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 is designated as nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the Department of Transportation. The commissioner will have the authority to use these funds for projects that meet specific noise barrier criteria, with expenditures subject to approval by the fiscal committee 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 effective date for this act is set for 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, making it unclear how this will affect state revenue or expenditures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12