CHAPTER 171
HB 1483-FN - FINAL VERSION
5Feb2026... 0163h
26Mar2026... 0960h
2026 SESSION
26-2716
04/09
HOUSE BILL 1483-FN
AN ACT creating a motor vehicle license plate for amateur radio operators.
SPONSORS: Rep. Ulery, Hills. 13
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes the creation of vanity license plates and decals that identify amateur radio operators by their FCC call signs or a lightning bolt symbol.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
5Feb2026... 0163h
26Mar2026... 0960h 26-2716
04/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT creating a motor vehicle license plate for amateur radio operators.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
171:1 New Section; Vanity Number Plates; Identifying Decals for Amateur Radio Operators. Amend RSA 261 by inserting after section 89-e the following new section:
261:89-f Vanity Registration Plates for Amateur Radio Operators.
I. The director of motor vehicles is directed to solicit designs for a vanity plate clearly identifying the owner of the vehicle to be an amateur radio operator and including the call sign of said operator, who shall present Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification as a licensed radio operator upon application.
II. If the FCC-issued call sign is not displayed, the registrant may request a standard issue plate featuring a lightning bolt symbol to indicate their status as a licensed amateur radio operator.
(a) There shall be no duplication of numbers.
(b) A list of all such plate holders shall be made available to the New Hampshire department of safety, division of homeland security and emergency management, for the sole purpose of contact and coordination of such persons in a natural disaster or other public safety requirement. All other data is privileged per RSA 260:14-a.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to confer any special privileges, including but not limited to the use of emergency lights, exemption from traffic laws, or access to restricted areas, except when acting under the express direction of authorized public safety personnel.
171:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
Approved: June 19, 2026
Effective Date: January 01, 2027
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Jan. 27, 2026 | 2026-0163h |
| March 18, 2026 | 2026-0960h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 13, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 26, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 20, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 17, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 17, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 21, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| May 7, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
June 24, 2026: Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 171; eff.01/01/2027
June 10, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
June 10, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
May 5, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
April 30, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
April 15, 2026: Hearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 15
March 30, 2026: Introduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
March 26, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0960h: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 18
March 26, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0960h: AA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 18
March 18, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 18, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0960h 03/17/2026 (Vote 19-5; RC)
March 13, 2026: Executive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
Feb. 25, 2026: Division II Work Session: 03/06/2026 10:00 am GP 230
Feb. 5, 2026: Referred to Finance 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 23
Feb. 5, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0163h: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 22
Feb. 5, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0163h: AA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 22
Jan. 27, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0163h 01/20/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 5 P. 18
Jan. 14, 2026: Executive Session: 01/20/2026 02:45 pm GP 234
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:20 am GP 234
Dec. 5, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 22