State Government
NH LAKES works with New Hampshire legislators, state agency staff, and partners to submit and support bills that will help restore and preserve our lakes. While NH LAKES takes strong positions of support or opposition on some bills, we also track many bills as they move through the legislative process, so we can respond if they become essential to our cause. Learn more about some of the bills we support and track.
How a Bill Becomes a Law in New Hampshire
Let’s describe the procedure through which a bill becomes a law. You may be acquainted with this, but the procedure might be a bit perplexing to some. The infographic below breaks down the process in a friendly and easy-to-absorb way.
See what happened with bills NH LAKES tracked in previous New Hampshire Legislative Sessions:
2024
House Bill 1304 was passed which protects federal funding for the New Hampshire Marine Patrol and provides a legal way for the state to collect boating fees that support critical programs, including aquatic invasive plant management and prevention activities.
It separates the collection of boat registration fees and fees for other programs into two transactions, bringing the state into compliance with federal regulations. And, it makes the collection of the additional boat fees required under state law.
2023
Committee to study boat registration fees: NH LAKES supported House Bill 137, which would establish a committee to study boat registration fees so that New Hampshire can come into compliance with federal law when collecting boat registration fees. This bill was passed by the House and Senate.
Currently, when a boat is registered in New Hampshire, the state adds additional fees to the transaction. These additional fees support critical programs. These programs include the lake restoration and preservation fund, which supports preventing and managing invasive species in our lakes. Collecting these additional fees in the same transaction when registering a boat violates federal law.
The study committee formed by this bill will meet over the summer and into the fall to determine how New Hampshire can effectively collect these critical additional fees while complying with federal law. NH LAKES has been named one of the groups the committee should seek input, advice, and expertise from in addressing the issue. We’ll keep you posted.
2019
House Bill 325: requires boaters to use AIS prevention technologies at public boat access facilities, if they are available. This important addition to existing clean and drain requirements will further help to prevent the spread of AIS in New Hampshire by encouraging boat access facility owners to invest in AIS prevention technologies.
House Bill 625: requires out-of-state boaters to purchase a $20 decal annually for AIS prevention and management. This additional revenue will help reduce the increasing AIS prevention and management cost burden that local groups and municipalities have to bear.
2024
House Bill 1554was passed requiring the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to regulate and develop rules to oversee the management of native plants in lakes and other public waters. This protects lakes from inadvertent consequences (such as algae and cyanobacteria blooms) from the unregulated cutting of native plants.
House Bill 1143 allows the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to monitor, manage, and reduce the risk of cyanobacteria blooms and to develop a regulatory process for in-lake treatments. It adds language specifying the need to diagnose and remediate cyanobacteria blooms, provides a mechanism for granting funds to control blooms, and adds authority to develop rules overseeing the issuance of permits for in-lake management projects.
2024
House Bill 1293 sought to regulate the use of certain fertilizers on turf, reducing nutrient pollution in our waters that can lead to the excessive growth of native and invasive plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. It would have established conditions when (during/before rain, on frozen ground) and locations where (near storm drains, on pavement) fertilizer could not be applied. And, it would have required signs to be posted in retail locations explaining the negative impacts of fertilizer on surface waters.
House Bill 1293 was passed by the Legislature, but was later vetoed by the Governor. Governor Sununu had this to say, “Despite this bill’s well-sought intention to reduce fertilizer contamination, it contains several unworkable and impractical provisions.”
2023
Cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund: NH LAKES, along with our Lake Advocates Network, several of our supporters and partners, advocated for House Bill 276, which would establish a $25 million cyanobacteria mitigation loan fund to provide municipalities, community water systems, and nonprofit lake and river watershed associations with funding to implement projects to mitigate cyanobacteria blooms. The House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee amended and passed the bill to include a provision to provide grants to nonprofit organizations.
While the bill was retained by the House Finance Committee so that the funding mechanism could be worked on later, the bill language was added to House Bill 2, the Governor’s budget trailer bill with an appropriation of $1. This allowed the fund to be considered by the Senate, where it was amended to include an initial $1 million appropriation. HB 2 was passed by the Senate and the House and signed by the Governor.
While there are many details to be worked out, the establishment of the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund in law with an initial appropriation of $1 million is a tremendous win for New Hampshire and our lakes.
You can find the full text describing the fund here.
2022
HB 1042, requiring certain health advisory notices to be provided to renters of vacation or recreational rental units, was voted Inexpedient to Legislate. This bill would have required information in rental agreements to include information about where to find toxic cyanobacteria bloom or E. coli alerts in an attempt to reduce visitors’ exposure to toxic cyanobacteria or fecal bacteria in New Hampshire waterbodies.
HB 1066, requiring the commissioner of the department of environmental services (DES) to prepare a plan relative to cyanobacterial blooms in New Hampshire, is waiting to be signed by the Governor. In addition to the plan, the bill creates an advisory committee to DES made up of expert stakeholders from state agencies, nonprofits, the medical, veterinary and scientific communities, and members of local lake and watershed associations.
HB 1454-FN, relative to permits for the siting of new landfills, sought to establish a method for determining the distance a new landfill can be located from rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. The setback would be determined to prevent any landfill spill from reaching surface or groundwater sources for a minimum of five years, allowing for remediation and planning. The current setback distance for landfills from surface waters is 200 feet. The bill was vetoed by the Governor and it is unclear yet whether there is enough support from the legislature to override the veto.
2021
House Bill 426: relative to shoreland septic systems was an opportunity to improve water quality by identifying underperforming and uninspected septic systems to prevent harmful nutrients, like phosphorus, from leaching into New Hampshire’s lakes. The proposed bill, which was retained by the House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee and not recommended for further legislation, would have required assessment at the time of sale for certain septic systems on properties within the developed waterfront.
2020
Senate Bill 713-FN: would have expanded the Green SnowPro program to municipalities. SB 713-FN was ‘Laid on the Table’ by the House, which killed the bill. Through the Green SnowPro program, commercial salt applicators are relieved of some liability associated with using less salt on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots when they participate in training to use salt in ways that reduce its impact on lakes and other water resources.
2024
House Bill 1103 was passed strengthening the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) ability to enforce the Surface Water Quality Protection Act, which regulates the use, development, and vegetation management on land within 250 feet of lakes, it removes language requiring that NHDES prove that a violation of the Act damaged the waterbody, requires the damaged site to be restored to meet specific standards, and allows the NHDES to impose fines if site restoration is not completed within one year of notification of the violations.
House Bill 1113 was passed, strengthening assessment requirements for shoreland septic systems upon waterfront property sales and reducing nutrient and bacteria pollution to waterbodies.
House Bill 1360 was passed, allowing the New Hampshire Department of Safety to establish an emergency maximum no-wake zone on public and coastal waters for up to 10 days due to weather or environmental conditions. This protects lake shorelines during periods of high water by reducing shoreline erosion and inundation of septic leach fields from boat wakes.
2023
Condominium conservations under water and waste disposal laws and municipal ordinances: NH LAKES opposed House Bill 236, which would exempt the conversion of existing buildings into condominiums from subdivision regulations for the purpose of regulating waste disposal systems. NH LAKES testified that exempting structures being converted into condominiums from waste disposal laws and ordinances could threaten public safety and lake health. Waste disposal systems that are improperly designed, installed, or maintained, can pollute lakes, ponds, and rivers with inadequately treated wastewater. The House Municipal and County Government Committee voted the bill Inexpedient to Legislate.
Placement of temporary seasonal docks: NH LAKES supported the spirit of House Bill 472, which would prohibit exempting the installation of temporary seasonal docks that may impact any wildlife species, threatened species, or endangered species from wetlands permitting. Docks that could affect wildlife would need to go through the wetlands permitting process before approval. This bill was retained by the House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee, and it did not advance this session. The Committee expressed great support for the protection of loon nesting habitat when docks are placed but felt the bill needed more work. Stay tuned!
Wetland buffers: NH LAKES opposed House Bill 592-FN, which would exempt temporary impacts and small impervious surface impact projects from local wetland overlay districts and permits for construction, excavation, or filling near wetlands. NH LAKES, along with many supporters and partners, testified that wetlands are fragile and complex ecosystems that protect and improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and reduce the impacts of floods, and they need state and local protections. The House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee voted the bill Inexpedient to Legislate.
2022
HB 1227 relative to the definition of prime wetland, was voted Inexpedient to Legislate. It would have increased the area of a wetland eligible for a prime wetland designation. Wetlands help protect and improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and reduce the impacts of floods.
HB 1418, relative to permit by notification for certain homeowner shoreland projects, was voted Inexpedient to Legislate. It would have simplified and streamlined the wetlands permit-by-notification application process. This work is already being undertaken by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, rendering this bill unnecessary.
2021
House Bill 82: would have allowed landowners and the state legislature to negotiate potentially harmful amendments to conservation easements. Undisturbed natural lands help soak up and filter runoff water, keep pollutants out of lakes, provide beneficial wildlife habitat, and are generally good for lake health. House Bill 82 was retained in the House Judiciary Committee, meaning it is being held on to for more work or possible reconsideration.
House Bill 158: would have increased the area of a wetland eligible for a prime wetland designation but was killed in the House. This legislation aimed to include the “fingers and toes” of a wetland that meets certain exceptional function criteria. Wetlands help protect and improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and reduce the impacts of floods.
House Bill 177: would have prevented new landfills from being sited within two miles of any state park in New Hampshire. A landfill could have significant detrimental water quality impacts for nearby waterbodies, including contaminating surface water and groundwater. The bill was defeated in the Senate.
2020
Senate Bill 491: relative to shoreland water quality would have increased the natural woodland buffer standard (set in place by the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act) from 25% to 50% on lots larger than one-half acre. SB491 was ‘Laid on the Table’ by the Senate, which killed the bill. This increase would have safeguarded our lakes and protected them against polluted runoff water, while still allowing property owners to enjoy shorefront homes.
House Bill 1124: relative to the definition of a prime wetland was ‘Laid on the Table’ by the Senate, which killed the bill. The bill would have increased the area of a wetland eligible for a prime wetland designation to include the “fingers and toes” of a wetland that meet certain exceptional function criteria. Wetlands help protect and improve water quality, provide wildlife habitats, and reduce the impacts of floods.
2024
Three bills were introduced into the legislature seeking to regulate wake surfing on New Hampshire’s lakes to minimize impacts on lake health and safety. While these bills did not pass, significant progress was made in garnering support for regulating wake surfing within the New Hampshire Legislature.
House Bill 1301, allowing the New Hampshire Department of Safety to restrict or prohibit wake surfing on a public body of water pursuant to a petition and hearing process, was tabled on the floor of the House of Representatives on a vote of 196 to 17, just 14 votes, and did not pass over to the Senate.
House Bill 1390, defining a wake sports zone as an area of at least 50 acres in size, located at least 500 feet from shore on all sides and at least 20 feet deep in all areas, was amended by the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee to a 300-foot setback. This bill was tabled on the floor of the House of Representatives on a vote of 190 to 178, just 12 votes, and did not pass over to the Senate.
Senate Bill 431, as amended from a 200-foot to 300-foot setback for wake surfing, overwhelmingly passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote of 214-148. The Senate, however, refused to concur with the amended bill, and the bill did not pass.
2023
Winnipesaukee Daytime Speed Limit: NH LAKES opposed House Bill 448, which would raise the daytime speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour in the widest part of the lake (the Broads). The House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee heard overwhelming testimony in opposition to the bill and, immediately after the hearing, voted the bill Inexpedient to Legislate.
2022
HB 1071, which would have required a 250-foot setback for the activity of wake surfing, was voted Inexpedient to Legislate. Wake surfing is a water sport in which a rider on a surf board rides the boat’s wake without the assistance of a tow rope. Wake surfing requires large, enhanced wakes—much larger than wakes required for other tow sports like waterskiing and tubing.
When produced in certain areas, enhanced waves can erode shorelines, disturb lake bottom sediments and critical fish and bird nesting habitat. A wave action study released by the University of Minnesota concluded at least 500 feet are needed for enhanced waves used for wake surfing to diminish to similar wake wave characteristics as the non-wakesurf boat reference.
HB 1424, which would have would have removed the 45 miles per hour daytime speed limit on Lake Winnipesaukee, was voted Inexpedient to Legislate.
HB 1528, establishes a voluntary donation program for paddlers and other non-motorized users to support public access at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department boat ramps was signed by the Governor. Fish and Game is in the process of developing the program. Of the 135 Fish and Game boat ramps, 66 are car-top access only.
2021
House Bill 99: requires that anyone seeking to anchor a floating dock, seasonal platform, inflatable platform, or float on public waters observe requirements specified by the New Hampshire Department of Safety.
House Bill 115: relative to wake surfing added the activity of ‘wake surfing’ to existing safety legislation and came out of consensus from the Wake Boat Study Commission. The bill requires participants to wear a life jacket, have a spotter, and a few other safety provisions.
House Bill 229: would have defined wake boats in statute. When used in certain ways, wake (ballast) boats pose a threat to the health of New Hampshire’s lakes in the form of shoreline erosion, property damage, disturbance on the lake bottom, and the spread of aquatic invasive species. The bill died after being voted ‘Inexpedient to Legislate’ in the House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee, but was not acted upon by the full House of Representatives.
2020
Senate Bill 627: would have created a voluntary program for dock owners to register their dock with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in an attempt to reduce complaints and conflict, improve record keeping, and ensure routine permit requests are hassle-free and environmentally protective. SB 627 was ‘Laid on the Table’ by the House, which killed the bill.
House Bill 1609: relative to seasonal platforms on public waters of the state would have allowed the Department of Safety, Division of Marine Patrol, to regulate the placement and safety of large, inflatable seasonal platforms. HB1609 was ‘Laid on the Table’ by the Senate, which killed the bill.
2019
House Bill 137: established a wake boat study commission, made up of an inclusive group of stakeholders, to identify the impacts of wake boats on shoreline erosion, private property, and the safety of swimmers and other boaters. The study commission concluded in November 2020 and you can read the report here.
by NH Rocks