Bill Text: NH HB646 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Eliminating the vehicle inspection mandate for non-commercial vehicles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-09-21 - Subcommittee Work Session: 09/26/2023 01:00 pm Legislative Office Building 301-303 House Calendar 38 [HB646 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2023-HB646-Introduced.html
HB 646-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0372
02/04
HOUSE BILL 646-FN
AN ACT eliminating the vehicle inspection mandate for non-commercial vehicles.
SPONSORS: Rep. Santonastaso, Ches. 18; Rep. Coulon, Graf. 5; Rep. Yokela, Rock. 32; Rep. T. Mannion, Hills. 1
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill exempts vehicles that do not require a commercial driver license to operate from annual equipment inspection to determine whether such vehicles are fit to be driven.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0372
02/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT eliminating the vehicle inspection mandate for non-commercial vehicles.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Equipment of Vehicles; Inspections Authorized. Amend RSA 266:1, I to read as follows:
I. The director may require the inspection of any vehicle which requires a commercial driver license to operate, except an OHRV, snowmobile, moped, roadable aircraft, or any other vehicle exempted under this chapter, to determine whether it is fit to be driven. Such inspection shall be made at such times and in such manner as the director may specify, subject to the requirements set forth in this section.
2 Equipment of Vehicles; Inspection Required. Amend RSA 266:1, III to read as follows:
III. If the owner of the vehicle is a company or corporation or other than a natural person, the annual inspection shall be made during the month designated by the director as the registration month for such legal entity. [Vehicles registered as antique motor vehicles and antique motorcycles and which are 40 years old and over shall be inspected biennially. Antique motor vehicles and custom vehicles shall be inspected in the month of April. Without regard to the owner's birth date or registration month, motorcycles, autocycles, and recreational vehicles shall be inspected annually by July 1.]
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
23-0372
1/5/23
HB 646-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT eliminating the vehicle inspection mandate for non-commercial vehicles.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | ($4,225,000) | ($4,225,000) | ($4,225,000) |
Expenditures | $0 | $0 | ($507,000) | ($507,000) |
Funding Source: | [ ] General [ ] Education [ X ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
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LOCAL: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | ($507,000) | ($507,000) |
Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill would only require a vehicle safety inspection for vehicles requiring a commercial driver license (CDL) to operate, meaning a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 26,000 pounds, a combination of trailer and towing unit which exceeds 26,000 pounds GVWR with the trailer in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR, a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or any size vehicle which transports hazardous materials which requires a hazmat placard.
The Department of Safety states highway fund revenue would decrease by approximately $4,225,000 annually as inspection stickers currently generate a fee of $3.25 per sticker, and approximately 1,300,000 vehicles are inspected annually, which would no longer be required under this bill. In addition, as a result of the decrease in highway fund revenue, state expenditures and local revenue would decrease by $507,000 in each subsequent year due to a reduction in the 12% local Highway Aid under RSA 235:23 Apportionment.
The Department states this bill would put the State in violation of section 49 CFR of the federal motor carrier code since inspections are required on commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate commerce, in all commercial motor vehicle weight categories of 10,001 pounds or more. As a result, the State would be prohibited from applying for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) grant funds.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety
