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HB 174 · 2025 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Higher weight limit for utility vehicles

AI-generated

increasing the maximum weight of a utility terrain vehicle to 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight.

Increases the maximum unladen dry weight of a utility terrain vehicle, and correspondingly an OHRV, from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill changes the weight maximum of a utility terrain vehicle, and thus the weight of an OHRV, from 2,000 pounds unladen dry weight to 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“For purposes of this chapter, "utility terrain vehicle" shall include but not be limited to side-by-side, ROV, gator, buggy, and OHV and abbreviated as UTV, and all vehicles within this definition shall be classified as off highway recreational vehicles.”
Section 1
“No person shall operate an OHRV wider than 50 inches or over 1000 pounds on any state-owned trails, except that no person shall operate an OHRV wider than 65 inches or over [2,000] 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight on:”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike OuelletRPrimeVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Ron DunnRVice Chair· Resources, Recreation and Development

Also: Rep. Arnold DavisR, Rep. Sean DurkinR, Rep. Richard LascellesR, Rep. Michael MurphyR, Rep. David RochefortR, Rep. Lori KorzenR

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

20% support70% oppose10% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This would allow 4 seat SxS with heat and AC to be used on our trails.”
— Steven Wilkie, Cornishsupports
“I respectfully request that you vote "Ought to Pass" on this bill. As electric vehicles gain popularity, the demand for batteries to power them will inevitably increase. The weight of these batteries needs to be considered.…”
— Brian Labrie, Bedfordsupports
“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
“This bill proposes a monstrous increase in weight and size for these motorized nuisance vehicles that already destroy our forest environment by creating alteration of the terrain in ways that cannot be properly maintained, cared for and repaired.…”
— Alan Robert Baker, Columbiaopposes
“Statutory text "pounds unladen dry weight" is awkward and strange.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral

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 Pass9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseDivisionOught to PassFailed188–190
    Overall
    50% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development2:40:12–2:41:451m 33slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 29, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development20:44–21:531m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:28:34–1:32:374m 3slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — failed, division 188-190; Inexpedient to Legislate — 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. 9
  2. Jan 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2025 11:00 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 9-7; RC) HC 11 P. 11
  5. Feb 4, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MF DV 188-190 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 20
  7. Feb 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 20

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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