Revision: Feb. 19, 2025, 3:05 p.m.
Senate Transportation
February 19, 2025
2025-0490s
11/11
Amendment to SB 274-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a 4-year pilot program to improve rail trails in New Hampshire, including the establishment of 2 funds, the rail trails program fund and the emergency trail repair fund, and making appropriations therefor.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 2 with the following:
3 New Sections; Rail Trail Pilot Program. Amend RSA 216-F by inserting after section 7 the following new sections:
216-F:8 Rail Trail Pilot Program.
I. The department of natural and cultural resources, division of parks and recreation, and the bureau of trails shall together develop a pilot program, in consultation with the New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition, to be managed by the bureau of trails, to rehabilitate, maintain, and improve 83 miles of 4 rail corridors and appurtenant rail trails by rehabilitating abandoned rail corridors and maintaining already established rail trails.
II. The duration of the program shall be 4 years from the effective date of this section.
III. The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, director of the division of parks and recreation, and the chief supervisor of the bureau of trails shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A regarding the administration of the rail trail pilot program established in this section.
216-F:9 Rail Trails Program Fund. There is hereby established in the state treasury a continually appropriated and nonlapsing fund to be known as the rail trails program fund which shall be administered by the bureau of trails, to be expended by them for the rehabilitation, maintenance, and improvement of 83 miles of rail corridors and appurtenant rail trails across four routes identified in section 1 of this act by rehabilitating abandoned rail corridors and maintaining already established rail trails. Additionally, the bureau shall credit to this fund any private contributions designated for the purpose of the maintenance of rail trails.
216-F:10 Emergency Trail Repair Fund. There is hereby established in the state treasury a continually appropriated and nonlapsing fund to be known as the emergency trail repair fund which shall be administered by the bureau of trails. The bureau of trails shall expend moneys in the emergency trail repair fund exclusively for direct trail work under the New Hampshire bureau of trails. These funds shall not be used for staffing or to fund the emergency trail repair fund. The New Hampshire department of transportation may access the emergency trail repair fund by submitting a formal request through the bureau of trails.
I. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund to the bureau of trails the sum of $250,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and the sum of $250,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, for the designated purposes of the rail trails program fund, as stated in RSA 216-F:9. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
II. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund to the bureau of trails the sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and the sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, for the designated purposes of the emergency trail repair fund, as stated in RSA 216-F:10. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
5 New Subparagraphs; Application of Receipts; Rail Trails Program Fund and Emergency Trail Repair Fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (399) the following new subparagraphs:
(400) Moneys deposited in the rail trails program fund as established in RSA 216-F:9.
(401) Moneys deposited in the emergency trail repair fund as established in RSA 216:F-10.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
2025-0490s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Transfers ownership of 4 rail corridors, and all duties and responsibilities therefor, to the department of natural and cultural resources.
II. Establishes a pilot program to improve the rail trails in 4 rail corridors.
III. Establishes the rail trail program fund and the rail trail emergency fund.
IV. Makes appropriations to the bureau of trails for the established funds.