HB 323 – AS INTRODUCED
2011 SESSION
06/03
HOUSE BILL 323
AN ACT establishing a commission to study and promote the long-term growth and efficient use of existing state highway rights-of-way.
SPONSORS: Rep. Mirski, Graf 10
COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways
This bill establishes a commission to study and promote the long-term growth and efficient use of existing state highway rights-of-way.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11-0888
06/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven
AN ACT establishing a commission to study and promote the long-term growth and efficient use of existing state highway rights-of-way.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Commission to Study and Promote the Long-Term Growth and Efficient Use of Existing State Highway Rights-of-Way. Amend RSA 230 by inserting after section 7-a the following new section:
230:7-b Commission to Study and Promote the Long-Term Growth and Efficient Use of Existing State Highway Rights-of-Way.
I. There is established a commission to study and promote the long-term growth and efficient use of existing state highway rights-of-way.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
III. Members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Consult with the following:
(1) Traffic experts.
(2) Highway planners.
(3) Civil engineers specializing in highway design.
(4) Architects and planners.
(5) Economists.
(6) Developers of large commercial and industrial projects.
(7) Housing developers.
(8) Landscape architects.
(9) Current and former state agency commissioners and experts with experience in state planning, highway planning, and infrastructure planning.
(b) Examine the state’s 10-year highway plan to determine how, over time, to manage the state’s existing highway rights-of-way efficiently.
(c) Determine ways of accommodating future growth without the need for regular acquisition of additional rights-of-way for new bypasses or highway construction.
(d) Develop long-term highway planning policies to preserve landscape elements, views, stone walls, and other environmental amenities.
(e) Determine ways to maintain existing rights-of-way in a fashion that minimizes alterations that precipitate the creation of multiple curb cuts which slow traffic, encroach upon the utility of existing highways, and limit economic growth and expansion.
(f) Consider new issues as they arise.
V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49 and any house or senate rule to the contrary, the commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed highway policy legislation that would promote and enhance the low-cost, long-term efficient use of the state’s highways to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library for the second year of each fiscal biennium.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.