Bill Text - HB1483 (2026)

Creating a motor vehicle license plate for amateur radio operators.


Revision: June 23, 2026, 11:22 a.m.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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