Committee Summary for House Public Works and Highways (02/03/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB2026 00:08:32.399 - 9:03:53 AM	General Working Session	relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan.	Milz, David(R)[B]2025
HB6007 2026-0497h 01:47:22.960 - 10:42:43 AM	Executive Session	relative to the planting of trees	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #

HB2026: Committee Chair Information Only00:08:32.399 - 9:03:53 AM; The chair calls the full committee work session to order, noting the discussion on HB 2026 and awaiting Senator McCunki to discuss swapping a project in the north country with no cost difference. Mentions DOT will provide requested figures from last week.
HB2026: Committee Chair Information Only00:09:18.640 - 9:04:39 AM; The chair continues, indicating the session will be short and invites DOT representatives to present. References a poll from last week and potential project swap.
HB2026: Toby Reynolds, Director of Project Development, NH DOT Information Only00:10:10.640 - 9:05:31 AM; Provides handouts including a list of acronyms and definitions from the 10-year plan book for clarity. Explains mandated federal programs like TAP and CMAC, corrects previous statement on TAP funding to about $6 million per year over four years. Offers to answer questions.
HB2026: Toby Reynolds, Director of Project Development, NH DOT Information Only00:12:19.200 - 9:07:40 AM; Discusses impact of a potential toll increase: two projects currently federally funded could switch to turnpike funds, freeing up $86 million for other projects. Recommends adding back delayed projects, focusing on northern areas and partial funding for Dover-Somersworth-Rochester corridor. Notes flexibility in project selection.
HB2026: Representative Jack Information Only00:13:24.800 - 9:08:45 AM; Asks for explanation on using federal funds on the turnpike system.
HB2026: Bill Cass, Commissioner of DOT Information Only00:14:28.079 - 9:09:49 AM; Explains that certain non-tolled sections of the turnpike are eligible for federal funds, but using them federalizes the section with restrictions, so DOT prefers to avoid it to prevent federal regulations on otherwise unencumbered roadways.
HB2026: Representative Jack Information Only00:15:41.680 - 9:11:02 AM; Follows up, agreeing that avoiding federal funds argues for a toll increase to use turnpike funding instead.
HB2026: Unidentified Representative Information Only00:15:41.680 - 9:11:02 AM; Questions the $86 million figure, recalling $55 million from last week, seeking clarification.
HB2026: Toby Reynolds, Director of Project Development, NH DOT Information Only00:16:58.560 - 9:12:19 AM; Clarifies the $86 million is from switching federal to turnpike funds for specific projects, separate from the $550 million over 10 years from toll increase. Outlines priorities for additional turnpike revenue: Exit 6 improvements, I-393 over I-93 interchange, I-89 Bow Junction, Exit 13 improvements, then Manchester Exit 7 and remaining Bow Corridor projects. Notes this is preliminary without detailed sequencing.
HB2026: Representative Brown Information Only00:18:12.400 - 9:13:33 AM; Asks why new construction at Exit 6 is prioritized over red list bridge issues.
HB2026: Toby Reynolds, Director of Project Development, NH DOT Information Only00:19:24.400 - 9:14:45 AM; Explains Exit 6 offers greater safety benefits as a priority, while the I-393 bridge has remaining life but needs attention within the 10-year window.
HB2026: Senator Valone Information Only00:19:24.400 - 9:14:45 AM; Seeks clarification on what constitutes a red list bridge and if it covers a range of problems.
HB2026: DOT Representative Information Only00:20:40.080 - 9:16:01 AM; Describes red list bridges as structurally deficient, requiring inspection every six months, but not necessarily unsafe. They are monitored closely.
HB2026: Senator Valone Information Only00:20:40.080 - 9:16:01 AM; Follows up on the scale of structural deficiency from deficient to unsafe, asking about rating criteria.
HB2026: DOT Representative Information Only00:21:45.280 - 9:17:06 AM; Details bridge inspection ratings for substructure, superstructure, and deck on a 0-10 scale; 4 or below is structurally deficient and red-listed. Bridges are programmed for repair, with more frequent inspections; lower ratings may lead to load postings before closure.
HB2026: Unidentified Representative Information Only00:24:08.000 - 9:19:29 AM; Suggests adding bridge criteria explanations to future 10-year plan handouts for new committee members.
HB2026: Representative Boger Information Only00:24:08.000 - 9:19:29 AM; Follows up on safety at Exit 6 and I-393/I-93, questions data on accidents at I-89/93 interchange due to lane reductions and speed decreases, noting frequent state trooper presence.
HB2026: DOT Representative Information Only00:25:34.080 - 9:20:55 AM; Confirms statewide crash data exists but ranking is challenging. Notes high crashes at Exit 6 southbound and I-89/93 split; Exit 6 likely has more. Offers to provide specific numbers.
HB2026: Representative Boger Information Only00:26:20.799 - 9:21:41 AM; Follows up, asking if crash data differentiates local repeat use at Exit 6 on 293 versus out-of-state visitors at I-89/93 interchange.
HB2026: DOT Representative Information Only00:27:45.520 - 9:23:06 AM; The speaker discusses traffic data and patterns on I-93 in Concord, noting increased out-of-state traffic on weekends and how the highway functions like a local road for short trips. They emphasize safety needs at both Exit 6 and Bow/Concord interchanges, highlighting geometric issues, urban setting, nightly backups, sharp curves, and speed posting at Exit 6. They stress that both projects are high priorities and will be addressed, with sequencing based on safety concerns similar to past I-93 widening efforts.
HB2026: DOT Representative Information Only00:30:08.559 - 9:25:29 AM; Continuing the discussion, the speaker explains that project prioritization follows a logical approach focusing on safety and state of good repair before capacity improvements, consistent with previous I-93 projects. They note that items are identified by local planning commissions and prioritized regionally. Historically, funding for Exit 6 and Bow/Concord has been split to advance both in parallel rather than sequentially.
HB2026: Representative Jack Information Only00:31:12.880 - 9:26:33 AM; The representative clarifies that bridge conditions focus on safety issues for the red list, excluding functionally obsolete structures as per recent statute changes.
HB2026: Committee Chair Information Only00:32:16.960 - 9:27:37 AM; The chair thanks the DOT representatives, asks if anyone else wishes to speak, and closes the work session on HB 2026. They confirm the next meeting will focus on the salt bill (HB 6007) and possibly the 10-year plan.
HB2026: Unidentified Representative Information Only00:33:02.240 - 9:28:23 AM; The representative warns about the dangerous merging conditions at Exit 6 in Manchester.
HB2026: Committee Chair Information Only00:33:54.399 - 9:29:15 AM; The chair announces a brief discussion on the salt bill (HB 6007), aiming to agree on amendment wording. If not completed today, it will be finalized next Tuesday in the late afternoon.
HB2026: Committee Chair Information Only01:07:13.920 - 10:02:34 AM; The chair calls to order the subcommittee work session on HB 6007, relative to the use and storage of road salt. They recognize Representative Boyd for announcements.
HB2026: Representative Boyd Information Only01:07:13.920 - 10:02:34 AM; Representative Boyd notes they are awaiting final legislative language and a blurb on the work session. They recess the committee for 15 minutes, to be extended every 15 minutes until materials arrive.
HB2026: Committee Chair Information Only01:22:21.760 - 10:17:42 AM; The chair reconvenes the work session on HB 6007 (noted as HB167 in transcript, likely error), explains the amendment replaces the first section to prohibit storage of salts and chemicals risking water contamination, with compliance for municipalities contingent on available funding from grants, gifts, and revenues. They open for questions.
HB2026: Representative Boyd Support01:24:36.320 - 10:19:57 AM; Representative Boyd thanks Representative Rockmore for the memorandum, highlights bipartisan collaboration with Representatives Newman and Brown, and references testimony from Representative R and David Neils at DES. They note DES has signed off on the amendment and can enforce it.
HB2026: Unidentified Representative (Mr. Speaker) Information Only01:25:38.080 - 10:20:59 AM; The representative asks if the amendment applies to private property or just commercial properties and cities/towns, and is informed it applies to towns.
HB2026: Representative Edgar Information Only01:25:38.080 - 10:20:59 AM; Representative Edgar asks which lines of the bill the amendment pertains to and is told lines 4, 5, 6, and 7.
HB2026: Representative Brown Support01:26:55.679 - 10:22:16 AM; Representative Brown praises DES's informative input on current programs for salt management, including the successful Green Pro program for private entities. They followed up with Adam Crapo at DES, who is exploring ways to encourage towns to join voluntarily without new regulations, possibly adjusting fee structures for training to promote education and buy-in.
HB2026: Committee Chair Support01:29:09.120 - 10:24:30 AM; The chair recaps unanimous initial support for HB 6007, the need for tweaks, the error in sending it to interim study, reinstatement, and subcommittee work leading to this amendment. They conduct a straw poll showing favor for the amendment language, announce the final draft is ready, and recess for 10 minutes to distribute copies before executing the bill. They confirm agreement from DES, the prime sponsor, and the subcommittee.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Boyd Vote01:47:22.960 - 10:42:43 AM; Moved that the amendment 2026-0497h ought to pass.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Sudter Vote01:47:22.960 - 10:42:43 AM; Seconded the motion on the amendment.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Faulner Information Only01:48:17.040 - 10:43:38 AM; Raised concerns about ambiguous terminology 'road parking lots' in the amendment, suggesting clarification by adding a comma to separate roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. Questioned if it refers to salt used on roads and whether road parking lots is a meaningful term.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Committee Chair Information Only01:48:17.040 - 10:43:38 AM; Acknowledged the concern about commas, noted a past experience holding up a bill over commas, and suggested the clarification could be an administrative change done after passage by the clerk or in finance committee.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Boyd Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Moved that House Bill 6007-FN ought to pass as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Sudter Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Seconded the motion on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Vice Chairman Bogurt Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Balm Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Brown Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Louie Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Jurus Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Cludier Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Jack Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Edgar Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Faulner Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Newman Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Voluone Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Representative Rockmore Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended.
HB6007 2026-0497h: Committee Chair Vote01:50:50.480 - 10:46:11 AM; Voted yes on the amendment and on the bill as amended. Declared the amendment passed 15-0 with two absent, and the bill as amended passed unanimously 15-0 with two absent. Noted it will not go on the consent calendar due to the fiscal note. Adjourned the executive session on HB 6007. Announced no meeting next Tuesday, planning to reconvene on February 17th at 10:00 a.m. for HB 2026 unless changes arise.

Milz, David(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Boyd, Bill(Clerk)(R)[C]2025	Bogert, Steven(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Cloutier, John(D)[F]2025	Boehm, Ralph(R)[B]2025	Jack, Martin(D)[D-]2025
Newman, Sue(D)[F]2025	Edgar, Michael(D)[F]2025	Faulkner, Barry(D)[D-]2025
Fedolfi, Jim(R)[IN]2025	Brown, Richard(R)[B+]2025	Juris, Louis(D)[F]2025
Suiter, John(R)[B-]2025	Vallone, Mark(D)[D-]2025	Foote, Charles(R)[B]2025
Rockmore, Ellen(D)[CT]2025	Louis, Darrell(R)[B+]2025