This bill amends New Hampshire's boating laws by updating penalties, increasing mooring field fees, and instituting new operating practices and display standards for vessels. Key changes include the establishment of a standardized penalty structure under RSA 270:18, which imposes a $50 fine for first offenses and $100 for subsequent offenses within the same calendar year. Additionally, the bill prohibits individuals from riding on the gunwales, bow, or transom of a motorboat while it is underway. It also modifies the requirements for public and congregate mooring fields, replacing the previous flat fee of $25 with a fee structure specified in RSA 270:62.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new display standards for vessel registration numbers and decals, mandating that they be clearly visible and maintained in legible condition. It repeals certain safety provisions, including RSA 270:46-a, which pertained to boat safety courses, and RSA 270-D:2-c, III, which involved rental boat safety checklists. The bill is set to take effect upon passage, and while it is expected to generate some revenue from increased mooring fees, the overall fiscal impact remains indeterminable due to the variability in enforcement and compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 270:18, 270:67, 270-E:8
As Amended by the House: 270:18, 270:67, 270-E:8
HB1837 text: 270:18, 270:67, 270-E:8