state government by July 1 of the first year of a biennium.

This bill, SB 488, allows New Hampshire's governor to declare a state of emergency if the legislature fails to pass a budget or continuing resolution funding state government by July 1 of the first year of a biennium. During such an emergency, the governor must fully fund essential state services at the previous year's level, including the legislative and judicial branches, public safety, corrections, transportation maintenance, health care services, veterans' programs, and critical infrastructure operations. The emergency lasts 60 days initially but can be renewed up to three times for a total of 240 days. This ensures continuity of core government functions during budget delays without requiring legislative action.