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HB 393 · 2025 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Ban on unpermitted boat moorings

AI-generated

prohibiting mooring of boats without a permit.

Expands the definition of mooring to include spuds, lifts, and similar devices, prohibits their use in place of a permitted mooring in waters requiring permits, and lists exemptions.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 3, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill expands the definition of "mooring" to include spuds, lifts, and similar devices used to secure boats to the bottom of the public waters of the state. This bill also prohibits the use of spuds, lifts, or similar devices in place of a permitted mooring in waters requiring mooring permits and includes a list of exemptions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“No person shall use spuds, lifts, or similar devices that are an integral part of a vessel, in lieu of a permitted mooring, on any body of water requiring a mooring permit.”
Section 50:2
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following uses shall be exempt from this section:”
Section 50:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jonathan SmithRPrime
  • Rep. Lino AvellaniRVice Chair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. David PaigeDRanking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration

Also: Rep. Richard BrownR, Rep. Glenn CordelliR, Rep. Stephen WoodcockD

Public testimony

6 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

83% support17% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I grew up on the water in a different New England state. Commercial fisherman's kid. A permit to moor a boat? Really??? We paid for slips or moorings, but the slips were owned by the town or private marina and the mooring by various companies who WILL tow your boat.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0126h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0126hadopted
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0126hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development1:31:27–1:32:561m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 29, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development37:53–39:041m 11slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0126h; Executive Session
  • Feb 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0126h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0126h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Transportation1:17:05–1:25:318m 26slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 3 P. 7
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 11:30 am LOB 305
  3. Jan 29, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2025 10:15 am LOB 305
  4. Jan 29, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0126h 01/29/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 11 P. 8
  5. Feb 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0126h: AA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 14
  6. Feb 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0126h: MA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 14
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
  8. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 101, LOB, 01:50 pm; SC 14
  9. Apr 17, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  11. May 8, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/08/2025); SJ 13
  12. May 8, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 59
  13. May 29, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/29/2025; Chapter 50; eff. 01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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