SB 157 would let large rental fleets register as a unit and defer inspections on new vehicles for two years, sponsors say

Senate Bill 157, introduced by staff for Sen. Ricciardi, would establish a rental fleet registration program for passenger vehicle fleets of 50 vehicles or more. The measure would let a registered fleet elect a common registration/expiration date and pay registration fees in bulk, and would allow vehicles purchased within one year prior to or during their model year to be inspected on purchase and not again until the second year following purchase.

Max Taylor introduced the bill for Sen. Ricciardi and said the package is a narrow compromise developed with stakeholders after prior, broader proposals provoked concerns. Fleet participants must be in good standing with the Secretary of State and would provide annual certificates of good standing and an itemized account of vehicles; the DMV could at any time require proof and terminate a fleet registration if a registrant falls out of good standing.

Tom Bridal and Jason Ellis of Enterprise Mobility (Enterprise) told the committee the program will streamline registration for large rental companies, reduce incentives to retitle vehicles out of state to avoid inspections and registration timing, and argued the fleet inspection deferment for new vehicles aligns with business practices and federal recall checks. Bridal said the program should produce net state and municipal revenue gains because vehicles retitled out of state would remain registered in New Hampshire under the program.

No municipalities or consumer advocates registered opposition during the hearing; the bill’s supporters and DMV staff said they coordinated language with the Department of Environmental Services to address State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerns; the measure would not take effect until any EPA/SIP changes are approved.