Bill Text: NH SB172 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relative to non-menace dams.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-06-04 - Signed by the Governor on 05/30/2018; Chapter 0119; Effective 07/29/2018 [SB172 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2018-SB172-Enrolled.html

SB 172-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

 

01/03/2018   2529s

2017 SESSION

17-0879

08/03

 

SENATE BILL 172-FN

 

AN ACT relative to non-menace dams.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Sanborn, Dist 9; Rep. Cordelli, Carr. 4; Rep. Vadney, Belk. 2

 

COMMITTEE: Public and Municipal Affairs

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires that certain dams shall not be declared a menace unless the department of environmental services determines that there has been a change in conditions downstream.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

01/03/2018   2529s 17-0879

08/03

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT relative to non-menace dams.

 

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

 

1  Menace Dams.  Amend RSA 482:12, I to read as follows:

I.  It shall be the duty of the department from time to time to cause all dams in the state which, by reason of their condition, height or location, may be a menace to the public safety to be inspected by competent engineers.  A dam that is classified as a non-menace structure as of February 20, 1981 shall retain such status until the department determines conditions downstream have changed since the dam was classified that warrant reclassification or until such reconstruction of the dam is needed requiring a permit to reconstruct the dam.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBAO

17-0879

Amended 1/16/18

 

SB 172-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2017-2529s)

 

AN ACT relative to non-menace dams.

 

FFISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [ X ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

   Expenditures

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Funding Source:

  [    ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [ X ] Other - Dam Registration Fund

 

 

 

 

 

LOCAL:

 

 

 

 

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill would require certain dams assigned a classification of “non-menace” as of February 20, 1981 shall retain such status until the Department of Environmental Services determines that conditions downstream have changed that warrant reclassification, or until reconstruction of the dam is needed requiring a permit to reconstruct the dam.   

 

The Department of Environmental Services indicates owners of non-menace dams are exempt from paying annual dam registration fees.  Owners of low hazard dams pay and annual registration fee of $400, owners of significant hazard dam pay $750 and owners of high hazard dams pay an annual fee of $1,500.  The Department states the impact on expenditures and revenues is indeterminable.  The bill could affect dams owned by state agencies and municipalities.  Some of these dams would avoid reclassification and the associated costs.  The Department indicates the number of dams that meet the criteria outlined in the bill and the number of inspections needed to assess their hazard are extremely small.  The Department states no additional costs related to the State’s dam safety program are expected.  

 

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Environmental Services

 

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