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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.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-219:30 amHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentGP 228Public hearing
  • 2026-01-2810:00 amHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentGP 228Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0210:00 amHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0210:00 amHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0211:00 amHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-021:00 pmHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearing

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.