Revision: Jan. 15, 2025, 3:59 p.m.
HB 582-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0751
11/09
HOUSE BILL 582-FN
AN ACT relative to safety requirements for operation of personal water crafts.
SPONSORS: Rep. Darby, Hills. 11; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill defines the term "personal water craft" and prohibits certain types of operation.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0751
11/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to safety requirements for operation of personal water crafts.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
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.
25-0751
1/7/25
HB 582-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to safety requirements for operation of personal water crafts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf.
Any impact this bill may have on Department of Safety or Fish and Game Department watercraft enforcement activities is expected to be absorbed within normal budgeted amounts.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, Department of Safety, Fish and Game Department, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association