HB 628-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2021 SESSION
21-0237
11/06
HOUSE BILL 628-FN
AN ACT relative to maximum vehicle speed limitations.
SPONSORS: Rep. Yokela, Rock. 33
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill raises the maximum speed limit on certain ways.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
 HB 628-FN - AS INTRODUCED
21-0237
11/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT relative to maximum vehicle speed limitations.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 1 Speed Limitations; Basic Rule and Maximum Limits. Amend RSA 265:60, II(d)-(e) to read as
2 follows:
3 (d) [55] 60 miles per hour in other locations, except as provided in (e);
4 (e) [65] 70 miles an hour on the interstate system, the central New Hampshire turnpike
5 and the eastern New Hampshire turnpike in locations where said highways are 4-lane divided
6 highways or other divided highways of 4 or more lanes, except that the speed limit on the portion of
7 I-93 from mile marker 45 to the Vermont border shall be [70] 75 miles per hour.
8 2 Maximum Speed Limits; Toll Collection Area. Amend RSA 265:60, II(h) to read as follows:
9 (h) In the toll collection area of an open road tolling lane, at a speed greater than is
10 reasonable and prudent for the conditions and actual and potential hazards existing at the time or
11 greater than a per se maximum speed of [65] 70 miles per hour, whichever is less.
12 3 Maximum Speed Limits; Fines. Amend RSA 265:60, VI to read as follows:
13 VI. The fines for violations of subparagraph II(e) shall be as follows:
14 Miles above the [65] 70 mph limit:
15 1-5 $65
16 6-10 100
17 11-15 150
18 16-20 250
19 21+ 350
20 Miles above the [70] 75 mph limit:
21 1-5 $65
22 6-10 100
23 11-15 200
24 16-20 300
25 21+ 400
26 The fines listed in this paragraph shall be plus penalty assessment.
27 4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
 LBA
21-0237
1/13/21
HB 628-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to maximum vehicle speed limitations.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
Estimated Increase / (Decrease)
STATE: FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Appropriation $0 $0 $0 $0
Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable
Expenditures $0
Increase Increase Increase
[ ] General [ ] Education [ X ] Highway [ X ] Other - Turnpike
Funding Source:
Fund
METHODOLOGY:
This bill raises the maximum speed limit on certain roadways, which would require the
installation of updated signs. The Department of Transportation states the needed number
signs is not readily available, but for estimation purposes, it is assumed that there are 500 signs
installed on conventional non-divided highways and 200 signs installed on divided highways.
For illustrative purposes, the cost to purchase signs, as well as replace existing and install new
signs as needed, is as follows (it is expected costs would be incurred in FY 2022):
Total Square Price Per
Purchase Costs # Signs Total
Feet Per Sign Square Foot
Conventional Highways 500 7.5 $15 $56,250
Divided Highways 200 32 $15 $96,000
Total Purchase Cost $152,250
Cost Per
Hours Per Hour
Replacement/Installation Costs # Signs Total
Sign (Two-Person
Crew)
Conventional Highways 500 0.5 $49.27 $12,318
Divided Highways 200 1 $67.17 $13,434
Total Replacement/Installation Cost $25,752
TOTAL COST $178,002
The Department of Transportation states there are a number of other highway features based
on the posted speed limit, such as horizontal alignment warning signing, no passing zones, lane
 tapers, and guardrail limits that will need to be evaluated if the speed limits are to increase as
proposed. The evaluations will require significant engineering study and the results would
likely include more warning signs, fewer passing zones, and more guardrail. For example, the
speed limit for a 12-mile (+/-) segment of state highway was recently increased from 35 to 45
mph and the resulting engineering review determined an additional 200 (+/-) highway
alignment warning signs were required. There may also be locations where the Department
will need to document a design exception for elements that do not meet the standard for the
higher speed limits. While potentially significant, these impacts have not been analyzed for the
purpose of this fiscal note.
Lastly, the Department of Transportation states the proposed changes would likely not impact
local roads.
It is assumed any fiscal impact resulting from this bill will not occur until FY 2022.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Transportation


Statutes affected:
Introduced: 265:60
latest version: 265:60