Rep. Barry Faulkner

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new penalties for drivers who exceed posted weight, height, or size limits on covered wooden bridges in New Hampshire. It creates a two-tier fine system where drivers face a $500 penalty for violating size limits without causing damage, and a $1,000 fine if their vehicle damages the bridge, with higher fines up to $2,000 if the violation blocks traffic. Additionally, vehicle owners must pay the full cost of any repairs to the bridge, plus a $100 civil penalty if they fail to pay within 30 days. The law also clarifies that towing a trailer on a bridge marked "nothing in tow" counts as a violation of dimensional limits. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2025, and all fines collected go to the municipality or agency responsible for maintaining the bridge.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the state or local towns to install video cameras on historic covered bridges to investigate damage caused by vehicles. The recorded footage will be kept only as long as needed to determine if criminal charges should be filed, and any video not used for an investigation must be deleted within seven days. To ensure transparency, the law requires that a notice be posted near the bridge entrance to inform drivers that they are being monitored. The measure takes effect 60 days after it is passed.