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1 New Paragraph; Personal Water Craft; Definition. Amend RSA 270:2 by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:
XI. "Personal water craft" means a motor boat 16 feet or less in length that is propelled by jet pump, not propellers, where the operator and riders stand, kneel, straddle, or sit on, rather than inside, the craft.
2 New Section; Personal Water Craft; Operation. Amend RSA 270 by inserting after section 74-c the following new section:
270:74-d Operation of Personal Water Craft.
I. No person shall:
(a) Operate a personal water craft on any lake, pond, or river unless the person is 16 years of age or older.
(b) Operate, control, or be transported on a personal water craft on any lake, pond, or river between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
(c) Operate a personal water craft or be a passenger on a personal water craft unless he or she is wearing a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device worn according to the directions provided on the device and for its intended purpose.
II. A person who violates any of the provisions of paragraph I shall be guilty of a violation.
III. In addition to the provisions of RSA 270:29-a, no person shall operate a personal water craft in a careless or negligent manner, or in a manner which unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb, or property, including but not limited to, weaving through congested watercraft traffic and swerving at the last moment to avoid collision. A person who violates this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Paragraph; Personal Water Craft; Definition. Amend RSA 270:2 by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:
XI. "Personal water craft" means a motor boat 16 feet or less in length that is propelled by jet pump, not propellers, where the operator and riders stand, kneel, straddle, or sit on, rather than inside, the craft.
2 New Section; Personal Water Craft; Operation. Amend RSA 270 by inserting after section 74-c the following new section:
270:74-d Operation of Personal Water Craft.
I. No person shall:
(a) Operate a personal water craft on any lake, pond, or river unless the person is 16 years of age or older.
(b) Operate, control, or be transported on a personal water craft on any lake, pond, or river between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
(c) Operate a personal water craft or be a passenger on a personal water craft unless he or she is wearing a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device worn according to the directions provided on the device and for its intended purpose.
II. A person who violates any of the provisions of paragraph I shall be guilty of a violation.
III. In addition to the provisions of RSA 270:29-a, no person shall operate a personal water craft in a careless or negligent manner, or in a manner which unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb, or property, including but not limited to, weaving through congested watercraft traffic and swerving at the last moment to avoid collision. A person who violates this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.