CHAPTER 220

SB 187-FN - FINAL VERSION

8Jun2023... 1823h

2023 SESSION

23-0821

02/05

SENATE BILL 187-FN

AN ACT relative to driver's licenses for certain visa holders.

SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Sykes, Graf. 14

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits a nonresident employed in New Hampshire through the federal H-2A temporary agricultural worker program from operating a motor vehicle unless they possess a license issued by another U.S. jurisdiction or meet other listed requirements.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

8Jun2023... 1823h 23-0821

02/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

AN ACT relative to driver's licenses for certain visa holders.

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

220:1 New Section; International Driver's License Reciprocity for H-2A Workers. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 35 the following new section:

263:35-a International Driver's License Reciprocity for H-2A Workers. Notwithstanding RSA 263:35, or any other law to the contrary, a nonresident employed in New Hampshire through the federal H-2A temporary agricultural worker program shall not operate a motor vehicle in New Hampshire unless:

I. He or she holds a valid driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued by another U.S. jurisdiction; or

II. He or she holds a valid driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle from a jurisdiction outside the United States and:

(a) Is at least 18 years of age;

(b) Is lawfully present in the United States;

(d) He or she possesses an international driving permit if their license issued from a jurisdiction outside the United States is not written in English.

III. Nonresidents who satisfy the requirements under this section shall have a maximum of 300 days from the date their residency was established to obtain a driver's license issued by the state of New Hampshire.

220:2 Nonresident Who Establishes a Residency in the State. Amend RSA 263:35 to read as follows:

263:35 Nonresident Who Establishes a Residency in the State. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 261:44 or any other law to the contrary, any nonresident driver of a motor vehicle who holds a valid driver's license in another jurisdiction, upon the establishment of a bona fide residency in this state, shall have a maximum of 60 days from the date his or her residency was established to obtain a driver's license issued by the state of New Hampshire; provided that H-2A temporary agricultural workers satisfying the requirements under RSA 263:35-a shall have a maximum of 300 days.

220:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: August 04, 2023

Effective Date: October 03, 2023