HB629 Raising the cost of a boat decal fee and allocating the funds collected by such fees to the dam maintenance fund.
Raising the cost of a boat decal fee and allocating the funds collected by such fees to the dam maintenance fund.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Boat owners pay $5 more annually per decal, but the fee targets a specific user group rather than general taxpayers and funds a defined infrastructure need.
Your Community
Residents in communities downstream from the 34 high-hazard dams in poor condition gain meaningful safety improvements and reduced flood risk from enhanced dam maintenance and structural repairs.
Your Freedom
The bill does not restrict or expand individual rights; it is a user fee adjustment with no impact on local control or personal freedoms.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote === BILL KILLED ===; 04/23/2026; Senate Journal 10
Sponsor
Peter Leishman (D)
The Short Version
This bill increases the boat decal registration fee by $5 per decal, generating approximately $535,000 annually starting in 2027, with all revenue directed to maintenance of New Hampshire's 275 state-owned dams—including 34 high-hazard dams currently in poor condition. The fee increase affects approximately 107,000 annual boat registrations.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Residents living downstream from state-owned dams, particularly those near the 34 high-hazard dams currently in poor condition
- ▲ Communities that depend on dam infrastructure for flood control and water management
- ▲ All NH residents who benefit from safer dam infrastructure
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ NH boat owners, who pay an additional $5 per decal annually (approximately 107,000 decals issued annually)
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.