New Decal Required

[Breakwater]

For decades the NH DMV and boat registration agents across the state have been issuing registrations for one lump sum. This expense included the following fees set by statute:

Section 270-E:5 - Registration Fees
I. The registration fees for commercial, private, and pleasure vessels, including rentals and airboats shall be as follows:
(a) Up to and including 16 feet $24
(b) 16.1 feet to 21 feet $34
(c) 21.1 feet to 30 feet $52
(d) 30.1 feet to 45 feet $72
(e) 45.1 feet and over $92

II. In addition to the fees required by paragraph I there shall be the following registration fees:
(a) $9.50 for each registration specified in paragraph I. The fees collected under this subparagraph shall be paid into the lake restoration and preservation fund established under RSA 487:25.
(b) $1 for each registration required by this section. The fees collected under this subparagraph shall be paid into the fish and game search and rescue fund established under RSA 206:42.
(c) $5 for each registration processed by an authorized agent of the department who is not an employee of the department. The fees collected under this subparagraph shall be collected and retained by the authorized agent as compensation for processing the registration.
(d) $5 for each registration specified in paragraph I. The surcharge collected under this subparagraph shall be paid into the statewide public boat access fund established under RSA 233-A:13.
(e) $2 for each registration for tidal or coastal waters. The surcharge collected under this subparagraph shall be paid into the harbor dredging and pier maintenance fund established under RSA 12-G:46.

In addition, "Boat Fees" found in RSA 72-A:3
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa...2-A/72-A-3.htm are part of the registration expense.

A US Coast Guard's review of the state's recreational boating safety program which includes the issuance of boat registrations (certificate of number as the feds call it), found the state was violating federal law when it collected the fees in red above. These fees were revenues sent to the agencies identified in the statute...NOT Marine Patrol. By the way, NH was one numerous states engaged in such a practice across the country.

The fees in green were deemed allowable by the Coast Guard.

Failure to correct the illegal collection of these fees jeopardized the Marine Patrol's receipt of its portion of the Recreational Boating Safety Grant awarded annually to each US state.

The NH DMV and Marine Patrol worked with the legislature over the last several sessions for a solution that would achieve compliance with the federal law, while also insuring the collection of the critical fees (in red) for the F&G, DES, and NH Port Authority.

The first bill that passed formed a study committee charged with finding a solution that would accomplish two things...1. Comply with federal registration laws, and 2. Continue to capture the critical revenues for the F&G. DES. and NHPA programs.

The simple solution that satisfied the two was to separate the collection of the outside fees from the registration fees and require the purchase of the second decal which captures the revenues for the F&G, DES, and NHPA.

Thus the increase of $3 for each registered boat (cost of 2nd decal).

FYI- US Senator Jeanne Shaheen has submitted a bipartisan bill in Congress to remedy this problem for NH and numerous other states. Let's hope this passes and leads to the repeal of the second NH decal.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-...nate-bill/4113