A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT NAVIGATING THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE LANDSCAPE What New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Businesses Need to Know BY DAN BENNETT, REM, IOM, CAE President, NHADA As the General Court moves through the heart of its legislative session, one thing is clear: 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most consequential years for New Hampshire’s motor vehicle industry in recent memory. Lawmakers are considering a wide-ranging slate of proposals that would redefine how vehicles are sold, titled, inspected, insured, repaired and even equipped. From electric vehicle classification to subscription-based vehicle features, inspection standards, workers’ compensation rules and insurance mandates, the scope of potential change is both broad and far-reaching. NHADA’s legislative priorities this year are guided by a clear mission: protect consumer safety, preserve fair competition and ensure that New Hampshire’s motor vehicle businesses can continue to operate efficiently, profitably and responsibly. The following are several of the most impactful issues now under active consideration. PRESERVING FAIR MARKET COMPETITION One of the most significant bills of the session would permit motor vehicle manufacturers to operate their own dealerships in markets already served by franchised businesses (HB 1041). This proposal represents a direct challenge to New Hampshire’s long-standing franchise protections. The franchise system exists to ensure fair competition, consumer choice and local accountability. Allowing manufacturers to open factory-owned stores in existing markets would undermine private investment, distort price competition and place locally owned motor vehicle businesses at a disadvantage compared to multinational corporations with unlimited capital. NHADA views this as a defining issue that could permanently reshape New Hampshire’s automotive marketplace. TECHNOLOGY, TRANSPARENCY AND CONSUMER RIGHTS As vehicles become increasingly software-driven, lawmakers are examining how new technologies affect ownership rights and consumer transparency. A high-priority proposal would regulate subscription-based vehicle features (HB 1146), potentially redefining how manufacturers charge consumers for built-in features delivered through software. While transparency is essential, poorly structured regulation could complicate vehicle sales, confuse consumers and place motor vehicle businesses in the middle of manufacturer billing models they do not control. Another key bill would create a new classification for electric vehicles (HB 1410). EV classification impacts registration, taxation, inspection standards and future regulatory policy. Getting this framework right will shape New Hampshire’s EV market for years to come. INSPECTION, EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY STANDARDS Several proposals would directly affect vehicle inspections, service facilities and repair operations statewide. New steering and suspension specifications (HB 1362) could expand inspection requirements and repair liability. While safety improvements are welcome, changes must be carefully crafted to avoid creating subjective inspection criteria that increase consumer disputes and administrative burdens for motor vehicle businesses. 4
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