SB 627 · 2026 · Senate · Transportation Committee

Turnpike toll rate adjustments

(Second New Title) relative to toll rate adjustments for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan

Adjusts toll rates at specified turnpike plazas to support projects in the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan and repeals the E-Z Pass discount on New Hampshire turnpike system tolls.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · August 19, 2026

✓Introduced
✓Senate
✓House
✕Governor
Law

Governor's veto message

“I have clearly said that 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 this reason, I have vetoed Senate Bill 627.”

— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 2, 2026 · excerpt

Governor's press release

The Senate voted 0–24 on the override (Aug 19, 2026) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Provides for toll rate adjustments at specified turnpike plazas to support projects in the 2027–2036 ten year transportation plan. II. Provides for periodic toll adjustments tied to the New Hampshire department of transportation's projected inflation index as part of the statewide transportation improvement program.

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

This is the operative toll increase, applied to cash and non-funded-account transactions by plaza and class.AI-generated

“For purposes of this section, "class" shall mean the classification of vehicles by type, height, number of axles, and dual tires established by the commissioner of transportation in rules adopted under RSA 541-A.”

RSA 237:9, II

It defines the vehicle class system that determines each toll rate.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 2

The bill mandates free E-Z Pass transponders for a limited period to account holders who request them.AI-generated

“RSA 237:11, V, relative to the E-Z Pass discount on established tolls on any of the New Hampshire turnpike system, is repealed.”

Section 3

It repeals the existing statutory E-Z Pass discount provision.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

62% support38% oppose0% neutral

ForLow-pain way to fund needed infrastructure

AgainstHighway system already bloated and rebuilds adequate roads

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We need to fix this infrastructure and this seems to be a pretty painless way to raise some money.”

— Bonnie Hill, South Suttonsupports

“I attended several GACIT meetings for the 10 – Year Highway plan, and in every single one, there was perhaps one single individual who did not want us to increase credits or the gas tax to pay for projects.…”

— Andrew Harmon, New Hamptonsupports

“Absolutely NOT! The financially bloated highway system continuously seeks to rebuild what is satisfactory. The cost of what is needed is minuscule compared to the voracious appetite of highway contractors lobbyists whispering in the ears of politicians.”

— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Feb 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0341s4–0
Overall
100% yea
Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0341sadopted
Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2026-0533sadopted
Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Tableadopted
Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. McConkey Moved to Remove From Tableadopted
Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. McConkey Floor Amendment # 2026-1062sadopted
Apr 7, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1352h15–0
Overall
100% yea
Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1352hadopted
Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1352hadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
May 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study11–9
Overall
55% yea
May 14, 2026HouseDivisionLay SB627 on Table (Rep. Janigian)Failed154–155
Overall
50% yea
May 14, 2026HouseRoll callRefer for Interim StudyFailed151–157How they voted
Overall
49% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
149–1690% yea
Democrats
2–1411% yea
May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendmentadopted
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
Jun 4, 2026HouseVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2151eadopted
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
Aug 19, 2026SenateRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed0–24How they voted
Overall
0% yea
Republicans
0–160% yea
Democrats
0–80% yea

Hearings and debates

Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation3:43–1:06:451h 3m 2s
Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:05:10–5:27:5122m 41s
Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:29:31–1:40:1310m 42s
Mar 31, 2026Public hearingHouse Public Works and Highways7:23–1:03:0255m 39s
Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:40:53–4:42:051m 12s
May 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means2:16:22–2:17:501m 28slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:48:05–8:04:5016m 45s
May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:08:54–1:09:2834s
Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2151e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2151e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
Aug 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor27:28–28:1143slocated in the stream transcriptNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 627 Become Law — roll call 0-24

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, 01:00 pm; SC 2
Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0341s, 02/05/2026, Vote 4-0; SC 4
Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0341s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
Feb 5, 2026SenSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2026-0533s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
Feb 5, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
Feb 5, 2026SenPending Motion Ought to Pass with Amendments # 2026-0341s and #2026-0533s; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
Mar 5, 2026SenSen. McConkey Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
Mar 5, 2026SenSen. McConkey Floor Amendment # 2026-1062s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-0341s, and #2026-0533s and #2026-1062s; MA, OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Public Works and Highways HJ 8 P. 114
Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 228
Mar 31, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 228
Apr 7, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1352h 04/07/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1352h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 63
Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1352h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 67
Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Ways and Means 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 67
May 4, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 05/04/2026 10:00 am GP 159
May 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/04/2026 11:00 am GP 159
May 4, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 05/04/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 19 P. 29
May 6, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
May 14, 2026HouseLay SB627 on Table (Rep. Janigian): MF DV 154-155 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 126
May 14, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MF RC 151-157 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 126
May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 128
May 21, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2151e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2151e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jul 2, 2026SenVetoed by Governor 07/02/2026
Aug 19, 2026SenNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 627 Become Law: RC 0Y-24N, Veto Sustained, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote; 08/19/2026; SJ 15

Coverage

Ayotte vetoes nine bills, including book ban push and toll increases for out-of-state visitorsNHPR · Jul 3, 2026
Ayotte vetoed SB 627, which would have increased turnpike tolls for out-of-state drivers, citing her opposition to raising tolls.AI-generated
New Hampshire Senate approves out-of-state toll hike despite Ayotte's oppositionUnion Leader · Mar 5, 2026
The New Hampshire Senate approved SB 627, which would roughly double turnpike tolls for out-of-state motorists lacking E-ZPass transponders, over Gov. Ayotte's stated opposition.AI-generated
Ayotte vetoes nine bills, including book ban push and toll increases for out-of-state visitorsNew Hampshire Bulletin · Jul 2, 2026
Among nine vetoes, Ayotte rejected SB 627, which would have raised turnpike tolls on out-of-state visitors to help fund the transportation plan.AI-generated
SB 627 (2026)Citizens Count
Citizens Count describes SB 627 as roughly doubling tolls on parts of I-93 and I-95 while offering discounted rates for New Hampshire E-ZPass users, a measure vetoed by the governor.AI-generated

Background reading

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

More EVs, Less Gas Tax Revenue Create State Transportation Budget IssuesExplainer
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
Under Pressure: Projects Fall Through the Cracks of NH's 10-Year Transportation PlanNH context
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
Distant Dome: Ayotte's Veto Of Highway Plan Sets Off LawmakersNH context
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.