relative to motor vehicle equipment specifications.

The detailed steering linkage free-play limits (1/4 inch for wheels 16 inches or less, 3/8 inch for 17-18 inch wheels, 1/2 inch for wheels over 18 inches) were removed. The final version simply requires that steering linkage free-play not exceed the manufacturer's specifications, without specifying exact measurements by wheel size.

The bill header was updated from 'As Amended by the Senate' to 'Version Adopted by Both Bodies' and a new adoption date (June 4, 2026) was added, reflecting final passage.

Added exemptions from the tire tread depth minimum (2/32 inch) for commercial motor vehicles, school buses, and mixed use school buses that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.

Added exemptions from the brake lining minimum thickness (2/32 inch) for commercial motor vehicles, school buses, and mixed use school buses that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.

Changed the steering linkage free-play standard from 'exceeds the manufacturer's specifications or is' [specific measurements] to simply 'exceeds the manufacturer's specifications' with the specific measurements as sub-points. This removes the alternative enforcement path that allowed violations based solely on the fixed measurement thresholds regardless of manufacturer specs.

Changed the effective date from January 1, 2027 to upon passage of the act, meaning the new requirements would take effect immediately once signed into law rather than after a roughly seven-month delay.

A new section (RSA 266:48-a) was added requiring that no person drive a motor vehicle unless each tire has a minimum tread depth of not less than 2/32 of an inch.

The bill title was broadened from 'adding steering and suspension specifications relative to requirements for the equipment of motor vehicles' to 'relative to motor vehicle equipment specifications,' reflecting the expanded subject matter.

A new section (RSA 266:28-a) was added requiring that brake lining or friction material at each wheel have a minimum thickness of 2/32 of an inch, with specific measurement methods: use of a brake gauge, caliper, or other device calibrated in thirty-seconds of an inch; measurements to the top of rivet heads for riveted linings and at the thinnest point for bonded linings.

In the steering and suspension section, the language about wheel bearings was changed from 'Any wheel bearing exceeds the manufacturer's tolerance for looseness' to 'Any wheel bearing that is not within the manufacturer's tolerance for looseness,' a grammatical clarification with no substantive policy effect.