SB 559-FN (2026): reducing the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads.

SB 559-FN (2026)

reducing the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads.

• Status: Killed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Transportation
• Senate committee: Transportation
• Subject: Motor Vehicles

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 20, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0343s). On February 5, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the Present Time, Without Objection”. The committee's amendment (2026-0343s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 14, 2026, with 88 people signed in online: 83 in support and 5 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 14, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 11–4. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a roll call 218–110.

Sponsors

• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. Seth Miller (D - Straf 21)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Rep. Catherine Rombeau (D - Hills 2)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 1:40 PM: hearing, Senate Transportation, SH 122-123
• February 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 14, 2026, 10:40 AM: public hearing, House Transportation, GP 234
• April 14, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Transportation, GP 234
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0343s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 218, nays 110, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 265:63

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 2
• SC 4
• HJ 5, page 124
• HJ 11, page 75
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report