The bill proposes significant changes to the regulation of off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs) in New Hampshire. It eliminates the requirement for petitioners to cover the costs of 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, alongside Coos and Grafton counties.

These amendments aim to streamline the process for municipalities to authorize OHRV use on various types of highways and sidewalks, thereby potentially increasing accessibility for recreational activities. The bill also stipulates that any changes to the allowable usage of highways must follow a public hearing process, ensuring community involvement. The fiscal impact of these changes is indeterminable, as it is unclear how many additional sections of highways and sidewalks will be approved for OHRV use, which could lead to increased municipal costs related to signage and notifications.

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