Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 683 · 2025 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Expanding OHRV trail counties

AI-generated

relative to off-highway recreational vehicles.

Removes the requirement that a petitioner pay for verified mail notification to abutters when seeking OHRV use approval, and adds Carroll, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties to those where OHRV operation on designated highways is authorized.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

The bill removes the requirement for a petitioner to bear the expense of verified mail notification to abutters of property for which OHRV use is sought and expands the list of counties where OHRV operations on designated highways are authorized to include Carroll, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

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

Also: Rep. Richard LascellesR, Rep. Sean DurkinR

Public testimony

674 signed in online · 279 wrote testimony

44% support56% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral expressions of support without elaboration

AgainstNoise, dust, and loss of peace and quiet for residents

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We as an incorporated trail bike in the state of NH support this bill to help promote the recreational use of off road and dual sport street legal dirt bikes.”
— Peter Anania, Portsmouth · Seacoast Trail Riderssupports
“i would love to drive mt atv on the road to get back onto the trails”
— jon burgess, Avonsupports
“We are good lawfully citizens who want to ride legally and this will help us do that.”
— Nick Litle, Lynnsupports
“As a state representative from one of the counties affected by this bill, I write to encourage the committee to find it inexpedient to legislate.…”
— Nick Germana, Keene · Cheshire 15opposes
“I write to voice my opposition to HB 683. I am a property owner in the Town of Hillsborough and the City of Concord.…”
— Peter Roth, Hillsboroughopposes
“I am strongly opposed to HB683. Decades ago Gile State Forest was placed in conservation as a memorial to old New England and Old New Hampshire. Opening access to OHRVehicles is contrary to the spirit of that gift of nature to the people of New Hampshire.…”
— Gerard Gold, New Londonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-1211:30 amHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentLOB 305Public hearing
  • 2025-02-122:00 pmHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentLOB 305Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 3 P. 22
  2. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 01:00 pm LOB 305
  3. Feb 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/12/2025 02:00 pm LOB 305
  4. Feb 12, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/12/2025 (Vote 14-1; CC) HC 14 P. 14
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 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.