CHAPTER 129
HB 115 - FINAL VERSION
04/08/2021 1060s
2021 SESSION
21-0088
11/04
HOUSE BILL 115
AN ACT relative to wake surfing.
SPONSORS: Rep. Suzanne Smith, Graf. 8; Rep. MacDonald, Carr. 6; Rep. Gunski, Hills. 6; Rep. Fellows, Graf. 8; Rep. Wuelper, Straf. 3; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Rep. Gottling, Sull. 2; Rep. Deshaies, Carr. 6
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ANALYSIS
This bill defines and regulates "wake surfing."
This bill is a result of 2019, 77, the commission to study wake boats.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
04/08/2021 1060s 21-0088
11/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT relative to wake surfing.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
129:1 New Paragraph; Boating and Water Safety; Definitions; Wake Surfing. Amend RSA 270-D:1 by inserting after paragraph XII the following new paragraph:
XII-a. "Wake surfing" means a person using a surfboard, wakeboard, or similar device to ride on or in the wake directly behind a vessel that is underway. Wake surfing shall not include a person who is water skiing.
129:2 Boating and Water Safety; Wake Surfing. Amend RSA 270-D:3 to read as follows:
270-D:3 Motorboats Towing Water Skiers and Aquaplanes.
I.(a) No person shall operate a motorboat while towing water skiers, aquaplanes, or similar devices, or while engaged in wake surfing, unless another person is present in the motorboat who is physically able to observe and assist the person or appurtenance being towed or wake surfing. The observer shall be 13 years of age or older.
(b) For water skiers only, an observer shall not be required if the motorboat is a tow boat that has been approved by the American Water Ski Association and operated by a person at least 18 years of age. The motorboat shall be equipped with a wide-angle mirror having a viewing surface of at least 48 square inches and operated within a slalom course approved by the American Water Ski Association. The course shall have a valid state police permit.
II. The operator of the motorboat shall be responsible for compliance with the navigation requirements under this subdivision for both the vessel and the person or appurtenance being towed or wake surfing. In addition, any person being towed by or wake surfing behind a motorboat shall comply with all navigation rules.
III. No more than 6 persons may be towed on one or more inflatable tubes and no more than 2 persons may be towed on water skis, aquaplanes, or other devices from the same motorboat at the same time. When 3 or more persons are being towed, 2 observers, in addition to the operator, shall be in the towing vessel. Such observers shall be 13 years of age or older. Notwithstanding this paragraph, more than 2 skiers may be towed if a special permit is issued by the director.
IV. Except in connection with water events and exhibitions authorized by the director, no towing of water skiers, aquaplanes or similar devices shall be conducted during the period between sunset and sunrise. In addition, no person shall operate a boat engaged in wake surfing during the period between sunset and sunrise.
V. No person shall be towed on water skis or other appurtenances unless the person is wearing a Coast Guard approved type 1, 2, or 3 PFD, except when directly participating or competing in an American Water Ski Association approved event or exhibition, authorized by a special permit issued by the director of state police.
VI. No person shall engage in wake surfing unless such person is wearing a Coast Guard approved PFD.
VII. No person shall operate a motorboat propelled by an outboard motor, inboard/outboard motor, or water jet while a person is wake surfing in or on the wake of such motorboat, unless the propulsion system is designed by the manufacturer for that activity.
129:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: July 23, 2021
Effective Date: September 21, 2021
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 3, 2021 | House | Hearing |
| House | Floor Vote | |
| March 29, 2021 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 29, 2021 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 8, 2021 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| Feb. 3, 2021 | House | Hearing |
| March 29, 2021 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 8, 2021 | Senate | Floor Vote |
July 23, 2021: Signed by the Governor on 07/23/2021; Chapter 0129; Effective 09/21/2021
July 23, 2021: Signed by Governor Sununu 07/23/2021; Chapter 129; Eff: 09/21/2021
July 26, 2021: Signed by Governor Sununu 07/23/2021; Chapter 129; Eff: 09/21/2021
June 24, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/24/2021
July 12, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/24/2021
July 12, 2021: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/24/2021); SJ 20
June 24, 2021: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/24/2021); SJ 20
June 10, 2021: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2021-1060s (Rep. Renzullo): MA VV 06/10/2021 HJ 10 P. 17
June 10, 2021: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2021-1060s (Rep. Renzullo): MA VV 06/10/2021 HJ 10 P. 17
April 8, 2021: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-1060s, RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 04/08/2021; SJ 11
April 8, 2021: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-1060s, RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 04/08/2021; SJ 11
April 8, 2021: Committee Amendment # 2021-1060s, RC 23Y-1N, AA; 04/08/2021; SJ 11
April 8, 2021: Committee Amendment # 2021-1060s, RC 23Y-1N, AA; 04/08/2021; SJ 11
April 1, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2021-1060s, 04/08/2021; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 18
April 8, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2021-1060s, 04/08/2021; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 18
March 29, 2021: Remote Hearing: 03/29/2021, 01:45 pm; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar; SC 17
March 29, 2021: Remote Hearing: 03/29/2021, 01:45 pm; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar; SC 17
March 23, 2021: Remote Hearing: 03/29/2021, 01:45 pm; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar; SC 17
March 4, 2021: Introduced 03/04/2021 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
March 4, 2021: Introduced 03/04/2021 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
Feb. 24, 2021: Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/24/2021 HJ 3 P. 16
Feb. 24, 2021: Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/24/2021 HJ 3 P. 16
Feb. 11, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 19-1; CC) HC 12 P. 11
: Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 19-1; CC) HC 12 P. 11
Jan. 27, 2021: Public Hearing: 02/03/2021 02:00 pm Members of the public may attend using the following link To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/92220129569 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened.
Feb. 3, 2021: Public Hearing: 02/03/2021 02:00 pm Members of the public may attend using the following link To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/92220129569 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened.
Jan. 6, 2021: Introduced (in recess of) 01/06/2021 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 2 P. 35
Jan. 6, 2020: To Be Introduced 01/06/2020 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development
Jan. 4, 2021: Introduced (in recess of) 01/06/2021 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 2 P. 35