Committee Summary for Senate Transportation (01/28/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB39 00:03:27.400 - 12:02:34 PM	Public Hearing	relative to establishing an alternative driver education program.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB40 00:43:40.680 - 12:42:47 PM	Public Hearing	relative to safe boater education certificates.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB40 00:50:22.960 - 12:49:29 PM	Public Hearing	relative to safe boater education certificates.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB70 01:02:06.760 - 1:01:13 PM	Public Hearing	creating a mobile driver's license and non-driver identification card.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB12 01:14:29.719 - 1:13:36 PM	Public Hearing	relative to adding eligibility for a disability placard for certain veterans.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB51 01:23:49.639 - 1:22:56 PM	Public Hearing	relative to decal fees and the statewide public boat access program.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024

SB39: Senator Lang, Senate District 2 (Lakes Region, Campton, Thornton) Support00:03:27.400 - 12:02:34 PM; Senator Lang introduced Senate Bill 39, which aims to establish an alternative drivers education program for students aged 16 to 18. He emphasized that this bill has been adjusted annually based on feedback and this year's version increases the program fee from $250 to $350 to make it revenue positive. The program includes 40 hours of supervised driving, classroom instruction through approved online courses, and a state-run practical driving course modeled after the successful motorcycle training program. He cited long wait times and high costs of current driver education programs as reasons for the bill, using an example from Belmont, NH, where wait times are significant and costs are over $800. He also pointed out discrepancies in the fiscal note and requested the committee to discuss this with the agency.
SB39: John Morasco, Director of the DMV, and Sam B, Driver Education Coordinator Information Only00:16:07.319 - 12:15:14 PM; John Morasco and Sam B provided insights into the current state of driver education in New Hampshire. They acknowledged previous challenges with wait times and costs but highlighted recent efforts to address these issues, including partnerships with Employment Security for instructor training and scholarship programs. They expressed concerns about the fiscal implications of Senate Bill 39, suggesting that a smaller, pilot program focused on students with financial needs might be more feasible. They also discussed the potential impact on private driving schools and the need for a collaborative approach with the industry.
SB39: Michael Ducet, President of the New Hampshire Driver Education Teachers Association, Precision Driving School in Littleton, NH Oppose00:33:34.919 - 12:32:41 PM; Michael Ducet opposed Senate Bill 39, arguing that it would devastate the private driver education industry in New Hampshire. He highlighted his extensive background in driving instruction and criticized the bill for potentially putting 65 private companies out of business. Ducet emphasized the high costs and time commitment required for training new instructors and questioned the feasibility of the state running a driver education program. He suggested that the bill's implementation would require significant additional resources and could set a dangerous precedent for government intervention in private services.
SB40: Senator Lang, Senate District 2 (Lakes Region, Campton, Thornton) Support00:43:40.680 - 12:42:47 PM; Senator Lang introduced Senate Bill 40, which aims to fix language issues in a previous bill that authorized online voter education certificates. He noted that during COVID-19, when in-person requirements were waived, the state collected significantly more revenue from voter licenses. He mentioned the state's reciprocity agreement with other states, using his own experience of obtaining a Delaware voter license online as an example. He stated that the Department of Safety is okay with the new language and that it should help increase state revenue.
SB40: Tom Prol, Demur Prol and Thomas representing Calami Enterprises Support00:46:28.440 - 12:45:35 PM; Tom Prol supported Senate Bill 40, explaining that it is a follow-up to Senate Bill 307 from 2022, which allowed for online voter education exams but was not implemented due to language issues. He confirmed that the new language in SB40 addresses these issues and allows for an online exam while maintaining in-person requirements for those under 18. He emphasized the importance of New Hampshire-specific voter education and noted that the revenue from these exams goes to the navigation safety fund. He also mentioned that his company is willing to work with the Department on adjusting fees.
SB40: Tim Dunley, Marine Patrol Information Only00:49:37.119 - 12:48:44 PM; Tim Dunley, a retired captain and current program specialist for the Marine Patrol, testified as a neutral party on Senate Bill 40. He highlighted potential downfalls of the bill, particularly regarding the convenience of online voting education. He noted that New Hampshire has been the safest boating state due to its boating education program, which currently requires a proctored exam. Dunley discussed the revenue differences between online and in-person courses, with in-person courses generating higher revenue per student. He expressed concerns about the success rate of online exams during COVID-19, with no failures, compared to a 5-6% failure rate in proctored exams. He also mentioned the importance of in-person exams for ensuring the integrity of the testing process and the inability of their vendor to provide online proctoring due to technical reasons.
SB40: Senator Information Only00:50:22.960 - 12:49:29 PM; The Senator discussed the balance between convenience and security in online voting education, referencing the senator and Mr. Praisal's points about online convenience. The Senator mentioned the history of the voting education law since its implementation in 2001-2002 and how the program's success had led to the safest boating state status. The Senator also touched on the financial aspects, noting the revenue differences between online and in-person courses and the unique circumstances during COVID-19.
SB40: Senator Information Only00:51:09.480 - 12:50:16 PM; The Senator discussed the effectiveness of online exams during COVID-19, noting no failures in these exams compared to a 5-6% failure rate in proctored exams. They expressed concerns about the success rate of online courses versus in-person classes, with in-person classes resulting in higher average scores. The Senator also highlighted the importance of in-person proctored exams to ensure that the person taking the exam is not using outside assistance.
SB40: Senator Information Only00:52:43.480 - 12:51:50 PM; The Senator continued to discuss the challenges with online exams, noting that while online courses offer convenience, there are concerns about cheating and the integrity of the exam process. They mentioned that their vendor could not provide online proctoring due to technical reasons, and emphasized the importance of in-person proctored exams to ensure the exam's integrity. They acknowledged that other states allow online boating safety courses but highlighted the lack of additional requirements like on-road exams for boating.
SB40: Senator Information Only00:53:29.799 - 12:52:36 PM; The Senator acknowledged the convenience of online courses but emphasized the importance of in-person proctored exams for ensuring exam integrity. They mentioned that if a secure online proctoring system could be implemented, the Department of Safety would be fine with it. They also discussed the ability to take boating safety courses in other states and the implications of this for boating safety in New Hampshire.
SB40: Senator Information Only00:57:52.599 - 12:56:59 PM; The Senator discussed the challenges of scheduling boating education classes, noting that classes are available three to four times a month during the off-season and increase to four to five times a weekend as the boating season approaches. They mentioned specific locations like Wakefield Town Hall and Mboro Public Safety Building for classes and Molteno Town Hall for proctored exams. The Senator emphasized that the Marine Patrol monitors class schedules to ensure no more than a 14-day wait period for anyone seeking a class.
SB40: Jody Gamblet, New Hampshire Marine Trades Association Support01:00:36.079 - 12:59:43 PM; Jody Gamblet from the New Hampshire Marine Trades Association expressed support for Senate Bill 40. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that boater education fees contribute to New Hampshire's navigation safety fund rather than other states. They also highlighted the need for boaters to be educated on New Hampshire's specific boating laws, such as the safe passage law, to ensure safety on New Hampshire waterways.
SB70: Senator Tim Lang, District 2 Support01:02:06.760 - 1:01:13 PM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 70, describing it as a modernization bill to allow for a mobile driver's license in addition to the physical one. He highlighted the convenience for young people who often do not carry their wallets and mentioned the use of mobile licenses in other states for age verification in retail. Lang also discussed potential future uses in voting, banking, and TSA screenings, emphasizing that the bill is an optional step towards technological advancement.
SB70: Senator Information Only01:07:58.839 - 1:07:05 PM; The Senator asked about the implementation of mobile licenses in other states, to which Senator Lang responded that seven states have adopted similar legislation, with Ohio being the most recent. Lang also addressed concerns about privacy and security, comparing the technology to secure payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and emphasizing that the use of mobile licenses is optional.
SB70: John Morasco, Director of the DMV Support01:08:56.120 - 1:08:03 PM; John Morasco, Director of the DMV, initially signed in as informational but updated his position to support Senate Bill 70. He explained that mobile IDs are more secure due to cryptography and can be updated remotely. Morasco mentioned that airports and other scenarios are starting to use mobile IDs and discussed the implementation in Maryland, which has issued 300,000 mobile IDs. He emphasized the encryption and remote control features that enhance security.
SB12: Denise Rardy, State Senator for District 9 Support01:14:29.719 - 1:13:36 PM; Senator Denise Rardy introduced Senate Bill 12, emphasizing the need to recognize veterans with a General under Honorable Conditions discharge as eligible for a veterans license plate. She argued that such recognition is a small but meaningful way to honor their service and commitment, aligning with the goal of making New Hampshire the most veteran-friendly state. Rardy highlighted the injustice of excluding these veterans from basic acknowledgment.
SB12: Senator David Waters, District Support01:18:37.000 - 1:17:44 PM; Senator David Waters introduced Senate Bill 12, which aims to clarify eligibility for disability placards for veterans. He explained that veterans who have been evaluated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as permanently and totally disabled should not need an additional physician's certificate to obtain a placard. Waters noted that some DMV offices were not recognizing this, and the bill seeks to provide necessary clarification to streamline the process for veterans.
SB12: Major General David Mtis, Adjutant General New Hampshire National Guard, Commissioner Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services Support01:20:55.280 - 1:20:02 PM; Major General David Mtis expressed support for Senate Bill 12, noting that it would streamline the process for veterans to obtain both a special number plate and a walking disability placard based on a single evaluation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. He emphasized the simplicity and fairness of the bill, which would reduce the need for additional proof and help veterans access necessary services more efficiently.
SB12: Kevin Grady, State Veterans Advisory Committee, Hooksett, NH Support01:22:10.679 - 1:21:17 PM; Kevin Grady, a 25-year Air Force veteran and resident of Hooksett, NH, spoke on behalf of the State Veterans Advisory Committee. He expressed support for SB12, emphasizing the committee's role in reviewing legislation that impacts veterans. Grady highlighted the importance of reducing paperwork, especially for disabled veterans, and urged the committee to pass the bill.
SB51: Senator David Waters, District 4 Support01:23:49.639 - 1:22:56 PM; Senator David Waters introduced SB51, which aims to ensure that funds from the $5 boat decal fee are used solely for the Statewide Public Boat Access Program. He explained the importance of the program for providing safe and functional access to water areas for public use. Waters also discussed the necessity of these funds to leverage federal funding through the Sport Fish and Restoration Act. He noted concerns about the potential diversion of these funds to other uses, which led to the introduction of this bill. Additionally, he mentioned broader funding challenges faced by the Fish and Game Department, emphasizing the need to protect dedicated funds to sustain the department's mission.
SB51: Senator Ward Information Only01:26:47.400 - 1:25:54 PM; Senator Ward asked Senator Waters about the use of the funds for paying principal and interest on bonds and notes related to the Mount Cipy State Park Beach Boat Ramp Project. He inquired if the decal fee revenue was sufficient to cover these costs. Senator Waters responded that the language about bond payments is standard and already in statute, and suggested that representatives from the Fish and Game Department could provide more specific financial details.
SB51: Garrett Support01:28:29.239 - 1:27:36 PM; Garrett supported Senator Waters' explanation of the public boat access program and added that having sufficient funds in the account helps reduce the need for bonding and interest charges for larger projects. He noted that the $5 decal fee, unchanged since 1993, is worth significantly less today due to inflation, particularly in the context of lakeshore property costs. Garrett emphasized the importance of protecting the fund to support the Fish and Game Department's mission and its role in the tourism industry.
SB51: Maki Information Only01:30:43.400 - 1:29:50 PM; Maki confirmed the $5 fee for the decal that every boat owner must pay upon registering a boat. They also inquired about the Mount Sunapee State Park Beach boat ramp project, questioning if it was the most recently built boat ramp within the last five to seven years. They received clarification that the most recent boat ramp was actually at Downing's Landing in Alton, and no new ramps have been built on Lake Sunapee since the 1950s. Maki also noted that the Fishing and Game Commission had not yet discussed the aspect of the bill related to the Mount Sunapee project and mentioned potential environmental issues with the proposed location.

Ricciardi, Denise(Chairman)(R)[C-]2024	McConkey, Mark(V Chairman)(R)	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2024	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024