[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6339995,"mediaKeyId","2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58","parentId",2260364,"title","Senate hearing backs 4‑year rail‑trail pilot to invest in corridors, DNCR/DOT discuss transfers and funding","audioSeconds",859,"startMs",3612000,"endMs",4471000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58&start=3612&end=4471","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58/thumbnail_3612000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339995/New-Hampshire/Senate-hearing-backs-4year-railtrail-pilot-to-invest-in-corridors-DNCRDOT-discuss-transfers-and-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339995-f8e9bce9f8389c97db0d4f359459128b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177553&Signature=VxFlJdaTvzRt3fql9TGolW88VVCKRe9hXCFKAsc~GHNJ1cTyfHPaCoq9UHY2ErL-t0ioxiu6ylLt9rguVh4IlS19jofc~Hzel6YUsN5M4u-a3QuX~wvvNQdsFdwymaQq~RgiyaKva0D0KL6-D5tbON~EDifBtybDZEQe-QAVT7d6TX2WY-VudTymShs7ad7ZyATe-ijBa4me9hRXv7y72G2JS2R0M0Dvx--F3OnMtdmZU08MWiL3wBb20~~qzcNqFc7YymuSVm1hM~UhosOhbXtsWis-3yXeMqcFTBsg5V76uovEEK-oPD4J0uWhbad368bup-OWICuK0Q8LrjLkTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Senate","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Donovan Fenton introduced Senate Bill 274 to establish a four‑year pilot program to improve and, in several cases, transfer state‑owned rail corridors into a managed rail‑trail network. The bill would leverage federal, state and private funds and include bond appropriations for staffing, emergency repairs and early‑stage project work.

Sponsor and witnesses said rail trails are a tourism and economic asset. Mike Kowalczyk, a board member of the New Hampshire Rail Trail Coalition and subcommittee participant, told the committee New Hampshire has roughly 632 potential rail‑trail miles when state, municipal and privately owned corridors are combined and that 70% of residents live within five miles of a trail. Kowalczyk cited out‑of‑state examples where improved trail infrastructure produced tens of millions in annual economic activity and urged investment to attract multi‑day visitors.

Mary Anne Borowski, founder of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail and vice president of the Rail Trail Coalition, said her 83‑mile route already draws several thousand inquiries and over 1,500 end‑to‑end riders; she described businesses that have grown around trail access, including a redeveloped mill complex in Littleton marketed as a \"Rail Trail Village.\" Borowski said improved trail surfaces extend seasons for snowmobiling, biking and other uses and increase year‑round spending in rural communities.

Witnesses proposed a pilot focused on four corridors (including the Cheshire Rail Trail and sections of the Ammonoosuc and Presidential trails) that would transfer roughly 68 miles of DOT‑owned corridor to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Bureau of Trails for recreational management. DNCR Chief Craig Rennie explained the bureau manages over 300 miles of rail‑trail property today and distributes motorized registration funding to clubs for maintenance; DNCR would use pilot funding for staffing, equipment and an emergency trail repair fund to respond to storm damage.

Shelley Winters of the Department of Transportation said DOT supports transferring corridors to DNCR for recreational management where appropriate but asked that any emergency repair fund language also make DOT eligible to draw on those funds for corridors DOT continues to own. Michael Eastman, captain and OHRV coordinator at Fish and Game, said Fish and Game would continue enforcement and supported the bill after an amendment removed references to HikeSafe funds.

Speakers urged that the bill’s fiscal note be revised to spread the proposed investment over the pilot period and make the funding ask feasible for the current budget climate. Several witnesses stressed the pilot could pay dividends: studies cited in the state rail‑trail plan estimate millions in annual tax revenue from trail users and multiple speakers described local business benefits.

The committee closed the hearing after extensive testimony from rail‑trail advocates, DNCR, DOT and law enforcement; members suggested working through funding details and agency responsibilities before committee action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation (02/11/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Donovan Fenton sponsored SB 274 to establish a four‑year pilot (with bond funding) to transfer and improve several state rail corridors, create emergency repair funds and expand Bureau of Trails capacity; witnesses described tourism, health and economic benefits and urged tailoring fiscal notes for feasibility.","taxTitle","Transportation , Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29524,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340001,"Committee advances Cheryl’s Law to expand ‘move over’ protections; unanimous committee voice vote to recommend passage",653,2886000,3539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58&start=2886&end=3539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58/thumbnail_2886000.jpg","/articles/6340001/New-Hampshire/Committee-advances-Cheryls-Law-to-expand-move-over-protections-unanimous-committee-voice-vote-to-recommend-passage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340001-782b8258c05c05aab564a1003efb0865/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177553&Signature=LqK3T6uwns8K2RKdJwtGUrK7D3ZN~2Rx8C2d0rq9p1thmqWXpS15O-ASykxp1pDIvNtCaIOF1LoSzlb77w0rANWtk9H196r3RNE2NmHEQ2UbQPcjy0SWuNvdfW9Tsmsu7s9jDkvWpP-jynt2y2wtEiVk0fe2SYE~dMueG~GOpMqDpOe9I25Rp5c1mUeZ3yS2wXX9ZMtVx7FNy3Dsq5WRYZXh4oc4R-6MRwtxFG4DSGrbO-D7BVXQRiLVRSVGS5hHb8gKmwVMXfRHj2GdHTduCYwaFr9MduOCV9tTy86O7a5yAE8vluPlQK-M9wx-J6wy2-UzB5NlBhIxeGwtWCXZMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Donovan Fenton (District 10) reintroduced Senate Bill 273, commonly styled “Cheryl’s Law,” which would strengthen New Hampshire’s existing move‑over statute by requiring motorists to slow, change lanes when safe, and otherwise provide a wider berth for any stopped or standing vehicle displaying warning signals — not just official emergency or service vehicles.

Fenton framed the bill as a response to roadside fatalities, citing the deaths of Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pregorko (as referenced in testimony) as the impetus for the measure. “We must act now to prevent further losses,” Fenton said, calling the change a “straightforward common sense measure” to protect first responders, tow operators, roadside workers and stranded motorists.

Lieutenant Chris Storm of the New Hampshire State Police and Lieutenant Joseph Ronke, representing the office of highway safety, testified in support on behalf of the State Police. Storm said the bill honors the memory of officers who died on roadways and would provide a clearer, simpler rule for motorists.

Dan Goodman, manager of public affairs and traffic safety for AAA Northern New England, told the committee that the current law is “very nuanced” and that motorists are often unsure when to slow or move over. He argued the expanded language would save lives and reduce roadside fatalities: “If we can simplify it and say, move over for all vehicles ... it adds that additional layer of protection for everyone on the side of the road.”

Tow operator Peter Marciano described personal reasons for supporting the bill and displayed a vehicle marked for Trooper Cheryl in tribute. Multiple witnesses underscored that roadside strikes are a recurring, national problem; witnesses cited nationwide roadside fatality counts and recent local losses.

The committee took the bill into executive session, and—by voice vote—members recorded an “aye” recommendation for passage. The chair announced the committee will carry the bill forward and brought the measure out of executive session; committee members indicated they intend to bring the bill to the floor with the family invited to show support.","Sen. Donovan Fenton reintroduced Cheryl’s Law to expand the state’s move‑over requirements to apply to any stopped or standing vehicle; New Hampshire State Police, AAA and tow operators urged enactment; the committee voted unanimously in executive session to recommend passage (committee recommendation recorded).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340006,"Bill would allow municipal revolving funds to pay for EV chargers and add $62 fine for reserved EV parking",239,2437000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58&start=2437&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58/thumbnail_2437000.jpg","/articles/6340006/New-Hampshire/Bill-would-allow-municipal-revolving-funds-to-pay-for-EV-chargers-and-add-62-fine-for-reserved-EV-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340006-43c823331816b021431c6779c3eb398d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177553&Signature=jVjj7r54aINmp4b16B116EjEU2ZHqB~aLYUPxBDfHeaTbLbM3qa2nQRVXjQ-5WfyZa7tEVHMCpzoxLArIrEZdOe-kho8-IsJb2T80oeRtdGe5duRYd059WuIUa4yopdVY7ps3hD3Br5WAlKYFgXPkBSTR0uH2FNXKAcELcAr5PxcFwZ-tgDpzS6wErmgU5BpOmnP3PtbP4OR17VtQFVnhCDnd84Z0uRkJFT2tWW92r9~hoqQ~ZdUBFzrp3TCK2~L51~ZAU0wxPVYMu7DYcVPxL8QQtHSkP6Vd2S9vMAUXN1PKIJ5QYeA2xu~xpRdv7~UsGW4iia6RNCYQckvHzoPwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator David Waters introduced Senate Bill 272 to let municipalities create or expand revolving funds to pay for installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations and to establish a $62 fine for unauthorized parking in designated EV spaces.

Waters told the committee the change would amend the municipal revolving fund statute, RSA 31:95‑H, to permit towns and cities, by legislative approval, to allocate fees, fines and appropriations to a fund used for EV charging infrastructure. He said localities could use the fund to construct chargers in downtowns, parking garages or other high‑use locations that support tourism and commerce.

The second component of the bill fills a perceived enforcement gap: Waters said municipalities asked for the ability to cite vehicles parked in spaces reserved for EV charging. The bill creates a $62 fine for parking in a designated EV charging space where proper signage and uniform traffic control devices mark the space; 20 percent of the fine would be payable to the city or town where the violation occurred, consistent with other statutory parking penalties.

Committee members discussed budget timing and the department’s role in standard signage and enforcement. Waters said the bill is meant to provide another local financing tool and mirror existing statutory structures used for other special‑purpose revolving funds.","Sen. David Waters introduced SB 272 to add electric‑vehicle charging station installation and maintenance as an allowable use of municipal revolving funds and to add a $62 fine for parking in designated EV charging spaces without authorization.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340011,"Committee considers allowing New Hampshire Snowmobile Association nonprofit to offer license‑plate decal donations",379,1886000,2265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58&start=1886&end=2265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58/thumbnail_1886000.jpg","/articles/6340011/New-Hampshire/Committee-considers-allowing-New-Hampshire-Snowmobile-Association-nonprofit-to-offer-licenseplate-decal-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340011-df53b51c7e80b0e30d0b3445900a3110/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177553&Signature=ZUa58SNjl8oppnYBPtueWwQKngSTmBYHk-j8gZgUAzEhBKNfK~hSZ~J03WHrk-ghznciP1nSMg-YRKD2omncTwNIIJjhb1uozUT2L5suBMLEHEnJforIgDMdtkHMj05fQMEDsqCImKQtplWM5nIWrn9SODb~BP~Nl4j5MeWf37FPgF4U6v5LIA8FjLciQS~~ARAoOR7wDpEdMNpVfZxXNfxWlVOengs6~vXQkd2EBPt7aP9t6fcCfuJ-IBpzlbrP63-YDnH4WyiUtR1bVJCGL6P1ZL9EBbUDn~MWZWBff6TUQEmUpEZPthe07AztatKOhs2Vsb-kHApeo4bE59qATw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator David Rocheford (District 1) told the Senate Transportation Committee he introduced Senate Bill 154 at the request of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association to add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the state’s license plate decal program so the nonprofit can accept tax‑deductible donations to support trails and education.

Dan Gould, executive director of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association, said the association has roughly 23,000 members and 96 clubs statewide and that snowmobile registration revenues cover only about half of total trail costs; clubs raise the remainder through fundraisers and donations. He said the Snow Traveler Foundation, established in 2024, would provide a channel for charitable gifts that could pay for new trail signage, safety programs and other needs that are not fully covered by existing grants from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Rocheford said the decal program is already established by statute and SB 154 would amend the current list of eligible charities under RSA 261‑B:9 to include the Snow Traveler Foundation. He said the foundation would allow private individuals and corporations that appreciate New Hampshire’s trail system to make memorial or other gifts to support maintenance and safety projects.

Committee members had no substantive objections during the hearing. DNCR and Department of Safety rules and the existing statutory requirements for decal plates would continue to apply if the bill is amended to add the foundation.","Sen. David Rocheford introduced SB 154 to add the Snow Traveler Foundation (affiliated with the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association) to the state decal plate program so the nonprofit can solicit tax‑deductible donations to support trail signage and safety programs.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340016,"Senate committee hears bill to set 90‑day target for driveway permit reviews, DOT warns on safety and scope",1480,378000,1858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58&start=378&end=1858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260364-7cb8a6ad13f655e7c3d00ad207cc6a58/thumbnail_378000.jpg","/articles/6340016/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-set-90day-target-for-driveway-permit-reviews-DOT-warns-on-safety-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340016-b5ec3349f1b5ab0cfa8800fa3aa0da3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177553&Signature=Wxyh-uBjqMHs2fw~jin7b-SuaNB5Fo6Vj-2-iXOFErNzoZeiD53wjdS19gSVK4Iy~ojrqnGTcgGd~AxpJlCZeDf8LdRp8m4sxIepfRkfsI0~WXu1hgnYbXYRZjUz7W95eubCP26BPvarPR5rKkN4EYhj5ek6tbciwoqmf2JVM6~av0erT5lfDkB5wy~3oOYPh8oTvFoNf6HbrQFjVrTiFA-39PWdrDKnv3QUSAfqUoVZWtxWIaEy7ojdN-BGOph9aeIzI9UjsDxVrOehAxSKt52y4RrpGX9fRyF7~AYICaACy74VhrEnHmTszuQ0YnzQJe8SrYAL-dOZk5CJBNqpAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Mark McConkie, District 3, told the Senate Transportation Committee he introduced Senate Bill 153 to shorten and standardize the time it takes to issue permits for altering driveways that exit onto public ways, saying “time is money” for developers and that permit delays can stall housing projects.

The bill would set a 90‑day threshold for the permit process once a completed application is filed. McConkie said some regions process applications quickly while others take much longer, creating uncertainty for builders and developers.

Alan Hanscomb, state highway maintenance engineer for the Department of Transportation, told the committee the driveway permitting process is a “complicated engineering effort” that may require an approved traffic impact study, engineered plans and mitigation tied to the specific use and location. He cautioned that the bill as drafted would start the 90‑day clock at receipt of a completed application and would cover time the applicant spends responding to review comments.

“As it’s written, it says the department shall issue the permit,” Hanscomb said when pressed on whether the bill would allow DOT to deny unsafe applications. He and other department witnesses argued that the department controls only part of the overall timeline: applicants often take 30 to 60 days to revise plans after receiving DOT comments, and some projects require lengthy engineering work or signal/intersection improvements.

Hanscomb said DOT has implemented an online permit portal capable of tracking which party is responsible for elapsed days and that the department is preparing a flowchart and timeline expectations for applicants. He added that imposing deadlines likely would require additional engineering and administrative staff, or use of expensive on‑call consultant contracts, to meet firm review timelines for large, multifaceted projects.

Nick Taylor, director of Housing Action New Hampshire, and representatives of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association told the committee they support streamlining and predictability in permitting. Taylor said developers face financing and scheduling pressures when permit approvals stretch for months. A Home Builders Association witness told the committee that some projects can take as long as 18 months to clear DOT permitting and said the sponsor’s intent was not for the department to be forced to issue unsafe permits.

Committee members voiced support for accelerating straightforward, low‑risk applications while preserving a pathway to address safety concerns on complex projects. Hanscomb suggested if the legislature adopts deadlines, the time limit should apply only to DOT’s review days, not the full applicant–department cycle.

The committee closed the hearing on SB 153 with agreement to continue work with stakeholders and the department on language to preserve safety review while improving predictability for applicants.","Sen. Mark McConkie introduced legislation that would require issuance of driveway permits within 90 days of a completed application; the Department of Transportation told the committee the bill as written could force issuance of unsafe access points and urged any timeline apply only to DOT review days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hearing backs 4‑year rail‑trail pilot to invest in corridors, DNCR/DOT discuss transfers and funding

Committee advances Cheryl’s Law to expand ‘move over’ protections; unanimous committee voice vote to recommend passage

Bill would allow municipal revolving funds to pay for EV chargers and add $62 fine for reserved EV parking

Committee considers allowing New Hampshire Snowmobile Association nonprofit to offer license‑plate decal donations

Senate committee hears bill to set 90‑day target for driveway permit reviews, DOT warns on safety and scope