Committee Summary for House Public Works and Highways (02/17/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB2026 00:08:05.360 - 9:06:11 AM	General Working Session	relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan.	Milz, David(R)[B]2025

HB2026: Senator Mark McConkey Support00:08:05.360 - 9:06:11 AM; Senator McConkey, former chairman of the committee, testified to request realigning a regional project in the 10-year plan by adding the Albany Route 16 and 113 intersection project, which had been ranked number one by the North Country Council TAC but was switched to number two behind the Randolph US2 Hill Road project. He highlighted that the Albany intersection has the highest traffic volume, higher accident history, and is less costly by a couple hundred thousand dollars. He noted that Albany selectmen were misled about attending the final scoring meeting. He emphasized the ongoing improvements to Route 16 north of Rochester culminating at this intersection, which would bring improvements within 1.5 miles of Conway Village. He requested the committee correct the error and include the project in the plan.
HB2026: Toby Reynolds, NH DOT Director of Project Development Information Only00:13:12.399 - 9:11:18 AM; Toby Reynolds explained that due to overprogramming of the federal program, no new projects from regional planning commissions were added to the draft 10-year plan. The Albany project, as the top-ranked by North Country Council, would have been included if additions proceeded. Neither the Albany nor Randolph project is currently in the draft plan, making this a complete add-on. He estimated the cost of the Albany project at approximately $7.5 million.
HB2026: David Rodriguez, NH DOT Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer Information Only00:16:06.399 - 9:14:12 AM; David Rodriguez stated that adding the $7.5 million Albany project would keep the $4.5 billion 10-year plan financially constrained, similar to other additions, and the DOT could accommodate it.
HB2026: Representative Boyd Support00:19:47.919 - 9:17:53 AM; Representative Boyd proposed amending the 10-year plan to reclassify and include Continental Boulevard in Merrimack as a Class 2 state highway. He expressed concerns about a proposed ICE detention center nearby, which could lead to loss of $530,000 in tax revenue for the town and increased maintenance costs if it remains a town road. The road currently handles 17,000 cars daily, and traffic might divert from Daniel Webster Highway due to the facility, increasing pressure on Continental Boulevard. He advocated for proactive mitigation by making it a state-maintained road to avoid property tax increases.
HB2026: Representative Jack Oppose00:39:53.520 - 9:37:59 AM; Representative Jack moves to adopt amendment 0754H and recommends an ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) vote. He explains two reasons against adoption: the speculative nature of whether the detention facility would be built, and a drafting error that would create conflicting laws about reversion.
HB2026: Representative Bow Information Only00:39:53.520 - 9:37:59 AM; Representative Bow notes that there is already an interim study bill on the same issue, which would take another two years to address, particularly regarding Continental.
HB2026: Representative Faulner Oppose00:41:09.119 - 9:39:15 AM; Representative Faulner expresses sympathy for the town's concerns about the facility's impacts but states that the bill does not address their biggest issues and is premature, suggesting time to deal with it later.
HB2026: Vice Chairman Bogurt Oppose00:41:09.119 - 9:39:15 AM; Vice Chairman Bogurt votes yes to ITL, which is a no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Bow (vote) Oppose00:41:09.119 - 9:39:15 AM; Representative Bow votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Lewis Oppose00:41:09.119 - 9:39:15 AM; Representative Lewis votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Cludier Oppose00:41:09.119 - 9:39:15 AM; Representative Cludier confirms the vote is on the motion and votes no.
HB2026: Representative Jack (vote) Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; Representative Jack votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Eda Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; Representative Eda votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Faulner (vote) Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; Representative Faulner votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Newman Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; Representative Newman votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Jurus Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; Representative Jurus votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Representative Rockmore Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; Representative Rockmore votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment.
HB2026: Chairman Oppose00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; The Chairman votes no on the motion to adopt the amendment. He announces the amendment fails by a vote of one yes to 11 no, with five absent.
HB2026: Unidentified Representative Information Only00:42:23.040 - 9:40:29 AM; An unidentified representative moves the adoption of House Bill 2026 but is corrected that they are not in executive session yet. Notes that the DOT will draft the final amendment.
HB2026: Chairman Information Only00:43:27.040 - 9:41:33 AM; The Chairman summarizes the session: business is done for today, DOT to draft amendment including Albany plan addition and removal of executive council items on exits six and seven. Confirms only Albany project is added, based on regional planning wish list from Senator McCi. Addresses question on safety and accident data for Albany intersection, emphasizing need for data especially for projects not from local process. Suggests evaluation may be needed.
HB2026: Representative Rockmore Information Only00:43:27.040 - 9:41:33 AM; Representative Rockmore questions if other projects like Albany Randolph are being added, and clarifies it's just Albany. Notes Senator McCi's impression that Randolph was included.
HB2026: Representative Lewis Information Only00:44:25.839 - 9:42:31 AM; Representative Lewis follows up on safety and accident data for the Albany intersection, asking when and who would provide it. Clarifies the need for data on projects necessitated by high accident rates, especially those not from local processes.
HB2026: Representative Ulier Information Only00:45:37.599 - 9:43:43 AM; Representative Ulier asks if the list is from the North Country Council via Senator McCunki.
HB2026: Chairman Information Only00:45:37.599 - 9:43:43 AM; The Chairman proposes holding an executive session next Tuesday, despite it being a school holiday, and asks for objections. Discusses scheduling conflicts and deadlines (by March 4 or 5). Prefers next Tuesday afternoon or evening to accommodate schedules.
HB2026: Representative Dagger Information Only00:46:34.480 - 9:44:40 AM; Representative Dagger mentions a New Hampshire Association of Counties conference on Tuesday morning and suggests afternoon at 1:00 if ready, noting the deadline.
HB2026: Unidentified Information Only00:46:34.480 - 9:44:40 AM; Discusses possibility of Thursday lunchtime but notes advertising requirements and heavy calendar make it difficult.
HB2026: Representative Information Only00:47:32.480 - 9:45:38 AM; Notes it's not an early bill but must be done by March 5, preferring next Tuesday.
HB2026: Representative Information Only00:48:23.200 - 9:46:29 AM; Suggests doing it in the afternoon next Tuesday at 1:00 to allow attendance at the counties conference.
HB2026: Representative Jurus Information Only00:48:23.200 - 9:46:29 AM; Representative Jurus confirms availability but notes a 10:30 commitment next door.
HB2026: Chairman Information Only00:49:23.680 - 9:47:29 AM; The Chairman proposes 11:00 a.m. next Tuesday, prioritizing House over county duties. Confirms agreement on time and adjourns the meeting.
HB2026: Unidentified Information Only00:50:38.559 - 9:48:44 AM; Post-adjournment discussion confirms removal of items six and seven, and coordination with legislative services.

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