HB 1213 — relative to the number, selection, and terms of town highway agents and relative to the appointment of an expert highway agent.

HB 1213 - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED SESSIONBY 26-2683THE 09/08 HOUSE BILL12Mar2026... 1213 AN ACT relative to the number, selection, and terms of town highway agents.

0408h SESSION 26-2683 09/08 HOUSE BILL 1213 AN ACT relative to the number, selection, and terms of town highway agents and relative to the appointment of an expert highway agent.

Municipal and County Government ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill modifies the methods for determining the number of town highway agents, their method of selection, and the length of their terms.

This bill further allows a town to rescind authorization for the appointment of an expert highway agent and provides additional requirements to govern the appointment and authorization processes.

HB 1213 - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED 26-2683BY 09/08THE STATEHOUSE OF12Mar2026... NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to the number, selection, and terms of town highway agents.

0408h 26-2683 09/08 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to the number, selection, and terms of town highway agents and relative to the appointment of an expert highway agent.

The town shall have one elected highway agent for a one year term, unless the town decides by majority vote to change that arrangement, pursuant to RSA 231:62-a.231:62-a, or unless the town decides to adopt the provisions of RSA 231:64 for an expert agent.

If the town has adopted an official ballot, the clerk shall cause the HB 1213 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 2 - following question to be printed on said ballot"Areballo"Are you in favor of changing the (elected or selectmen-appointed) town highway agents to being (selectmen-appointed or elected by the voters)?”.

HB 1213 - AS INTRODUCED - Page 2 - If the question is approved, current elected or appointed highway agents may continue to serve until the end of their terms.

4 Repeal.Repair of Highways by Towns;

Expert Agent.

Amend RSA 231:64 to read as follows:

231:64 Expert Agent.

The town may vote at the annual meeting to instruct its selectmen to appoint an expert highway agent, who, under the direction of the selectmen, shall have the same power and perform the same duties as a highway agent elected by the town, or may vote to rescind such authorization.

The expert highway agent shall hold office at the pleasure of the selectmen and until his successor is appointed and qualified.

In a town that has adopted an official ballot, the official ballot shall be used for the question proposed at any annual meeting on adopting or rescinding this section.

The wording of the question for adopting this section shall be:

"Shall the town authorize the selectmen to appoint an expert highway agent serving at the pleasure of the selectboard pursuant to RSA 231:64, instead of having (elected or appointed) highway agents with specified terms?” The wording of the question for rescinding this authorization shall be:

"Shall the town rescind the authorization for the appointment of an expert highway agent by the selectmen pursuant to RSA 231:64, returning to (number) highway agent(s) being (selectmen appointed or elected by the voters) serving for (1, 2, or 3) year terms?" If the town has not adopted an official ballot, HB 1213 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 3 - the clerk shall cause the same question to be printed upon special ballots which shall be used to determine the vote of the town.

5 Repeal.

56 Applicability.

RSA 231:62, RSA 231:62-a, RSA 231:62-b, and RSA 231:62-b231:64 as amended by sections 1, 2, 4, and 45 of this act, shall not change the existing number, method of selection, or terms of town highway agents, and shall not require local amendment or readoption by the town.

67 Effective Date.