Bill > HB390

This bill updates New Hampshire state law to specifically include "retired fire apparatus" (old fire trucks) in various vehicle-related regulations, effectively treating them similarly to other antique vehicles. The bill modifies several existing statutes to define retired fire apparatus as vehicles over 20 years old that are maintained for exhibitions, parades, and public interest events, rather than daily use. It expands legal exemptions to allow retired fire trucks to use sirens, emergency lights, and have tail lamp positioning similar to other antique vehicles. Specifically, the bill changes definitions in vehicle classification laws to permit retired fire trucks to: 1) be classified as antique vehicles, 2) potentially use sirens under certain circumstances, 3) utilize emergency lights, and 4) have tail lamps positioned higher than standard modern vehicles if that was their original configuration. The bill will take effect 60 days after passage, and according to the fiscal note, it is expected to have a minimal financial impact of less than $10,000 annually across fiscal years 2025-2028. The Department of Safety was consulted during the bill's development.