Bill Text - HB660 (2019)

Relative to studying the economic and other impacts of OHRV use in New Hampshire.


Revision: June 13, 2019, 2:05 p.m.

HB 660-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

 

19Mar2019... 0953h

05/15/2019   1850s

 

2019 SESSION

19-0810

04/05

 

HOUSE BILL 660-FN

 

AN ACT relative to studying the economic and other impacts of OHRV use in New Hampshire.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Moynihan, Coos 2

 

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources to conduct studies of the economic and other impacts of OHRV use on the public ways and economy of New Hampshire.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19Mar2019... 0953h

05/15/2019   1850s 19-0810

04/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT relative to studying the economic and other impacts of OHRV use in New Hampshire.

 

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

 

1  Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Study of the Economic and Other Effects of OHRV Operation in New Hampshire.

I.  To the extent of the department's available appropriations, the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, with advice from the public, shall prepare a master plan for an integrated network of OHRV trails in Coos county, the goal of which is to locate all OHRV trails off state and municipal highways to the extent practicable with regard to trail connectivity, and with the understanding that a municipality shall retain the right to decide whether or not to grant OHRV access to public ways.  The plan shall address the actual and potential locations of the trail network, the costs of construction and maintenance of the trail network, the interests of sanctioned ATV clubs, the interests and rights of private property owners including current and potential damage to class VI roads, aesthetics, historic sites, air and water quality, the natural environment, and public health and safety.  The commissioner shall solicit and may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any source and may expend such moneys to fund the master plan required in this paragraph.  The master plan shall be completed by November 1, 2021.  

II.  To the extent of the department's available appropriations, the commissioner of the department of cultural and natural resources shall prepare an update of the department’s 2003 study titled “A Plan for Developing New Hampshire’s Statewide Trail System for ATV’s and Trail Bikes 2003-2008” and shall report the findings of such study, including any recommendations for legislation, no later than January 1, 2021.  The commissioner shall solicit testimony from municipal officials, abutters, and other residents, interested parties, including non-motorized recreational users, concerning the impacts of current OHRV use, including noise levels, traffic, impacts on class VI roads and the adjacent environment, the practices of riders under 18, signage, and local and state enforcement of regulations.  The update shall include consideration of procedures for requests by municipalities for changes to state corridors due to impacts on local roads and neighborhoods, and recommendations for alternatives to the use of state or municipal roads.  The commissioner shall post on the department's public Internet site information about the update to the study and shall solicit and accept public comment concerning the update to the study for a period of not less than 30 days.  The commissioner shall solicit and may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any source and may expend such moneys to fund the study required in this paragraph.  

III.  To the extent of the department's available appropriations, the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources shall study the effects of OHRV activity upon the state’s economy using the best available science and conducted by independent researchers who shall be selected by the commissioner.  The economic impacts studied shall include benefits to the recreational economy, accommodations, restaurants, other services, and equipment sales, as well as impacts on abutters, including noise levels and traffic, property values, road and environmental conditions, enforcement and signage costs to municipalities, and other matters deemed significant by the commissioner.  The economic impact study shall be completed and a report issued, including recommendations for legislation, no later than January 1, 2021, to the speaker of the house of representatives, senate president, governor, and state library.  The commissioner shall solicit and may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any source and may expend such moneys to fund the study required in this paragraph.  

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 

LBAO

19-0810

Amended 5/16/19

 

HB 660-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2019-1850s)

 

AN ACT relative to studying the economic and other impacts of OHRV use in New Hampshire.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2023

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Funding Source:

  [ X ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [ X ] Other

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to prepare a master plan for an integrated network of OHRV trails in Coos County, update the Department's 2003 study titled "A Plan for Developing New Hampshire's Statewide Trail System for ATV's and Trail Bikes 2003-2008", and prepare an economic impact study on the effects of OHRV activity upon the State's economy conducted by independent researchers.  The bill allows for the use of the Department's available appropriations and the acceptance of donations, gifts and grants but does not make a specific appropriation for these studies.  The Department does not know how much staff time will be needed to meet the purpose of this bill or if any donations, gifts or grants will be available for the purpose of this bill to determine the impact on State expenditures.  

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources