Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 715 · 2025 · House · Transportation Committee

Personal electric vehicle regulations

AI-generated

relative to personal electric vehicles.

Defines personal electric vehicles and establishes regulations governing their operation.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill defines and regulates personal electric vehicles.

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

“"Personal electric vehicle" shall mean a motor-driven vehicle or hybrid self-powered and electric-motor driven vehicle used for recreation or transport, and not otherwise defined in Chapter 259 or Chapter 215, where the motor exceeds 1.0 horsepower, even if it is equipped with pedals, but not to include electric bicycles.”
RSA 259:57-a
“"Motor-driven cycle" shall mean any motorcycle, moped, or motor scooter with a motor which [produces] does not to exceed 5 horse-power, and any bicycle with motor attached except any electric bicycle.”
RSA 259:65
“Any person over 16 years of age who does not hold a driver's license and operates a PEV shall, prior to operation, complete an online PEV safety course developed by the department of motor vehicles.”
RSA 263:19-a
“Instead, a person operating a personal electric vehicle must be certified as a skilled user by completing the New Hampshire department of motor vehicles safety exam and possess the safety certificate or license.”
RSA 261:183

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Linda GouldRPrime
  • Rep. James CreightonRChair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Lino AvellaniRVice Chair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Also: Rep. Suzanne VailD, Rep. Stephen PearsonR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Rep. Lorie BallR, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

42 signed in online · 12 wrote testimony

86% support12% oppose2% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill is necessary to bring clarity, safety, and regulation to the growing use of PEVs, ensuring that both riders and the general public are protected while allowing for their responsible use in transportation and recreation.”
— Suzanne Vail, Nashua · Nashua Ward 3, Hillsborough 6supports
“I support this bill for safety reasons. PEVs approximate motor vehicles like mopeds and should be similarly regulated.”
— David Gould, Candiasupports
“I support this bill because these vehicles (PEVS) can reach speeds much faster than a pedal bike can and are dangerous to people who are travelling by bicycle on the trails. These vehicles should be considered motor vehicles and should be regulated as such.”
— Kristen Gould, Candiasupports
“Absolutely ridiculous. The sponsors' motivations behind this proposal are obvious and this does not serve NH in any way.”
— Jess Gerrior, Durhamopposes
“Please help to keep our trails safe. Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs) are actually "electric motorcycles with pedals." Speeds of 40-60 MPH can be reached by throttle control and are being used on roads and rail trails alike.…”
— Keegan Ziemba, Hennikeropposes

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
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–2
    Overall
    88% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation5:28:02–5:29:091m 7slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse TransportationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 3 P. 24
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 01:30 pm LOB 203
  3. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 02:00 pm LOB 203
  4. Feb 18, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2025 (Vote 14-2; CC) HC 14 P. 15
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 21

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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