This bill establishes the Hampton Beach State Park Pier Fund, which will be administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation for the purpose of siting, permitting, designing, and constructing a public pier at Hampton Beach. The new section, RSA 216-J:6, creates a dedicated fund that will be kept separate from other funds and continually appropriated to the Division for engineering services, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the pier. The bill 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 fund.

The bill includes a nominal appropriation of $1 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, to be deposited into the Hampton Beach State Park Pier Fund. It also amends RSA 6:12 to include the new fund under the application of receipts by the State Treasurer. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and while it does not authorize new positions, it anticipates indeterminable expenditures related to project oversight and maintenance, which may range from $10,000 to $100,000 annually, funded through the State Park Fund. The estimated costs for constructing the pier are projected to be between $21.7 million and $27.4 million, depending on the design and materials used.

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