Transportation

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 49: relative to the unlawful operation or use of unmanned aircraft systems.

SB 49 creates new criminal penalties for the unlawful operation of small drones (unmanned aircraft systems) in New Hampshire. It makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with emergency services (like police or fire response) or airport operations, and increases penalties to a felony if drone use causes damage to aircraft, disrupts flights, or delivers contraband into correctional facilities. The bill also prohibits possessing or operating drones equipped to cause harm (e.g., firing projectiles), with exemptions for bomb squads and law enforcement using drones for safety purposes. These rules apply to anyone operating small drones, effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill prohibits drone interference with airport operations, protecting transportation infrastructure (airports) from disruption and safety threats.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports

signed · New Hampshire · House May 19, 2026

HB 649: relative to the maintenance obligations of motor vehicle operators.

HB 649 eliminates the requirement for physical safety inspections and on-board diagnostic tests for all private passenger vehicles in New Hampshire, effective January 1, 2026. The bill also repeals the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Abatement Fund, which previously received $0.25 from each vehicle inspection fee. This change will reduce state revenue by approximately $1.7 million in fiscal year 2026, with annual decreases of $3.4 million thereafter, and will impact municipal highway fund block grants that receive 12% of vehicle inspection revenue. The bill affects all passenger vehicle owners who would have been required to undergo inspections and alters the funding structure for vehicle safety and environmental programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates inspection fees and repeals fund, reducing state revenue by $1.7M in 2026 and $3.4M annually, defunding state budget.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Abatement Fund, eliminating $0.25/inspection revenue for pollution control, reducing environmental protection funding.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates vehicle safety inspections and repeals pollution fund, reducing highway infrastructure revenue by $3.4M annually.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Air Quality Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 155: relative to highway toll credits.

SB 155 allows municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations to use toll credits as their local funding match for federally funded highway and road projects, including the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project. This eliminates the need for legislative approval for these specific projects, as long as federal rules permit toll credits. For other uses of toll credits, the bill requires prior approval from the joint legislative capital project committee. The fiscal note estimates this change would reduce annual toll credit balances by approximately $20 million, as toll credits would replace local matching funds previously required for projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables toll credits as local funding match for highway projects, facilitating infrastructure funding without legislative approval for specific federally funded road projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

vetoed · New Hampshire · House Aug 21, 2026

HB 2026: relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to toll rate adjustments and periodic toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan; and relative to reconstruction of the Gregg Mill Road Bridge in the town of New Boston.

HB 2026 formally adopts New Hampshire's "State 10-Year Transportation Improvement Plan 2027-2036," which was submitted by the governor under existing law. The bill directly affects state transportation planning by designating this specific plan as the official framework for the 2027-2036 decade. It requires the state to implement the projects outlined in the plan, encouraging timely action on transportation improvements. The bill does not create new funding or alter project details but legally endorses the governor's submitted plan as the state's roadmap.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFormally adopts NH's 10-year transportation plan, mandating implementation of outlined projects without altering funding or details.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 149: relative to the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated.

SB 149 adds "wrong-way driving" as an aggravating factor that elevates a standard driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense to an aggravated DWI. This means drivers convicted of DWI who also drive the wrong way on a road (violating RSA 265:26, I) will face harsher penalties. The bill amends New Hampshire's aggravated DWI statute (RSA 265-A:3) to include this specific violation as a new factor for sentencing. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of DWI who engage in wrong-way driving. The change was requested by the Department of Safety to address a specific high-risk behavior.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds wrong-way driving as aggravating factor for DWI, increasing penalties - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds stricter penalties for wrong-way driving during DWI, enhancing road safety under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 82: relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.

SB 82 creates "Housing Opportunity Zones" in New Hampshire counties and municipalities to encourage affordable workforce housing development. It requires owner-occupancy (no rental by investors), mandates specific design features like slab foundations and front porches, and exempts the first property transfer from real estate transfer taxes. The bill proposes $20 million in state grants for infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) with limits of $1 million per municipality and $5 million per county, though no funding source is identified. It directly affects local governments that establish these zones and future homeowners who must live in the properties they purchase.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts first property transfer from real estate tax and allocates $20M state grants for infrastructure, providing tax relief and funding for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Housing Opportunity Zones with $20M grants for affordable workforce housing infrastructure, exempts first transfer taxes, and mandates owner-occupancy to encourage development.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $20M for infrastructure grants including roads, directly funding transportation infrastructure projects as part of housing development.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill title explicitly references 'homes for homeland heroes' grant program, directly linking to veterans' housing needs. No contradictory language found in summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Zoning

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 212: allowing a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle fails an emission control test.

HB 212 extends the temporary operating permit for vehicles that fail emission tests from 60 to 180 days. It applies to drivers whose vehicles pass all other inspection requirements but fail the EPA OBD II emission test. The waiver allows owners to legally operate their vehicles while making necessary repairs, with only one waiver permitted per inspection cycle. The bill also directs the department to consider economic hardship when establishing repair waiver rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends repair time for emission failures, encouraging timely compliance with EPA standards and reducing prolonged pollution from non-compliant vehicles.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends emission test waiver period to facilitate repairs, promoting sustainable vehicle compliance under transportation regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1686: relative to establishing an intelligent speed assistance program as an alternative to license suspension for certain motor vehicle offenses.

HB 1686 creates a program requiring drivers convicted of speeding over 100 mph (RSA 265:79) or habitual offenders with conditional driving privileges (RSA 259:39) to install speed-limiting devices on their vehicles instead of facing license suspension. The program, administered by the Department of Safety, mandates these "intelligent speed assistance" devices for 6 months to 2 years, with offenders covering all costs for purchase, installation, and maintenance. Drivers must keep the devices active; tampering or disabling them constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by additional penalties. This policy aims to address repeat speeding violations through technology-based monitoring rather than license revocation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces license suspension with tech-based rehabilitation for speeding offenses, reducing punitive measures and promoting compliance over punishment.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates speed-limiting devices for dangerous speeding offenses to enhance road safety, aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

Track

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 631: authorizing the sale of toll credits to fund a newly established noise barrier construction fund for the design and construction of noise barrier projects.

SB 631 directs the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to install a 1,845-foot sound barrier along the west side of Interstate 93 southbound, between Pillsbury Road in Londonderry and Exit 4 (Route 102 ramp). The barrier will border the Woodmont Development property and aims to reduce noise for nearby residents. The project has an estimated cost of $8.07 million, funded through existing Highway Fund and potential federal funds (if eligible), with no new state funding provided. This is a physical infrastructure project affecting properties adjacent to the specified I-93 corridor.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs installation of highway sound barrier to reduce noise, improving existing transportation infrastructure without new funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1308: relative to increasing the penalty for passing a stopped school bus.

HB 1308 increases penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus in New Hampshire. It makes sworn testimony from bus drivers or witnesses sufficient evidence for violations, allows bus camera footage to be used as proof (but only for legal proceedings), and adds specific penalties: a $300 fine plus a 7-day license suspension for a first offense, escalating to a $750 fine plus 15 days in jail and indefinite license revocation for a third offense. This bill directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses, particularly those with prior violations. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by increasing penalties for dangerous school bus passing, directly strengthening road safety standards per the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety