HB631 (2007) Detail

Relative to the elimination of certain tolls.


HB 631-FN-A – AS INTRODUCED

2007 SESSION

07-0646

06/03

HOUSE BILL 631-FN-A

AN ACT relative to the elimination of certain tolls.

SPONSORS: Rep. O’Neil, Hills 19; Rep. Barry, Hills 19; Rep. C. Christensen, Hills 19; Rep. L’Heureux, Hills 19; Rep. Mooney, Hills 19; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9

COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways

ANALYSIS

This bill eliminates certain tolls and requires adjustment of the remaining tolls to offset losses.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

07-0646

06/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT relative to the elimination of certain tolls.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Elimination of Toll Booths. The department of transportation shall remove all tolls booths, including toll booths on ramps, on the New Hampshire turnpike system, the central New Hampshire turnpike, and the eastern New Hampshire turnpike, with the exception of the main line toll booths at Bedford, Hooksett, and Hampton.

2 Toll Criteria. Amend RSA 237:11, III to read as follows:

III.(a) The tolls established or revised from time to time under RSA 237:24 and 237:40 and under 237:9 shall be at least sufficient in the aggregate to meet the aggregate operating expenses and maintenance costs of the central New Hampshire turnpike, the eastern New Hampshire turnpike, and the New Hampshire turnpike system and to pay the aggregate principal and interest on bonds issued to finance the central New Hampshire turnpike, the eastern New Hampshire turnpike, and the New Hampshire turnpike system.

(b) Upon elimination of a particular toll or tolls, the remaining tolls shall be adjusted to offset losses of revenue caused by the elimination.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

07-0646

Revised 02/12/07

HB 631 FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to the elimination of certain tolls.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Department of Transportation indicates this bill will decrease state restricted turnpike fund revenue by $1,646,100 in FY 2008, $1,674,000 in FY 2009, $1,654,000 in FY 2010 and by $1,546,000 in FY 2011. The Department further indicates this bill will increase state restricted turnpike fund expenditures by $4,184,600 in FY 2008 and $4,039,200 in FY 2009 and decrease them by $5,109,200 in FY 2010 and by $5,263,600 in FY 2011. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

    The Department of Transportation (DOT) states this bill eliminates the ramp tolls on the New Hampshire turnpike system and requires adjustment of the remaining tolls to offset the loss of ramp toll revenue. The DOT states seven ramp tolls will be eliminated. The loss in ramp toll revenue will be made up with toll increases made in uniform increments of $.25 at the three remaining mainline tolls of Hooksett, Bedford and Hampton. The DOT assumes it will take two years to complete the toll plaza removal and assumes a 1.0% growth in annual traffic and revenue for FY 2008 and beyond. The table below shows the net decrease in restricted turnpike revenues, the toll plaza removal costs, and decreases in annual toll collection costs.

 

FY 2008

FY 2009

FY 2010

FY2011

Turnpike Revenue

       

Discontinued Ramp Tolls

$(22,846,100)

$(23,074,000)

$(23,304,000)

$(23,446,000)

Increased Mainline Tolls

$21,200,000

$21,400,000

$21,650,000

$21,900,000

Net Revenue Change

$(1,646,100)

$(1,674,000)

$(1,654,000)

$(1,546,000)

         

Turnpike Expenses:

       

Toll Collection Costs

$(4,815,400)

$(4,960,800)

$(5,109,200)

$(5,263,600)

Toll Plaza Removal

$9,000,000

$9,000,000

$0

$0

Total Expenditures

$4,184,600

$4,039,200

$(5,109,200)

$(5,263,600)