SB 559 · 2026 · Senate · Transportation Committee
Lower minimum local speed limits
AI-generatedreducing the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads.
Lowers the minimum speed limit that local authorities may set on roads within urban, residential, or business districts from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour, based on engineering or traffic investigations.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 23, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓Senate
- ✕House
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill reduces the minimum speed limits that local authorities may set in certain districts from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour, based on engineering or traffic investigations.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
- Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
- Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
- Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
- Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
- Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
- Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
- Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Seth MillerD, Rep. Catherine RombeauD
Public testimony
88 signed in online · 55 wrote testimony
94% support6% oppose0% neutral
ForLower speeds reduce pedestrian/cyclist fatality and injury risk
Against25 mph is already slow enough for local roads
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“We would like to express support for Senate Bill 559 to allow local authorities to reduce speed limits in certain districts from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour.…”
“Per a NACTO document published in 2020, they state that "A growing body of research shows that speed limit changes alone can lead to measurable reductions in speed and crashes, even absent enforcement or traffic changes.…”
“I support this bill to reduce speeds on some roads to 20 mph due to pedestrian deaths being up 300% and fatalities up 25% in NH. What we are currently doing with speed limits is not working.”
“25 is slow enough for congested or neighborhood traffic. We don't have 20 mph signs, and they are not necessary with the potential to back up traffic.”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-01-201:00 pmSenate TransportationSH 122-123Public hearing
- 2026-04-149:00 amHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
- 2026-04-141:00 pmHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 1
- Jan 27, 2026Sen==CANCELLED== Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 2
- Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 2
- Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0343s, 02/05/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 4
- Feb 5, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Present Time, Without Objection, MA; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
- Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0343s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
- Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0343s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
- Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 5 P. 124
- Apr 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/14/2026 10:40 am GP 234
- Apr 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 234
- Apr 14, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/14/2026 (Vote 11-4; RC)
- Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
- Apr 23, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 218-110 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 75
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- As Amended by the Senateversion
- Amendment 2026-0343samendment
- Amendment 2026-1617hamendment
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.