Transportation

This House Resolution (HR 44) expresses support for maintaining public ownership of New Hampshire's state and federal lands, including the White Mountain National Forest and other conserved areas. It specifically opposes efforts to rescind the federal Roadless Rule, which protects roadless areas from logging and development. The resolution urges New Hampshire's governor, attorney general, and congressional delegation to take action against any attempts to weaken these protections. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally states legislative support for preserving public lands.

HB 209 delays the first required vehicle safety inspection for new cars purchased from licensed dealers in New Hampshire. It exempts new vehicles (bought in the model year or before) from inspection for the first year after purchase, allowing owners to wait until the second year. This applies to both individual buyers and corporations as the first owner. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, and modifies existing inspection requirements under RSA 266:1.

HB 100 prohibits the use of state funds for planning, building, operating, or managing new passenger rail projects, including the specific Nashua-Manchester-Concord route (project #40818) in the state's 2019-2028 transportation plan. It amends state law to block the Department of Transportation from spending state money on these projects, shifting financial responsibility to local governments, private entities, or other non-state partners. This change affects how projects like the Nashua-Manchester-Concord line would be funded, as the state can no longer contribute its share toward federal matching requirements. The bill directly impacts state transportation funding decisions and project development for passenger rail services statewide.

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.