1 New Section; New Hampshire State Rail Trails Plan. Amend RSA 21-L by inserting after section 12-b the following new section:

21-L:12-c New Hampshire State Rail Trails Plan. The department of transportation, in cooperation with the department of natural and cultural resources, and in consultation with the regional planning commissions, shall update the New Hampshire state trails plan dated 2005 by June 30, 2020 and every 10 years thereafter, to include an up-to-date analysis of trail use. The updated plan shall be entitled the New Hampshire state rail trails plan. In updating the plan, the departments shall:

I. Hire a qualified consulting firm to complete and disseminate the plan.

II. Include a statewide economic-impact analysis on the value of rail trails.

III. Consider maintenance and cost of maintenance for rail trails, including responsibility of the state for the underlying structural integrity of abandoned rail corridors, while permitting trail organizations and towns to perform routine maintenance of trail surfaces and other amenities.

IV. Establish a tier system for prioritizing state investments in rail trail projects, based on criteria such as geography, connectivity to other rail trails, proximity to population centers and natural attractions, statewide and national significance, and other criteria as deemed appropriate. Develop recommendations for a state funding mechanism to support rail trail projects and the management structure of said fund.

V. Develop a template trail management agreement outlining responsibilities of state, local,

and private organizations involved with management of state-owned rail trails.

VI. Compile and maintain a list of rail trail organizations and the areas of the state each serves.

VII. Identify best practices for acquiring insurance for volunteer rail trail management groups.

VIII. Document commitment by the state that it supports the development of rail trails for

their transportation, recreation, tourism, and other economic value.

IX. Consider encroachment by abutting property owners and how to ensure the integrity of publicly owned rail trail corridors. This may include reestablishing property lines with abutting private property owners.

X. Establish a state rail trail plan advisory committee including but not limited to:

(a) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.

(b) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee.

(c) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.

(d) Two representatives from the regional planning commissions, appointed by the governor.

(e) Two members of the state legislature, appointed by the president of the senate.

(f) Two representatives of regional chambers of commerce or trail related businesses, appointed by the governor.

(g) One representative from the division of state parks statewide trails advisory committee, appointed by the committee.

(h) One representative from the department of transportation complete streets advisory committee, appointed by the committee.

(i) One representative from statewide or regional bicycling or walking organizations, appointed by the governor.

(j) One representative from equestrian organizations, appointed by the governor.

(k) One representative of OHRV clubs, appointed by the governor.

(l) One representative of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association, appointed by the association.

XI. Hold a minimum of 3 public hearings, each in a different area of the state, to solicit public comment to shape the plan and make the final plan available on the department of transportation website.

XII. Provide a pamphlet at state information centers regarding the state trails plan.

2 Appropriation; Department of Transportation; State Trails Plan. The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 is hereby appropriated to the department of transportation for the purpose of updating the New Hampshire state trails plan under RSA 21-L:12-c. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department of transportation. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.

1 New Section; New Hampshire State Rail Trails Plan. Amend RSA 21-L by inserting after section 12-b the following new section:

21-L:12-c New Hampshire State Rail Trails Plan. The department of transportation, in cooperation with the department of natural and cultural resources, and in consultation with the regional planning commissions, shall update the New Hampshire state trails plan dated 2005 by June 30, 2020 and every 10 years thereafter, to include an up-to-date analysis of trail use. The updated plan shall be entitled the New Hampshire state rail trails plan. In updating the plan, the departments shall:

I. Hire a qualified consulting firm to complete and disseminate the plan.

II. Include a statewide economic-impact analysis on the value of rail trails.

III. Consider maintenance and cost of maintenance for rail trails, including responsibility of the state for the underlying structural integrity of abandoned rail corridors, while permitting trail organizations and towns to perform routine maintenance of trail surfaces and other amenities.

IV. Establish a tier system for prioritizing state investments in rail trail projects, based on criteria such as geography, connectivity to other rail trails, proximity to population centers and natural attractions, statewide and national significance, and other criteria as deemed appropriate. Develop recommendations for a state funding mechanism to support rail trail projects and the management structure of said fund.

V. Develop a template trail management agreement outlining responsibilities of state, local,

and private organizations involved with management of state-owned rail trails.

VI. Compile and maintain a list of rail trail organizations and the areas of the state each serves.

VII. Identify best practices for acquiring insurance for volunteer rail trail management groups.

VIII. Document commitment by the state that it supports the development of rail trails for

their transportation, recreation, tourism, and other economic value.

IX. Consider encroachment by abutting property owners and how to ensure the integrity of publicly owned rail trail corridors. This may include reestablishing property lines with abutting private property owners.

X. Establish a state rail trail plan advisory committee including but not limited to:

(a) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.

(b) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee.

(c) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.

(d) Two representatives from the regional planning commissions, appointed by the governor.

(e) Two members of the state legislature, appointed by the president of the senate.

(f) Two representatives of regional chambers of commerce or trail related businesses, appointed by the governor.

(g) One representative from the division of state parks statewide trails advisory committee, appointed by the committee.

(h) One representative from the department of transportation complete streets advisory committee, appointed by the committee.

(i) One representative from statewide or regional bicycling or walking organizations, appointed by the governor.

(j) One representative from equestrian organizations, appointed by the governor.

(k) One representative of OHRV clubs, appointed by the governor.

(l) One representative of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association, appointed by the association.

XI. Hold a minimum of 3 public hearings, each in a different area of the state, to solicit public comment to shape the plan and make the final plan available on the department of transportation website.

XII. Provide a pamphlet at state information centers regarding the state trails plan.

2 Appropriation; Department of Transportation; State Trails Plan. The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 is hereby appropriated to the department of transportation for the purpose of updating the New Hampshire state trails plan under RSA 21-L:12-c. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department of transportation. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.