[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6610621,"mediaKeyId","2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6","parentId",2902120,"title","Sponsor seeks to bar driver-license renewals for some noncitizens; opponents and DMV warn harms to workers and families","audioSeconds",1665,"startMs",8000000,"endMs",9665000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6&start=8000&end=9665","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6/thumbnail_8000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610621/New-Hampshire/Sponsor-seeks-to-bar-driver-license-renewals-for-some-noncitizens-opponents-and-DMV-warn-harms-to-workers-and-families","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610621-401c47f55c881866ba2e92a3d58de1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145648&Signature=LLY2XXGxrJIfJ4niVmrtoZs67CO7rDCBjLfic-OFIkIlJeeSs9X~R04sz1FE7VA3s~r3sL0G6~vMDQb7Ob~GSRux1KyGFyuHp5kaqT517J-gb3XloUpmnhQAJ89kWtShJ2ovReKU0v5ps-M4rcpNiaEzH~KGFDK2NejAKH5zXO4KsWEqmkGGc72D462YPYhBgF9KYifa0wvEIG5tsHGWjUu48Q4WtME5~I4buywqHWqO~2xpuQBvrXEBVO8nz6PAekEwm9XAmT-WP~yxU--JAdPZI-F~FjskPGtZSVrobStdiElREfevQuhuH8dzMHqdC4V0MuVY3soxQcYUkOo3nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-08T20:56:19.43Z","article","Representative Tom Walsh returned to the Senate Transportation Committee to present House Bill 4 52, a measure that would change eligibility for New Hampshire driver's licenses for certain noncitizens. Walsh said the bill closes what he described as a \"loophole\" by which some people in immigration proceedings receive temporary federal work authorization and then obtain New Hampshire licenses before immigration adjudication is complete. \"If you have not yet proven that you are here legally, why are we giving you the privilege to drive just based on the fact that you are here with lawful presence awaiting that court date?\" Walsh asked the committee.

Sponsor intent and structure: Walsh described the bill as more limited than an earlier version and said it specifically targets asylum-related status while preserving licenses for other lawful temporary visas. The bill would also require the DMV to mark certain nonresident-alien licenses and, as drawn in the hearing draft, would not permit license renewal for people who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Opposition: Dozens of witnesses — veterans’ service organizations, refugee-resettlement groups, faith organizations, employers and DMV staff — opposed the bill in whole or in part. Lisa Beaudoin of the New Hampshire Council of Churches said the proposal would \"force people into isolation and hardship\" and warned the bill would \"promote profiling, discrimination, and abuse.\" Employers and workforce groups told senators they rely on nonpermanent legal residents to fill critical jobs with no public transportation alternative; several manufacturing and health-care employers said losing employee driving privileges would directly damage their workforce.

DMV and legal complexity: DMV Director John Marasco and operations manager Kathy O'Neil explained that the DMV already processes a wide array of lawful noncitizen documentation and that many categories of noncitizens have lawful status recognized by federal law (for example, holders of employment-authorization documents, F-1 students, humanitarian parolees and refugees). Marasco testified that documents are vetted with biometric and identity checks and that the DMV has longstanding procedures for issuing status-based credentials. He also said the DMV's policy is to issue licenses with validity tied to the applicant's authorized period of stay.

Practical impacts: Multiple nonprofit and employer witnesses presented examples of people who could lose working mobility under the bill, including refugees, humanitarian-parole entrants and employees who renew annually while awaiting federal immigration processes. Witnesses said the proposed requirement that applicants produce a prior foreign driver's license could be impossible for refugees or asylum seekers who fled in crisis without documents.

Committee action: Committee members pressed sponsors and DMV officials on statutory definitions and implementation details; the hearing closed with no vote recorded in the transcript.

What it does not do: The DMV and many witnesses emphasized the bill would not be applied to persons with current lawful temporary visas that confer eligibility (for instance H-1B, student visas, and many others) if the statutory text is clarified, but witness testimony showed the draft as presented could produce unintended exclusions and administrative complexity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation (04/08/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 4 52, introduced by Representative Tom Walsh, would narrow eligibility for New Hampshire driver's licenses by preventing renewal for some noncitizens who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; Walsh said the change closes a loophole for some asylum claimants, while opponents — including DMV officials, employers and refugee advocates — warned of economic harm and legal complexity.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29511,"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},6610631,"Committee hears bill allowing VA health-care providers to write medical-equipment exceptions in NH",410,2540000,2950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6&start=2540&end=2950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6/thumbnail_2540000.jpg","/articles/6610631/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-bill-allowing-VA-health-care-providers-to-write-medical-equipment-exceptions-in-NH","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610631-3a80b8e06c7549b097df8b2fd855b074/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145648&Signature=I7xHYr9VnoEYHyKj-cSQwPKjPlDrjUqEC8gzdLct230cOc0WEEJqXIyG4Vhoum3dBfCghKtvCs-udtBnca65Yjmsmo2Zg1g1-2fuS1jjK1YhBzqtqJBiNJ3mF72rqyPFMemx428rAJBRNMO-A9ggEv-9AnFjV0FX9vKJDbbYPP1sUVFJdPqNupnGijnerQqwLTjNk5HxsuZLn4on6yAnzPMNpAEp-Kd6KyqdCS~H6zGSSZoYZq3jMRHzXM94yJ8H1ittLrC98I14R6WHCKCseVge-JK~SIv9kOObf8b72yYa1vJWz7hH32iNGk-~NEayJfIY9Bbj6~9FK4Wt0riWYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Henry Giesen opened the hearing on House Bill 6 32, which would allow certain VA health-care providers to complete medical-equipment exception paperwork in New Hampshire. \"What this bill does is it allows VA health care providers to write for medical equipment exceptions within the state of New Hampshire,\" Giesen said.

Why the bill was filed: Giesen said a rule drafted by the body that writes DMV rules unintentionally restricted who could sign medical-exception forms to providers licensed in New Hampshire. That rule, he said, effectively disqualified most VA clinicians who are licensed in other states but work in the Manchester VA facility on federal assignment or contract. \"After talking with Doctor Forester the chief medical officer of the Manchester VA, he believed ... there was exactly 1 New Hampshire licensed health care provider in the entire Manchester VA network,\" Giesen said, describing that outcome as an unintended barrier that forces veterans to seek an outside provider or use a community-care referral to obtain routine equipment exceptions.

Veteran testimony: Christopher Derry, a 25-year military veteran who sought the committee’s attention, described a personal impact: he said his prior approval was later disapproved after the rule change and that the Manchester VA was unable to sign forms that New Hampshire rules required a state-licensed provider to sign. Derry described the consequence as leading some veterans to seek local providers or the Community Care Network at personal cost or delay. \"I applied for the waiver appropriately ... and then late 2023 ... it was disapproved, pending this new written language,\" Derry told the committee.

Technical approach: Giesen said the bill relies on the existing statutory definition of \"medical provider\" in state law to avoid inadvertently redefining who may write those prescriptions. He urged the committee to recommend the bill \"ought to pass expeditiously without amendment,\" and said he would consider sponsoring any needed germane fixes in a later session.

Committee action: The committee heard public testimony and closed the hearing; a written record shows several people registered in favor and none opposed in the hearing period recorded in the transcript.

What it does not do: The bill does not create a new class of providers; it seeks to preserve the ability of authorized VA clinicians to sign equipment-exception paperwork without forcing veterans to secure a state-licensed second opinion.","House Bill 6 32 would allow Department of Veterans Affairs health-care providers to write medical equipment exceptions (for example, for tinted windows after an eye injury or prosthetic accommodations) in New Hampshire when the clinician is serving in a VA facility but licensed in another state.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610636,"Committee hears bill to allow single rear-facing blue light on private first-responder vehicles; state police oppose",1458,985000,2443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6&start=985&end=2443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6/thumbnail_985000.jpg","/articles/6610636/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-bill-to-allow-single-rear-facing-blue-light-on-private-first-responder-vehicles-state-police-oppose","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610636-7a42463674dea028ba17dfb9a96eefd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145648&Signature=eI~vFqEOIX-AihIFtsLLdVuH1JIHYii7wGUZFTsq0Iklva6fbIMhMpqz7IzMsQgmQ~1uzvXCYLP0vcyInCYWOEzT2UaT0mCXvx5wqBiBVlb85i3vbO4PpvopejmCzj9AMjnJQCf0N4ylpdTTp9ksgiYYMpcO9zQFo-ZFPg9ZplzBIM3chIJiWafgpVCM9Zv-J15EWndsFb90EKZt1LlTjp2jGAHB23IsKcdvsEEn-vD0SjtlSCNAJvAxDkQp3cQQ52TmQ8LkdVyicCrI1Rpw2-fdcBWoAsMpkuLTfyavSUr958vjcv7uo-BPG3oB1LRRkb2WYgcJn2tYGUvW3Psllw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rich Nelivanco introduced House Bill 4 89 to give first responders a new option to make privately operated response vehicles more visible during emergency responses. \"House bill 4 89 ensures that all first responders operating a vehicle during an emergency, whether the vehicle is publicly or privately owned, have clear and consistent visibility, improving safety for both first responders and the public,\" Nelivanco told the committee.

Nelivanco, who said the change would cost towns and the state nothing because volunteer personnel typically pay for their own emergency lights, described the measure as a narrow fix to correct an inconsistency in RSA 266:78-b that previously allowed a single rear-facing blue light on apparatus. Representative Mark Prue, a career firefighter and EMT who said he sponsored the original change that put blue lights on apparatus, told senators he has observed that blue lights attract drivers’ attention and encourage them to slow down at incidents. \"Blue lights stand out in the darkness, in the mixture,\" Prue said. \"People take more notice of that as they're coming up to that scene.\"

Opposition and public-safety concerns: The New Hampshire State Police registered formal opposition. Matt Amatucci, representing the State Police, said the primary reason for restricting blue lights has been to maintain public safety and to avoid misidentification. \"The primary reason for restricting blue lights to emergency vehicles is to maintain public safety and trust,\" Amatucci said. He warned that adding blue lights to many private vehicles on roadways could desensitize the public and blur the visual distinction between law enforcement and other responders.

Retired police chief David Goldstein echoed the concern, saying blue has been closely associated with law enforcement and that flooding roads with blue lighting risks habituating motorists. Several fire and EMS witnesses, including Gordon Kemp, a selectman and licensed emergency medical responder, and volunteer firefighter witnesses, said the bill only allows a small single rear-facing blue module in addition to the red rear lights that volunteers already use — typically visible only from behind — and stressed the bill would not authorize forward-facing blue bars.

Agency and technical points: Witnesses demonstrated the proposed lighting device and explained LEDs are not visibly distinguishable when off, and that many modern fixtures can show multiple colors. Several witnesses said the single rear-facing blue element catches attention at night or in poor visibility when red or amber lighting blends with other roadside lighting.

Committee action: The committee took testimony from supporters, the State Police, and other interested parties and closed the hearing with no vote recorded in the transcript.

What it does not do: The bill does not mandate purchase or installation of blue lights, nor does it authorize front-facing blue lights on private vehicles. Several witnesses and the sponsor emphasized that volunteers would remain responsible for appropriate use of lighting.","House Bill 4 89 would allow volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to install a single rear-facing blue light on privately owned response vehicles; supporters said the device improves visibility on rural roads, while state police warned it could create public confusion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610641,"Bill would let drivers delay paying some motor-vehicle fines up to 180 days; sponsor says it avoids court backlog",422,143000,565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6&start=143&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6/thumbnail_143000.jpg","/articles/6610641/New-Hampshire/Bill-would-let-drivers-delay-paying-some-motor-vehicle-fines-up-to-180-days-sponsor-says-it-avoids-court-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610641-bb3fdb7bb7e34863c926aae7facb025b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145648&Signature=RJW4-tdhQRjwlkIwpPHcKYUDd7q13sraRN8BwZQKi2TYZObCkS3fXlW1tj9B-W7aPnJsfr4HKhyIX6jXqPSMNL99T661ZI2cZr~tGp0DkVmFgmkCM8FQxvfQAQBHmSp1ETx8eCNTMNUtGX3HmxcqboY~Ub~KFl1QalaqIfySJSvpSWJs0879Xz5u36HS2bi61a0Hz7-iOkUlOjh0P~uyXsftr9nQCTeIpSMGsYlsuXdrd-GdWAyuEFsr5~D-F89g2NsF~r30FxOJa9LC6EzBZNmIy8Xmd3Zu8yTa-dvypS5Rwhu-HERoexJDwyRASnAo3d4tcjgu6TTj22XCBbTCWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dan Vayu introduced House Bill 3 21 to the Senate Transportation Committee, saying the bill would give some people extra time to pay motor-vehicle fines without a court appearance. \"This bill provides drivers with additional time to pay certain fines and for motor vehicle violations, without requiring court appearance or undue financial hardship,\" Representative Dan Vayu told the committee.

Vayu said the change is intended to prevent a cycle of debt and license suspensions for people who live paycheck to paycheck. Under current practice, he said, a ticket requires a 30-day payment window and, if the driver cannot make that payment, the case can proceed toward court and suspension. \"This bill would allow up to a 90 day payment period for people who have no outstanding fines or violations on their record. It does not eliminate fines or dismiss penalties. It just allows drivers to avoid getting into a cycle of debt and license suspensions,\" Vayu said.

Why it matters: Vayu argued the change keeps routine payment extensions handled administratively by the Division of Motor Vehicles instead of using court resources, and it gives people time to manage childcare and work constraints without stopping their income. He said in extremis a driver could ask the DMV for a further 90-day extension, allowing up to 180 days total.

Committee members asked practical questions about the size of the typical fine and enforcement. Senator McCaughn asked whether the bill would primarily help small fines; Vayu replied most fines discussed were \"under $200\" and that the proposal targets people living paycheck to paycheck. Committee members also asked how the longer window would be enforced; Vayu said the same enforcement mechanisms that apply now would remain in place and that many people who can pay will do so sooner rather than later.

Public comment: One person, Mike Franklin, submitted written testimony in favor but did not speak. No members of the public asked to speak during the hearing.

What it does not do: The bill does not reduce or waive fines, Vayu emphasized, and it does not automatically dismiss citations. Instead it changes where an extension is requested and handled — shifting more routine extensions to the DMV rather than a court proceeding.

Next steps: The committee closed the hearing after questions and public comment. No committee vote or amendment was recorded in the hearing transcript.","Representative Dan Vayu told the Senate Transportation Committee that House Bill 3 21 would allow some drivers to delay paying certain motor-vehicle fines for up to 90 days — with an option to extend another 90 days by notifying the DMV — instead of facing a mandatory court appearance or immediate license suspension.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610626,"Heated hearing over bill to require DMV testing materials in English only; DMV and advocates warn of safety and civil-rights risks",1208,3081000,4289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6&start=3081&end=4289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902120-882373708990c980abdecf8b391b0ff6/thumbnail_3081000.jpg","/articles/6610626/New-Hampshire/Heated-hearing-over-bill-to-require-DMV-testing-materials-in-English-only-DMV-and-advocates-warn-of-safety-and-civil-rights-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610626-e7d0b93db431453c8af9183163a9f706/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145648&Signature=NpG3HF6mfBYREFRcG5dQQ20RLiaZEVegctsAsUlpyHiGVw4sXQGSOCPnn7nmC-p83xh49XIzXfJ6hQHiMl0sVK9TddfxWYIQlA4ZYMBFMI9vhDWxOyWoci05iAmEBAAaQsrNMcbHD8UcUWCxT4Jk7tiAsW-dSL7X4VW3b8LC~vLmIz0J9QhHqJqDGvPLHktROU54eM0UxsEHvpbCpbUl~f4ys2GTr8-2XiWXPTFfQRZEK6QaVmdVKTNq46zQu~feFGe37262oRU5-SajQeBcjQ4qPuuylIS3I2xFze~9-5aTwXgYXggWOewFrdm-tXumJi~3Q9GU~MUF1gGUUUg1CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Tom Walsh introduced House Bill 4 61, which would require DMV testing and training materials to be in English and restrict the use of translators for licensing tests. \"If you're gonna get the privilege of driving on the roads on a regular basis, you should have at least a basic understanding of the English language,\" Walsh told senators, framing the bill as a road-safety measure.

DMV and federal compliance concerns: John Marasco, Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, provided informational testimony and said the DMV had no official position but that the agency offers language assistance today and believed those services make roadways safer. \"We offer the knowledge test at the DMV and have for many years in 7 different languages,\" Marasco said. He described a Pocketalk translation device used by examiners that his staff found helpful for communicating in the exam and creating a safer testing process. Marasco also flagged a potential federal civil-rights issue: he described guidance tied to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and NHTSA that requires language assistance when a significant portion of service users have limited English proficiency; that guidance could affect federal funding for DMV programs if services are curtailed. The DMV reported the department has translated driver's manuals into Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Swahili, Arabic and Mandarin and has applied for Governor and Council approval to release them.

Public testimony: The hearing drew dozens of public witnesses on both sides. The New Hampshire Council of Churches executive director, Lisa Beaudoin, testified in strong opposition, saying the bill would be \"regressive\" and \"undermine both our state's commitment to public safety and our shared values of hospitality.\" She said translation where needed helps non-English speakers learn road rules and protects public safety.

Several witnesses who work with refugees and immigrants described driving as essential to employment, child care and medical access. A number of employers and service providers told senators their organizations rely on workers who hold driver licenses obtained with language assistance.

Proponents said the measure duplicates the English requirement for commercial CDL holders and argued that drivers must be able to read signs and warnings on the road. Walsh and some supporters said roadside signs and instructions are primarily in English and that drivers who cannot read them can create safety risks; they opposed the use of translators during knowledge testing on the basis that translation does not guarantee long-term comprehension.

Federal funding and legal questions: Marasco cited federal guidance (28 C.F.R. 42.405(d)(1) as referenced in DMV communication) that agencies receiving NHTSA funds must provide language access when a significant portion of a service population has limited English proficiency. Senators pressed Marasco on whether removing language assistance could put federal funds at risk; Marasco said such a risk exists if Title VI benchmarks are met and services are curtailed.

Committee action: The hearing lasted several hours and included many public speakers for and against the bill. The committee closed the hearing; no vote or recommendation appears in the hearing transcript.","House Bill 4 61 would require DMV testing and training materials to be provided in English and would curtail translators during testing. Sponsor Tom Walsh said the measure is intended to improve roadway safety by ensuring drivers understand English signage; the DMV and immigrant advocates said curtailing translation would reduce safety and risk federal funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsor seeks to bar driver-license renewals for some noncitizens; opponents and DMV warn harms to workers and families

Committee hears bill allowing VA health-care providers to write medical-equipment exceptions in NH

Committee hears bill to allow single rear-facing blue light on private first-responder vehicles; state police oppose

Bill would let drivers delay paying some motor-vehicle fines up to 180 days; sponsor says it avoids court backlog

Heated hearing over bill to require DMV testing materials in English only; DMV and advocates warn of safety and civil-rights risks