This bill establishes a 4-year pilot program in New Hampshire to enhance the management and maintenance of rail trails by transferring ownership of four specific rail corridors from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). The corridors involved in this transfer include the Presidential, Pondicherry Section, Ammonoosuc Rail Trail, New Littleton-Bethlehem Segment, and Cheshire Rail Trail. The bill introduces new legal language that creates a section in RSA 21-L detailing the transfer of ownership and responsibilities, as well as a subparagraph in RSA 215-A:3 that assigns the DNCR duties related to the safety, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of these trails.

Furthermore, the bill establishes two funds: the Rail Trails Program Fund, allocated $250,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and the Emergency Trail Repair Fund, allocated $1 for the same period. These funds will be administered by the Bureau of Trails, which can also accept private contributions for trail maintenance. The bill aims to clarify ownership and responsibilities for rail trails, with a focus on enforcement and oversight, including funding for the Fish and Game Department to patrol for illegal activities. However, the DNCR has expressed concerns that the proposed funding may be insufficient to meet its estimated needs of $3.6 million for the same fiscal years. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 215-A:3, 6:12
As Amended by the Senate: 215-A:3, 6:12