HB 1176 — relative to the display of license plates on vehicles.

HB 1176-FN - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED SESSIONBY 26-2473THE 06/05 HOUSE BILL12Feb2026... 1176-FN AN ACT relative to the display of license plates on vehicles.

0197h SESSION 26-2473 06/05 HOUSE BILL 1176-FN AN ACT relative to the display of license plates on vehicles.

Transportation ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill removes the requirement that a motor vehicle display a front license plate.plate unless the vehicle is used for commercial purposes or is towing a trailer or other apparatus.

HB 1176-FN - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED 26-2473BY 06/05THE STATEHOUSE OF12Feb2026... NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to the display of license plates on vehicles.

0197h 26-2473 06/05 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to the display of license plates on vehicles.

Every vehicle driven in or on any way in this state, if required to be registered hereunder, shall have displayed conspicuously [thereon] on the rear of the vehicle a single number plate [or plates] to be furnished by the department, together with any current validation sticker issued by the department and which has a changeable designation of their effective period.period, unless excluded by paragraphs II-a and II-b.

II-a.

All vehicles used for commercial activities or registered to a business shall display both front and rear license plates.

II-b.

All vehicles with a trailer or apparatus in tow shall display both front and rear license plates.

III.

The director shall issue 2 license plates, which shall be maintained throughout the registration period to enable the operator to display both and which may be transferred upon trade or purchase of a vehicle.

LBA 26-2473 11/5/2502/24/2026 HB 1176-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0197h) AN ACT relative to the display of license plates on vehicles.

EstimatedThe StateDepartment Impactof FYSafety 2026states FYit 2027can FYimplement 2028the FYprovisions 2029 $646,667 $776,000 $776,000 Revenue $0 Decrease Decrease Decrease Revenue Fund(s) Reflectorized Plate Fund (RSA 228:25) $565,833 $679,000 $679,000 Expenditures* $0 Decrease Decrease Decrease Funding Source(s) Reflectorized Plate Fund (RSA 228:25) Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of this bill *Appropriationwithin =its Authorizedexisting fundingbudget toand coverresources. cost of bill METHODOLOGY:

ThisTherefore, this bill removesis thenot requirementexpected thatto ahave motoran vehicleimpact displayon astate, frontcounty licenseand plate.local expenditures or revenue.

Based on information provided by the Department of Safety, approximately 194,000 vehicles were registered with new plate types in calendar year 2024.

The Department states the cost to produce a single plate is approximately $3.50, with the current statutory fee set at $4 per plate.

Therefore, annually this bill could reduce state expenditures and revenue by $679,000 ($3.50 x 194,000 plates) and $776,000 ($4 x 194,000 plates), respectively.

Assuming an effective date of September 1, 2026, those amounts would be reduced in FY 2027 to approximately $565,833 and $646,667, respectively.

It should be noted that motor vehicle registration and licensing legislation is typically effective to begin a calendar year (January 1).