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HB 1699 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Firearms allowed on slow boats

AI-generated

enabling the carriage of certain firearms on slow-moving boats.

Enables the carriage of certain firearms on slow-moving boats.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill enables the carriage of certain firearms on slow-moving boats.

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

“No person shall have in or on a boat or other craft while being propelled by mechanical power, or in a boat or other craft being towed by a boat or other craft propelled by mechanical power, a cocked crossbow, a loaded rifle or loaded shotgun, muzzleloader, or air rifle.”
Section 1
“This paragraph shall not apply to a person in or on a boat or other craft that is operating at a no-wake speed or at a speed not exceeding 1.5 times headway speed.”
Section 1
“A firearm shall not be considered loaded solely because a magazine, tube, or other ammunition storage device attached to the firearm contains ammunition, so long as no round is chambered.”
Section 1
“A muzzle loading firearm shall not be considered loaded unless it is both charged with powder and ball and also primed with a percussion cap or powder in the frizzen pan.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Donald McFarlaneRPrime
  • Rep. James SpillaneRChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Jonathan SmithR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Samuel FarringtonR

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

33% support58% oppose8% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose HB 1699. Redefining a firearm as “unloaded” simply because a round is not in the chamber is a dangerous semantic maneuver, not a safety improvement. A firearm with a magazine inserted is functionally ready to fire and should be treated as loaded—period.…”
— Margaret Cowan, Wilmotopposes
“I am a boater. I do not want to think that anyone with a gun, not out duck hunting, can carry one and use it while partying or in a state of rage. Unsafe and unneeded. Don’t ruin a day on the lake or river because of guns. Give us some peace.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“I see no reason for the state to continue to push and allow more weapons in this state, especially as gun violence is does not seem to be diminishing and political rhetoric seems to excuse the use of deadly force. This bill seems like a waste of time and money .”
— Kimberly Porter, Concordopposes
“This bill needs some technical corrections to remove waterway restrictions”
— Bradley Louth, Hamptonneutral
“Just like HB1046, this is an anti 2A bill wearing a pro 2A mask as introduced. Just like with HB1046, I'd recommend the legislature finds firearms and firearm law savvy folks within the legislature to advise them.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonneutral

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
  • Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety3:18:23–3:20:272m 4slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 10 P. 11
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 16

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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