Transportation

HB 2026 formally adopts New Hampshire's "State 10-Year Transportation Improvement Plan 2027-2036," which was submitted by the governor under existing law. The bill directly affects state transportation planning by designating this specific plan as the official framework for the 2027-2036 decade. It requires the state to implement the projects outlined in the plan, encouraging timely action on transportation improvements. The bill does not create new funding or alter project details but legally endorses the governor's submitted plan as the state's roadmap.

HB 1588 establishes a process for cities and towns to create special assessment districts to fund infrastructure improvements (like roads, water, and sewer systems) directly tied to new housing developments. Municipalities can finance these projects through property assessments on benefiting parcels - collected over up to 20 years - without using general tax revenue. The bill also expands an existing state grant program to fund municipal infrastructure upgrades for new housing, with a $1 appropriation for fiscal year 2027. This directly affects municipalities planning new housing projects and property owners within designated districts who may face assessments based on their specific benefit from improvements.

SB 559 lowers the minimum speed limit on locally controlled roads from 25 mph to 20 mph in certain areas, including outside urban districts and within business or urban residential zones. Local authorities must base any speed limit reduction on engineering or traffic studies before implementing it. The bill does not require new funding or change existing enforcement, as it only modifies the minimum limit threshold in state law. This affects municipalities and town officials responsible for setting speed limits on local roads.