1 Declaration of Intent. Amend RSA 163-B:1 to read as follows:

163-B:1 Declaration of Intent.

It is the intention of the legislature by this chapter to provide for uniform prohibition throughout the state of any and all littering on public or private property and to curb thereby the desecration of the beauty of the state and harm to the health, welfare and safety of its citizens caused by individuals who litter.

2 Unlawful Activities; Balloon Release. Amend RSA 163-B:3 to read as follows:

163-B:3 Unlawful Activities.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to dump, deposit, throw or leave, or to cause or permit the dumping, depositing, placing, throwing or leaving of litter on any public or private property in this state, or in or on ice or in any waters in this state, unless:

I. Such property is designated by the state or by any of its agencies or political subdivisions for the disposal of such litter, and such person is authorized by the proper public authority to use such property;

II. Such litter is placed into a litter receptacle or container installed on such property;

III. Such person is the owner or tenant in lawful possession of such property, or has first obtained consent of the owner or tenant in lawful possession, or unless the act is done under the personal direction of said owner or tenant, all in a manner consistent with the public welfare.

3 Penalties. Amend RSA 163-B:4 to read as follows:

163-B:4 Penalties.

I. any person violating the provisions of RSA 163-B:3, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, or, in lieu thereof, in the sound discretion of any court in which conviction is obtained, any such person may be directed by the judge of such court to pick up and remove from any public street or highway or public or private right-of-way, or public beach or public park, or with prior permission of the legal owner or tenant in lawful possession of such property, any private property upon which it has been established by competent evidence that he has deposited litter, any and all litter deposited thereon by anyone prior to the date of execution of sentence.

I-a. Any fines collected under this section for littering in coastal waters or beaches and for abandoning fishing gear shall be credited to the derelict fishing gear and coastal cleanup fund established in RSA 211:77.

II. The court is hereby directed to publish the names of persons convicted of violating the provisions of RSA 163-B:3.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.

1 Declaration of Intent. Amend RSA 163-B:1 to read as follows:

163-B:1 Declaration of Intent.

I. It is the intention of the legislature by this chapter to provide for uniform prohibition throughout the state of any and all littering on public or private property and to curb thereby the desecration of the beauty of the state and harm to the health, welfare and safety of its citizens caused by individuals who litter.

II. The general court declares that the release into the atmosphere of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases constitutes littering, because the balloons eventually return to the earth 's surface. Deflated balloons pose a serious threat to the life and well-being of wildlife and marine animals via ingestion or entanglement with attached ribbons.

2 Unlawful Activities; Balloon Release. Amend RSA 163-B:3 to read as follows:

163-B:3 Unlawful Activities.

I. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to dump, deposit, throw or leave, or to cause or permit the dumping, depositing, placing, throwing or leaving of litter on any public or private property in this state, or in or on ice or in any waters in this state, unless:

(a) Such property is designated by the state or by any of its agencies or political subdivisions for the disposal of such litter, and such person is authorized by the proper public authority to use such property;

(b) Such litter is placed into a litter receptacle or container installed on such property;

(c) Such person is the owner or tenant in lawful possession of such property, or has first obtained consent of the owner or tenant in lawful possession, or unless the act is done under the personal direction of said owner or tenant, all in a manner consistent with the public welfare.

II. It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally release or intentionally cause to be released into the atmosphere 20 or more balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases, except for:

(a) Balloons released by or on behalf of any agency of the United States, the state of New Hampshire, or any other state, territory, or government for scientific or meteorological purposes; or

(b) Hot air balloons recovered after launch.

III. Lighter than air balloons shall be sold with a weight and tag that informs the purchaser that the release of 20 or more balloons is harmful to wildflife and that a violation punishable by a $250 fine for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses .

3 Penalties. Amend RSA 163-B:4 to read as follows:

163-B:4 Penalties.

I. Except as provided in paragraph III, any person violating the provisions of RSA 163-B:3, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, or, in lieu thereof, in the sound discretion of any court in which conviction is obtained, any such person may be directed by the judge of such court to pick up and remove from any public street or highway or public or private right-of-way, or public beach or public park, or with prior permission of the legal owner or tenant in lawful possession of such property, any private property upon which it has been established by competent evidence that he has deposited litter, any and all litter deposited thereon by anyone prior to the date of execution of sentence.

I-a. Any fines collected under this section for littering in coastal waters or beaches and for abandoning fishing gear shall be credited to the derelict fishing gear and coastal cleanup fund established in RSA 211:77.

II. The court is hereby directed to publish the names of persons convicted of violating the provisions of RSA 163-B:3.

III. Any person who violates the provisions ofRSA 163-B:3, II, relative to balloon release, shall be guilty of a violation and fined $250 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.