This bill aims to fund the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams through new fees imposed on boat registrations and waterfront properties maintained by state-owned dams. Specifically, it amends RSA 270-E:5, II to introduce a $5 registration fee for each boat processed by authorized agents, with the revenue directed to the Dam Maintenance Fund established under RSA 482:55. Additionally, it amends RSA 482:8-a to establish an annual registration fee for dams based on their hazard classification, with fees set at $400 for low hazard, $750 for significant hazard, and $1,500 for high hazard dams. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new annual assessment of $1.58 per foot of linear shoreline on all taxable waterfronts maintained by state-owned dams, with the collected funds also allocated to the Dam Maintenance Fund.

The estimated revenue generated from these fees is projected to be approximately $8,030,000 annually, with $7,500,000 coming from the shoreline fee and $530,000 from boat registration fees. To manage the new shoreline fee program, the Department of Environmental Services anticipates needing three additional full-time staff positions, resulting in estimated expenditures of $303,000 in FY 2026, $304,000 in FY 2027, and $314,000 in FY 2028. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and while it does not provide direct funding or authorize new positions, it is expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state's Dam Maintenance Fund.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 270-E:5, 482:8-a