SB255 (2007) Detail

Requiring non-motorized vessels to display conservation decals issued by the fish and game department.


SB 255-FN-A – AS INTRODUCED

2007 SESSION

07-1304

04/05

SENATE BILL 255-FN-A

AN ACT requiring non-motorized vessels to display conservation decals issued by the fish and game department.

SPONSORS: Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20

COMMITTEE: Wildlife, Fish and Game

ANALYSIS

This bill requires owners of non-motorized vessels to annually purchase and display a conservation decal.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

07-1304

04/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT requiring non-motorized vessels to display conservation decals issued by the fish and game department.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Fish and Game; Non-Motorized Vessel Conservation Decal. Amend RSA 207 by inserting after section 62 the following new section:

207:63 Non-Motorized Vessel Conservation Decal.

I. In this section, “non-motorized vessel” means any type of watercraft that is not equipped with propelling machinery and that is used or capable of use as a means of transportation.

II. No person shall operate a non-motorized vessel on any waters of the state, including estuarine and coastal waters, unless the vessel is properly displaying 2 conservation decals as provided in this section or is exempt under paragraph IV of this section.

III. The annual fee for a set of 2 conservation decals shall be $10, of which $1 shall be retained by the issuing agent. The balance shall be deposited into the fish and game fund. Conservation decals shall expire on December 31 of each year.

IV. The following vessels shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:

(a) Non-motorized vessels used as tenders.

(b) Non-motorized vessels owned by a municipal government, the state or federal government, or by a school district.

(c) Non-motorized vessels legally registered in the state.

(d) Inflatable tubes.

(e) Rafts and floats.

(f) Surfboards.

V. Two conservation decals shall be required for each non-motorized vessel. Decals shall be affixed on the front or rear of the vessel visible above the water line, or affixed on the bow below the gunnels but above the water line, or affixed on the inside of the gunnels at the mid-ship point so the decals are visible from both sides of the vessel.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

07-1304

Revised 03/12/07

SB 255 FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT requiring non-motorized vessels to display conservation decals issued by the fish and game department.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Fish and Game Department has determined this bill may increase fish and game fund revenue and expenditures by an indeterminable amount in fiscal year 2008 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Fish and Game Department states this bill requires a conservation decal for non-motorized boats. The annual fee for a set of conservation decals is $10. The issuing agent retains $1 of the fee and the remaining $9 is deposited into the fish and game fund. The Department estimates 200,000 sets of decals would be issued annually, for total revenue of $1.8 million. There would be administrative costs to the Department which include the cost of decals, shipping costs, agent reports/signs, brochure costs, added personnel time for customer service and data input, and OIT charges for system changes. The Department estimates the cost of administering conservation stickers as follows:

Cost of 500,000 decals $60,000

Shipping Costs 4,000

Agent Reports/Signs 600

Brochure Costs 10,000

Additional Personnel Time 100,000

OIT Services 50,000

Total $224,600