This bill establishes the Hampton Beach State Park Pier Fund, which will be administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation. The fund is dedicated to the siting, permitting, designing, and constructing of a public pier at Hampton Beach. The new legal language inserted into the law creates a separate fund within the state treasury, which will be continually appropriated to the Division for engineering services, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the pier. The bill also mandates that the Division consider the recommendations from the October 28, 2022, Hampton Beach New Pier Feasibility Study and the needs of individuals with disabilities during the design and construction process. Additionally, the Division is authorized to accept various forms of funding, including gifts and grants, to support the pier project.

The bill includes a nominal appropriation of $1 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, to be deposited into the newly established fund. It also specifies that any remaining balance in the fund as of July 1, 2035, will be transferred to the state park gifts and donations account for the purpose of enhancing access to state parks for individuals with disabilities. The bill does not create new positions and has an indeterminable fiscal impact, with estimated costs for the pier construction ranging from $21.7 million to $27.4 million, depending on the design and materials used. The ongoing maintenance and oversight costs are expected to be covered by the State Park Fund, with estimates ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 annually.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12
As Amended by the Senate: 6:12