HB 1057 · 2026 · House · Public Works and Highways Committee
Maintenance of shared private roads
AI-generatedrelative to the maintenance of private roads held in common ownership.
Establishes default procedures for cost-sharing, maintenance, and dispute resolution among owners holding common ownership of private roads, while excluding roads governed solely by easement, deeded access, or license.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill: I. Establishes default procedures for cost-sharing, maintenance, and dispute resolution among landowners who hold common ownership of private roads. II. Defines terms, clarifies the responsibilities of owners for maintaining roads that provide actual and reasonable access, and outlines notice requirements, emergency actions, and enforcement mechanisms. III. Excludes roads governed solely by easement, deeded access, or license, and provides a framework for equitable cost allocation and judicial relief in the absence of a governing agreement.
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
“"Private road" means any way located on private property, not accepted or maintained by a municipality or the state, and not a class V highway, which is held in common ownership by 2 or more landowners and provides actual and reasonable access to their properties.”
“"Maintenance" means to keep a road in a state of repair or to preserve it from decline, such that it remains suitable for travel thereon, including all work necessary for passable, all-season travel such as snow and ice removal, grading, pothole filling, repairing washouts, and ensuring emergency vehicle access where topographically possible.”
“Installation of improvements, such as culverts, fencing, or upgraded materials, shall not be included without the written consent of a majority of owners, unless otherwise provided by recorded agreement.”
“"Equal" means ownership held in undivided interests, whether by joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or other shared title, excluding rights established solely by easement, deeded access, or license, and characterized by equally comparable use and benefit among the owners.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Rep. David FrachtD
Public testimony
2 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony
50% support50% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“NH House Public Works and Highways Committee C/o The Honorable David Milz, Chairman Dear Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: NH Farm Bureau opposes HB 1057 as written.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–0Overall100% yea
- Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Public Works and Highways5:04:18–5:09:174m 59slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
- Feb 5, 2026Floor 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
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Public Works and Highways HJ 1 P. 4
- Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/20/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- Jan 20, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/20/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 5 P. 15
- Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 18
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.