New Hampshire HB 1482: authorizing the department of motor vehicles to adopt seasonal tourism-themed license plates.

Bill Text

HB 1482-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2808

 06/08

HOUSE BILL 1482-FN

AN ACT authorizing the department of motor vehicles to adopt seasonal tourism-themed license plates.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cahill, Rock. 10; Rep. Grote, Rock. 24; Rep. Bridle, Rock. 29; Rep. Ouellet, Coos 3; Rep. Melvin, Rock. 20

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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ANALYSIS

 This bill replaces the Old Man of the Mountain graphic on standard passenger plates with 4 seasonal scenic designs.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2808

 06/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT authorizing the department of motor vehicles to adopt seasonal tourism-themed license plates.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Section; Seasonal Scenic Number Plates. Amend RSA 261 by inserting after section 75-c the following new section: 

 261:75-d Seasonal Scenic Standard Number Plates. 

 I. For all standard passenger motor vehicle number plates issued on or after January 1, 2027, the division of motor vehicles, within the department of safety and in consultation with the division of travel and tourism development, shall replace the Old Man of the Mountain graphic with 4 alternating designs representing the state's scenic and recreational attractions for each season. Designs may include: 

 (a) Fall foliage;

 (b) Winter skiing;

 (c) Spring trout fishing;

 (d) Summer boating on a lake or the ocean; or

 (e) Any other designs determined under paragraph I. 

 II. The division of travel and tourism development shall provide suitable images representing each of the 4 seasons to the division of motor vehicles. The department of safety shall update plate manufacturing specifications to ensure implementation. 

 III. The division of motor vehicles shall ensure that each of the 4 seasonal designs is issued in reasonably equal distribution each calendar year and that all designs retain the “Live Free or Die” motto. 

 IV. The division of travel and tourism development may periodically recommend updates to the images to reflect evolving attractions and tourism priorities. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 

 LBA

 26-2808

 11/30/25

HB 1482-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT authorizing the department of motor vehicles to adopt seasonal tourism-themed license plates.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$180,000

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

Restricted - Highway Fund Cost of Collections - Per the state constitution, costs associated with the collection/administration of highway fund revenue by the Department of Safety is deducted prior to funds being credited as unrestricted highway fund revenue

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill would eliminate the current motor vehicle passenger plate bearing the Old Man of the Mountain graphic and replace it with alternating scenic plate designs. There would be no additional production cost associated with this bill, as the new plate types would replace an existing plate series already funded within the current budget. As a result, ongoing manufacturing, material, and distribution expenses remain unchanged. However, the creation and rollout of each new plate type would require system development, programming updates, and testing within the Division of Motor Vehicles’ registration and plate-issuance systems. These one-time implementation activities are estimated at $45,000 per plate type. With four new types proposed, the total development cost is estimated at $180,000. 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Safety