[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6466193,"mediaKeyId","5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14","parentId",5825527,"title","Committee sends OHRV-on-highways bill for interim study after debate over local control","audioSeconds",2617,"startMs",658000,"endMs",3275000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14&start=658&end=3275","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14/thumbnail_658000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466193/New-Hampshire/Committee-sends-OHRV-on-highways-bill-for-interim-study-after-debate-over-local-control","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466193-a87c3281b759f0ed45ebe23f2faa14e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775143605&Signature=TajvZ0VpVvr8uRPmTLJJOO16yXylVJUgX7-ufmnAbLOE20l3nDvEq0aun-gDj79qPfLhACu-cw71QSjJGR5OfiUAukY7wrKy8Mu5X0oLoYUNtdgsPaKPgztm76LdbXv1BveEQlEED1oQq4jm6kk718zDGqUG7izhNI8vXUKNDhU0XyTTbNZwLYGZS2Sv7NThjijbscwwI4doCb7B0keOo~J3epVeWN~95tpw9h4PBT~krgH0EQ8A6s1bfHXqGghaAK31PdiBJOZGmCda6pE5XWU37rvHCgjxCd9tqiJp5WjeozLabDSUFE8A9q-61XPg5AOJJZxA4kpg~W~lQbD2sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-09-24T16:32:41.497Z","article","Representative Bob Harb, chairman of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led a full-committee work session on HB 113, a bill to allow OHRV (off-highway recreational vehicle) operation on certain state highways within the town of Windsor. The discussion covered a DOT-requested amendment that would require public notice and Department approval before a state highway could be opened to OHRV use and would allow the Windsor select board to close the road for OHRV use without a new legislative act.

Committee members and a Windsor resident described uncertainty about what local action, if any, had already occurred. Claire Poulliott, a Windsor resident who testified during the work session, said the town’s selectmen had considered placing a warrant article before voters but were advised by attorneys that they could not finalize a vote because the roads in question are state-maintained (Windsor Road and Black Pond Road). Poulliott said the selectmen ultimately deferred to the state.

The amendment, introduced by Representative Nabb and described as being prepared at the request of the Department of Transportation, was explained to require a public hearing and Department consultation in the same manner as existing statutory processes (the amendment references procedures comparable to RSA 215-A provisions governing certain road changes). Representative Nabb said the change would allow the select board to close the road for OHRV use without returning to the legislature.

Committee members pressed for more local documentation: Representative Darby said the committee had been told minutes existed from a Windsor meeting but that committee staff had not yet located them. Several members expressed concern that a public hearing alone might not be sufficient local control if the Department of Trails (referenced in the bill text) would effectively make the final decision after consulting other state agencies. Representatives raised public-safety concerns, citing noise and dust from OHRVs and uncertainty about enforcement and penalties when OHRVs operate on paved state roads rather than trail networks.

During executive session Representative Davis moved the committee “ought to pass” HB 113; Representative Nabb moved the DOT-requested amendment (seconded by Representative Davis) and the committee approved that amendment. After amendment approval the motion that HB 113 “ought to pass” as amended failed on a roll call. Representative Darby then moved that HB 113 be referred to interim study; that motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous voice/consent roll of committee members present.

The committee instructed staff to search for the Windsor meeting minutes referenced in emails and to provide clarifying information during the interim-study period. The interim study will allow additional review of town-level notification, the proper role of the Department of Trails versus local select boards, and the concerns raised about noise, dust and enforcement when OHRVs operate on state highways.

The committee explicitly did not take public testimony during the work session; some audience members were invited to answer factual questions by the chair.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Resources, Recreation and Development (09/24/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Bob Harb, chairman of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led a session on HB 113, which would allow OHRVs on certain state highways in Windsor; an amendment requiring a public hearing and Department approval passed, but the committee declined to pass the bill and instead voted to place it in interim study.","taxTitle","Resources, Recreation and Development, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17760,"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},6466188,"Committee votes to indefinitely postpone HB 595 on coastal resilience zones",1767,1590000,3357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14&start=1590&end=3357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14/thumbnail_1590000.jpg","/articles/6466188/New-Hampshire/Committee-votes-to-indefinitely-postpone-HB-595-on-coastal-resilience-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466188-16dd05a9d0f05259d584b73298a6902b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775143605&Signature=K5kaS~HEopUXxnbKekEE31nWKrmYNDs5DNxz703vXY52slP~deSiXXom9trydTfc-9DXuy4LERW8MF6hVK~pQqKH1CcAt4K0QRxArxXS2bRAQoa39YErS7tdwtNDXOrXpJ6UPgPyV4ds5pD6bhoE2uSTe1lZMRvFaUMPruMpZ1fW02ulvq2Fk3mth~H9LiD7ZHDI7YU7tEo1H9i2XU0je0awkYUXULQh1qlSAwgCG8RCazIfZCYHsiNBDf2J2INKtA7bJrTqFyBWGVW2kQLSkJlN5zrRR1dLc3ebI4aNcCct5ZEteBfpdlC6rUR2ZwtN7pkBOXnly3ohCrYkCFjmLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nabb, a member of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, opened discussion on HB 595, legislation described by the sponsor as an effort to address flooding and coastal resilience statewide, including inland flood risk from rivers and storm events.

Committee members described the bill as complex and said the sponsor intends to split the proposal into smaller components for next year. Representative Nabb said the sponsor supports an ITL (inexpedient to legislate) recommendation so the work can be reintroduced in more manageable parts.

In executive session the committee voted to recommend ITL. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous consent on the committee’s consent calendar.

Committee discussion emphasized the need for continued work on resilience and adaptation to storm flooding but concluded this particular bill should be retooled and returned as separate, targeted proposals.","The Resources, Recreation and Development Committee voted ITL (inexpedient to legislate) on HB 595, a coastal resilience zones bill; the sponsor signaled plans to reintroduce a reworked proposal and committee members supported deferral for more targeted legislation.",{"_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},6466179,"Committee recommends SB 27 'ought to pass' after debate over enforcement and public-trust concerns",4171,2099000,6270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14&start=2099&end=6270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14/thumbnail_2099000.jpg","/articles/6466179/New-Hampshire/Committee-recommends-SB-27-ought-to-pass-after-debate-over-enforcement-and-public-trust-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466179-9f19b8cfef07f10fd21decf6eaa99386/orig.mp4?Expires=1775143605&Signature=GERt93loPN84wkhteGPvT7aPhZgp5iLrPFSrgNXR7S0BuSL9mpxbdEhIvwpFRPZGQydXjX-EP~l4IX~N3sUW6BNFtCrA6cG~cgAJ5kfo4iatkZd2fd2XITV89UI12H3KUeddhm-fDE0nCiUMe91ko~SEvumsGB48HGpfNbsJkLhMY6R2YjK0iybrPEjlcrofx~Mmh2uyk5zJ0uKb6VrrEB9Avo75gcrryQ8123ekf6hyNIHNAiSSaGhDmWrclPBqSofA3Sq0cYoSzWbdxauMDPdEUsvT-UrLVmNpCH1uClMdOZzy7bdIhbePaSeIoCzEpc3jzk94fmnd4IGOe9W1lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Resources, Recreation and Development Committee took up SB 27, legislation concerning dwellings and other structures built over public waters. Representative Donnelly moved that the committee recommend the bill ought to pass. Committee discussion focused on public-trust considerations, shoreland/wetlands regulatory distinctions, and whether the Department of Environmental Services (DES) has the resources and regulatory authority to oversee expanded approvals for structures over water.

Darlene Force of DES explained that the agency had concerns about allowing expansion of structures over public waters because towns cannot apply local zoning over public trust waters and DES currently lacks a regulatory framework and enforcement structure to police structural expansions over water. Force said the department preferred that such expansions not be authorized in this manner because it would require DES to define and police new codes and enforcement processes.

Committee members asked whether similar cases exist; DES staff said there are two other pending cases in which compliance and settlement processes are underway but no large caseload. Members who opposed passage argued the bill could set a precedent allowing private interests to expand into public waters and that it would effectively shift enforcement authority to DES without necessary resources. Supporters said the bill does not permit new piers or columns and that some existing nonconforming seasonal camps that have become year-round homes could be addressed under the proposal.

After discussion the committee voted on the motion that SB 27 'ought to pass.' The roll call recorded a close result in favor of passage.","SB 27, which would allow certain dwellings/structure conversions over public waters, drew objections from the Department of Environmental Services over enforcement capacity and from committee members concerned about public-trust access; the committee voted to recommend the bill 'ought to pass.'",{"_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},6466183,"Committee backs amended plan to fund state dam maintenance with $5 boat decal fee",1816,1658000,3474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14&start=1658&end=3474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825527-d80c6fa14707704614a5eec5846caf14/thumbnail_1658000.jpg","/articles/6466183/New-Hampshire/Committee-backs-amended-plan-to-fund-state-dam-maintenance-with-5-boat-decal-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466183-e1430d97370fd0e6a29a051cd8c88b24/orig.mp4?Expires=1775143605&Signature=nAxb~465mrrnQp-gUwx11b27tRBoN-4lzwVBI4Nppr~j6JNfl25ew5RTGpQSBDdcXh6EHZxvG5nvbU5t0xnGPzpxmBgIelSmTu1reBsJe40Az63dHJLte8~WNKJLvUoM14KuOReIo40NNx2ofzLHjsUFEQRsKdolsFrNWNk3c2YhqKMWUaX47DGLQm6bfEuVO2nsFwd8z7loAXQHcjtAi-Fl-OK3MUuaHLz2AG7gTz9b0I2e5NXC60ky6FQa9XG1fsvz~gR0N6I-bwImVFGfgKl47w~YbycdkxscjkYgoRZklx0ngFylX18F4MCCfB4GnmlxoO51hSvJcKpt-oUVog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members discussed HB 629, a bill to fund operation, maintenance and repair of state-owned dams. Representative Darby summarized past study work showing a large maintenance shortfall for critical dams and said some dams have been removed for safety reasons.

The original bill included two revenue proposals: a fee of $1.58 per linear foot of waterfront for properties that benefit from state-owned dams, and a $5 charge tied to boat registration. Committee members and staff noted a recent federal constraint on adding certain fees to registration; the state now uses a separate boat decal to collect some boating-related charges.

Representative Darby described an amendment that removes the $1.58-per-linear-foot waterfront fee, moves the $5 dam-maintenance charge from registration language into statute language tied to the boat decal, and sets the effective date to Jan. 1, 2027 so it aligns with the decal/registration cycle. Darby said the change will raise only an estimated $500,000–$600,000 per year but that the committee needs to begin shoring up funding for dam maintenance.

Representative Dunn and other members voiced support; representatives thanked the Marine Trades Association and other stakeholders who participated in study work. In executive session the committee adopted the amendment and then voted that the bill “ought to pass as amended.” The amendment and final recommendation were placed on the committee’s consent calendar.

Members noted the modest revenue estimate but characterized the measure as a reasonable first step to address the larger problem of aging dams.","The committee approved an amended version of HB 629 that drops a proposed waterfront linear-foot fee and moves a $5 dam-maintenance charge to the state boat decal, with the amendment setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027; members said the change raises limited revenue but helps begin addressing a large maintenance shortfall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee sends OHRV-on-highways bill for interim study after debate over local control

Committee votes to indefinitely postpone HB 595 on coastal resilience zones

Committee recommends SB 27 'ought to pass' after debate over enforcement and public-trust concerns

Committee backs amended plan to fund state dam maintenance with $5 boat decal fee