Bill > HB1479

This bill repeals the authority for municipalities to impose and collect motor vehicle registration permit fees, with some nuanced changes to existing law. Specifically, the bill eliminates RSA 261:153, which previously allowed municipalities to collect registration permit fees, while maintaining a provision in RSA 261:154 that permits cities with over 50,000 residents (currently only Nashua and Manchester) to continue collecting certain registration-related fees. The bill also makes consequential amendments to several related statutes, removing references to the now-eliminated registration permit fee and adjusting language around fee collection and vehicle registration processes. Notably, the fiscal impact suggests this will result in a significant decrease in local revenue, with municipalities currently collecting approximately $346 million annually in motor vehicle registration fees. The Department of Safety will need to make comprehensive updates to its registration database and processes, which is estimated to cost around $140,000. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, which is somewhat unusual, as motor vehicle registration law changes typically take effect on January 1st.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2053&inflect=2