Revision: March 1, 2024, 8:36 a.m.
HB 1468-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
22Feb2024... 0530h
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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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill directs the department of transportation to meet with other state and local entities to form a plan for the best use of the Conway Branch rail corridor.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
22Feb2024... 0530h 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 Planning Group. The department of transportation, bureau of rail and transit, and the bureau of trails shall jointly meet, in consultation with the executive councilor from district 1, a member of the house public works highway committee, a member of the senate capital budget committee, a selectman or their appointed agents from the towns of Ossipee and Madison, and a representative from the New Hampshire Northcoast railroad, to formulate a plan for the best public use of a portion of the so-called "Conway Branch" between rail crossing in Center Ossipee/Moultonville Road to the rail crossing at Route 113 in Madison and to explore the feasibility of snowmobiling, walking, and biking on the existing rail corridor. The rail division shall explore the costs and income related to the removal of the rail and ties where necessary to provide a level and safe surface for recreational activity on the existing trackbed. The group shall explore funding any trail improvements from private donations, grants and/or from the sale of the existing steel rails. The 2 bureaus shall meet with this working group no less than 3 times before December 30, 2024, and issue their joint findings and recommendations to the public on or before January 2, 2025, with copies to the governor and executive council, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, and the towns of Ossipee and Madison.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
24-2794
Amended 2/29/24
HB 1468-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2024-0530h)
AN ACT directing the department of transportation to develop a Conway Branch rail line master plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation, as amended by the House, has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2027.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Transportation