Crossover marks the midpoint of the legislative session and the deadline for full chamber votes on all originating bills. This critical juncture determines which bills advance to the opposite chamber, maintaining their potential to become law.

Crossover day is invariably long and hectic for senators and representatives. For many years, we have hosted the annual Legislative Crossover Reception, offering legislators a chance to unwind with complimentary food and drinks as they celebrate or reflect on the day’s outcomes.

This year’s event fostered bipartisan camaraderie and provided a relaxed setting for discussions on NHADA issues and the legislative session. Initially, over 1,000 bills were filed, many of which landed on our watchlist.

We’ve seen significant successes so far, particularly in advocating for road and trail safety. We remain committed to opposing any legislation that might undermine annual vehicle safety inspections, as this could have serious implications for driver safety across the state.

HB 1391 was a bill that attempted to modify our vehicle inspection program. Under this proposed legislation, vehicle inspections would not be required until the second year of ownership following the purchase of a new vehicle. As of this writing, thanks to the support of our members, we are happy to report that on May 7 the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously voted that the Senate take no further action.

Thanks to the efforts of our Motorcycle/OHRV members, we helped kill HB 1562, a bill that proposed reclassing jet skis as “personal watercraft,” effectively banning them on many New Hampshire lakes. This would have negatively impacted our members and increased congestion on other lakes.

The session’s second half promises to be equally busy and swift. We will continue to play a crucial role in legislative discussions on title exemptions and consumer regulations that could complicate vehicle servicing.

Moreover, we and e-lien are actively engaged in the state’s shift to e-titling. By now, the state has likely chosen a vendor to implement this project. We are committed to building a strong partnership with the vendor to ensure a seamless transition for our members.

As the session winds down, legislators are preparing to return to their districts for the upcoming elections, anticipating another busy period.

We remain committed to advocating for the motor vehicle industry’s interests at the Statehouse. As always, feel free to reach out to me with any legislative concerns at dbennett@nhada.com or call me at (603) 224-2369.