[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6366290,"mediaKeyId","2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af","parentId",2159572,"title","Bill to delay inspection for new vehicles sparks broad opposition from dealers, safety groups and state agencies","audioSeconds",2357,"startMs",2645000,"endMs",5002000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af&start=2645&end=5002","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af/thumbnail_2645000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6366290/New-Hampshire/Bill-to-delay-inspection-for-new-vehicles-sparks-broad-opposition-from-dealers-safety-groups-and-state-agencies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366290-006eeccde7ff7cf9c42c3de9a92cdf87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197401&Signature=bU8j1HNKNhyTvFvwsK60y3pMl6i2xMwIqK0H2HQunDGmm7hbMJAkvixdecaGPDgrnbO8BdQZ8akbLsiX-UmKrl~3J4K7RZ06L~SKcAshR2IU9XvNO0osIdtP21H6Imye0KFntrYrs4n9F3OmcQxUEtzClJasZrrhfgTnoI~xc2NP21OiuaPo397t2rvx2O4U2Pq8EXs06DXHIqLMkkoLdoN7kz1hIOpltvGgzGfSmytFea-n40L~GBsLMQ0L1Gzuxvtmxm9Q4YraqrCFJBtmTxGWOCus2qoKS6y79GMFKPV9kDYJHCKUunir0OB23GgJ-QQIDUpijlTLwMOJlHCcOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NH House of Representatives Committee","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The House Transportation Committee heard more than three hours of testimony on HB 209, a bill that would allow a new vehicle purchased in the model year or earlier to be inspected in the second year after purchase rather than during the first year.

Representative Charlie Sinclair introduced the bill, saying his constituents favored the change to reduce unnecessary inspections for new vehicles that receive frequent dealer maintenance and are still under warranty. \"This would allow new vehicles purchased to basically, after their first inspection, wait another year after to get an inspection sticker,\" Sinclair said.

Industry and public-safety witnesses urged the committee to reject the bill. Testimony from New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association (Dan Bennett), New Car Automall service manager Allison Brinson, New Hampshire Motor Transport Association (Bob Scully), the state police (Scott Atherton) and other safety advocates highlighted safety and programmatic concerns.

Opponents highlighted several points: annual inspections find worn tires, corroded brake components and other time- or salt-related wear that can appear early in New England's climate; inspections also screen for outstanding safety recalls and, where applicable, fulfill federal annual inspection requirements for commercial vehicles. New Car Automall's service manager said she has \"seen vehicles with 12,000 miles come in with lower than 2/30 seconds of tread\" and stressed that wear can occur quickly in New England's salted roads. The New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association provided statewide data on recall notices and inspection failures and argued the change would reduce the safety benefits of the program.

The Department of Environmental Services told the committee the bill raises federally significant questions for the state's emissions inspection program, which is part of New Hampshire's federally approved State Implementation Plan (SIP). Michael Fitzgerald, assistant director of DES's Air Resources Division, said changing the emissions-inspection requirement would require a SIP revision and EPA approval and warned that process typically takes 12 to 18 months. DES provided a written letter and an EPA letter outlining those procedural constraints.

The DMV director, John Marasco, opposed the bill on safety grounds and testified the program works; the DMV also noted transparency and vendor-audit capabilities in inspection stations. Motorcycle and rider-safety organizations also opposed the bill, telling the committee that motorcycles and some newer vehicles can accumulate miles and wear in a single season and that removing inspections would increase risk.

Supporters of the bill spoke more briefly. Representative McFarland testified in support based on constituents' concerns about cost-of-living pressures and the perceived reliability of new vehicles; he and a few others urged consideration of exemptions.

Fiscal and industry-impact claims were raised by opponents who said removing 1 model year from inspection could eliminate roughly 205,230 inspections annually (the number was presented by an industry witness citing Motor Vehicles statistics) and could shift $10 million-plus in annual revenue away from small inspection businesses to restructured contracts or higher per-inspection costs.

The hearing closed with the committee receiving numerous written and oral statements on both sides. No vote was taken during the hearing. Testimony made clear the bill raises crosscutting issues for safety, air-quality law (SIP implications), local revenue and inspection-industry livelihoods, which committee members will weigh if the bill moves forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation (01/28/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The House Transportation Committee heard hours of testimony on HB 209, which would delay the required safety and emissions inspection for some new vehicles until their second year after purchase; industry, safety and agency witnesses urged rejection.","taxTitle","Transportation, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17768,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366299,"Committee hears that New Hampshire already allows rental fleets to use state as IRP base; DMV says fiscal note staffing unnecessary",771,608000,1379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af&start=608&end=1379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6366299/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-that-New-Hampshire-already-allows-rental-fleets-to-use-state-as-IRP-base-DMV-says-fiscal-note-staffing-unnecessary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366299-23eba5e16700a9dee45ad534de018886/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197401&Signature=lca7DCu12uIonF8Iav0hc~PYwde5nLQwbBoAr~5OQkV5mP7-ckBDIJkOagjbk6eaEep7p8z-l~qG0JPaoJsOp2BaIByxIZScwk0gZTFQV5VCRQJfG5BDn~T5waeW-Vx-wWAHf9ygTn6rfltnSv2m-N8kH6ghLBqLpXwXOngHLr7CFlkNGneDpofnhUMguJOOXH79fr1nsxCgUCW7PVMZTtK0FP3n9XIasCNlpQyWfJpRh3qBLbRYJAuagEh~ItCfw3g64UtOqKu~Ycv6fU-HZ6oB4Fr4I2CXYEHnbZe67fjW2YLbSD2zBuG3Bg9TViVv04R1SX3FXgoODbrzOf-xBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Committee opened a public hearing on HB 119 FN, which would allow rental companies applying to register a passenger rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan (IRP). Representative Henry Geisen introduced the bill.

The bill drew technical testimony from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Liz Michaud, registration bureau at the New Hampshire DMV, told the committee the IRP already allows rental fleets to select New Hampshire as a base jurisdiction and that the fiscal note\u0000proposing additional staffing was unnecessary. \"It's on page 48 of our International Registration Plan,\" Michaud said. \"So we already have this capability, and, therefore, we would not need the proposed additional staffing that's on the fiscal note.\"

The brief hearing focused on how the IRP option is implemented in practice. Michaud answered questions about stickers, inspections and what the state would need to do to help a large rental company track apportioned mileage and remit fuel taxes to other states. She told the committee that under the IRP, a rental company must meet the usual base-jurisdiction requirements: have a business presence in New Hampshire and primarily store its fleet in the state, and that annual inspection and registration processes would still apply. On practical matters of plate decals she said: \"Every year, they would need to renew their registrations and put those stickers on the plates that coincide with that car.\"

Bob Skelly of the Hampton Motor Transport Association testified that the bill is not required because New Hampshire already permits the practice for passenger vehicles and apportioned registrations for trucks. He raised concerns about commercial fleets and local property tax impacts: when a large operator moved its vehicles out of Manchester, that city lost local revenue. Skelly also reminded the committee that trucks over 10,001 pounds are regulated and apportioned differently, and that truck fleets often choose a base jurisdiction for tax and property-cost reasons.

No formal action was taken at the hearing. Committee members asked clarifying questions but did not receive testimony that the bill would change enforcement or inspection requirements; DMV testimony indicated the agency can already accommodate rental fleets that choose New Hampshire under the IRP.

What happens next: the public hearing closed after testimony and committee questions. If the bill advances, staff and members will have to decide whether statutory language is needed to reflect the existing administrative practice or whether no change is required because the IRP already covers the requested option.

(Reporting note: testimony and committee questions cited above are drawn from the public hearing record of HB 119 FN.)","The House Transportation Committee opened a public hearing on HB 119 FN, which would allow rental companies applying to register a passenger rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan (IRP).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":46,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366285,"Heated hearing on lane filtering: motorcycle proponents cite safety and traffic flow; dealers, law enforcement and AAA oppose",3830,8832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af&start=5002&end=8832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af/thumbnail_5002000.jpg","/articles/6366285/New-Hampshire/Heated-hearing-on-lane-filtering-motorcycle-proponents-cite-safety-and-traffic-flow-dealers-law-enforcement-and-AAA-oppose","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366285-1b105d24702d9715220d71044f33d986/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197401&Signature=QlD6SZfLdDRFTIRvOKEXRnJ0svPu6Y2-DviFrbrCwAz4QgXGhe4WSicEiCvLAo4LN9q9oIxDP0TuPvrCoEj1y6YEX1zXqMnewaX2WBBjOx90IT7sfd-78T3lKVL8s4To9n1sKrFxNmfzScSGrnUxcgq-gWxmPVCdG-YWBC~TwtuNjLpAY1GdG85vtDrbmBbcXlryDvPSd6G3ShRUFmlvpLu0rHwAacjB6LMhUerGjPcJv5LBWOaVAF7347-kJFdavGbu5s3npts2zP9um7gbPaFbzxEA9klPtwWRvwILW7e06jozJD4Q9A4b6MeMmw4I9Xd5gLKB1~B-nc5n0ukkyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Committee opened a public hearing on HB 239 FN, which would define and permit lane filtering by two-wheeled motorcycles at slow speeds.

Representative Ellen Reed, the bill's sponsor, told the committee the measure is narrowly drawn to allow \"lane filtering\" at very low speeds (traffic traveling 10 miles per hour or less and motorcycles traveling 20 miles per hour or less) and to add training and an education requirement. Reed said most of the world permits this limited behavior and argued the measure can reduce the most dangerous incidents for motorcyclists: rear-end collisions at stoplights. \"A motorcycle sitting behind a full automobile does not add to that silhouette,\" Reed said, and added that a motorcyclist behind a car is at heightened risk of being struck from behind.

Supporters argued the bill would give riders the option to choose a safer response in stop-and-go traffic and could improve traffic flow where motorcycles can safely move forward to the head of a queue. Proponents cited other U.S. states and international jurisdictions where lane-filtering or lane-splitting is permitted or regulated, and suggested an education campaign (estimates varied widely from $10,000 to $100,000 in testimony) to teach drivers and riders how the practice works.

Opponents included the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association (Dan Bennett), motorist-safety groups, the New Hampshire state police (Matt Amatucci) and AAA Northern New England (Dan Goodman). Common concerns were enforcement difficulties, out-of-state drivers unfamiliar with the rule, increased roadside conflicts and road rage, and that New Hampshire roads, climate and traffic patterns differ from states or countries where the practice is more common. The state police expressed concern that filtering will surprise motorists and create roadside safety risks for officers enforcing violations. AAA and auto-dealer witnesses cited rising motorcycle fatalities nationally and locally and questioned whether legalizing filtering would make streets safer.

Motorcycle advocacy and training representatives argued education and rider-instructor outreach could reduce the risk and that modern safety research points to risk arising from speed differentials; several witnesses noted a 15-mph speed-differential threshold in collision risk research and said the bill's 10-mph/20-mph window keeps filtering well below that danger threshold.

Committee members asked about lane width, intersections and toll plazas, and whether smaller mopeds or non-two-wheel vehicles could be confused with motorcycles; witnesses said the bill specifically targets two-wheeled motorcycles and excludes non-two-wheel designs. The DMV's motorcycle rider-education coordinator said the DMV could develop curriculum and outreach but that any program would require coordination with stakeholders and broader public outreach to reach the non-riding driving public.

The hearing record shows strongly held opinions on both sides; the committee will weigh safety, enforcement, public education costs and comparability to other states before acting.","The House Transportation Committee heard arguments for and against HB 239 FN, which would permit two-wheeled motorcycles to \"lane filter\" between slow or stopped lanes under narrow, low-speed conditions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366294,"Legislators hear DMV-supported fix to let youth operators renew early and receive temporary proof until horizontal license arrives",726,1569000,2295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af&start=1569&end=2295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159572-8fd4ca62893ee810237151d8b69b12af/thumbnail_1569000.jpg","/articles/6366294/New-Hampshire/Legislators-hear-DMV-supported-fix-to-let-youth-operators-renew-early-and-receive-temporary-proof-until-horizontal-license-arrives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366294-ab53776554bca071f84f86d7f4ee87e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197401&Signature=CP4dNeJ4mx2~KtSbWfmpiJbnjDpIsRiSEkSb8bd51Egm9Ps6PE8xVwPjUbgJbEMHbyKhv4KQNFnzMkay9xJmONz-5~J2LC7b5lFtopylvNYcNd3sysAXIXomLs9R3RRrSzMW~LbM~m1T~IKH0mwuGezgTJt5PoR9W6MJeivN22ccLRvgvqgFEXf~WmD~gUrTGX5c1E5H-3Sy51~HVHWW~cjP0kUsogFEOYMEyJGeUMeKjZ32jaqsyd2s7iZ7WBj39RdJRUG7WztFtyozCHqJ1HgpYSaQT~ymi8FRt3C7JtZZOOo8tMaMXgLCHw-kB3pWcfRFBF4flGVuHxoHmf2NyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Committee opened a public hearing on HB 612, a bill allowing the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a temporary horizontal license or validated receipt for youth operators who submit a renewal application up to 30 days before their 21st birthday.

Representative Dan Bayou, prime sponsor, told the committee the bill aims to remove an administrative burden that leaves youth operators temporarily without a horizontal license if they renew early (and receive a vertical youth operator license) or if their birthday falls on a weekend or holiday. \"Many drivers who don't want to have a youth operator's license for another five years must then return to the DMV after their birthday to obtain the horizontal license,\" Bayou said. He and witnesses framed the bill as reducing unnecessary trips to DMV and preventing gaps in lawful driving status.

John Marasco, director of the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, testified in support. \"We at the DMV 100 percent support this bill,\" Marasco said. He described the current system: renewing early can produce a vertical youth operator license and force a later in-person visit to obtain the horizontal license, sometimes at a cost of a duplicate $10 card and an updated photo. Marasco said the agency plans a one-time $48,000 technology update so that an application filed up to 30 days before the 21st birthday would print the horizontal license once the birthday passes; in the interim the applicant would have a receipt and the previously issued youth operator card, and would be treated as a non-youth operator in the state's verification systems. \"We're printing licenses same day or next day, generally speaking,\" Marasco said. \"We're confident we'll be able to fulfill that 30 day window.\"

Committee members asked technical questions about printing logistics, law-enforcement verification when a person is out of state, and whether the proposal effectively acts as a 30-day extension of the youth license. Marasco and sponsor Bayou explained that the DMV will queue the hard-copy horizontal license to print after midnight on the birthday and that the receipt plus the existing youth operator card will show lawful status while the new card is in transit.

No formal vote occurred at the hearing. The DMV and sponsor characterized the proposal as a practical, modest-cost operational fix that would reduce duplicate visits and paperwork for many young drivers.

(Reporting note: quotes and procedural descriptions are drawn from the committee hearing record of HB 612.)","House Transportation Committee heard testimony on HB 612, which would let youth operators apply to renew up to 30 days before their 21st birthday and receive a temporary license/receipt so they can lawfully drive while the new horizontal license is printed and mailed. DMV director supported the bill and estimated a one-time $48,000 system update.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to delay inspection for new vehicles sparks broad opposition from dealers, safety groups and state agencies

Committee hears that New Hampshire already allows rental fleets to use state as IRP base; DMV says fiscal note staffing unnecessary

Heated hearing on lane filtering: motorcycle proponents cite safety and traffic flow; dealers, law enforcement and AAA oppose

Legislators hear DMV-supported fix to let youth operators renew early and receive temporary proof until horizontal license arrives