This bill establishes the Speed Enforcement and Awareness Fund, which will provide financial assistance to municipalities for the purchase of speed enforcement and awareness traffic equipment. The fund is created as a nonlapsing entity within the Department of Safety, and grants will be awarded based on demonstrated need, potential impact on road safety, and the municipality's current traffic enforcement challenges. The bill outlines specific types of equipment eligible for funding, including speed detection devices, speed awareness traffic equipment, and data collection tools. Municipalities receiving grants are required to report back on the use of funds and their impact on speed enforcement and public awareness.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 106-L:10, IV, to redistribute penalty assessment revenues, reducing the percentage allocated to the state general fund from 66.66% to 58.33% and directing 8.33% to the newly established Speed Enforcement and Awareness Fund. This change is expected to decrease general fund revenue by approximately $250,000 per year while increasing the speed enforcement fund by the same amount. The bill also includes a new subparagraph in RSA 6:12, I(b) to specify the application of receipts to the Speed Enforcement and Awareness Fund. The act will take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 106-L:10, 6:12