HB 1390 - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2480
10/05
HOUSE BILL 1390
AN ACT relative to regulating wakeboating and wakesports.
SPONSORS: Rep. Tanner, Sull. 5; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6; Rep. Darby, Hills. 11; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes prohibitions and limitations for the operation of wakeboats and their use in wakesports on public waters of the state.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2480
10/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to regulating wakeboating and wakesports.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraphs; Boating and Water Safety; Definitions Added. Amend RSA 270-D:1 by inserting after paragraph XIII the following new paragraphs:
XIV. "Wakeboat” means a motorboat that has one or more ballast tanks, ballast bags, or other similar devices used to enhance or increase the size of the motorboat’s wake.
XV. “Wakesports” means:
(a) Using a surfboard, wakeboard, hydrofoil, or similar device to ride on or in the wake directly behind a wakeboat with or without a rope, including wake surfing; or
(b) Operating a wakeboat with someone riding the wake directly behind the boat.
XVI. “Wakesports zone” means an area of a waterbody that has a minimum of 50 contiguous acres that are at least 500 feet from shore on all sides and is at least 20 feet deep, located on a lake, pond, or reservoir on which vessels powered by internal combustion motors are allowed and may be used at speeds exceeding 5 miles per hour.
2 New Section; Boating and Water Safety; Wakesports. Amend RSA 270-D by inserting after section 3 the following new section:
270-D:3-a Wakesports.
I. In addition to requirements in this chapter and rules adopted thereunder, the following prohibitions and limitations shall apply:
(a) Wakesports are prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
(b) Wakesports are prohibited behind a vessel propulsion system that extends beyond the swim platform.
(c) Wakesports shall not be permitted:
(1) On a body of water smaller than 50 contiguous acres.
(2) Within 500 feet of a shoreline or in-water structures.
(3) In waters less than 20 feet deep.
II. The commissioner shall develop and make publicly available wakesports zone maps of legal areas on New Hampshire public waters that meet the requirements of paragraph I.
3 New Paragraph; Rulemaking; Wakesports. Amend RSA 270-D:8 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. Regulation of wakesports under RSA 270-D:3-a.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2024 | 2024-1085h |
| March 26, 2024 | 2024-1322h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| March 6, 2024 | House | Hearing |
| March 13, 2024 | House | Exec Session |
| March 13, 2024 | House | Floor Vote |
March 28, 2024: Lay HB1390 on Table (Rep. Sweeney): MA DV 190-178 03/28/2024 HJ 10
March 20, 2024: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 20, 2024: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-1085h 03/13/2024 (Vote 13-7; RC) HC 12 P. 36
March 6, 2024: Executive Session: 03/13/2024 10:30 am LOB 305
Feb. 15, 2024: Public Hearing: 03/06/2024 01:00 pm SH Reps Hall
Dec. 6, 2023: Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1