HB414 Prohibiting the division of motor vehicles from suspending a license on the basis of debt owed to a private entity related to the towing or storing of a motor vehicle.
Prohibiting the division of motor vehicles from suspending a license on the basis of debt owed to a private entity related to the towing or storing of a motor vehicle.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Residents currently suspended for unpaid towing/storage debt will avoid reinstatement fees and regain ability to drive and work, while future residents will not lose driving privileges over private debt collection.
Your Community
Communities benefit from improved employment and economic mobility for affected residents, though the bill does not directly alter local services or funding.
Your Freedom
Residents retain driving privileges and the ability to earn income by decoupling government licensing authority from private debt collection.
Status
Died on Table, Session ended 08/19/2026 House Journal 16
Sponsor
Ellen Read (D)
The Short Version
This bill prevents the NH Division of Motor Vehicles from suspending driver's licenses based on unpaid towing and storage fees owed to private companies, and requires reinstatement of any licenses currently suspended for this reason without reinstatement fees. It also clarifies that license suspension can only occur after a hearing where drivers had prior notice of the possibility of suspension.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Residents with unpaid towing or storage fees who currently have suspended licenses
- ▲ Low-income residents unable to pay towing/storage fees who need to drive for employment
- ▲ Residents whose licenses were not renewed due to outstanding removal/storage fees
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Private towing and storage companies lose an enforcement mechanism for debt collection
- ▼ The state loses a minimal amount (less than $10,000 over four years per fiscal note) in reinstatement fees
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.