This bill amends current law to expand the responsibilities of the Department of Transportation (DOT) by including the maintenance of traffic signal preemption technology systems, specifically for emergency vehicles such as the Opticom traffic control system. The legal language inserted into RSA 21-L:10, II specifies that the DOT will now be responsible for the maintenance of these systems, which are crucial for ensuring that emergency vehicles can navigate traffic efficiently. The bill also includes an appropriation of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, to fund this maintenance, with the governor authorized to draw from the treasury for this purpose.

The fiscal impact of the bill indicates that while it appropriates only $1, the estimated costs for maintaining these systems will be significant, with projected expenditures of $419,000 in FY 2026, $313,000 in FY 2027, and $257,000 in FY 2028. The bill does not provide funding for new positions or additional revenue, and the DOT will need to include funding for administrative costs related to this maintenance in its future budget requests. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2025, allowing time for the DOT to prepare for these new responsibilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-L:10