Lake Related Bills for 2025

When the NH House and Senate convened this year, there was no shortage of lake related bills to discuss. NH-LAKES followed each bill closely, filling those of us who live on lakes how they were doing. These are some of the bills that at least made it out of initial discussion, although not all will pass.

HB-105: Creates a “LOVE NH LAKES” license plate. The funds from this license plate would go towards the mitigation of cyanobacteria and to the grant fund. It is designed to generate funding for community groups to address the nutrient pollution which is what contributes to cyanobacteria outbreaks. The cost of this plate would be $30/year and would feature a loon on it. Both the NH-DES and the DMV testified that this would not be much work and would definitely be worth it.

Back in February, the bill looked like it would easily pass when the Transportation Committee recommended it 15-1. When it breezed through the House of Representatives shortly afterwards, we were hopeful. But when it went on to the Senate, they referred it back to the house, citing concerns that having a “new plate would interfere with NH’s existing Moose Plate Conservation Heritage License Plate Program.

Since it has been sent back, this Bill won’t pass in 2025. When fall begins, “NH-LAKES” will work with legislators on the wording of this bill, and try to get them to see the importance of controlling the growing number of Cyanobacteria outbreaks on our State’s lakes.

In the meantime, until we have either this or something else, there is no sustainable source of money available to control Cyanobacteria, or educate the public about it. According to NH-LAKES, the “Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund” which helps communities with projects to mitigate cyanobacteria blooms, is nearly depleted.

HB-291: This bill removes the criminal penalty for incorrect fertilizer application, and make it a violation instead of a crime. It also removes the fine attached to the violation. NH Lakes testified against this change, stating that although they support it being reduced to a violation, having a fine, however small, to pay for wrongdoing is an aspect that should remain, as that would be a deterrent. The Criminal Justice and Public Relations Committee amended the bill to a address these concerns, and it passed 15-1.

HB-416: Prohibits the intentional disposal of yard waste into NH waters. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 15-1 to retain this bill. Yard waste feeds algae and other plant growth in lakes when it decomposes, and is detrimental to the health of a lake. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives on March 26th. The Senate passed it on May 15th with a few adjustments. The Bill now returns to the House who will vote on the changes proposed by the Senate. If it passes, it will head to the Governor’s desk to be signed. This will most likely happen in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

HB-332: This would have allowed a “Village District” to be created around lakes comprised of those who live on that lake. This was thought to have been helpful on all lakes, even those that encompass more than one town. It was thought that a “village district” would have been more efficient than the State, and would supersede towns in governing what goes on on that lake, however, any new taxes would still have to be approved by a town vote. This bill was thought to have added protection, since those people living on lakes know their lake-related issues. But the bill met with resistance in committee hearings and its future is unknown at this time.

HB-397: Would establish a multi-level task force to identify solutions to increase patrols on NH waterways. This was heard by the Criminal Justice and Public Relations Committee before it easily went on to pass the House of Representatives. But on May 22nd, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended this bill “inexpedient to legislate,” (ITL). They felt that the wording wasn’t clear what the task force would do, and felt that legislation wasn’t needed to get agencies to work together to solve a problem, much of which is increased reports of reckless boaters. After this, the full Senate voted “ITL” and the bill will not pass this year.