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Committee work session on HB 453 reveals drafting confusion; sponsor absence hinders progress
Summary
Lawmakers spent a full committee work session hashing over HB 453, a bill that would bar local governments from banning internal combustion engine grounds‑maintenance and snow‑removal equipment. Members raised multiple drafting and scope questions and noted the prime sponsor was not present to clarify intent; the panel deferred final action.
The House Municipal and County Government Committee discussed House Bill 453 in a full committee work session that focused on two separate provisions in the bill: (1) a prohibition on local governing bodies banning persons (a broad RSA definition) from operating grounds‑maintenance or snow‑and‑ice removal equipment powered by internal combustion engines on any property within a municipality; and (2) an enabling provision that would allow a municipality’s legislative body to vote to prohibit the municipality itself from purchasing such equipment.
The committee repeatedly described the bill as “poorly drafted” and raised a series of technical and policy concerns. Members said the prime sponsor was not present for most of the session and that, without the sponsor’s explanation of legislative intent, the committee was left to interpret ambiguous language.
What lawmakers asked and where they disagreed
- Broad definition of “person”: Representative Stavis flagged that RSA 3:82‑a’s definition of “person” includes corporations, governments and other entities. Members…
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