The bill proposes amendments to the current regulations governing off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs) in New Hampshire. Notably, it removes the requirement for petitioners to cover the costs associated with verified mail notifications to property abutters when seeking approval for OHRV use. Additionally, the bill expands the list of counties where OHRV operations on designated highways are permitted, now including Carroll, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties, while deleting Coos and Grafton counties from the previous list.

The changes aim to streamline the process for municipalities to authorize OHRV use on certain highways and sidewalks, thereby potentially increasing accessibility for recreational activities. The bill stipulates that OHRV operations may occur on designated highways with the necessary approvals and public meetings, and it mandates that the bureau of trails will sign any approved sections for OHRV use. The fiscal impact of these changes is currently indeterminable, as it is unclear how many additional sections of highways and sidewalks will be approved for OHRV use, which could affect local expenditures related to signage and notifications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 215-A:6, 215-A:10