Committee votes down amendment to add Continental Boulevard after debate over ICE site impacts and drafting errors

Representative Boyd moved to amend the 10-year plan to reclassify Continental Boulevard as a class 2 (state) highway, saying the town of Merrimack could face roughly $530,000 in lost tax revenue and that the corridor currently handles about "17,000 cars a day." Boyd said the change would mitigate traffic diversions if a proposed ICE detention center were sited nearby.

Members questioned whether the proposed detention facility is finalized. Representative Jack and others said the amendment would be premature and pointed to an apparent drafting conflict with the existing 2024 10-year plan. Jack argued the amendment contains a drafting error that could leave conflicting controlling language in effect. Representative Faulkner called the proposal premature, noting it would not address the towns' "biggest concerns." Representative Bohm noted an interim study bill was already pending and that another two-year cycle would allow further review.

After a short caucus, Representative Jack moved amendment 0754h and recommended a "no" vote; Representative Cloutier seconded. The clerk called a roll; by the clerk's count the vote on the motion was 1 in the affirmative, 11 in the negative, 5 absent, and the amendment failed.

Next steps: The committee recessed to caucus and then asked DOT and staff to prepare formal amendment language and supporting data for a forthcoming executive session; members set a tentative meeting time to finalize amendments.