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SB 274 · 2025 · Senate · Transportation Committee

Rail trail improvement pilot program

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a 4-year pilot program to improve rail trails in New Hampshire, including the establishment of 2 funds, the rail trails program fund and the emergency trail repair fund, and making appropriations therefor.

Establishes a 4-year pilot program transferring 4 rail corridors to the department of natural and cultural resources, creates two trail funds, and appropriates money for rail trail improvements.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Transfers ownership of 4 rail corridors, and all duties and responsibilities therefor, to the department of natural and cultural resources. II. Establishes a pilot program to improve the rail trails in 4 rail corridors. III. Establishes the rail trail program fund and the rail trail emergency fund. IV. Makes appropriations to the bureau of trails for the established funds.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The commissioner of the department of transportation shall facilitate the expeditious transfer of ownership, rights, and responsibilities of the following rail trails to the department of natural and cultural resources:”
RSA 21-L:12-f
“The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, director of the division of parks and recreation, and the chief supervisor of the bureau of trails shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A regarding the administration of the rail trail pilot program established in this section.”
RSA 216-F:8
“Additionally, the bureau shall credit to this fund any private contributions designated for the purpose of the maintenance of rail trails.”
RSA 216-F:9
“There is hereby established in the state treasury a continually appropriated and nonlapsing fund to be known as the emergency trail repair fund which shall be administered by the bureau of trails.”
RSA 216-F:10

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDSenior Democratic Advisor

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Rep. Philip JonesD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingSenate Transportation1:02:19–1:05:303m 11slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0490s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0490s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0490s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateSenate floor2:26:42–2:28:522m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Pearl Moved Laid on Table — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 3
  2. Feb 11, 2025SenHearing: 02/11/2025, Room 101, LOB, 02:00 pm; SC 9
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0490s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0490s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0490s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  6. Mar 20, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025, Vote 6-0; SC 13
  7. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  8. Mar 20, 2025SenSen. Pearl Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  9. Mar 20, 2025SenPending Motion OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  10. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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