SB 458 · 2026 · Senate · Transportation Committee
Toll credit usage rules
AI-generatedrelative to the use of toll credits.
Removes the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project limitation on toll credit use, allows municipal, county, and non-profit projects to purchase toll credits at a discount of at least 50 percent of face value, and eliminates the need for departmental or legislative approval of their use.AI-generated
Status
Referred to interim study (Senate) · February 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕Senate
- House
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill: I. Removes the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project limitation. II. Allows municipal, county, and non-profit projects to purchase toll credits at a discount of at least 50 percent of face value. III. Eliminates the need for departmental or legislative approval for their use.
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
“The department may use toll credits as a match for federal highway funds solely for the funding of highway and road projects, projects concerning the travel of motor vehicles on such highways and roads[, and the completion of the project development phase of the project named Nashua-Manchester-Concord, project number 40818, in the 2019-2028 Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan].”
“Any municipal, county, or non-profit managed project eligible for assistance under Title 23 may purchase toll credits, at a discount rate of no less than 50 percent, to use as a match for any such assistance, where it is allowed by the federal government, without department or legislative approval.”
“Any other use of toll credits shall require approval of the joint legislative capital project overview committee, established in RSA 17-J:1, prior to moving the project forward for approval in the state 10-year transportation improvement program.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
- Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
Also: Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Sen. Donovan FentonD
Public testimony
No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record
Votes
yeanay- Feb 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study4–0Overall100% yea
- Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation1:23:14–1:25:372m 23slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 1
- Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 2
- Feb 5, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 02/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 4
- Feb 5, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
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
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
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.