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HB 1655 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Waterfront fees to fund dam repairs

AI-generated

establishing a funding source for maintaining state owned dams.

Creates annual municipal fees of $100 for waterfront-access properties and $50 for deeded water-rights properties on waterbodies impounded by state-owned dams, depositing the proceeds into a dedicated fund for dam operation, maintenance, and repair.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 26, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes fees on property that has waterfront access to a body of water created by a state-owned dam and directs such fees to the maintenance of state-owned dams.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The department of revenue administration shall identify the properties and landowners with waterfront access and deeded water rights to waterbodies impounded by state-owned dams.”
RSA 76:22
“(a) Minor projects and emergency repairs, including emergency action plans, which may be completed by force account methods by the department.”
RSA 482:57
“Following a conveyance of real estate with waterfront access or deeded water rights to a waterbody impounded by a state-owned dam, the grantee shall inform the municipality of the grantee mailing address.”
RSA 76:22
“The municipality shall assess a fee of $100 per year on real estate with waterfront access to a waterbody impounded by a state-owned dam.”
RSA 76:22

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Will DarbyDPrime
  • Rep. Ron DunnRVice Chair· Resources, Recreation and Development
  • Rep. Dennis MalloyDDeputy Ranking Member· Ways and Means

Public testimony

74 signed in online · 50 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

AgainstUnfairly burdens only waterfront owners; needs statewide approach

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am opposed to HB 1655. Current Use Lands within our State of NH should be EXEMPT, however this Bill (as written) would be difficult to implement. I therefore urge you to vote to Oppose HB 1655 as Inexpedient to Legislate.…”
— Eileen Chabot, Derryopposes
“Dam maintenance is not just the responsibility of those on those dammed bodies of water, the downstream public also benefits from a dam holding back water. In cases where hydroelectric is being used, all citizens benefit from that.…”
— Francis Bozek, Meredithopposes
“A dam protects all of a community and the state. I urge committees to create a better solution than passing this cost onto only those who are lakefront homeowners. Citizens of that town or city and also visitors whom come from all over to see NH's lakes all use the waterway.…”
— Marcia Fletcher, Concordopposes

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 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0170h10–6
    Overall
    63% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Granger)Failed173–179
    Overall
    49% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0170hadopted
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0170hAdopted208–146How they voted
    Overall
    59% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    49–14525% yea
    Democrats
    159–199% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Without Recommendation9–9
    Overall
    50% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Janigian)Adopted187–161How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    181–697% yea
    Democrats
    6–1554% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development2:11:03–2:12:181m 15slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development38:05–45:307m 25slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0170h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:41:14–4:48:317m 17slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0170h — adopted, roll call 208-146; Amendment # 2026-0170h — adopted, voice vote; Lay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Granger) — failed, division 173-179
  • Mar 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means2:06:57–2:15:038m 6slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session; Executive Session; Committee Report: Without Recommendation — roll call
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:44:35–4:50:125m 37slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Janigian) — adopted, roll call 187-161

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 Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 30
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 10:45 am GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0170h 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 6 P. 17
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseLay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Granger): MF DV 173-179 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 49
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0170h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 48
  8. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0170h: MA RC 208-146 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 49
  9. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Ways and Means 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 51
  10. Mar 2, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/02/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  11. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  12. Mar 2, 2026House: Without Recommendation 03/02/2026 (Vote 9-9; RC)
  13. Mar 26, 2026HouseLay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Janigian): MA RC 187-161 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 49

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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