CHAPTER 116
SB 80 – FINAL VERSION
01/29/2015 0040s
15Apr2015… 1217h
05/14/2015 1635EBA
2015 SESSION
06/04
SENATE BILL 80
AN ACT establishing a committee on rail trails.
SPONSORS: Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Pierce, Dist 5; Rep. Leishman, Hills 24; Rep. Kidder, Merr 5; Rep. Sykes, Graf 13; Rep. Chirichiello, Rock 6
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to study and make recommendations for legislation regarding rail trails.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
01/29/2015 0040s
15Apr2015… 1217h
05/14/2015 1635EBA
15-0885
06/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
AN ACT establishing a committee on rail trails.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
116:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the use of abandoned railroad beds for recreational purposes.
116:2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
III. Members of the committee shall solicit testimony from, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Londonderry Trailways.
(b) Windham Rail Trails.
(c) The Mascoma River Greenway Coalition.
(d) The New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association.
(e) The New Hampshire Horse Council.
(f) The New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association (NHOHVA).
(g) The chief supervisor of the bureau of trails, department of resources and economic development, or designee.
(h) Representatives of the department of transportation.
(i) A representative from the freight railroad industry.
116:3 Duties. The committee shall:
I. Distinguish between abandoned and used railroad beds and those currently in use, and determine the usage for such beds.
II. Examine the recreational use immunity laws, including liability and insurance.
III. Consider whether or not to include more rail trails in the New Hampshire heritage trail or other historic pathways.
IV. Examine all of the department of transportation’s policies, both in law and in rules, that facilitate the process of converting rails to trails with the goal of making the process easier and less expensive for volunteer groups who engage in this process.
V. Examine the fee structure regarding rails to trails conversion.
VI. Decide whether the state trails plan should be updated. If the committee decides that the plan should be updated, the committee shall propose a new name for the plan, along with recommendations for funding, and shall require the director of aeronautics, rail, and transit to update the plan within 2 years of the effective date of this act.
VII. Discuss any other subject the committee believes to be necessary.
116:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Two members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
116:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2016.
116:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 8, 2015
Effective Date: June 8, 2015