HB 2026 · 2026 · House · Public Works and Highways Committee

Ten-year transportation plan and tolls

(New Title) relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to toll rate adjustments and periodic toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan; and relative to reconstruction of the Gregg Mill Road Bridge in the town of New Boston.

Adopts the state's 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan, authorizes toll rate adjustments at specified turnpike plazas, and transfers certain conservation land to New Boston for reconstruction of the Gregg Mill Road Bridge.AI-generated

Status

Passed over the governor’s veto (override succeeded) · August 19, 2026

✓Introduced
✓House
✓Senate
✓Governor
✓Law

Governor's veto message

“As I stated when I vetoed Senate Bill 627, I do not support raising the tolls. I will continue to focus on making New Hampshire more affordable for all and a destination for tourists in the region. For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 2026.”

— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 10, 2026 · excerpt

Governor's press release

The House voted 292–25 on the override (Aug 19, 2026); the Senate voted 24–0 on the override (Aug 19, 2026) — clearing the two-thirds required, so the veto was overridden. See the roll calls.

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill: I. Adopts the state 10-year transportation plan for 2027-2036. II. Provides for toll rate adjustments at specified turnpike plazas to support projects in the 2027–2036 10-year transportation plan. III. Provides for periodic toll adjustments tied to the New Hampshire department of transportation's projected inflation index as part of the statewide transportation improvement program. IV. Authorizes the transfer of certain land acquired by the state under the land conservation investment program to the town of New Boston for the purpose of reconstructing the Gregg Mill Road Bridge.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“the toll rates for all cash transactions and for vehicles using the New Hampshire electronic toll system not listed on a funded New Hampshire E-Z Pass account shall be increased based on the toll plaza and vehicle classification.”

RSA 237:9, II

Authorizes higher tolls for cash and non-E-Z Pass users to fund the 2027-2036 transportation plan.AI-generated

“Hampton Main: (1) Class 1: $4.00”

RSA 237:9, II(d)

Sets a specific new cash toll rate, the highest Class 1 plaza rate in the schedule.AI-generated

“the department of transportation shall issue, at no cost, a New Hampshire E-Z Pass transponder to anyone who opens or currently maintains a funded New Hampshire E-Z Pass account, if so requested by the new or current New Hampshire E-Z Pass holder.”

Section 4

Provides free E-Z Pass transponders on request during a limited window as tolls rise.AI-generated

“Compensation due to the state shall be the full fair market value of the interests transferred under paragraphs I and II, as determined by an appraisal completed by an appraiser licensed in the state of New Hampshire”

Section 9, III

Requires the town of New Boston to pay fair market value for state land eased for the Gregg Mill Road Bridge project.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

71% support29% oppose0% neutral

ForI-293 is a critical regional corridor

AgainstObjection referencing adequate education definition

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support the inclusion of two crucial safety projects in Barrington: 1. Barrington (43547) NH Route 9 Pedestrian safety improvements including sidewalks and NH Route 125 crossing.(engineering 2029 construction 2031) 2. Barrington (43965) Safety improvements at the intersection of NH 125 and Beauty Hill Road.…”

— Joyce Cappiello, Barringtonsupports

“I am a resident of Manchester, New Hampshire, and I am offering this testimony in my personal capacity.…”

— Dana Dexter, Manchestersupports

“As a Manchester resident, I strongly support including projects 16099A, 16099B, 41594, and 43850 in the New Hampshire Department of Transportation’s highway program through HB 2026. Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest city and a critical regional transportation hub.…”

— June Trisciani, Manchestersupports

“You cannot definite an "adequate" education & Cherish does not equal a mandate.”

— Megan Schmitt, CONCORDopposes

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 24, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0863h13–0
Overall
100% yea
Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callAmendment 2026-0863hAdopted345–3How they voted
Overall
99% yea
Republicans
186–299% yea
Democrats
159–199% yea
Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callFloor amendment 2026-0866h (Rep. B. Boyd)Failed46–305How they voted
Overall
13% yea
Republicans
13–1787% yea
Democrats
33–12721% yea
Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0863hAdopted338–13How they voted
Overall
96% yea
Republicans
187–498% yea
Democrats
151–994% yea
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1763s5–0
Overall
100% yea
May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1763s5–0
Overall
100% yea
May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1763sfailed
May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. McConkey Floor Amendment # 2026-1935sadopted
May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1935sadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
May 21, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1935s (Rep. Milz)adopted
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163eadopted
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
Aug 19, 2026HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsAdopted292–25How they voted
Overall
92% yea
Republicans
149–2586% yea
Democrats
143–0100% yea
Aug 19, 2026SenateRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsAdopted24–0How they voted
Overall
100% yea
Republicans
16–0100% yea
Democrats
8–0100% yea

Hearings and debates

Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Public Works and Highways3:04:37–4:42:301h 37m 53s
Jan 27, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Public Works and Highways5:22–4:04:103h 58m 48s
Feb 3, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Public Works and Highways8:38–1:55:051h 46m 27s
Feb 17, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Public Works and Highways7:22–50:1242m 50s
Feb 24, 2026Executive sessionHouse Public Works and Highways8:08–11:072m 59s
Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:28:33–4:38:269m 53sTimestamp located by Whisper transcription (this session video has no YouTube captions).
Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation1:35:49–2:38:241h 2m 35s
May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor10:20:59–10:25:324m 33s
May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:50:54–3:51:551m 1s
Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
Aug 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor22:25–27:485m 23slocated in the stream transcriptNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall HB 2026 Become Law — roll call 24-0
Aug 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor34:43–36:391m 56slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Overridden — roll call 292-25

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. 38
Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
Jan 27, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 228
Feb 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 228
Feb 17, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 228
Feb 24, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/24/2026 11:00 am GP 228
Feb 24, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0863h 02/24/2026 (Vote 13-0; RC) HC 10 P. 71
Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0863h: AA RC 345-3 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 52
Mar 12, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-0866h (Rep. B. Boyd): AF RC 46-305 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 54
Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0863h: MA RC 338-13 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 56
Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 15
May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1763s, 05/07/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 17
May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1763s, 05/14/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 18
May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1763s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026SenSen. McConkey Floor Amendment # 2026-1935s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1935s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1935s (Rep. Milz): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 21
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
Jul 10, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026
Aug 19, 2026HouseVeto Overridden 08/19/2026: RC 292-25 by Required Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16
Aug 19, 2026SenNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall HB 2026 Become Law: RC 24Y-0N, Veto Overridden by necessary two-thirds vote; 08/19/2026; SJ 15

Coverage

Ayotte vetoes transportation plan; House GOP leader calls it 'short-sighted'NHPR · Jul 10, 2026
Gov. Ayotte vetoed HB 2026, the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan, over its proposed turnpike toll increase.AI-generated
Ayotte Signs Bill Paving Way for More Corporate Tax Cuts; Vetoes 10-Year-Highway PlanInDepthNH · Jul 10, 2026
The article reports Ayotte's veto of HB 2026, the ten-year highway plan, because it contained a turnpike toll hike she opposed.AI-generated
Ayotte's 10-year transportation plan veto ignites bigger debate over highway fundingNew Hampshire Bulletin · Jul 15, 2026
The veto of HB 2026's ten-year transportation plan over toll adjustments has reopened debate about how New Hampshire funds its highways.AI-generated
Distant Dome: Ayotte's Veto of Highway Plan Sets Off LawmakersInDepthNH · Jul 11, 2026
A column examining bipartisan lawmaker backlash to Ayotte's veto of HB 2026, the ten-year transportation plan with turnpike toll increases.AI-generated

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

More EVs, Less Gas Tax Revenue Create State Transportation Budget IssuesExplainer
The Pew Charitable Trusts — Explains how electric vehicles and better fuel economy are eroding the gas-tax revenue states rely on to fund roads.AI-generated
Understanding New Hampshire's Gas TaxNH context — critics
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy — Free-market policy center's explainer on how New Hampshire funds roads through the gas tax, tolls, and turnpike fund, and why revenue has lagged.AI-generated
Bill proposes toll increase for out-of-state drivers to help fund NH highway upgradesNH context — supporters
New Hampshire Public Radio — Reports on a Senate proposal to raise tolls, largely on cash and out-of-state drivers, to fund the state's Ten-Year Plan.AI-generated
Under Pressure: Projects Fall Through the Cracks of NH's 10-Year Transportation PlanNH context
Business NH Magazine — Examines how underfunding of the state's Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan leaves needed projects unbuilt.AI-generated
New TollsNH context
Citizens Count — Nonpartisan New Hampshire issue brief laying out arguments for and against raising turnpike tolls.AI-generated
Distant Dome: Ayotte's Veto Of Highway Plan Sets Off LawmakersNH context
Patch (New Hampshire) — Column on the legislative reaction after the governor's veto of the highway and Ten-Year Plan legislation.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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