This bill amends RSA 262:44 to allow drivers who plead guilty or nolo contendere to a driving violation to request an extension of the fine payment period from the current 30 days to 90 days. The new legal language specifies that individuals with no unpaid motor vehicle fines or outstanding violations can request this extension. Furthermore, if the driver is unable to make full payment within the initial 90-day extension, they may request a second extension for an additional 90 days, provided they can prove their inability to pay. The director of the division of motor vehicles is tasked with creating the necessary administrative rules to implement this change.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and does not allocate any funding for its implementation. However, it is estimated that the Department of Safety will incur a one-time cost of $36,000 in FY 2026 to update DMV software to accommodate the new payment extension process. The bill does not anticipate any revenue changes as a result of these modifications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 262:44