SB 0380

SB 380 - AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the space needs of the division of safety services within the department of safety.

SPONSORS: Sen. Johnson, Dist 3

This bill establishes a committee to study the space needs of the division of safety services within the department of safety.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the space needs of the division of safety services within the department of safety.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

I. The division of safety services, within the department of safety, is comprised of tramway and amusement ride safety and all aspects of watercraft safety, including moorings, vessel and navigational aid maintenance, boater education, and marine patrol operations. The division's watercraft safety operation services the entire state, including 1301 navigable water bodies in addition to the seacoast area. The division is currently located in Gilford on Lake Winnipesaukee.

II. In the last 10 years, boating and related activities have increased considerably and the state now registers 100,000 boats. In addition, the mandatory boater education program has required additional personnel and space. The division's fleet now numbers 87 with more vessels anticipated in the future in order to meet the growing demands. Currently, the division employs 17 full-time employees and as many as 140 seasonal and volunteer employees. The division has outgrown its current facility and has, for some time, been required to move and store vessels off premises and hold mandatory meetings and training sessions in other locations, thereby incurring additional expense. Currently, most office space is shared with 2 or 3 individuals, and there is no room for expansion.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study and assess the space needs and requirements of the division of safety services within the department of safety.

(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

III. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4 Duties. The committee shall study the space needs and requirements of the division of safety services. In conducting the study, the committee shall:

II. Develop a range of expansion and/or relocation options based on financial, geographic, and other relevant considerations.

III. Assess the feasibility and desirability of the various expansion and/or relocation options.

IV. Make recommendations to the joint legislative fiscal committee to authorize the department of safety to sell, transfer, or purchase land which the committee may find suitable to meet the future space needs of the division of safety services.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2003.