HB 1122-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2560
11/10
HOUSE BILL 1122-FN
AN ACT relative to lights on motor vehicles.
SPONSORS: Rep. T. Walsh, Merr. 10
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill regulates the use of front lights and headlamps on certain motor vehicles and lighted signs on vehicles of service providers.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2560
11/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to lights on motor vehicles.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subparagraph; Equipment of Vehicles; Lights; Definitions. Amend RSA 266:78-a by inserting after subparagraph (b) the following new subparagraph:
(c) “Transportation network company (TNC) or rideshare lighted signs” means lighted signs used to identify the vehicle as a service provider or TNC under RSA 359-U.
2 Front Lights. Amend RSA 266:31 to read as follows:
266:31 Front Lights.
I. Every motor vehicle driven during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, and whenever rain, snow, or fog shall interfere with the proper view of the road so that persons and vehicles on the way are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead, shall display at least 2 lighted lamps on the front; provided, however, that one suitable lighted lamp on the front of a motorcycle shall be sufficient. The headlamp shall throw sufficient light ahead within the traveled portion of the way to make clearly visible all vehicles, persons, or substantial objects within a distance of 200 feet, except that the headlamps of motorcycles shall be sufficient if they make clearly visible objects within a distance of 150 feet. No headlamp shall be used unless it is approved by the director and is equipped with a proper lens or other device designed to prevent glaring rays. All headlamps on every motor vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches from the ground on an unladen vehicle. The measurement shall be made from the ground to the center of the lens. No device which obstructs, reflects, or alters the beam of such headlamp shall be used in connection therewith unless approved by the director. Every lens or other device to prevent glaring rays, the use of which on motor vehicles has been approved by the director, shall be arranged, adjusted, and operated in accordance with the requirements of the certificate approving the use thereof. Every lamp, bulb, or light used in any headlamp shall be of such candle power as may be specified for the approved device in the certificate approving the use thereof. Every reflector which is used as a part of such headlamp shall have a reflecting surface approved by the director after satisfactory tests have been made, and every reflecting surface shall be free from dents, rust, and other imperfections. The driver of every motor vehicle shall permit any properly authorized person to inspect the headlighting equipment of such motor vehicle and to make such tests as he or she may deem necessary to determine whether the provisions of this section are being complied with. Any headlamp color approved by the director for motor vehicles shall be considered approved for motorcycles. Any headlamp color approved by the director for motor vehicles shall also apply to headlamps approved for motorcycles.
II. Headlamps shall shine white when shined against a white surface. All other forward facing lights shall be amber or white.
III. Notwithstanding paragraph II, fog lights shall be permitted to shine yellow.
3 New Section; Service Providers; Use of Transportation Network Company or Rideshare Lighted Signs. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 78-r the following new section:
266:78-s Service Providers. Vehicles using transportation network company or rideshare lighted signs may illuminate such sign while not in motion.
4 New Paragraph; Spot Lamps and Auxiliary Lamps. Amend RSA 266:37 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
IV. Aftermarket LED light bars, flood light style pod lights, roof or roll bar mounted lights shall not be illuminated while operating on a way.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
24-2560
10/18/23
HB 1122-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to lights on motor vehicles.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | Indeterminable | |||||
Revenue Fund | Highway Fund | |||||
Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association