The bill establishes a rental fleet registration program specifically for rental passenger vehicle fleets that consist of 50 or more vehicles. This program allows these fleets to register collectively and receive registration stickers that are valid for two years. Key provisions include the requirement for rental car companies to submit a current New Hampshire certificate of good standing to the division of motor vehicles and to comply with enrollment criteria. Additionally, the bill modifies inspection requirements for these fleet vehicles, allowing them to be inspected upon purchase and not again until the second year after purchase, as indicated by the insertion of new language in RSA 266:1, IV-a. The bill also removes the ability for rental fleets to transfer registrations from old vehicles to new ones.

Moreover, the bill mandates the Department of Environmental Services to facilitate necessary amendments and rulemaking concerning state implementation plans and emissions laws to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for fleet vehicles. The implementation of the registration and inspection provisions is contingent upon approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding emissions, while other sections of the act will take effect upon passage. The Department of Safety estimates a one-time cost of $25,000 for system changes to accommodate these new regulations, but the overall fiscal impact remains indeterminable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 266:1