Revision: March 6, 2012, midnight
SB 366-FN – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
02/15/12 0712s
2012 SESSION
10/01
SENATE BILL 366-FN
AN ACT relative to use of certain OHRVs on snowmobile trails, and relative to authorization for snowmobiles and OHRVs registered in Vermont and Maine to operate in this state.
SPONSORS: Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Rep. Rappaport, Coos 1; Rep. Theberge, Coos 4; Rep. M. Tremblay, Coos 4
This bill provides for a snowmobile endorsement for OHRVs which use tracks, cleats, or skis. The bill also allows snowmobiles and OHRVs properly registered in Vermont and Maine by legal residents of those states to operate in this state.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/15/12 0712s
12-2961
10/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve
AN ACT relative to use of certain OHRVs on snowmobile trails, and relative to authorization for snowmobiles and OHRVs registered in Vermont and Maine to operate in this state.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Snowmobiles. Amend RSA 215-C:36 by inserting after paragraph XI the following new paragraph:
XII. A properly registered OHRV under RSA 215-A:21 at the fees provided in RSA 215-A:23, that has had the wheels or tires removed and replaced with tracks, cleats, skis, or a combination thereof, and complies with the restrictions set forth in RSA 215-C:1, XV, and has procured and affixed a snowmobile endorsement sticker as provided in RSA 215-C:39, I-a, shall be authorized to operate as a snowmobile as prescribed in this chapter.
2 New Paragraph; Snowmobile Endorsement Fee. Amend RSA 215-C:39 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. Snowmobile endorsement -- $16.00 for each OHRV in compliance with RSA 215-C:36, XII upon presentation of a valid driver's license issued to a person 18 years of age or older. The endorsement shall not be transferable. From each fee collected pursuant to this paragraph:
(a) The first $9.12 shall be appropriated to the department of resources and economic development for administration of the bureau's grant-in-aid program pursuant to paragraph VII.
(b) From the balance, $3.44 shall be appropriated to the department of resources and economic development for administration of the bureau for the purposes listed in paragraph VIII, and $3.44 shall be appropriated to the department of fish and game for the purposes listed in paragraph IX.
3 Snowmobiles; Vermont and Maine. Amend RSA 215-C:47 to read as follows:
215-C:47 [Reciprocity] Registrations in Vermont and Maine; Authorization.
I. A snowmobile which is registered in Vermont[,] or Maine[, or Quebec] by a legal resident of that state shall be deemed to be properly registered for the purposes of this chapter if it is registered in accordance with the laws of the state [or province] in which it is registered[, but only to the extent that a reciprocal exemption or privilege is granted under the laws of that state or province for snowmobiles registered in this state. For the purpose of this section, the executive director shall determine the extent of the privilege of operation granted by Vermont, Maine, and Quebec and, when necessary, adopt rules and charge fees to achieve a true reciprocity. The executive director's determination shall be final].
II. In order to operate any snowmobile granted [reciprocity] authorization under paragraph I, such vehicle shall meet all equipment requirements and sound level decibel limitations which are mandated by RSA 215-C for snowmobiles registered in New Hampshire.
4 OHRVs; Registrations in Vermont and Maine. Amend RSA 215-A:27 to read as follows:
215-A:27 [Reciprocity] Registrations in Vermont and Maine; Authorization.
I. An OHRV not registered for highway use which is registered in Vermont[,] or Maine[, or Quebec] by a legal resident of that state shall be deemed to be properly registered for the purposes of this chapter if it is registered in accordance with the laws of the state [or province] in which it is registered[, but only to the extent that a reciprocal exemption or privilege is granted under the laws of that state or province for OHRVs registered in this state. For the purpose of this section, the executive director shall determine the extent of the privilege of operation granted by Vermont, Maine, and Quebec and, when necessary, adopt rules and charge fees to achieve a true reciprocity. The executive director's determination shall be final.]
II. Any motorcycle which is registered for highway use in any state other than New Hampshire owned by a nonresident shall be deemed to be properly registered for the purposes of this chapter if it is registered in accordance with the laws of the state or province in which its owner resides, but only to the extent that a reciprocal exemption or privilege is granted under the laws of that state for motorcycles registered in New Hampshire.
III. In order to operate any OHRV granted [reciprocity] authorization under paragraph I, such vehicle shall meet all equipment requirements and sound level decibel limitations which are mandated by RSA 215-A for OHRVs registered in New Hampshire.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.
LBAO
12-2961
Amended 03/06/12
SB 366 FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to use of certain OHRVs on snowmobile trails, and relative to authorization for snowmobiles and OHRVs registered in Vermont and Main to operate in this state.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Resources and Economic Development and the Fish and Game Department state this bill, as amended by the Senate (Amendment #2012-0712s), will decrease state restricted expenditures by $148,132, and increase state restricted expenditures by $43,264 in FY 2013 and each year thereafter. There is no fiscal impact on county and local revenue and expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) and the Fish and Game Department state this bill will no longer require residents in Maine and Vermont to register their snowmobiles and OHRVs in New Hampshire. DRED and the Fish and Game Department state this bill will decrease the number of snowmobile and OHRV registrations by 1,645, based on the number of FY 2011 out of state registrations. The decrease in registrations will impact revenue to the search and rescue fund; decrease funds used for trails equipment and maintenance grants; and decrease funds for law enforcement and safety education.
Nonresident Registration Types |
Number of Registrations |
Total Fee |
Portion of Fee to Trails Bureau (DRED) |
Portion of Fee to Fish and Game |
Non-club member snowmobile registration |
152 |
$110.00 |
$94.20 |
$15.80 |
Club member snowmobile registration |
1,074 |
$80.00 |
$64.20 |
$15.80 |
Other OHRV registration |
383 |
$70.00 |
$39.10 |
$30.90 |
Trail bike registration |
36 |
$61.00 |
$30.10 |
$30.90 |
Revenue to DRED will decrease by $99,328 and revenue to the Fish and Game Department will decrease by $32,318. $1 from each registration will no longer be deposited to the search and rescue fund, resulting in a decrease to the fund of $1,645. Additionally, DRED and the Fish and Game Department state gas tax reimbursement will decrease by $14,841, based on the assumption of $9 of gas tax reimbursement for each registration. The total revenue loss is estimated at $148,132 each year.
DRED also estimates that expenditures will increase for trail maintenance related to an increased volume of vehicles using the trails. DRED estimates it costs $26.30 per vehicle for grooming and estimates an additional 1,645 vehicles will use the trails resulting in an increased cost to groom trails of $43,264 each year (1,645 vehicles * $26.30 per vehicle for grooming).