Bill > HB649

This bill establishes a duty for motorists to maintain their vehicles in a safe condition, defining specific mechanical and structural defects that would render a vehicle unsafe, such as exhaust leaks, missing exterior panels, compromised frame integrity, significant windshield damage, worn tires, or fuel system leaks. It empowers law enforcement to issue "defective equipment tags" for unsafe vehicles, giving owners a minimum of seven days to make repairs, with fines for violations and the possibility of immediate registration suspension for immediate hazards. The bill also impacts vehicle sales by requiring dealers to provide written statements about a used vehicle's compliance with safety equipment requirements and restricts the issuance of temporary registration plates or certificates for vehicles that do not meet these standards. Additionally, it clarifies that applicants for temporary 20-day registrations must certify their vehicle is safe for operation. Finally, the bill creates a rental fleet passenger vehicle registration program, allowing companies with 50 or more rental vehicles to register them as a fleet with a common two-year expiration date.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=205&inflect=2