Lawrence Keane

HB 1477 requires all anchored seasonal platforms, including inflatables, on public waters to obtain a $50 permit from the Department of Safety, Division of State Police Marine Patrol. Permit revenue would be split evenly, with $25 going to the Navigation Safety Fund, which funds marine patrol operations and boating safety enforcement, and $25 to the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund. This bill strengthens boating and navigation safety by supporting marine patrol operations, while also creating a new, sustainable funding source to help communities address harmful Cyanobacteria blooms, which is one of the most significant and growing challenges for New Hampshire’s lakes. While the Department of Safety estimates it would need two additional staff to administer the program, the revenue from registering platforms across New Hampshire’s approximately 1,000 lakes is likely to far outweigh the added administrative costs.