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HB 203 · 2025 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Life jackets required on state waters

AI-generated

relative to coast guard approved personal flotation devices while on New Hampshire state waters.

Requires occupants of canoes, kayaks, or rowing sculls on state waters outside official competitions to wear a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires occupants of canoes, kayaks, or rowing sculls on state waters who are not part of an official competition to wear a personal floatation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. John MacDonaldRPrimeVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation

Also: Rep. Will DarbyD, Rep. Rosemarie RungD

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

63% support38% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose this bill because fixed dates are not appropriate weather, and it doesn't include other users such as fisherman, swimmers, and powerboat users. Users are often wearing wetsuits which provide warmth and flotation.”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-1510:00 amHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentLOB 305Public hearing
  • 2025-01-2910:15 amHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentLOB 305Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 2 P. 10
  2. Jan 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2025 11:30 am LOB 305
  3. Jan 29, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2025 10:15 am LOB 305
  4. Jan 29, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/29/2025 (Vote 11-5; RC) HC 11 P. 12
  5. Feb 4, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 215-162 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 20

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.