SECTION 1. Section 16-3-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-3 entitled "Establishment of Regional School Districts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-3-12. Regional school district financial meeting -- Special meetings. -- (a) The regional school district financial meeting to which all the voters qualified to vote in their respective cities or towns on any proposition for the imposition of a tax or the expenditure of money shall be held on the first Monday in February of each year at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m. at the regional school district high school or any other location that the regional school district committee may publicly designate in advance; provided, however, that:

(1) The Exeter-West Greenwich regional school district meeting shall be held on the second (2nd) or third (3rd) Monday of April of each year at the discretion of the school committee at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m.; and

(2) The Chariho Regional School District meeting for the calendar year 2001 2002 only shall be held no later than March 31, 2001 23, 2002 at a time and date to be determined by the regional district school committee. The regional district school committee shall prepare and approve a budget no later than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting date. The regional district school committee shall adopt a final proposed budget no later than ten (10) days prior to the annual meeting date and the treasurer of the regional school district shall certify the charge per pupil to each district treasurer by April 10, 2001 9, 2002.

(b) Special meetings may be called by vote of the regional school district committee or upon petition of two hundred (200) district voters filed in writing with the committee.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.