HB 462-FN – AS INTRODUCED

2009 SESSION

09-0421

03/01

HOUSE BILL 462-FN

AN ACT relative to signs advising motorists approaching highway emergencies.

SPONSORS: Rep. Leishman, Hills 3; Rep. Shurtleff, Merr 10; Rep. J. Flanders, Rock 8; Rep. M. O'Brien, Hills 26; Rep. Emerton, Hills 7

COMMITTEE: Transportation

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the department of transportation to post signs on certain highways advising motorists to give one lane of clearance to emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

09-0421

03/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT relative to signs advising motorists approaching highway emergencies.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Signs Advising Motorists Approaching Emergency Vehicles in the Breakdown Lane. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 33 the following new section:

265:33-a Signs Advising Motorists Approaching Emergency Vehicles in the Breakdown Lane. The department of transportation shall post signs on the interstate system, the central New Hampshire turnpike, and the eastern New Hampshire turnpike in locations where said highways are 4-lane divided highways or other divided highways of 4 or more lanes, advising motorists to give one lane of clearance to emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

09-0421

01/15/09

HB 462-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to signs advising motorists approaching highway emergencies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Transportation states this bill will increase state restricted expenditures by $660,000 in FY 2010 and $66,000 in FY 2011 and each year thereafter. This bill will have no fiscal impact on state, county, or local revenues and county or local expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the Department of Transportation to post signs on certain highways advising motorists to give one lane of clearance to emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane. The Department of Transportation states this bill will increase state restricted expenditures by the initial costs associated with the installation of the signs in FY 2010 and by an apportionment of a ten year replacement cost in FY 2011 and each year thereafter. The Department estimates 250 signs would be needed in order to achieve a frequency of one sign per entry ramp on the specified roadways and assumes that all signs would be installed in FY 2010.

Using an estimated cost of $2,640 per sign, the Department has determined that the initial installation of the signs would increase restricted expenditures by $660,000 ($2,640 x 250) in FY 2010. After the initial installation, the Department assumes an increase in state restricted expenditures of $66,000 in FY 2011 and each year thereafter based on a ten year depreciation and replacement schedule for the prescribed signs (660,000 / 10 years).

The Department further estimates that of the 250 signs, approximately 90 (35%) would be located on roads which are part of the turnpike program. Subsequently, 35% of the estimated increase in restricted expenditures would impact the turnpike fund. The remaining 65% of the estimated expenditures would be incurred by the highway fund.

LBAO

09-0421

01/15/09

The Department notes that sign programs of this magnitude may be eligible for federal funding. This fiscal note does not assume federal reimbursement for this program.

This bill does not contain an appropriation.