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HB 127 · 2025 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Extending OHRV trail season

AI-generated

(New Title) extending the closing date of the OHRV trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property.

Requires all existing OHRV trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property to remain open through the second Monday in October, Columbus Day, overriding conflicting easement or contract provisions.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 31, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill extends the annual closing date for OHRV trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property until the second Monday in October, which is Columbus Day.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Notwithstanding any conservation easement provisions or other contracts, laws, or rules to the contrary, all existing OHRV trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property shall remain open through the second Monday in October, which is Columbus Day. 261:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 215-A:3-c

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike OuelletRPrimeVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services

Also: Rep. Sean DurkinR, Rep. James TierneyR, Rep. Richard LascellesR, Rep. Lori KorzenR

Public testimony

146 signed in online · 62 wrote testimony

88% support12% oppose0% neutral

ForExtra weekend brings tourism revenue to local businesses

AgainstConflicts with fall hunting season and quiet recreation

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This just makes sense to have a more cohesive closing date for the Northern trails in Coos County. I attended the Headwaters public meeting this past fall in regard to if they thought there was a need to make a recommendation to the full Committee.…”
— Jodi Gilbert, Stewartstownsupports
“I live in Pittsburg and work at a local campground from the middle of May through the end of September. Many of our campers come to enjoy the local activities of fishing and ATVing.…”
— SUE RUGG, Pittsburgsupports
“Both my wife and I are in support of the above bill (hb 127) which will extend the riding season till Columbus Day weekend. This is usually the best time due to foliage usual peaking at this time.…”
— david johnson, Pittsburgsupports
“The HB 1188 "Commission to Study OHRV use in the state” has not taken a vote on any of these bills. This commission was created to come up with comprehensive solutions. Passage of individual bills undermines the purpose and effectiveness of the Commission.…”
— Boyd Smith, Concordopposes
“The outdoors should be available to all rec vehicles as long as trail conditions permit. The snowmobile clubs have always done a great job of informing the public of trail conditions and closures to keep riders safe as is the practice in all other parts of NH.…”
— Anthony Biscotti, Brentwoodopposes
“The machines and the people that come with them have ruined the peace and quiet in the north country.”
— Jason Kohr, Gilfordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass11–5
    Overall
    69% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted198–180
    Overall
    52% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1103s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-1103sadopted
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1103sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 8, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1103s (Rep. Harb)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 12, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2722eadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development1:06:59–1:09:572m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 29, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:16:55–1:28:1211m 17slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 198-180
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1103s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1103s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1103s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateHouse floor32:39–33:461m 7slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1103s (Rep. Harb) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2722e — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2722e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 2 P. 7
  2. Jan 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2025 10:30 am LOB 305
  3. Jan 29, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2025 10:15 am LOB 305
  4. Jan 29, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/29/2025 (Vote 11-5; RC) HC 11 P. 10
  5. Feb 4, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 198-180 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 19
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  8. Mar 18, 2025SenHearing: 03/18/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 13
  9. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1103s, 03/27/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  10. Mar 27, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1103s, AA, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  11. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1103s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  12. May 8, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1103s (Rep. Harb): MA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 4
  13. Jun 12, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2722e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/12/2025); SJ 17
  14. Jun 12, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2722e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 25
  15. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  16. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 58
  17. Jul 31, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/31/2025; Chapter 261; eff. 07/31/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.