This bill introduces new penalties for contractors who violate the shoreland water quality protection act. It amends RSA 483-B:18 by adding a new paragraph that outlines the consequences for such violations. Specifically, it allows the superior court to impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each violation upon petition from the attorney general or the relevant municipality. Additionally, the commissioner can impose administrative fines of up to $5,000 for each offense, with provisions for repeat violations that could double the fine for each subsequent infraction.

The bill also clarifies that the imposition of administrative fines does not prevent further civil penalties from being applied. The new legal language inserted into the law includes the establishment of these penalties and the conditions under which they can be enforced. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 483-B:18
Version adopted by both bodies: 483-B:18
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 483-B:18