This bill establishes a new funding mechanism for the maintenance of state-owned dams by imposing annual fees on properties with waterfront access to waterbodies impounded by these dams. Properties with direct waterfront access will incur a fee of $100 per year, while those with deeded water access will be charged $50 per year. Municipalities will assess these fees and retain an additional $5 for administrative costs. The collected fees will be deposited into a designated dam maintenance fund, which will be used for the operation, maintenance, and repair of state-owned dams. Notably, properties classified as working farms or in current use are exempt from these fees. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Revenue Administration in overseeing the collection of fees and related interests.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing law to allow the commissioner of environmental services to utilize the dam maintenance fund for necessary work on state-owned dams and associated properties, with certain projects requiring legislative and gubernatorial approval. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill anticipates an increase in local expenditures of less than $10,000 per municipality for managing the collection and disbursement of state fees, which may be offset by an optional $5 processing fee that municipalities can impose. Overall, the bill aims to generate approximately $3 million annually for dam maintenance and outlines the financial implications for state and local agencies involved in the collection process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 482:57
As Amended by the House: 482:57
HB1655 text: 482:57