CHAPTER 220
SB 187-FN - FINAL VERSION
8Jun2023... 1823h
2023 SESSION
23-0821
02/05
SENATE BILL 187-FN
AN ACT relative to driver's licenses for certain visa holders.
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Sykes, Graf. 14
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits a nonresident employed in New Hampshire through the federal H-2A temporary agricultural worker program from operating a motor vehicle unless they possess a license issued by another U.S. jurisdiction or meet other listed requirements.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
8Jun2023... 1823h 23-0821
02/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to driver's licenses for certain visa holders.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
220:1 New Section; International Driver's License Reciprocity for H-2A Workers. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 35 the following new section:
263:35-a International Driver's License Reciprocity for H-2A Workers. Notwithstanding RSA 263:35, or any other law to the contrary, a nonresident employed in New Hampshire through the federal H-2A temporary agricultural worker program shall not operate a motor vehicle in New Hampshire unless:
I. He or she holds a valid driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued by another U.S. jurisdiction; or
II. He or she holds a valid driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle from a jurisdiction outside the United States and:
(a) Is at least 18 years of age;
(b) Is lawfully present in the United States;
(c) Has been present in the United States for less than one year; and
(d) He or she possesses an international driving permit if their license issued from a jurisdiction outside the United States is not written in English.
III. Nonresidents who satisfy the requirements under this section shall have a maximum of 300 days from the date their residency was established to obtain a driver's license issued by the state of New Hampshire.
220:2 Nonresident Who Establishes a Residency in the State. Amend RSA 263:35 to read as follows:
263:35 Nonresident Who Establishes a Residency in the State. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 261:44 or any other law to the contrary, any nonresident driver of a motor vehicle who holds a valid driver's license in another jurisdiction, upon the establishment of a bona fide residency in this state, shall have a maximum of 60 days from the date his or her residency was established to obtain a driver's license issued by the state of New Hampshire; provided that H-2A temporary agricultural workers satisfying the requirements under RSA 263:35-a shall have a maximum of 300 days.
220:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: August 04, 2023
Effective Date: October 03, 2023
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| May 16, 2023 | 2023-1823h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 31, 2023 | Senate | Hearing |
| Feb. 23, 2023 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 18, 2023 | House | Hearing |
| May 16, 2023 | House | Exec Session |
| May 16, 2023 | House | Floor Vote |
Aug. 9, 2023: Signed by the Governor on 08/04/2023; Chapter 0220; Effective 10/03/2023
July 19, 2023: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/29/2023 HJ 17
July 18, 2023: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/29/2023); SJ 20
July 19, 2023: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/29/2023 HJ 17 P. 18
July 18, 2023: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/29/2023); SJ 20
June 15, 2023: Sen. Ricciardi Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/15/2023; SJ 19
June 8, 2023: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-1823h: MA VV 06/08/2023 HJ 15 P. 17
June 8, 2023: Amendment # 2023-1823h: AA VV 06/08/2023 HJ 15 P. 17
May 17, 2023: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2023-1823h 05/16/2023 (Vote 20-0; CC)
May 3, 2023: Executive Session: 05/16/2023 10:00 am LOB 201-203
April 11, 2023: Public Hearing: 04/18/2023 10:30 am LOB 201-203
March 20, 2023: Introduced (in recess of) 03/16/2023 and referred to Transportation
Feb. 22, 2023: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/22/2023; SJ 8
Feb. 16, 2023: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 02/22/2023; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
Jan. 24, 2023: Hearing: 01/31/2023, Room 101, LOB, 02:15 pm; SC 8
Jan. 20, 2023: Introduced 01/19/2023 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 5