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Committee advances bill to allow snowmobile nonprofit to offer multiuse license-plate decals
Summary
SB 154 would add the New Hampshire Snow Travelers Foundation to the list of nonprofits permitted to offer multiuse decals on license plates; supporters said decals would provide a new channel for tax-deductible donations to fund trail maintenance and safety signage.
The House Transportation Committee advanced SB 154, a bill that would permit the New Hampshire Snow Travelers Foundation — a nonprofit affiliated with the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association — to participate in the state’s multiuse license-plate decal program.
Sen. David Rochefort, prime sponsor, said the added decal option would allow tax-deductible donations to support maintenance and repairs of the state’s snowmobile trail network, including replacement and reflective signage. “This past fall, I was approached by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association to introduce this legislation,” Rochefort said. “The Snow Travelers Foundation opens a channel for tax‑deductible donations that can be used to improve the trail system around the state.”
Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the association’s foundation (a 501(c)(3)) would accept donations from corporations and individuals to fund projects not covered by the registration program. He gave the example of an upgraded sign program that costs between $5,000 and $10,000 per club and said there are about 96 clubs across the state.
Committee members asked how the association and clubs are organized and about tax status; Gold explained clubs are volunteer organizations typically responsible for trails in a town or group of towns; the association is a 501(c)(4) and the Snow Travelers Foundation would be a 501(c)(3). When Representative Polanda asked about potential revenue, Gold said the group hoped to raise roughly $10,000 to $20,000 a year from the decal program but emphasized uptake was uncertain.
At executive session the committee recorded a recommendation of “ought to pass” and placed the bill on the consent calendar. The transcript records committee roll-call votes (initial recorded 13–0; later procedural roll indicated 14–0 after redoing morning executive sessions), and the bill will go forward to the House calendar. Supporters said the decal option would be a non‑tax revenue channel for trail maintenance and safety projects.
