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HB 397 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Task force on waterway patrols

AI-generated

establishing a multi-agency task force chaired by the department of safety.

Creates a multi-agency task force, chaired by the department of safety, to review waterway law enforcement coverage and identify ways to increase patrol presence on New Hampshire's water bodies, with the task force sunsetting in 2026.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a multi-agency task force to identify solutions to increase law enforcement presence and patrols on New Hampshire waterways.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“There is established a multi-agency task force to identify solutions to increase law enforcement presence and patrols on New Hampshire waterways.”
RSA 207:3-f
“The task force shall be chaired by the commissioner of the department of safety or designee.”
RSA 207:3-f
“The first meeting of the task force shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
RSA 207:3-f
“The task force shall report its initial 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 1, 2025.”
RSA 207:3-f

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Will DarbyDPrime
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government

Also: Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

138 signed in online · 83 wrote testimony

93% support7% oppose0% neutral

ForMarine Patrol coverage is inadequate for unsafe boating

AgainstGeneral distrust of added government enforcement

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I apologize for not making the hearing this afternoon. The NH Marine Trades Association, a statewide association of marinas, boat dealers and related industry, are in favor of this bill. Marine Patrol has struggled with workforce and we believe this taskforce is warranted.…”
— Jodi Grimbilas, Strafford · NH Marine Trades Associationsupports
“There is an increasing amount of inappropriate and illegal behavior on our lakes. Ruining the enjoyment for those of us that endeavor to comply with laws and common sense.”
— Brian OConnell, Altonsupports
“I live on a NH lake and believe strongly in importance of collaboration among state agencies to keep NH waterways safe and protected.…”
— Deborah Hoover, New Londonsupports
“I am writing in opposition to HB 397. This is an unnecessary and wasteful bill which would ultimately create confusion in regards to jurisdiction on our public water bodies.…”
— Evan Goldner, Bedfordopposes
“The amount of scrutiny and people taking upon themselves to report neighbors will only increase with patrols and more scrutiny being placed on boaters and landowners around the lake.…”
— Brien Bolsinger, Sunapeeopposes
“I don't believe we need more law enforcement on the lakes, giving tickets for stupidity. Focus on the land where the people live and work and criminals break in and commit violent crime. Thank you.”
— Laurent La Brie, Sunapeeopposes

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
  • Mar 7, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 24, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:59:06–5:00:131m 7slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 13, 2025Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:11:16–4:12:561m 40slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 8
  2. Jan 24, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/24/2025 03:00 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 7, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 7, 2025House: Ought to Pass 03/07/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC)
  5. Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 7
  6. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 9
  7. May 13, 2025SenHearing: 05/13/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 21
  8. May 22, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 05/22/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 22A
  9. May 22, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/22/2025; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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