What's New!

Legislative Updates and State Agency News – March 13, 2023

Legislation

The 2021-2022 NH legislative season is in the final stages of committee hearings covering over 1,000 bills.  Some of those watched by BWANH and NH Rail Trails Coalition follow.

HB-506:  $750K funding for the Derry Exit 4A rail trail tunnel was retained by the Finance Work Session and advanced toward being a line item in the general state budget.  NHDOT claims another $113K will be required to restore the tunnel plan into the engineering design – and doing so would delay the project from 2-12 months.  At this point delaying the project seems more important to many players than the cost.  What they don’t acknowledge is that the tunnel plan was approved in 2019 by federal highway agencies and final engineering would be nearly complete today.  The “Spaghetti Trail Plan” has not even been submitted to the Feds and all the revised Environment Impact Statements must be updated.  The first pass took about three years, so proponents of the tunnel plan feel it isn’t fair to say that it would cause serious delays.

HB-222:  Seat belts for motorists as a secondary violation defeated on an 11:9 committee vote.  New Hampshire remains the only state in the country without a seat belt law.  Our “Live Free or Die” state has had a big jump in highway fatalities over the past few years with many deaths deemed avoidable had seat belts been used.

HB-356:  Dual 4-inch diameter handlebar-mounted mirrors on all bicycles used on public was blocked in committee.

HB-511:  Complete Streets concept for all municipalities and the state to consider all forms of transportation and users of public roads during new design or reconstruction was retained in committee but unlikely to pass given on-line and verbal testimony.  NHDOT has gone on record stating opposition based on cost and instead uses the term “Context Sensitive Design.”  That idea seems to apply to roads for motorists, not bike-ped / rail trail users as highlighted by the Derry Exit 4A rail trail tunnel issue.

SB-160:  Allow OHRV and ATV operation from dusk to dawn with exhaust noise ten times that of snowmobiles for the financial benefit of at least two events in the North Country.  Residents complained loudly, but the OHRV money won as the bill passed.

SB-186:  Incentive for e-bike use by low-income residents as a replacement for cars and local transportation.  The bill was blocked in committee.  Note:  Vermont implemented such a bill last year and received national recognition for the environmentally friendly alternative aiding their residents.

State Agency News

BWANH and NH Rail Trails Coalition maintain connections with key contacts in state agencies to keep the needs and safety of bike-ped / rail trail users in mind.  Bi-monthly or quarterly meetings (usually via Zoom) are held with Board members getting to know the agency or bureau leadership while addressing concerns and upcoming plans. Some recent changes within three agencies introduced new players for various positions – and we are reaching out to them!

NH Department of Transportation changes:

Commissioner Victoria Sheehan left NHDOT in late 2022 for a new position in DC.  Replacing her is long-time Assistant Commissioner Bill Cass.

A new Assistant Commissioner was hired, David Rodrigue.

Bureau of Highway Design Bike-Ped Safety Group head Sally Gunn moved to the Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance.  Interviews for her replacement from within NHDOT personnel were underway as of March 10.

Bureau of Highway Design Active Transportation Engineer Nick Sanders also moved to the Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance.  His replacement is Gerry Bedard who is to reconvene the Complete Streets Advisory Committee meetings on April 19.  Both BWANH and the Granite State Wheelers are charter members of this committee.

Director of Aeronautics, Rail & Transit Patrick Herlihy retired last year.  Moving to fill that position is Shelley Winters, Rail and Transit Administrator.  Replacing her as the Bureau of R&T Admin is Maggie Baldwin.

NH Parks and Recreation changes:

Director Phil Bryce retired; replacement is Brian Wilson.

Recreational Trails Program Specialist Alexis Rudko replaced by Jay Scarborough.

Bureau of Trails Chief Craig Rennie and Deputy Chief Alexis Rudko are now assisted by Andrew Pacuk in the new position of Non-Motorized Coordinator.

NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs change:

Director of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development Scott Crowder replaced by Janel Lawton.

NH Departments of Safety, Motor Vehicles, and Justice:

Leadership of these three departments head the Traffic Safety Commission on which BWANH and the Granite State Wheelers are represented.

E-Bike Presentation to the Traffic Safety Commission:

On March 8, BWANH Board members Paula Bedard and Dave Topham gave a presentation on e-bikes and “electric motorcycles” that are being sold and illegally used as e-bikes.  The high-powered and fast “Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles” can go 50-60 MPH in seconds and have a 16 HP motor, with no regulation or enforcement.  Because so many people call (and sell) these machines as “e-bikes,” which do not require registration, drivers license, or insurance, all true Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes (one HP max) and their riders are getting a bad name.  BWANH, Granite State Wheelers, and NHRTC plan to file legislation so state laws can regulate use of these machines — and make our roads and trails safer for everyone.  Even if police wanted to take action today, they can’t, as no law is being violated.