Read the full stored bill text
HB 1362 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
11Mar2026... 1022h
05/07/2026 1613s
4Jun2026... 2165EBA
2026 SESSION
26-3082
06/08
HOUSE BILL
1362
AN ACT
relative to motor vehicle equipment specifications.
SPONSORS: Rep. T. Walsh, Merr. 10
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes motor vehicle standards for tire tread depth and brake lining measurements and inspection standards for vehicle steering and suspension systems.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11Mar2026... 1022h
05/07/2026 1613s
4Jun2026... 2165EBA 26-3082
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to motor vehicle equipment specifications.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Equipment of Vehicles; Tire Tread Depth. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 48 the following new section:
266:48-a Tire Tread Depth; Measurement Requirements.
I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon any way unless each tire mounted thereon has a minimum tread depth of not less than 2/32 of an inch.
II. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, this section shall not apply to:
(a) Commercial motor vehicles, as defined in RSA 259:12-e, that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.
(b) School buses, as defined in RSA 259:96, that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.
(c) Mixed use school buses, as defined in RSA 259:96-a, that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.
2 New Section; Equipment of Vehicles; Brake Performance; Brake Lining Measurements. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 28 the following new section:
266:28-a Brake Lining Measurement; Lining Thickness.
I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon any way unless the brake lining or friction material at each wheel has a minimum thickness of 2/32 of an inch.
II. Brake lining measurements shall be performed using a brake gauge, caliper, or other suitable measuring device calibrated in thirty-seconds of an inch.
(a) For brake shoes or disc brake pads with riveted linings, measurements shall be taken to the top of any rivet head.
(b) For brake shoes or disc brake pads with bonded linings, measurements shall be taken at the thinnest point of the friction material.
III. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, this section shall not apply to:
(a) Commercial motor vehicles, as defined in RSA 259:12-e, that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.
(b) School buses, as defined in RSA 259:96, that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.
(c) Mixed use school buses, as defined in RSA 259:96-a, that exceed 10,000 pounds in weight.
3 New Subdivision; Steering and Suspension. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 117 the following new subdivision:
Steering and Suspension
266:118 Steering and Suspension Standards.
I. No vehicle shall be operated on the ways of this state if, upon inspection, any of the following conditions are found:
(a) Steering linkage free-play exceeds the manufacturer's specifications.
(b) Any wheel bearing that is not within the manufacturer's tolerance for looseness.
(c) Any ball joint is broken, cracked, or exceeds the manufacturer's specifications.
II. For purposes of this section, "manufacturer's specifications" means the tolerances and standards established by the original equipment manufacturer for the safe operation of the specified system or component.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.