Revision: April 18, 2024, 11:13 a.m.
HB 1631 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
22Feb2024... 0525h
2024 SESSION
24-3140
05/10
HOUSE BILL 1631
SPONSORS: Rep. McConkey, Carr. 8; Rep. Cloutier, Sull. 6; Rep. Milz, Rock. 13; Rep. D. Thomas, Rock. 16; Rep. Janigian, Rock. 25; Rep. Ebel, Merr. 7; Rep. Jack, Hills. 10; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11
COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study revenue alternatives to the road toll, road toll registration charges, and revenue alternatives to vehicle registration fees, including electric vehicle registration fees, to fund improvements to the state’s highways and bridges and their resulting improvements to the environment.
This bill is a request of the commission established in 2023, 87:1.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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... 0525h 24-3140
05/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Commission to Study Revenue Alternatives to the Road Toll. RSA 21-J:49 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
21-J:49 Commission to Study Revenue Alternatives to the Road Toll and Vehicle Registration Fees.
I. There is established a commission to study revenue alternatives to the road toll, road toll registration charges, and revenue alternatives to vehicle registration fees, including electric vehicle registration fees, to fund improvements to the state’s highways and bridges and their resulting improvements to the environment.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Six members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives: 2 of whom shall be members of the house public works and highways committee; one of whom shall be a member of the house science, technology and energy committee; and one of whom shall be a member of the house ways and means committee.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The commissioner of the department of revenue administration, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of safety, or designee.
(e) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(f) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.
(g) One member from the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association, appointed by that association.
(h) One member representing an energy and transportation related non-profit organization, appointed by the governor.
(i) One member of the public, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Study revenue alternatives to the road toll, road toll registration charges, and revenue alternatives to vehicle registration fees, including electric vehicle registration fees, and may study other emerging vehicle fuels and technologies, to fund improvements to the state’s highways and bridges, ensuring that all motor vehicles contribute proportionally to their impact on New Hampshire’s highway infrastructure, including vehicles registered out of state that may no longer be subject to the road toll.
(b) Study the impact the various fuel-efficient technologies have on the environment.
(c) Consider the interim report of the commission on taxation of alternative fuel and electric-powered motor vehicles of November 1, 2012, and the final report of the commission to study future sustainable revenue sources for funding improvements to state and municipal highways and bridges, dated November 1, 2010.
(d) Track current road toll revenues and, as it deems appropriate, analyze related programs developed in other states and recommend legislation.
(e) Consider the 2019-2020 federally-funded study of a prior road usage fee in New Hampshire.
(f) Evaluate the future funding needs for the operation and maintenance of, and improvements to, state and municipal roadways.
V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall submit an interim report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 1, 2025, and shall submit a final report on or before December 1, 2026.
2 Repeal. RSA 21-J:49, relative to the commission to study revenue alternatives to the road toll for the funding of improvements to the state’s highways and bridges and their resulting improvements to the environment, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect December 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.