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HB 1483 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Amateur radio operator license plates

AI-generated

creating a motor vehicle license plate for amateur radio operators.

Authorizes vanity license plates and decals identifying amateur radio operators by their FCC call signs or a lightning bolt symbol.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the creation of vanity license plates and decals that identify amateur radio operators by their FCC call signs or a lightning bolt symbol.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The director of motor vehicles is directed to solicit designs for a vanity plate clearly identifying the owner of the vehicle to be an amateur radio operator and including the call sign of said operator, who shall present Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification as a licensed radio operator upon application.”
RSA 261:89-f
“If the FCC-issued call sign is not displayed, the registrant may request a standard issue plate featuring a lightning bolt symbol to indicate their status as a licensed amateur radio operator.”
RSA 261:89-f
“A list of all such plate holders shall be made available to the New Hampshire department of safety, division of homeland security and emergency management, for the sole purpose of contact and coordination of such persons in a natural disaster or other public safety requirement.”
RSA 261:89-f
“Nothing in this section shall be construed to confer any special privileges, including but not limited to the use of emergency lights, exemption from traffic laws, or access to restricted areas, except when acting under the express direction of authorized public safety personnel. 171:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 261:89-f

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jordan UleryRPrimeVice Chair· Ways and Means

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As in testimony for HB 1354-FN, I support amateur radio plates. Lawrence Artz Nashua, NH”
— Lawrence Artz, Nashuasupports
“As one of the over 5,700 FCC-licensed amateur radio operators ("hams") in New Hampshire, I support this bill.…”
— Rick Miller, NEWMARKETsupports
“First lightening bolts on license plates. What next? Emojis? Wingding symbols? This is a bridge too far.”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes

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
  • Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0163h15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0163hadopted
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0163hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0960h19–5
    Overall
    79% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0960hadopted
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0960hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation24:51–26:001m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation4:53:19–4:54:231m 4slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0163h; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0163h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0163h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II37:35–42:074m 32slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance3:58:32–4:01:533m 21slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0960h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:25:44–1:26:521m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0960h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0960h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation1:03:13–1:04:381m 25slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 22
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:20 am GP 234
  3. Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/20/2026 02:45 pm GP 234
  4. Jan 20, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0163h 01/20/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 5 P. 18
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0163h: AA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 22
  6. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0163h: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 22
  7. Feb 5, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 23
  8. Mar 6, 2026HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/06/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  9. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  10. Mar 17, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0960h 03/17/2026 (Vote 19-5; RC)
  11. Mar 18, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  12. Mar 26, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0960h: AA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 18
  13. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0960h: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 18
  14. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
  15. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 15
  16. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  17. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  18. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  19. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  20. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 171; eff.01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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