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HB 1837 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Marine patrol and boating law updates

AI-generated

relative to the New Hampshire marine patrol.

Modifies boating laws by updating penalties, increasing mooring field fees, prohibiting certain operating practices, requiring vessel display standards, and removing specified safety provisions.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 1, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill modifies boating laws by updating penalties, increasing mooring field fees, prohibiting certain operating practices, requiring vessel display standards, and removing specified safety provisions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. John MacDonaldRPrimeVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration

Also: Rep. Joseph HamblenR, Rep. Rosemarie RungD

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The NH marine patrol is already over stretched not being able to patrol smaller lakes as frequently as I feel they should and not having the ability to reply to complaints to law enforcement about law breakers.…”
— Paul Adams, Peterboroughsupports
“We are opposed to increasing taxes (so-called fees) on boating. Oppose all boating, mooring and similar lake related taxes.…”
— Ed LaCoursiere, Meredithopposes

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
  • 2026-03-319:00 amSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 38
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 03:15 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Jan 28, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0332h 01/28/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 6 P. 19
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0332h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 57
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0332h: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 57
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 57
  8. Feb 24, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/24/2026 HJ 5 P. 127
  9. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 6
  10. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 12
  11. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 13
  12. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  13. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1880e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  14. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1880e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 41
  15. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  17. May 28, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 99; eff.05/28/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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