HB 513 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0606
11/08
HOUSE BILL 513
AN ACT relative to snowmobiles and trail connectors.
SPONSORS: Rep. Schamberg, Merr. 6; Rep. Cloutier, Sull. 6; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows snowmobiles to operate on a highway-abutting state right-of-way to reestablish a disabled trail connection.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0606
11/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to snowmobiles and trail connectors.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Fish and Game; Bureau Responsibilities; Exception to Written Requests. Amend RSA 215-C:2, VII to read as follows:
VII. The supervisor of the bureau shall receive all written requests from persons applying for permission to establish a highway trail crossing or trail connector on any class I, class II, or class III highway for any snowmobile trail or cross country ski trail on which a snowmobile trail maintenance vehicle may operate. No request shall be necessary for specific connectors authorized under RSA 236:56, II(f). The requests shall be submitted by the supervisor to the commissioner of the department of transportation or the commissioner's representative for the department's approval or disapproval. If approval is granted, the commissioner of the department of transportation may post the area with appropriate signs designating the location of the trail crossing or trail connector and providing signs for both sides of the highway at an appropriate distance from the crossing or trail connector to warn the motoring public of the crossing or trail connector.
2 Snowmobiles; Crossings Over and Under Highways; Exception. Amend RSA 215-C:9, V to read as follows:
V. The policy governing any snowmobile, trail connector, or trail crossing within class I, II, and III highway rights-of-way shall be as determined by the commissioner of the department of transportation. Notwithstanding RSA 215-C:8, the commissioner may prescribe additional requirements for operation on a right-of-way under RSA 236:56, II(f).
3 New Subparagraph; Snowmobile Operation; Specific Type of Connector; Right-of-Way. Amend RSA 236:56, II by inserting after subparagraph (e) the following new subparagraph:
(f) Specific Connectors on State Right-of-Way. Notwithstanding subsection (d), where an established snowmobile trail connector becomes unavailable due to changed circumstances, and where a state right-of-way exists along a class I, II or III highway that would allow the connection of the portions of trails previously linked by the affected connector, and where no other reasonable trail connection alternative is available, snowmobiles shall be permitted to travel on the state right-of-way along a class I, II or III highway in a manner prescribed under 215-C:9, V to the extent necessary to connect the trail portions.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 22, 2025 | House | Hearing |
Jan. 15, 2025: Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 02:30 pm LOB 305
Jan. 14, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 3