Bill Text: NH HB492 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Hampshire House Bill 492 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to motorized scooters and wheelchairs operating on public streets.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-10-26 - Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2017-2430h (NT) for 01/03/2018 (Vote 15-0; Consent Calendar) [HB492 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2017-HB492-Introduced.html

HB 492 - AS INTRODUCED

2017 SESSION

17-0378

05/06

HOUSE BILL 492

AN ACT relative to motorized scooters and wheelchairs operating on public streets.

SPONSORS: Rep. L'Heureux, Hills. 21

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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ANALYSIS

This bill defines and regulates the use of motorized scooters and wheelchairs operating on public streets.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17-0378

05/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

AN ACT relative to motorized scooters and wheelchairs operating on public streets.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Subdivision; Motorized Scooters and Wheelchairs. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 116 the following new subdivision:

Motorized Scooters and Wheelchairs

266:117 Motorized Scooter or Wheelchair Defined. In this subdivision:

I. "Motorized scooter or wheelchair" means any self-propelled device, regardless of the number of wheels, powered by any style motor, which is designed and intended primarily for use by individuals with mobility disabilities.

II. "Public streets" mean roads, highways, sidewalks, or any other thoroughfare dedicated, constructed, or maintained by a municipality or the state of New Hampshire.

266:118 Safety Equipment.

I. All motorized scooters and wheelchairs operating on public streets during daylight hours shall be equipped with:

(a) A slow moving vehicle fluorescent triangle on the rear of the device; and

(b) A safety flag, at least 6 inches by 12 inches in size and day-glo in color, that extends at least 60 inches from the ground.

II. All motorized scooters and wheelchairs operating on public streets at night or any other time when lighted lamps are required under RSA 266:31 shall be equipped, at a minimum, with all of the following:

(a) The triangle and safety flag required under paragraph I.

(b) A lamp emitting a white light which, while the device is on the public street, illuminates the public street in front of the operator and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front.

266:119 Fines and Penalties. Any person found in violation of this subdivision shall be subject to a written warning for a first offense, a $5 fine for a second offense, and a $10 fine for a third and any subsequent offense.

266:120 Applicability. If a motorized scooter meets the definition of a motor-driven cycle in RSA 259:65, the requirements of this subdivision shall be in addition to any requirements applicable to motor-driven cycles in this chapter or any other provision of law.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.