HB212 • 2026

allowing a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle fails an emission control test.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Matthew Coker (R)
Last action: 2026-01-07
Official status: HOUSE
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on rule creation or specific limits beyond the extension of the waiver period.

180-Day Waiver for Failing Emission Tests

This bill allows drivers to keep driving their cars for up to six months if the car fails an emissions test, as long as it passes all other safety checks.

What This Bill Does

Extends the time a driver can use a vehicle that failed an EPA OBD II emission control test from 60 days to 180 days.

Who It Names or Affects

Drivers whose vehicles fail an EPA OBD II emission control test but pass other safety checks.
The state department responsible for creating rules about vehicle inspections.

Terms To Know

EPA OBD II: A system that monitors a car's emissions and reports any issues to the driver.
Inspection cycle: The period during which vehicles are required to pass regular safety and emission checks.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens after the 180-day waiver expires.
It is unclear how many drivers will be affected by this change.

Bill History

2026-01-07 H
Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 78
2025-11-18 H
Executive Session: 10/28/2025 01:00 pm GP 234
2025-11-18 H
Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 10/28/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 17
2025-10-08 H
Full Committee Work Session: 10/28/2025 01:00 pm GP 234
2025-03-04 H
Retained in Committee
2025-02-27 H
Executive Session: 03/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 203
2025-02-05 H
Public Hearing: 02/11/2025 11:20 am LOB 203
2025-01-07 H
Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 2 P. 10

Official Summary Text

allowing a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle fails an emission control test.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB 212 - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION
25-0253
11/06

HOUSE BILL
212

AN ACT
allowing a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle fails an emission control test.

SPONSORS: Rep. Coker, Belk. 2

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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

ANALYSIS

This bill extends the temporary waiver permitting operation of a vehicle that failed an EPA OBD II emission control test from 60 days to 180 days.

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

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.
25-0253
11/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT
allowing a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle fails an emission control test.

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

1 Duration of Waiver Upon Failure. Amend RSA 266:59-b, V to read as follows:
V. If a vehicle fails the EPA OBD II test and it passes all other inspection requirements under this chapter, then it shall be issued a temporary waiver that permits its operation for [
60
]
180
days from the date of issuance, in order to make required repairs. A vehicle shall be eligible for only one such waiver during its inspection cycle. The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, that have the effect of establishing the broadest possible waivers for consumers consistent with 40 C.F.R. sections 51.350 through 51.373. It is the intent of the legislature to provide appropriate waivers to persons for whom the making of OBD II repairs would constitute economic hardship. The committee established in paragraph VII shall make recommendations for such waivers and the department shall consider such recommendations during the rulemaking process required by this paragraph.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.