Bill Text - HB1468 (2024)

Directing the department of transportation to develop a Conway Branch rail line master plan.


Revision: Dec. 11, 2023, 8:37 a.m.

HB 1468-FN-A - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2024 SESSION

24-2794

11/10

 

HOUSE BILL 1468-FN-A

 

AN ACT directing the department of transportation to develop a Conway Branch rail line master plan.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Jonathan Smith, Carr. 5; Rep. McConkey, Carr. 8; Rep. Cordelli, Carr. 7; Rep. Avellani, Carr. 4

 

COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill directs the department of transportation to develop a Conway Branch rail line master plan, and includes funding.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2794

11/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT directing the department of transportation to develop a Conway Branch rail line master plan.

 

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

 

1  Conway Branch Master Plan; Appropriation.  The department of transportation shall develop and complete a master plan for the Conway Branch rail line from north of route 28 to Conway by December 31, 2024.  Funding to complete the master plan shall be appropriated from the general fund for to the department of transportation.  If funds from other sources, including but not limited to federal or state department of transportation planning funds, grants, and public donations, are or become available, the department shall expend those funds prior to general funds.  The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for any general fund sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

 

LBA

24-2794

11/6/23

 

HB 1468-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to directing the department of transportation to develop a Conway Branch rail line master plan.

 

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

 

 

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

 

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

None

Expenditures

$0

$200,000

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$0

$200,000

(Open Ended Appropriation)

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] Yes

Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill would require the Department of Transportation to develop a master plan for the state-owned Conway Branch Railroad Line by December 31, 2024. The Department estimates the total cost to be approximately $200,000, but a more defined budget would be based on the selection of a consultant and the fee negotiated with said consultant. The Department also states the timeframe of this bill is not consistent with a normal timeframe to accomplish a master plan in accordance with Department and State policies, and a date of December 31, 2026, would be more feasible.

 

It should be noted this bill includes an open-ended, unlimited general fund appropriation to the Department of Transportation for the purpose of this bill.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Transportation