Revision: Dec. 1, 2023, 3:21 p.m.
HB 1237-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2189
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1237-FN
AN ACT relative to the use of unmarked or stealth police vehicles for traffic enforcement.
SPONSORS: Rep. Phinney, Straf. 9; Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33; Rep. T. Mannion, Hills. 1; Rep. Phillips, Rock. 7
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a requirement that any police vehicle purchased after January 1, 2025 must be clearly marked and labeled as a police vehicle in order for it to be used in traffic law enforcement.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2189
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to the use of unmarked or stealth police vehicles for traffic enforcement.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Police Vehicles. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 105-D the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 105-E
POLICE VEHICLES
105-E:1 Vehicles Used for Traffic Enforcement.
I. Any municipal police vehicle purchased on or after January 1, 2025 shall be clearly marked and labeled identifying it as a police vehicle before it may be used by a police officer performing traffic law enforcement. For purposes of this section, stealth or ghost lettering, wherein the markings are not clearly visible, shall be insufficient to permit the vehicle's usage in traffic law enforcement.
II. Nothing in this section should be construed to prohibit the use of unmarked vehicles or vehicles with stealth or ghost lettering for any purpose other than traffic law enforcement.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.
24-2189
10/23/23
HB 1237-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the use of unmarked or stealth police vehicles for traffic enforcement.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ ] State [ ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires any police vehicle purchased after January 1, 2025, be clearly marked, and labeled as a police vehicle in order for it to be used in traffic law enforcement. It also states stealth or ghost lettering on municipal police vehicles are insufficient to permit the vehicle's usage in traffic law enforcement.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states there will be an indeterminable increase in local expenditures starting in FY 2025 and forward as it is unknown how many departments would choose to remark or letter their vehicle based on the inability to use those vehicles in traffic law enforcement. If departments do choose to remark or letter their vehicles the costs can vary depending on material, size and graphics and range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
New Hampshire Municipal Association