Rep. John MacDonald

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's Clean Lakes Program to include specific authority for managing cyanobacteria blooms, which are harmful algal growths that can degrade water quality. It empowers the Department of Environmental Services to take short-term actions like chemical or physical treatments to control these blooms and to reduce the nutrient inputs that cause them. The legislation also allows the department to provide financial grants to local groups and individuals for managing both exotic aquatic weeds and cyanobacteria, while requiring consultation with other state agencies before implementing certain treatments. Effective September 1, 2024, the program will focus on diagnosing water issues, implementing long-term solutions, and ensuring safe conditions for public recreation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most charitable organizations to file an annual financial statement with their local municipality by June 1 to maintain their property tax exemption. The statement must detail the organization's financial condition and include any other information needed to prove its eligibility for the tax break. While religious and educational groups already have specific exemptions, this rule applies to other charities and allows for late filings only if the delay was due to an accident, mistake, or misfortune, provided the local tax rate has not yet been approved. The law takes effect on April 1, 2025, and will change how these organizations must document their status to qualify for reduced property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires powerboat operators to wear an engine cut-off switch lanyard while operating specific vessels at speeds higher than the minimum needed to maintain steerage. The rule applies to powerboats that are at least 26 feet long or have outboard engines with more than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, unless the boat has an enclosed cabin or was manufactured before 2020 without such a device. The law defines an engine cut-off switch as a safety device that disables the engine if the operator falls off the helm and sets the requirement to take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1046 requires boat owners who are not the vessel operator to notify law enforcement and file an accident report if the operator fails to do so after an incident involving death, injury, or property damage exceeding $2,000. The bill mandates that the operator must immediately stop, assist those involved, and exchange information, while also submitting a written report to the Department of Safety within 15 days. If the operator is unable or unwilling to comply with these duties, the owner must take over the responsibility to report the accident to police and the state department. Failure to meet these notification and reporting requirements can result in criminal penalties, ranging from a class A misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity of the incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety rules for wake surfing in New Hampshire to protect both surfers and others on the water. It prohibits wake surfing on bodies of water smaller than 50 acres and within 300 feet of shorelines, docks, or other boats. Additionally, the law bans operating a motorboat while someone is wake surfing behind it unless the boat is specifically designed for that activity. The Department of Safety is also tasked with promoting safe boating practices and educating operators on how to direct waves away from shorelines. These regulations will become effective on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 updates the requirements for submitting excavating and dredging permit applications to include both a paper version and a digital copy in PDF or an approved format. Local town or city clerks must receive these copies and distribute the digital version to local governing bodies, planning boards, and conservation commissions while keeping a paper record. The bill also allows state agencies to file their applications directly with the department, streamlining the process for government projects. These changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.