This bill establishes enhanced enforcement zones for motor vehicle speed enforcement on specific highways, including Interstate 95, Interstate 293, Interstate 393, Interstate 93, the F.E. Everett Turnpike, State Route 101, and the Spaulding Turnpike. It introduces a new section, RSA 265:62-a, which mandates that individuals exceeding the posted speed limit by 15 miles per hour or more in these zones will incur a penalty that is 50 percent higher than the standard fine for such violations. Additionally, the bill creates a nonlapsing fund known as the enhanced speed zone fund, into which all revenue from these increased penalties will be deposited. This fund will be used to finance increased speed patrols in the designated enhanced highway speed zones.

The bill also amends RSA 6:12 to include the enhanced speed zone fund as a designated source of revenue. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is projected to generate significant revenue, estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000 annually, starting in FY 2027. The Department of Safety will be responsible for administering the fund and ensuring that the collected fines are utilized for the intended purpose of enhancing speed enforcement in the specified zones.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12