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SB 594 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Dock removal agitator restrictions

AI-generated

eliminating the use of agitators in instances where temporary docks have been removed from bodies of water.

Eliminates the use of certain agitators in instances where temporary docks have been removed from bodies of water.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 8, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill eliminates the use of certain agitators in instances where temporary docks have been removed from bodies of water.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“No person shall put, place, operate, or cause to be put, placed, or operated in the waters of this state any so-called heating, agitating, or other device which inhibits or prevents the natural freezing of water, or forming of ice, and thereby impedes either the ingress or egress to or from the ice from any property other than that of the owner of the device.”
RSA 270:33
“No person shall place or operate any aforementioned device except as necessary to protect legally existing permanent structures located adjacent to their shoreline from ice damage.”
RSA 270:33
“Any person or persons responsible for the placement of [the] a device protecting structures by impeding ice formation shall ensure that warning signs are posted to warn of its location.”
RSA 270:33
“Said signs shall read DANGER, THIN ICE and shall be of sufficient size to be readable at a distance of not less than [150] 200 feet, and shall be visible from all directions and shall be equipped with reflectors and color-coded in a pattern unique for this purpose only.”
RSA 270:33

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Lilli WalshR

Public testimony

81 signed in online · 44 wrote testimony

96% support4% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As an owner of property on a lake, approval of this bill is urgently needed.”
— Kathleen O’Connor, Canaansupports
“SB 594 is important for both the health of our lakes and for public safety. Please vote to pass.”
— Stephen Barker, Springfieldsupports
“I support this bill. Owners do not monitor their ice circulatory therefore it creates excessive open water areas. I feel it creates unsafe access for recreation and of course not healthy for the lake. Please support this bill”
— Joanne Lundy, Alton Baysupports
“I think this is another dumb bill to just add to life's difficulties. Leave things alone. LIVE FREE OR DIE!!!”
— Dino Rossi, Meredithopposes

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 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources53:08–1:07:3014m 22slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development2:19:52–2:28:228m 30slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Feb 10, 2026SenHearing: 02/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 4
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 5 P. 127
  6. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 11:30 am GP 228
  7. Mar 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  8. Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/25/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
  9. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 15
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseReferred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 16
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 73
  12. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 154
  13. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  14. Jun 5, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/05/2026; Chapter 127; Effective 08/04/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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