TITLE XXI
MOTOR VEHICLES

CHAPTER 261
CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Conservation Number Plates and Conservation Number Plate Fund

Section 261:97-c

    261:97-c Use of Funds. –
The moneys in the fund shall be distributed as provided in RSA 261:97-b. The proceeds shall be used as follows:
I. The funds transferred to the department of natural and cultural resources shall be used to promote the use and conservation of cultural resources in New Hampshire and to preserve the cultural heritage that belongs to all New Hampshire citizens by providing for:
(a) The administration and funding of grants for preservation of significant publicly-owned historic properties. Such properties shall be at least 50 years old and listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
(b) The conservation and preservation of significant publicly-owned works of art, artifacts, and documents that contribute to New Hampshire's cultural heritage. This shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Commemorative and historic sculptures and murals.
(2) Archaeological or historic artifacts.
(3) Original or one-of-a-kind documents.
(c) The purchase by the state of historic properties or works of art, artifacts, and documents that contribute to New Hampshire's cultural heritage.
(d) Support of the New Hampshire natural heritage bureau established in RSA 217-A, within the division of forests and lands. Funds may be used for:
(1) Management measures, including applied field research, necessary to maintain and promote native plant species, natural plant communities, and species and habitat protection and management.
(2) Providing information to resource professionals, landowners, and school children to enhance awareness and promote protection of New Hampshire's native plant species and natural plant communities.
(e) Within the division of parks and recreation, the restoration of historic sites and buildings on New Hampshire state parks land.
(f) Promotion of the conservation number plate program.
II. The funds transferred to the fish and game department shall be used to support the New Hampshire nongame species management act established in RSA 212-B, and for the conservation of other wildlife determined by the executive director to be in need of restoration or protection. This may include:
(a) Management measures, including applied field research, necessary to maintain and promote self-sustaining wildlife populations, species and habitat protection, and acquisition and management, and the protection of wildlife corridors and habitat strongholds as defined in RSA 207:1.
(b) Provide information to resource professionals, landowners, and school children to enhance awareness and promote protection of New Hampshire's wildlife, including wildlife corridors and habitat strongholds as defined in RSA 207:1.
III. The funds transferred to the state conservation committee, established in RSA 432:10, through the department of agriculture, markets, and food, shall be used to establish 2 grant programs to ensure that communities and statewide not-for-profit organizations have the opportunity to compete for funds provided by this act. The grant programs shall be established as follows:
(a) For county cooperative extension natural resource programs and county conservation districts, as established in RSA 432:12, which may apply to the state conservation committee for grants to assist them in planning and carrying out resource conservation projects.
(b) For municipal conservation agencies, schools, scout groups and other nonprofit entities which may apply to the state conservation committee for grants to assist them in planning and carrying out resource conservation projects.
IV. [Repealed.]
V. The funds transferred to the New Hampshire land and community heritage investment authority shall be used for the administration of the New Hampshire land and community heritage investment program.
VI. The funds transferred to the department of transportation shall be used for the expanded wildflower establishment program to be used in maintenance districts.

[Paragraph VII effective until September 8, 2026; see also paragraph VII set out below.]


VII. Any funds transferred from the conservation number plate fund which remain unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall be nonlapsing.

[Paragraph VII effective September 8, 2026; see also paragraph VII set out above.]


VII. Any funds transferred from the conservation number plate fund which remain unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated.

Source. 1998, 20:2; 363:3. 2000, 245:8. 2003, 126:2, 3. 2005, 236:6, eff. Sept. 9, 2005. 2016, 61:5, eff. July 4, 2016. 2017, 156:35, 37, LV, eff. July 1, 2017. 2019, 243:10, eff. Sept. 10, 2019. 2025, 12:1, eff. July 7, 2025. 2026, 304:2, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.