Bill Text: NH HB1045 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to requiring a powerboat operator to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating certain powerboats traveling over headway speed.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-06-20 - Signed by Governor Sununu 06/14/2024; Chapter 55; eff. 8/13/2024 House Journal 16 [HB1045 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2024-HB1045-Enrolled.html
HB 1045 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
2024 SESSION
24-2509
11/05
HOUSE BILL 1045
SPONSORS: Rep. J. MacDonald, Carr. 6; Rep. Crawford, Carr. 3; Rep. R. Brown, Carr. 3; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires a powerboat operator to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating certain powerboats traveling over headway speed.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2509
11/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch. Amend RSA 270 by inserting after section 30-c the following new section:
270:30-d Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch.
I.(a) "Engine cut-off switch (ECOS)" means a system of lanyards, electronic switches, fobs, or similar devices manufactured specifically for the purpose of disabling propulsion or a vessel engine when the operator is unexpectedly displaced from the vessel's helm.
(b) "Headway speed" means the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.
(c) "Enclosed cabin" means a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads and covered by a roof.
II. No person shall operate a powerboat less than 26 feet long, or outboard engine with greater than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, at greater than headway speed unless the person is wearing an ECOS.
III. Paragraph II shall not apply if:
(a) The main helm of the vessel is installed within an enclosed cabin.
(b) The vessel or outboard engine was manufactured prior to 2020 and was not equipped with an ECOS.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
