This bill establishes a new Noise Barrier Construction Fund, allowing the sale of up to $10 million per year in turnpike toll credits to finance the design and construction of noise barrier projects. The sale of these toll credits is contingent upon having sufficient credits for the state match for federal apportionment totals over a five-year period. The revenue generated from these sales will be deposited into the newly created fund, which will be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the Department of Transportation. Expenditures from this fund will require approval from the fiscal committee of the general court and the joint legislative capital project overview committee.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 6:12 to include the noise barrier construction fund as a dedicated account. The commissioner of the Department of Transportation is authorized to use the revenue for projects that meet specific noise barrier criteria, with the possibility of considering additional factors after consulting with affected communities. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The fiscal impact of the bill is currently indeterminable, as there is no existing federal authority or marketplace for the sale of turnpike toll credits.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12