Bill Text: NH HB137 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to boating safety equipment rules and vessel numbering rules, and establishing a committee to study boat registrations fees.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 9-2)
Status: (Passed) 2023-07-12 - Signed by Governor Sununu 06/30/2023; Chapter 116; Eff: I. Sec 3 eff 6/30/23 II. Rem eff 8/29/23 House Journal 17 [HB137 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2023-HB137-Amended.html
HB 137 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
04/13/2023 1338s
2023 SESSION
23-0332
10/04
HOUSE BILL 137
SPONSORS: Rep. Creighton, Hills. 30; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6; Rep. Harvey-Bolia, Belk. 3; Rep. Harb, Rock. 20; Rep. J. MacDonald, Carr. 6; Rep. Post, Hills. 42; Rep. Healey, Hills. 12; Rep. Horgan, Straf. 1; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Ward, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows the commissioner of the department of safety to adopt by reference certain U.S. Coast Guard rules on boating safety equipment regulations and boating safety state numbering system regulations. The bill also establishes a committee to study boat registration fees.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
04/13/2023 1338s 23-0332
10/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Navigation; Rulemaking; Department of Safety; Boating Safety. Amend RSA 270:11 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
V. For the rules under paragraph I(a), the commissioner may adopt by reference, as amended, the current version of the federal boating safety equipment regulations promulgated by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, contained in 33 C.F.R. parts 175.13-175.25, 175.101-175.140, 175.110-175.120, and 175.301-175.320. The commissioner shall be authorized to exempt boats and operators operating exclusively on state waters from such rules which the commissioner determines impose an unnecessary regulatory burden without providing a corresponding safety benefit.
2 New Paragraph; Vessel Numbering; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 270-E:12 by inserting after paragraph XII the following new paragraph:
XIII. For the rules under this section on vessel numbering, the commissioner may adopt by reference, as amended, the current version of the federal boating safety state numbering system regulations promulgated by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, contained in 33 C.F.R. parts 174.3, 174.17-174.19.
3 Study Committee Established; Boat Registration Fees. There is established a committee to study collection and dispersal of boat registration fees collected for state agencies according to RSA 270-E, the collection and dispersal of the boats fees according to RSA 72-A, and the establishment of an online boat registration renewal program.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. The members of the committee shall seek input, advice, and expertise from the following persons and organizations:
(a) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(b) The commissioner of the department of safety, or designee.
(c) The executive director of the fish and game department, or designee.
(d) The director of the Pease development authority, division of ports and harbors, or designee.
(e) A representative of the New Hampshire Marine Trades Association.
(f) A member of the New Hampshire Town Clerks Association.
(g) A member of the New Hampshire state police-marine patrol unit.
(h) The director of the division of motor vehicles, or designee.
(i) A representative from NH LAKES.
(j) A representative from a local lake association.
(k) Representatives of the recreational powerboating community.
(l) A representative from the New Hampshire Rivers Council.
(m) A representative from the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association.
(n) Any person or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.
II. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
III. The committee shall gather the appropriate data and information on the collection of boat registration revenues for the department of safety.
IV. The committee shall gather the appropriate data and information related to the collections of boat registration revenues for state agencies other than the department of safety.
V. The committee shall gather the appropriate data and information on the collection of boat fee revenues for the department of safety and cities and towns.
VI. The committee shall gather the appropriate data and information related to an online boat registration renewal process.
VII. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
VIII. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 30, 2023.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
