CHAPTER 223
HB 1271 - FINAL VERSION
05/12/2016 1933s
2016 SESSION
\t16-2263
\t03/04
HOUSE BILL\t1271
AN ACT\tmaking certain length and width exemptions concerning commercial vehicles and relative to signs advising motorists approaching emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane.
SPONSORS:\tRep. Gagne, Hills. 13; Rep. Chirichiello, Rock. 6; Rep. Packard, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE:\tTransportation
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
\tThis bill establishes additional length and width exemptions for commercial motor vehicles. This bill also continually appropriates funds in the emergency vehicle warning sign fund to the department of transportation.
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Explanation:\tMatter added to current law appears in bold italics.
\t\tMatter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
\t\tMatter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05/12/2016 1933s\t16-2263
\t03/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen
AN ACT\tmaking certain length and width exemptions concerning commercial vehicles and relative to signs advising motorists approaching emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
\t223:1 Length Exceptions. Amend RSA 266:11-a to read as follows:
\t266:11-a Length Exceptions.
\t\tI. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 266:11, it shall be lawful to drive on the ways of this state:
\t\t[I.](a) A vehicle or a combination of vehicles that exceeds the length limits in RSA 266:11 if such vehicle or combination is transporting poles, logs, timbers, or metal in a case in which the load is not readily divisible and such overhang does not interfere with steering the vehicle.
\t\t[II.](b) A conventional automobile transporter combination not in excess of 65 feet exclusive of a 3-foot front overhang and a 4-foot rear overhang.
\t\t[III.](c) Saddlemount plus fullmount combinations not in excess of 65 feet.
\t\t[IV.](d) A stinger-steered automobile transporter combination not in excess of 75 feet exclusive of a 3-foot front and 4-foot rear overhang.
\t\t[V.](e) An emergency fire fighting vehicle.
\t\tII.(a) The following shall be excluded from the measured length of commercial motor vehicles, as applicable:
\t\t\t\t(1) All non-property-carrying devices, or components thereof:
\t\t\t\t\t(A) At the front of a semi-trailer or trailer; or
\t\t\t\t\t(B) That do not extend more than 3 inches beyond the rear of the vehicle; or
\t\t\t\t\t(C) That do not extend more than 24 inches beyond the rear of the vehicle and are needed for loading or unloading.
\t\t\t\t(2) Resilient bumpers that do not extend more than 6 inches beyond the front or rear of the vehicle.
\t\t\t\t(3) Aerodynamic devices that extend a maximum of 5 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle, provided such devices have neither the strength, rigidity, nor mass to damage a vehicle, or injure a passenger in a vehicle, that strikes a trailer so equipped from the rear, and provided also that they do not obscure tail lamps, turn signals, marker lamps, identification lamps, or other required safety devices, such as hazardous materials placards or conspicuity markings.
\t\t\t(b) Measurements shall be made from a point on one end of a commercial motor vehicle to the same point on the opposite end of the vehicle. Non-property-carrying devices or aerodynamic devices shall not be mounted or configured in a manner that obscures the registration plate or other evidence of applicable certifications or permits required by law or regulation.
\t223:2 Overall Width Defined. Amend RSA 266:14 to read as follows:
\t266:14 Overall Width Defined. Overall width shall be exclusive of rubrails, so-called, as currently used in the transportation of raw forest products, safety and energy conservation devices such as rear view mirrors, turn signal lamps, marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, flexible fender extensions, approved mud flaps, [and] spray and splash suppressant devices, and non-property-carrying devices or components thereof that do not extend more than 3 inches beyond each side of the vehicle, and other devices as defined by the director, and load-induced tire bulge. In determining width, there shall be excluded 6 inches of any increase in width due to changing to low pressure tire equipment from other tire equipment. Measurements of a commercial motor vehicle shall be made from a point on one side of the vehicle to the same point on the opposite side of the vehicle.
\t223:3 Signs Advising Motorists Approaching Emergency Vehicles in the Breakdown Lane; Fund Established. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 265:37-c, I to read as follows:
\t\tI. There is established a nonlapsing [revolving] fund to be known as the emergency vehicle warning sign fund [in] which shall be continually appropriated to the department of transportation and which shall be funded by moneys paid through public-private agreements to post signs on the following highways, advising motorists to give one lane of clearance to emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane:
\t223:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: June 9, 2016
Effective Date: August 8, 2016