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HB 321 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Longer fine payment period for drivers

AI-generated

requiring the division of motor vehicles to extend a fine payment period for certain motor vehicle violations from 30 days to 90 days if the driver requests the extension.

Allows drivers who plead guilty or nolo contendere to a motor vehicle violation to request an extension of the fine payment period from 30 to 90 days, and a second 90-day extension if needed.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows drivers who plead guilty or nolo contendere to a driving violation on a summons, in lieu of appearing in court, to request an extension of the payment period from 30 days to 90 days from the division of motor vehicles, and request a second extension for 90 days if they cannot make the payment in the first 90 days.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Such defendant shall receive, in addition to the summons, a uniform fine schedule entitled "Notice of Fine, Division of Motor Vehicles" which shall contain the normal fines for violations of the provisions of title XXI on vehicles for which a plea may be entered by mail or online.”
Section 1
“The defendant shall be given a notice of fine indicating the amount of the fine plus penalty assessment at the time the summons is issued; except if, for cause, the summoning authority wishes the defendant to appear personally.”
Section 1
“Defendants summoned to appear personally shall do so on the arraignment date specified in the summons, unless otherwise ordered by the court.”
Section 1
“The director of the division of motor vehicles may accept payment of the fine by credit card in lieu of cash payment.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Daniel VeilleuxDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Transportation
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Matthew CokerR, Rep. Carol McGuireR, Rep. Catherine RombeauD, Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 5, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0347h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0347hadopted
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0347hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:29:07–4:33:074mlocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:09:43–1:10:501m 7slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0347h; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0347h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0347h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingSenate Transportation2:16–4:051m 49slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 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

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 15
  2. Feb 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/05/2025 02:00 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 5, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0347h 03/05/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
  5. Mar 20, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0347h: AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 5
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0347h: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 5
  7. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 9
  8. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 101, LOB, 01:00 pm; SC 16
  9. May 15, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21
  10. May 15, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  11. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
  12. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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