I comprehensive study is now being made and I believe we should not be making piecemeal changes while it's taking place.
HB375
House · 2025 sessionRepublicanKilled in HouseATV use on designated highways
AIAllows a municipality's governing body to designate any part of a state or local highway, including bridges and road connectors, for all-terrain vehicle use.
allowing municipalities to designate sections of state and local highways for all terrain vehicles.
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
46 submissionsI am concerned with the potential public safety and environmental concerns associated with increasing OHRV use of our roadways. I would therefore ask that you either kill HB 375 or refer it to the OHRV Study Commission (HB 1188) where it can receive a more comprehensive evaluation. Thank you, John Walsh New London, NH
I strongly oppose this bill. First of all let me remind the members of this committee what "OHRV" stands for: OFF HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. Allowing a local municipality to designate a state or local road for OHRV use will create a safety hazard, could potentially result in children with out a driver's license driving on highways. this bill undermines NHDOT safety standards and undermines the OHRV trail permitting process. It could also create unacceptable noise levels on public roads. OHRV use must be restricted to permitted trails and highway use minimized as much as possible.
For starters, this bill undermines current OHRV trail permitting processes, NH DOT safety standards, and adds more responsibility to the already understaffed, overburdened Fish and Game Department. Let's not repeat the debacle that occurred in Gorham. Please kill this bill or at the very least, send to the HB 1188 Study Commission for review first.
This bill is unnecessary and premature as the HB 1188 OHRV Study Commission has not issued findings regarding the complex issues involving ATVs. Clearly, this is an attempt to expand ATV riding without addressing the significant burdens placed upon home owners bordering their trails. Please DO NOT pass this bill.
I live in a town where roads are open to ATVs. They are a nuisance. Keep them off the streets!
Hello, I am opposing this Bill and ask that you kill it entirely. The rate of OHRV accidents is high enough without proposing to overlap it with the existing hunting seasons. Fishing and hunting licenses continuing to outsell OHRV licenses. This should also be taken into consideration along with the most important priority of protecting the natural beauty of this part of our state. My husband and I have owned a camp in Pittsburg for over 20 years and have noticed how the increase in OHRV traffic has diminished our wish for quiet and peaceful outdoor recreation experiences centering on fishing and other non-motorized recreation. And we are not the only ones who have commented on the changes that have taken place in this part of the state. as a result of OHRV traffic. Thank you for your consideration.
Undermines OHRV trail permitting process which is already weak. Adds more burden to the Fish and Game Department. The use of town roads by OHRVs continues to present a serious problem. They should not be allowed to travel anywhere near homes. Due to the tires aggressiveness, they release particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) in the air which has serious health effects for those exposed. See studies done with DEC in various states. Thinking NH should have their own studies is like saying smoking cigarettes needs to be studied in each state. Smoking, including secondary and tertiary exposure is bad. Exposure to PM 2.5 is bad.
This bill undermines current OHRV trail permitting processes, NH DOT safety standards and adds more responsibility to the already understaffed, overburdened Fish and Game Department. Let this topic be handled by the existing HB 1188 OHRV Study Commission which is mandated to study the complex issues and make recommendations
Kill the bill or send to the HB 1188 Study Commission for review first.
This bill undermines the work being done for HB 1188, the Commission to address OHRV issues. Let the Commission do its work!
This bill undermines safety standards. Don't pass a bad bill. There are better ways to do this.
I am asking that you not support the bill or send to the HB 1188 Study Commission for review first. OHRV trails should not be expanded without public notification and studies. As a resident of Gorham I have seen first hand how poorly managed expansion of OHRV trails have affected my community.
This bill undermines current OHRV trail permitting processes, NH DOT safety standards and adds more responsibility to the already understaffed, overburdened Fish and Game Department. HB 375 also undermines the on-going work of the HB 1188 OHRV Study Commission whose mandate is to study the complex issues and make recommendations. It is improper to submit OHRV legislation while the commission has 2 more years to work. There is talk that OHRV clubs want to create a southern NH Ride the Wilds - HB 683 would expedite that. Rather than correct the mistakes of Ride the Wilds, and other roads open to OHRV riding around the state - HB 375 will repeat and amplify the nuisance - so problems will grow and spread instead of being corrected.
This bill undermines current OHRV trail permitting processes, NH DOT safety standards and adds more responsibility to the already understaffed, overburdened Fish and Game Department. HB 375 also undermines the on-going work of the HB 1188 OHRV Study Commission whose mandate is to study the complex issues and make recommendations. It is improper to submit OHRV legislation while the commission has 2 more years to work.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.