State would offer certain property to local governments first

State officials would first offer certain unneeded property to the town, city, or county where it is located. This covers property bought with state or federal highway money, turnpike money, or both, including property proposed for bulk disposal. The transportation commissioner must recommend the disposal or lease. The long range capital planning and utilization committee must review and approve the request before it goes to the governor and council. If the local government refuses the offer, the governor and council may sell, transfer, convey, or lease the property. The state may not dispose of a class I or class II highway that remains open to motor vehicle travel when the town selectmen object under RSA 230:57. This provision would take effect 60 days after passage.

State department heads would recommend the disposal or lease of state-owned property, and a state committee would review the request before governor and council approval. This applies to state-owned property under a state department's control, except property covered by the listed highway, turnpike, and other statutory provisions. The long range capital planning and utilization committee must review and approve the request, with advice from the council on resources and development. Once the property is no longer needed by the state, officials must first offer it to the town, city, or county where it is located. If the local government refuses, the governor and council may sell, transfer, convey, or lease the property. The highway restriction for class I and class II highways that remain in public motor vehicle use also applies. This provision would take effect 60 days after passage.

A right-of-way and the state's interest in certain highway land would revert to the town, and the highway would become a class V or class VI highway. This applies when the required notice is filed for covered property, including property acquired by the state in 1945 or earlier when town selectmen do not act or report their decision. The commissioner of transportation must certify the reversion in writing under oath to the selectmen. The town selectmen may object to the discontinuance, reclassification, or reversion. The commissioner may not take those actions for a class I or class II highway that remains in use for motor vehicle travel when the selectmen object. For property acquired by the state in 1945 or earlier, the reversion can occur if the selectmen fail to act or notify the commissioner within 60 days after receiving notice.