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HB100 • 2026

prohibiting the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects.

prohibiting the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Aidan Ankarberg (I), Jess Edwards (R), Ross Berry (R), Erica Layon (R)
Last action
2026-01-07
Official status
HOUSE
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on requiring the House Clerk to notify federal agencies or limiting toll credit usage specifically for highways and roads.

Ban on State Funding for New Passenger Rail Projects

This bill stops the state from using its money to plan, build, run, or manage new passenger rail projects.

What This Bill Does

  • Stops the Department of Transportation from spending state funds on planning, building, running, or managing new passenger rail projects.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Transportation
  • Railway companies that rely on state funding

Terms To Know

Passenger Rail Projects
Projects that involve building or improving train services for people, like Amtrak or tourist rail excursions.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much money will be saved or lost by this ban.
  • It is unclear what impact the ban will have on existing passenger rail projects and their safety improvements.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-07 H

    Refer for Interim Study: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 77

  2. 2025-10-15 H

    Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study 10/14/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 16

  3. 2025-09-08 H

    Public Hearing: 01/28/2025 11:30 am LOB 201

  4. 2025-09-08 H

    Full Committee Work Session: 10/14/2025 10:00 am GP 228

  5. 2025-09-08 H

    Executive Session: 10/14/2025 10:15 am GP 228

  6. 2025-02-25 H

    Retained in Committee

  7. 2024-12-26 H

    Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Public Works and Highways HJ 2 P. 5

Official Summary Text

prohibiting the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 100-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION
25-0038
06/11

HOUSE BILL
100-FN

AN ACT
prohibiting the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects.

SPONSORS: Rep. Ankarberg, Straf. 7; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Edwards, Rock. 31; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44

COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways

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ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the department of transportation from utilizing state funds for the planning, construction, operation, or management of new passenger rail projects.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.
25-0038
06/11

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT
prohibiting the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects.

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

1 Department of Transportation; General Functions; Prohibition on Commuter Rail Projects. Amend RSA 21-L:2, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) Planning, developing, and maintaining a state transportation network which will provide for safe and convenient movement of people and goods throughout the state by means of a system of highways, railroads, air service, mass transit, and other practicable modes of transportation, in order to support state growth and economic development and promote the general welfare of the citizens of the state
; provided, however, that no state funds shall be appropriated or expended for the planning, construction, operation, or management of passenger rail projects, including the project named Nashua-Manchester-Concord, project number 40818, in the 2019-2028 Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan
.

2 Use of Toll Credits. Amend RSA 228:12-a to read as follows:
228:12-a Use of Toll Credits. The department may use toll credits as a match for federal highway funds solely for the funding of highway and road projects, projects concerning the travel of motor vehicles on such highways and roads[
, and the completion of the project development phase of the project named Nashua-Manchester-Concord, project number 40818, in the 2019-2028 Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan
]. Any other use of toll credits shall require approval of the joint legislative capital budget overview committee, established in RSA 17-J:1, prior to moving the project forward for approval in the state 10-year transportation improvement program.

3 Notification. Upon passage of this act, the house clerk shall notify the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation and the United States Office of Management and Budget of the change in the law.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBA
25-0038
10/25/24

HB 100-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT
prohibiting the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028

County Revenue
Indeterminable

County Expenditures
Indeterminable

Local Revenue
Indeterminable

Local Expenditures
Indeterminable

METHODOLOGY:
This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from utilizing state funds for the planning,
construction, operation, or management of new passenger rail projects. The Department states this could impact existing and future passenger rail projects, which could include Amtrak services, passenger tourist excursion rail services, and the Mt. Washington Railway (Cog), shifting financial burdens to non-State entities for planning, construction, operation, and management of passenger rail projects. The Department states it is likely that the absence of state match would jeopardize or preclude necessary safety and modernization improvements to the state rail network. The fiscal impact to county and local governments is indeterminable as this bill could shift costs for planning, construction, operation, and management of any passenger rail projects from the state to other political subdivisions. Traditionally, the federal government will pay up to 50% of the costs to construct passenger rail projects with state, municipal, local, and/or private entities paying for the other 50%. The Department states if it is prohibited from using state funds to help cover the matching share, and if moving forward with a specific passenger rail projects is necessary, local governments and/or private entities would need to contribute any non-federal share for these project components.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Transportation