Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 390 · 2025 · House · Transportation Committee

Antique vehicle status for fire trucks

AI-generated

relative to adding retired fire apparatus (fire trucks) to antique vehicle exemptions.

Adds retired fire apparatus to the definition of antique vehicles and applies corresponding exemptions and regulations to their use.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 30, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill integrates "retired fire apparatus" into the definition of antique vehicles. It also specifies exemptions and regulations for their use, similar to other antique vehicles.

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

“"Antique motor vehicle, farm tractor, retired fire apparatus, or motorcycle" shall mean any motor vehicle, including a truck regardless of its weight, over 25 years old, and in the case of a retired fire apparatus, over 20 years old, which is maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest, but not for use in commerce.”
RSA 259:4
“It shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle to be driven on the ways of this state equipped with a siren.”
RSA 266:73
“For the purposes of this section, "maintained for use" shall mean a motor vehicle, retired fire apparatus, or motorcycle in its original condition or restored to original or better condition and not intended for daily use. 49:2 Equipment Prohibited;”
RSA 259:4
“The provisions of this section shall not apply to such emergency vehicles as police, fire department, fire patrol, state department of corrections vehicles, retired fire apparatuses as defined under RSA 259:4, nor to those law enforcement officers or volunteer members of fire departments nor to public or private ambulances. 49:3 Emergency Lights and Warning Lights;”
RSA 266:73

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Stephen PearsonRPrime
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRChair· Transportation

Also: Rep. Charles FooteR, Rep. Mark ProulxR

Public testimony

3 signed in online

33% support67% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation54:36–55:441m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse TransportationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation5:54:08–5:58:073m 59slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Transportation1:10:28–1:12:001m 32slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 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 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 3 P. 7
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 203
  3. Feb 11, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/11/2025 02:00 pm LOB 203
  4. Feb 18, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/18/2025 02:00 pm LOB 203
  5. Feb 18, 2025House: Ought to Pass 02/18/2025 (Vote 15-1; CC) HC 14 P. 15
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 21
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
  8. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 101, LOB, 01:40 pm; SC 14
  9. Apr 17, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  11. May 8, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/08/2025); SJ 13
  12. May 8, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 59
  13. May 29, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/29/2025; Chapter 49; eff. 07/28/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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