Bill Text: NH SB231 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to regulation of tractors and utility vehicles.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-07-29 - Signed by the Governor on 07/28/2014; Chapter 0282; Effective 07/28/2014 [SB231 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2014-SB231-Introduced.html
SB 231-FN – AS INTRODUCED
2014 SESSION
SENATE BILL 231-FN
AN ACT relative to regulation of tractors and low-speed utility vehicles.
SPONSORS: Sen. Woodburn, Dist 1; Rep. Karrick, Merr 25; Rep. Suzanne Smith, Graf 8; Rep. Theberge, Coos 3
This bill modifies the definitions of tractor and low-speed utility vehicle. This bill also authorizes a low-speed utility plate or decal.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
14-2648
03/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen
AN ACT relative to regulation of tractors and low-speed utility vehicles.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Light Industrial Use; Definition. Amend RSA 259 by inserting after section 49 the following new section:
259:49-a Light Industrial Use. “Light industrial use” shall mean manufacturing and distribution of products for wholesale or retail use where the operation includes the need for access to contiguous or nearby warehouses, showrooms, or manufacturing facilities including crossing a way or driving on a way for distances of not more than 1/2 mile where route or crossing is approved by the government authority having control of the way.
2 New Section; Low-Speed Utility Vehicle; Definition. Amend RSA 259 by inserting after section 50 the following new section:
259:50-a Low-Speed Utility Vehicle. “Low-speed utility vehicle” shall mean any vehicle with 4 or 6 wheels, an internal combustion or electric motor, or both, a load capacity of 1,500 pounds or less, and high-pressure tires, that is capable of carrying not more than 4 occupants plus the load, capable of speeds 35 miles per hour or less on level ground, and designed and used for agricultural or light industrial use, and that complies with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards in 49 C.F.R. section 571.500.
3 Tractor; Definition. Amend RSA 259:108 to read as follows:
259:108 Tractor. “Tractor” shall mean[:
I.] any self-propelled vehicle [designed or used as a traveling power plant or for drawing other vehicles, but having no provision for carrying a load, but shall not include off-highway recreational vehicles not designed and equipped for highway use.
II. Any low-speed utility vehicle. “Low-speed utility vehicle” shall mean any vehicle with 4 wheels,] with an internal combustion or electric motor, or both, [a load capacity of 1,500 pounds or less, and high-pressure tires, that is capable of carrying not more than 2 occupants plus the load, is capable of speeds 30 miles per hour or less on level ground, and is] used exclusively for agricultural or light industrial use, having a capacity for carrying payloads including use as a traveling power plant or for carrying farm or industrial workers for short distances, but not used for recreational purposes and limited to speeds of 35 miles per hour or less.
4 New Section; Low-Speed Utility Plates or Decals. Amend RSA 261 by inserting after section 85 the following new section:
261:85-a Low-Speed Utility Plates or Decals. A motor vehicle shall qualify for a low-speed utility plate or decal and shall be driven on a way with such registration only if such motor vehicle meets the definition in RSA 259:50-a, and is used exclusively for agricultural, farming, or light industrial uses, as defined in RSA 21:34-a or RSA 259:49-a, and is driven within a 2 mile radius of the main entrance of the farm or light industrial complex, and displays a slow-moving vehicle emblem or flashing amber light, or both, on the rear of the vehicle or any attached trailer.
5 New Subparagraph; Prorated Fees. Amend RSA 261:141, III by inserting after subparagraph (cc) the following new subparagraph:
(dd) For each low-speed utility vehicle--$6.
6 Permit Fees. Amend RSA 261:153, V(c) to read as follows:
(c) Unless otherwise provided, the fee for special use vehicles including all-terrain vehicles, low-speed utility vehicles, agricultural and farm vehicles, farm tractors, and antique vehicles and for 2-wheeled vehicles including mopeds, motorcycles, and automobile utility trailers, shall be $2.
7 Reference Changed. Amend RSA 265:160 to read as follows:
265:160 Low-Speed Utility Vehicles. No person shall operate a low-speed utility vehicle, as defined in RSA [259:108, II] 259:50-a, except on a way where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. No person shall operate such vehicle more than 25 miles from the registrant’s residence or place of business.
8 Reference Changed. Amend RSA 266:116 to read as follows:
266:116 Equipment Required for Low-Speed Utility Vehicles. A low-speed utility vehicle as defined in RSA [259:108, II] 259:50-a shall be equipped in accordance with 49 C.F.R. section 571.500. This equipment shall include headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, a parking brake, a rearview exterior mirror, a windshield, windshield wiper, brakes, seat belts, a vehicle identification number, and such other equipment as is required by federal regulations. Such vehicle may also use a flashing amber warning light when operating on a way.
9 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2015.
LBAO
14-2648
12/19/13
SB 231-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to regulation of tractors and low-speed utility vehicles.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Safety states this bill, as introduced, will increase state highway fund revenues by $5,880 in FY 2015 and $11,760 in FY 2016 and each year thereafter, increase state highway fund expenditures by $282,100 in FY 2015, $706 in FY 2016, and $1,411 in FY 2017 and each year thereafter, increase local revenues by $706 in FY 2016 and $1,411 in FY 2017 and each year thereafter, and increase local expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2015. There will be no impact on county revenues or expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Safety states this bill modifies the definitions of tractor and low-speed utility vehicles and authorizes a new low-speed utility plate or decal. The Department states there are approximately 8,400 agricultural tractors registered in the state and of those approximately one-third, or 2,800, might qualify as a low-speed utility vehicle. Currently, agricultural tractors are charged a registration fee of $1.80 per year and a $2.00 per year permit fee. This bill would require a $6.00 registration fee with no change to the permit fee. The Department estimates the following impact on state highway fund revenues and state highway fund expenditures and local revenues relative to local highway aid (12% of total road toll revenue and motor vehicle fees collected in the preceding fiscal year):
FY 2015
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
Proposed Registration Fee
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00
Current Registration Fee
$1.80
$1.80
$1.80
$1.80
Registration Fee Increase
$4.20
$4.20
$4.20
$4.20
Estimated # Affected Registrations*
1,400
2,800
2,800
2,800
Highway Fund Revenue Increase
$5,880
$11,760
$11,760
$11,760
Local Highway Aid Increase
$0
$706
$1,411
$1,411
* Half of total estimated registrants used the effective date of this bill is January 1, 2015.
The Department of Safety states highway fund expenditures will increase by an estimated $282,100 in FY 2015 for computer programming changes for the new plate type. The Department further states this bill will result in an indeterminable increase to local expenditures as there will be required programming changes the private software being used by municipal agents.
