SB232: relative to speed limits for off highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles.

CHAPTER 283

SB 232 – FINAL VERSION

15May2014… 1697h

2014 SESSION

14-2649

10/08

SENATE BILL 232

AN ACT relative to speed limits for off highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles.

SPONSORS: Sen. Woodburn, Dist 1; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Rep. Karrick, Merr 25; Rep. Flanagan, Hills 26; Rep. Suzanne Smith, Graf 8; Rep. Theberge, Coos 3

COMMITTEE: Transportation

ANALYSIS

This bill changes the speed limits for OHRVs and snowmobiles on roads and adjacent rights of way, and lowers the speed limit for OHRVs on trails, unless posted otherwise.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15May2014… 1697h

14-2649

10/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen

AN ACT relative to speed limits for off highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

283.:1 Off Highway Recreational Vehicles; Speed Limits. Amend RSA 215-A:6, III(b) to read as follows:

(b) Where no hazards exist which would require a lower speed to comply with subparagraph (a), the speed of any OHRV in excess of the limit specified in this section shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful:

(1) 10 miles per hour within 150 feet of any so-called bob-house, fishing shanty or occupied fishing hole of another.

(2) [10] 20 miles per hour on class I through VI highways when the OHRV is being operated within the rights-of-way adjacent to such highways; [town or city sidewalks;] class IV, V, and VI highways approved for OHRV operation; and bridges open for OHRV operation.

(3) 10 miles per hour at trail junctions or parking lots, [or] when passing trail grooming equipment, or on town or city sidewalks.

(4) [15] 20 miles per hour on plowed roads on department of resources and economic development property open to OHRV operation.

(5) 35 miles per hour on all trail connectors and any approved OHRV trail, unless posted otherwise.

[(6) 45 miles per hour when operating an OHRV or snowmobile on any approved OHRV trail.]

283.:2 Snowmobiles; Speed Limits. Amend RSA 215-C:8, III(b) to read as follows:

(b) Where no hazards exist which would require a lower speed to comply with subparagraph (a), the speed of any snowmobile in excess of the limit specified in this section shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful:

(1) 10 miles per hour within 150 feet of any so-called bob-house, fishing shanty, or occupied fishing hole of another.

(2) [10] 20 miles per hour on class I through VI highways when the snowmobile is being operated within the rights-of-way adjacent to such highways; [town or city sidewalks;] class IV, V, and VI highways approved for snowmobile operation; and bridges open for snowmobile operation.

(3) 10 miles per hour at trail junctions or parking lots, [or] when passing trail grooming equipment, or on town or city sidewalks.

(4) [15] 20 miles per hour on plowed roads on department of resources and economic development property open to snowmobile operation.

(5) 35 miles per hour on all trail connectors.

(6) 45 miles per hour when operating a snowmobile [or OHRV] on any approved snowmobile trail.

283.:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 28, 2014

Effective Date: July 28, 2014