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

Ten-year transportation plan and tolls

AI-generated

(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

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. Governor
  5. 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

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

Analysis

This bill adopts the state 10-year transportation plan for 2027-2036.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“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

Sponsors

Rep. David MilzRPrimeChair· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways

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

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

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Public Works and Highways HJ 1 P. 38
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  5. Feb 17, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  6. Feb 24, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/24/2026 11:00 am GP 228
  7. Feb 24, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0863h 02/24/2026 (Vote 13-0; RC) HC 10 P. 71
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0863h: AA RC 345-3 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 52
  9. Mar 12, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-0866h (Rep. B. Boyd): AF RC 46-305 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 54
  10. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0863h: MA RC 338-13 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 56
  11. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
  12. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 15
  13. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1763s, 05/07/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 17
  14. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
  15. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1763s, 05/14/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 18
  16. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1763s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. McConkey Floor Amendment # 2026-1935s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1935s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1935s (Rep. Milz): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 21
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2163e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026

Coverage

Background reading

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

Documents (PDF)

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