reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXI - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 269 - Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices › Section 269:4 - Operation Permitted on Sidewalks and Roadways.

269:4 Operation Permitted on Sidewalks and Roadways. –
I. An operator of an EPAMD shall have the rights and duties of pedestrians prescribed in RSA 265:34-40.
II. When propelling an EPAMD upon a way at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time and place, the operator of an EPAMD shall remain on the right portion of the way as far as practicable except when it is unsafe to do so or when necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, broken pavement, glass, sand, puddles, ice, or opening doors of parked vehicles.
Source.
2002, 4:3, eff. Feb. 15, 2002. 2018, 20:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXI - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 269 - Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices › Section 269:5 - Special Rules for Operation.

269:5 Special Rules for Operation. –
I. A person operating an EPAMD on a sidewalk or roadway, shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with, and shall yield the right-of-way to, persons traveling on foot.
II. [Repealed.]
Source.
2002, 4:3, eff. Feb. 15, 2002. 2018, 20:4, I, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXI - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 269 - Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices › Section 269:6 - Parking.

269:6 Parking. –
I. An EPAMD may be parked on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device.
II. An EPAMD shall not be parked on a roadway in such a manner as to prevent the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.
III. In all other respects, any person operating an EPAMD shall conform with provisions of law regulating the parking of vehicles.
IV. All violations of parking restrictions shall be deemed the responsibility of the owner of the EPAMD. The owner shall be presumed to be in control of the EPAMD at the time of the parking violation, and no evidence of actual control or culpability need be proved as an element of the offense.
Source.
2002, 4:3, eff. Feb. 15, 2002.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXI - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 269 - Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices › Section 269:7 - Hazardous Materials.

269:7 Hazardous Materials. –
No person shall carry or transport on an EPAMD hazardous materials.
Source.
2002, 4:3, eff. Feb. 15, 2002.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXI - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 269 - Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices › Section 269:8 - Repealed by 2018, 20:4, II, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.

269:8 Repealed by 2018, 20:4, II, eff. Jan. 1, 2019. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXI - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 269 - Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices › Section 269:9 - Fines and Penalties.

269:9 Fines and Penalties. –
Any person found in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a written warning for a first offense, a $5 fine for a second offense, and a $10 fine for a third and any subsequent offense.
Source.
2002, 4:3, eff. Feb. 15, 2002. 2018, 20:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:1 - Declaration of Policy.

270:1 Declaration of Policy. –
I. In the interest of public safety and the protection of property, it shall be the duty of the commissioner of safety, in all cases not provided for by the United States inspection laws and in all cases in which inspections are not regularly made thereunder, to provide for the inspection on any public waters of the state of all commercial and private boats and the machinery, appliances, and equipment thereof, such inspections to be performed by said commissioner of safety or his duly authorized representative. Said commissioner of safety shall also supervise the safety of navigation and the establishment of aids to navigation, and all lights and buoys maintained at public expense on the inland waters of the state shall be under the jurisdiction of said commissioner of safety. Said commissioner of safety shall make such alterations and improvements in existing lights and buoys as may be desirable, place additional lights and buoys where required to promote the safety of navigation, remove obstructions tending to impede navigation, and maintain all lights and buoys under its jurisdiction.
II. In the interest of maintaining the residential, recreational and scenic values which New Hampshire public waters provide to residents of the state and to the promotion of our tourist industry, and in light of the fact that competing uses for the enjoyment of these waters, if not regulated for the benefit of all users, may diminish the value to be derived from them, it is hereby declared that the public waters of New Hampshire shall be maintained and regulated in such way as to provide for the safe and mutual enjoyment of a variety of uses, both from the shore and from water-borne conveyances. Such provisions shall take into consideration the following: the variety of special uses appropriate to our lakes, public safety, protection of environment and water quality, and the continued nurture of New Hampshire's threatened and endangered species.
III. It is the intent of the legislature to recognize in RSA 270:42-46 that the cumulative effect of boats congregated as "rafts" differs from that of the same number of boats scattered and, therefore, requires specific appropriate regulation.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:1. RSA 270:1. 1983, 314:1. 1987, 124:6, I(c), eff. July 1, 1987.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:1-b - Penalty.

270:1-b Penalty. –
Whoever fails to file the reports required by RSA 270:1-a, I or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements relating to injury to property, or relating to the report to be made to the department, shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person. Whoever fails to comply with the requirements when death or personal injury resulted or whoever gives information required knowing or having reason to believe that such information is false, or fails to comply with any of the other requirements thereof shall be guilty of a class B felony.
Source.
1973, 313:1. 2004, 58:2, eff. June 2, 2004. 2011, 224:244, eff. July 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:1-c - False Reporting of Accidents.

270:1-c False Reporting of Accidents. –
Except as provided in RSA 270:1-a, I, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she knowingly gives or causes to be given false information to any law enforcement officer or to the department of safety or its agents concerning an accident or alleged accident.
Source.
2004, 58:3, eff. June 2, 2004.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:3 - to 270:5-a Repealed by 1990, 229:13, III, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:3 to 270:5-a Repealed by 1990, 229:13, III, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:6 - Repealed by 1990, 229:13, IV, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:6 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, IV, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:7 - to 270:10 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, V, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:7 to 270:10 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, V, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:11 - Rulemaking and Enforcement.

270:11 Rulemaking and Enforcement. –
I. The commissioner of safety, consistent with the policy of this chapter, shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the following:
(a) Required equipment of all boats, including rafts and floats of whatever kind, operated or used on any public waters of the state.
(b) The operation of all boats, including rafts and floats of any kind, operated or used on any public waters of the state.
(c) The classification, examination, and certification of captains, masters, engineers, and pilots of all boats operated or used on any public waters of the state.
(d) A recommended uniform fine schedule for any boating violations, which shall be submitted to the supreme court for their use under RSA 502-A:19-b, V.
II. The commissioner shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under this section.
III. In the enforcement of this chapter and the rules adopted under this section, the commissioner and the commissioner's duly authorized representatives shall have the powers of a peace officer in any county of the state.
IV. [Repealed.]
V. For the rules under subparagraph I(a), the commissioner may adopt by reference, as amended, the current version of the federal boating safety equipment regulations promulgated by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, contained in 33 C.F.R. parts 175.13-175.25, 175.101-175.140, 175.110-175.120, and 175.301-175.320. The commissioner shall be authorized to exempt boats and operators operating exclusively on state waters from such rules which the commissioner determines impose an unnecessary regulatory burden without providing a corresponding safety benefit.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:10. RSA 270:11. 1987, 124:16; 239:1. 2005, 232:2. 2009, 298:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010. 2023, 116:1, eff. Aug. 29, 2023.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:11-a - Waiver in Lieu of Court Appearance.

270:11-a Waiver in Lieu of Court Appearance. –
Any person charged with a violation of the provisions of RSA 270; RSA 270-A; or RSA 270-E on boats, floats, and rafts, excluding any offense for which the penalty is a misdemeanor or felony, may plead guilty or nolo contendere by mail by entering a plea as provided in RSA 502-A:19-b. If the plea is accepted by the court, the defendant shall not be required to appear as directed by the court.
Source.
1987, 239:2. 1990, 229:20, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:12 - Operating Restrictions.

270:12 Operating Restrictions. –
I. The commissioner of safety shall, after receiving a petition signed by 25 or more residents or property owners of each affected town or towns in which a lake, pond or river is located and after notice and hearing, at which it appears that the public interest requires, adopt rules governing the maximum horsepower of boat engines and outboard motors or prescribe maximum speed limits for the operation of such boats or outboard motors applicable to or upon all or any portion of the public waters of this state. The commissioner of safety shall, in like manner and after notice and hearing, prohibit the use of motorboats and outboard motors on bodies of public water having an area of 35 acres or less; provided, that said prohibition shall not be construed as affecting the bodies of water covered by RSA 270:75 through 270:132. Hearings under this section shall be held in the vicinity of the body of water under consideration during the months of June, July, August, and September following the date of the petition.
II. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 270:12, I, any hearings regarding the closing or restricting of any body of water to seaplanes shall be addressed to and heard by the commissioner of safety or his designee. Prior to issuing a decision, the commissioner shall consult with the director of aeronautics, rail, and transit, department of transportation.
III. Persons petitioning the commissioner requesting a change of use or restriction of the use of any public waters shall notify, by certified mail, all abutters with deeded waterfront property or deeded water access rights of the proposed change or restriction and the department shall post the petition on its official website at least 2 weeks prior to a public hearing scheduled by the department.
IV. In this section, "abutter" means any person who owns property immediately adjacent and contiguous to the area on which the change of use or restriction of use will take place. If the change of use or restriction of use is located in an area which by its configuration would cause the change or restriction to affect noncontiguous properties, owners of those properties are considered as abutters. The term does not include the owner of a parcel of land located more than
1/4 mile from the limits of the proposed change or restriction.
Source.
1947, 78:1. RSA 270:12. 1963, 119:1. 1987, 124:6, I(c), (f)(2). 1989, 339:23. 1992, 7:1; 187:2. 2004, 257:31, eff. July 1, 2004. 2011, 8:1, eff. June 24, 2011. 2012, 67:1, eff. July 14, 2012.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:12-b - Disobeying an Officer.

270:12-b Disobeying an Officer. –
I. No person, while operating or otherwise in charge of a vessel, raft, or float of any kind, type, or character or an amphibian or pontoon aircraft under step speed shall:
(a) Knowingly refuse, when requested by a peace officer or agent of the director, to give his name, address, and date of birth, and the name and address of the owner of the vessel, raft, float or amphibian or pontoon aircraft of any kind, type, or character;
(b) Knowingly refuse, on demand of a peace officer or agent of the director, to sign his name in the presence of such officer or agent;
(c) Knowingly refuse, on demand of a peace officer or agent of the director, to produce some means of positive identification such as a driver's license, passport, or other document, or to verify his identity by some other means so that the identity of the operator or person otherwise in charge of a vessel can be determined with reasonable certainty by such peace officer or agent of the director;
(d) Knowingly neglect to stop when signaled to stop by any peace officer or agent of the director, who is in uniform or who displays his badge conspicuously on the outside of his outer coat or garment, or who signals such person to stop by means of any authorized audible or visual emergency warning signals; or otherwise willfully attempt to elude pursuit by a peace officer or agent of the director by increasing speed, extinguishing lights while still in motion, or abandoning a vessel while being pursued;
(e) Knowingly refuse, when requested by a peace officer or agent of the director, to:
(1) direct said amphibian or pontoon aircraft, vessel, raft, or float to shore or to any dock, wharf, or mooring designated by said officer or agent;
(2) follow any vessel operated or controlled by any peace officer or agent of the director to any point on shore, or any wharf or mooring designated by said officer or agent; or
(3) allow said officer or agent to direct or tow said boat, raft, or float to any point on shore or to any dock, wharf, or mooring.
II. Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section or provides a false name, address, or date of birth shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Source.
1987, 317:1, eff. July 24, 1987.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:12-c - Auxiliary Marine Patrol.

270:12-c Auxiliary Marine Patrol. –
I. The commissioner of safety may establish a force of individuals to assist the director of state police and the marine patrol officers to patrol the various bodies of water in the state. Any person that patrols any water body on behalf of the department shall either be a certified marine patrol officer or an auxiliary officer appointed under the provisions of this section.
II. An individual appointed by the commissioner as an auxiliary officer under this section shall be either a paid part-time employee of the department or a volunteer, and may be, but shall not be required to be, a certified police officer. An auxiliary officer shall be subject to such training requirements as the commissioner shall deem necessary.
III. The report of an auxiliary officer to any peace officer shall be prima facie evidence relative to the violation or offense reported.
IV. The commissioner shall furnish suitable equipment to an auxiliary officer, as he may deem necessary, to distinguish the officer as an individual acting in an official capacity.
V. Any individual who is a volunteer and appointed under this section as an auxiliary officer who is actually performing the duties of an auxiliary officer on a body of water in the state shall be considered a state employee for the purpose of defense and indemnification from civil suits under RSA 99-D; provided, however, that such person shall not be indemnified from any civil suit arising out of a criminal act.
Source.
1989, 143:1. 1999, 193:4, eff. July 1, 1999. 2011, 224:248, eff. July 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:12-d - Penalties.

270:12-d Penalties. –
I. Any person who buys, receives, possesses, sells or disposes of a boat, boat engine or outboard motor, with knowledge that a hull identification number or serial number has been removed, defaced or changed, with the intent to conceal or misrepresent the identity, shall be guilty of a class B felony if a natural person and guilty of a felony if any other person.
II. It shall be a misdemeanor to buy, receive, possess, sell or dispose of a boat, engine or outboard motor knowing the hull identification number or serial number has been removed, changed or altered. If upon discovery of the removed, defaced, changed, or altered hull identification number or serial number, the person reports it to the nearest police station or the bureau of marine patrol, he shall not be charged with a violation.
III. Anyone who willfully removes, defaces, obliterates, changes or alters a hull identification number, or serial number shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
IV. Any person who operates a boat on public water while knowingly having in his possession or in any part of the boat a controlled drug, in violation of RSA 318-B, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall have his right to operate a boat suspended for a period of one year.
Source.
1991, 369:3, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:12-e - Maine Marine Patrol.

270:12-e Maine Marine Patrol. –
I. Any member of the state of Maine marine patrol who, in the course of patrolling the waters of the Piscataqua River or Portsmouth Harbor, observes activity that the officer reasonably suspects may result in loss of life, widespread injury, or widespread or severe property damage, shall have the same authority to enter New Hampshire to investigate, detain, and execute an arrest as any member of the New Hampshire marine patrol.
II. Whenever any member of the Maine marine patrol is engaged in New Hampshire in carrying out the purpose of this section, such member shall have all the same privileges and immunities as members of the New Hampshire marine patrol, in addition to privileges and immunities available under Maine law.
III. The provisions of this section shall not be valid unless the state of Maine enacts legislation that is substantially the same as this section and gives reciprocal authority to any member of the New Hampshire marine patrol.
Source.
2003, 252:3, eff. July 14, 2003.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:13 - Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VI, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:13 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VI, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:13-a - Operation of Seaplanes or Helicopters on Public Waters.

270:13-a Operation of Seaplanes or Helicopters on Public Waters. –
I. Any seaplane or any helicopter on floats which lands on public waters shall be exempt from all laws and rules concerning the operation of boats for the purpose of landing and taking off from such public waters.
II. Any seaplane or any helicopter on floats shall exercise due caution and respect for the rights and safety of any person or boat using the public waters.
Source.
1990, 175:1. 1992, 187:3, eff. July 11, 1992.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:14 - to 270:15-c Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VI, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:14 to 270:15-c Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VI, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:16 - to 270:16-c Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VII, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:16 to 270:16-c Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VII, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:16-d - Operation After Suspension or Revocation.

270:16-d Operation After Suspension or Revocation. –
Any person who knowingly operates or allows to be operated any boat after his privilege or registration to operate said boat has been suspended or revoked shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Source.
1979, 358:11, III. 1987, 317:2, eff. July 24, 1987.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:17 - Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VIII, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:17 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, VIII, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:17-a - Repealed by 1990, 229:13, IX, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:17-a Repealed by 1990, 229:13, IX, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:18 - Penalty.

270:18 Penalty. –
If any person operates any boat required to be registered under RSA 270-E without registration, or violates any provision of RSA 270, or 270-E, or any rule adopted by the department of safety relating to the equipment or operation of such boats, or does not exhibit, upon request, the certificate of registration of such boat to any duly authorized representative of the department, such person, and the owner of the boat if the boat is operated with his permission or assent, shall be guilty of a violation.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:16. RSA 270:18. 1955, 159:2. 1973, 528:158. 1978, 40:16. 1987, 124:18. 1989, 143:2. 1990, 229:10, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:19 - Agent's Liability.

270:19 Agent's Liability. –
If any such boat is owned by a corporation, sentence may also be imposed upon any officer or agent of said corporation having the custody and control of said boat and committing, or permitting or assenting to the violation of RSA 270:18.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:17.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:20 - to 270:24 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, X, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.

270:20 to 270:24 Repealed by 1990, 229:13, X, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:25 - Muffling Devices.

270:25 Muffling Devices. –
I. No person shall own or operate or sell or offer for sale, within the jurisdiction of this state, a boat propelled in whole or in part by gas, gasoline, diesel, or naphtha unless the boat is provided with an underwater exhaust or other muffling device constructed and used so as to muffle the noise of the explosion. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an underwater exhaust or other muffling device on a boat that is being sold for salvage purposes.
II. A boat may be equipped with a switchable device that will reduce the exhaust noise level in compliance with the limits established by RSA 270:37.
III. The provisions of this section shall not apply to antique boats or classic boats which have met the decibel levels established in RSA 270:37 and have been issued a permit exempting them from this section. For the purposes of this section "antique boat" means a boat built prior to 1943 and "classic boat" means a boat built between 1943 and 1968 inclusive.
IV. No person shall own, operate, sell, or offer for sale any boat which is capable of discharging exhaust above the water unless the boat is equipped with muffling devices.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:23. RSA 270:25. 1971, 239:1. 1981, 353:11. 1987, 370:3. 1991, 369:1. 1992, 132:4. 2006, 234:1, eff. June 1, 2006. 2011, 18:1, eff. June 24, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:25-a - Airboats.

270:25-a Airboats. –
I. No airboat shall be operated in the state unless, in addition to complying with the provisions of this chapter, it complies with the following provisions:
(a) The airboat shall be equipped with an enclosure to prevent contact with the propeller;
(b) The airboat shall not be operated within 150 feet from shore except to go directly to and from a point of destination on the shore and then only at a course which is as close to 90 degrees to the shore as possible;
(c) The airboat shall be throttled up only to the minimum extent necessary to raise it onto the air cushion and move at headway speed within 150 feet from shore.
II. The director shall prohibit the use of an airboat wherever such use adversely affects the fish and wildlife habitat, interferes with the operation of other watercraft, threatens the public safety, or adversely affects the natural environment. For the purposes of enforcing this paragraph, the commissioner of safety may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A.
Source.
1987, 370:4, eff. July 25, 1987.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:26 - Injuring Buoys, Placing Obstructions.

270:26 Injuring Buoys, Placing Obstructions. –
I. Any person who knowingly removes, destroys, moves, or injures any buoy, beacon, or other navigational aid placed in, on, or adjacent to any of the public waters of the state for the purpose of guiding and protecting navigation and boating thereon shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
II. Any person who knowingly places an obstruction dangerous to navigation in any of the public waters of the state without reasonable precaution to protect the public from such obstruction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
III. Any person who shall moor or make fast a boat, vessel, raft, or float of any description to a buoy, beacon, or other navigational aid placed in, on, or adjacent to the public waters of the state shall be guilty of a violation.
IV. (a) Any person who knowingly places a swim line in any public body of water without first obtaining a permit issued by the director of state police shall be guilty of a violation.
(b) Any person who operates a boat within any permitted swim line on any public body of water without the permission of the permittee shall be guilty of a violation.
(c) The commissioner is authorized to establish fees and expiration periods for permits issued under subparagraph (a). The fee for a permit shall not be greater than $50 and all permits shall expire no later than 5 years after the date of issuance. All fees collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the navigation safety fund established under RSA 270-E:6-a.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:24. RSA 270:26. 1973, 528:160. 1987, 317:3. 2007, 74:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2008. 2011, 224:249, eff. July 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:26-a - Interference With a Vessel.

270:26-a Interference With a Vessel. –
No person shall, without the consent of the owner of the vessel, wilfully and maliciously cut away or let loose any vessel which is fastened to any mooring place or lying at anchor. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation.
Source.
1973, 87:1, eff. Nov. 1, 1973.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:26-b - Certain Containers Prohibited as Floats.

270:26-b Certain Containers Prohibited as Floats. –
I. No owner of any float, dock, raft or similar device or structure shall employ for flotation in the public waters of the state any container which formerly contained any hazardous or toxic substance, as defined by RSA 147-B:2, which poses a danger to public health or the environment unless such container has been rendered harmless by internal treatment for the removal of the hazardous or toxic substance.
II. Any container which is to be used as a flotation device in the public waters of the state and which is subject to deterioration shall be treated externally so as to preserve the integrity of the container and prevent its deterioration. No container shall be treated in any manner which would pollute the public waters of the state.
III. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, any flotation device in current use for any of the purposes described in paragraph I, on January 1, 1987, shall be exempt from this prohibition.
IV. Any owner who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
V. This section may be enforced by any duly authorized peace officer as defined in RSA 594:1 or by qualified employees of the department of environmental services.
Source.
1986, 88:1. 1996, 228:46, eff. July 1, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:27 - Boat Racing.

270:27 Boat Racing. –
No commercial boat, private boat, or sail boat shall race with another such boat over a predetermined course on any of the public waters of the state unless the course is laid out and marked in a manner satisfactory to the director of state police and said race is held under a permit issued by said director to a recognized sponsoring organization stating the date and place of the race.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:25. 2011, 224:250, eff. July 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:28 - Clearing Course.

270:28 Clearing Course. –
While motorboats are racing on a course as described in RSA 270:27, no aircraft, in landing or taking off from the water, and no boat, however propelled, shall traverse or cross said course within
1/2 mile of an approaching boat, except in an emergency or when engaged in the common carriage of passengers or freight operating on a regular schedule.
Source.
1941, 160:1. RL 181:26.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:29 - Operation Prohibited.

270:29 Operation Prohibited. –
It shall be unlawful to operate a boat or canoe propelled by mechanical power on any stream or body of water within the boundaries of that part of the White Mountain National forest that is situated within the state of New Hampshire. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following bodies of water: Stinson Lake in Rumney, the North and South Percy Ponds in Stark and Kimball Pond in Chatham, and in Long Pond in the town of Benton, nor to persons engaged in emergency rescue operations or public service. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person.
Source.
1963, 67:1. 1965, 347:3. 1973, 530:41, eff. Oct. 31, 1973 at 11:59 p.m.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:29-a - Careless and Negligent Operation of Boats.

270:29-a Careless and Negligent Operation of Boats. –
Any person who shall operate a power boat upon any waters of the state in a careless and negligent manner or so that the lives and safety of the public are endangered shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Source.
1981, 353:12, eff. Aug. 22, 1981.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:30 - Minimum Age for Operation.

270:30 Minimum Age for Operation. –
I. No person under 16 years of age shall operate a motorized vessel having power in excess of 25 horsepower on the public waters of this state unless the person is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who has a valid safe boater education certificate, and such person shall be liable for personal injury or property damage which may result from such operation.
II. No person under 16 years of age shall operate a commercial vessel on any of the public waters of the state.
III. No person 16 years of age or older but under 18 years of age shall operate a commercial vessel on any of the public waters of the state unless such person has a valid certificate to act as operator of a commercial vessel. Such operation shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) Such vessel must be 16 feet in length or less.
(b) Such vessel may be operated only for the safety support of other boaters, swimmers, or other persons in or on the water, and for incidental transportation of passengers, towing of other vessels, refueling, or servicing.
(c) No such vessel shall tow a water skier, aquaplane, or similar device.
IV. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a violation.
Source.
1963, 138:1. 1985, 347:3. 1988, 56:1. 2000, 52:1. 2002, 272:1, eff. May 18, 2002. 2010, 148:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:30-a - Persons 12 Years of Age or Under.

270:30-a Persons 12 Years of Age or Under. –
No child 12 years of age or under shall operate, control, or be transported on the deck of a boat or vessel which is underway upon the public waters of the state unless said child is wearing a personal flotation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard; provided, however, boats, vessels and ships with continuous side rails enclosing the perimeter of the boat, vessel, or ship, 3 feet or more in height and enclosed between the deck and the top of the railing in a way that would reasonably prevent passage of a small child are exempted from the provisions of this section.
Source.
1985, 347:4. 2007, 176:1, eff. Aug. 17, 2007.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:30-b - Repealed by 1988, 283:3, eff. Oct. 1, 1988.

270:30-b Repealed by 1988, 283:3, eff. Oct. 1, 1988. –
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:30-c - Sailboards.

270:30-c Sailboards. –
Notwithstanding any other provision of law except RSA 270:30-a, sailboards shall not be required to be equipped with personal flotation devices, and persons on sailboards shall not be required to wear these devices or to have them readily available. For the purposes of this section, "sailboard" means any unsinkable surfboard with a free-falling mast, sail and boom attached by means of a swivel or flexible universal joint to the hull, which free-falling mast, sail and boom are supported by the sailor in use and act as a sea anchor when released.
Source.
1991, 24:1, eff. April 19, 1991.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:31 - Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.

270:31 Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. –
I. Any person engaged in scuba diving on any of the public waters of the state and any person engaged in snorkeling in normally traveled navigable public waters shall have a diver's flag, consisting of a red flag with a diagonal white stripe, displayed indicating that diving activities are in progress. The bottom of said flag shall extend at least 3 feet above the surface of the water, the view of which shall be unobstructed for 360 degrees.
II. Any person engaged in scuba diving or snorkeling shall remain within 75 feet of their dive flag. Boaters shall remain a minimum of 150 feet away from any posted dive flag, unless there are circumstances which prevent the operator from maintaining a minimum of 150 feet, in which case the operator shall maintain headway speed.
III. The commissioner of safety may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to restricting scuba diving between sunset and sunrise.
Source.
1973, 574:1. 1981, 353:13. 1987, 124:6, I(c). 1995, 54:1, eff. July 8, 1995.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:32 - Penalty.

270:32 Penalty. –
Any person violating the provisions of RSA 270:31 shall be subject to the following penalties:
I. If the offense occurs prior to November 1, 1973, he shall be fined not more than $25 for each offense.
II. If the offense occurs on or after November 1, 1973, he shall be guilty of a violation for each offense.
III. The director of state police may prohibit further scuba activity, in addition to the penalties prescribed in either paragraph I or II, until the provisions of RSA 270:31 have been complied with.
Source.
1973, 574:1, eff. July 5, 1973. 2011, 224:251, eff. July 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:32-a - Any Type of Watercraft.

270:32-a Any Type of Watercraft. –
An operator of any unofficial or unauthorized watercraft of any type approaching within 150 feet of a diver's flag being displayed in accordance with RSA 270:31, shall be subject to the penalties provided in RSA 270:32, I and II. Official watercraft shall use precaution when official business requires them to be within the above-cited range.
Source.
1973, 574:1. 1995, 54:2, eff. July 8, 1995.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:33 - Heating, Agitating, or Other Devices in Public Waters; Safety Hazard.

270:33 Heating, Agitating, or Other Devices in Public Waters;  Safety Hazard. –
No person shall put, place, operate, or cause to be put, placed, or operated in the waters of this state any so-called heating, agitating, or other device which inhibits or prevents the natural freezing of water, or forming of ice, and thereby impedes either the ingress or egress to or from the ice from any property other than that of the owner of the device. The person or persons responsible for the placement of the device shall ensure that warning signs are posted to warn of its location. Said signs shall read DANGER, THIN ICE and shall be of sufficient size to be readable at a distance of not less than 150 feet, and shall be visible from all directions and shall be equipped with reflectors and color-coded in a pattern unique for this purpose only. The department of safety is hereby authorized to establish said unique design and coloring and any homemade copies shall follow this design and coloring. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by any law enforcement agency under the direction of the department of safety pursuant to RSA 106-A:14 and the department of fish and game pursuant to RSA 206:26.
Source.
1973, 321:1, eff. Nov. 1, 1973. 2019, 37:1, eff. July 14, 2019.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:34 - Registration Required.

270:34 Registration Required. –
Any person operating or hereinafter operating any such agitating or heating device which tends to inhibit the natural production of ice on public waters must obtain a registration to be designed and distributed by the department of safety, from the municipal clerk of the town in which such device shall be operated and said registration shall contain the name and address of owner and the location of said device. A permanent file of such registrations shall be kept by municipal clerks and a fee of $.50 per registration may be charged.
Source.
1973, 321:1, eff. Nov. 1, 1973.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:35 - Penalty.

270:35 Penalty. –
Any person seeking to operate a device tending to inhibit the natural production of ice on public waters in violation of this subdivision shall be, if a natural person, guilty of a violation and if any other person, guilty of a misdemeanor, and the activity enjoined by the court on grounds of public or private nuisance constituting a hazard to public or private safety.
Source.
1973, 321:1, eff. Nov. 1, 1973.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:36 - Definitions.

270:36 Definitions. –
In this subdivision:
I. "Director" means the director of the division of state police.
II. "Marine engine" means a motor, including an outboard motor, suitable for the propulsion of a boat upon water.
Source.
1976, 6:1, eff. April 28, 1976. 2011, 224:252, eff. July 1, 2011.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:37 - Decibel Limits on Noise.

270:37 Decibel Limits on Noise. –
I. No person may operate, sell, or offer for sale any marine engine which is capable of being operated in a manner which exceeds the following noise levels measured under any testing procedure established pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 270:39:
(a) For a marine engine manufactured in or before 1990, a noise level of 90 decibels when subjected to stationary testing.
(b) For a marine engine manufactured after December 31, 1990, a noise level of 88 decibels when subjected to stationary testing.
(c) For a marine engine manufactured in or before 1990, a noise level of 84 decibels on the "A" scale, measured at 50 feet.
(d) For a marine engine manufactured after December 31, 1990, a noise level of 82 decibels on the "A" scale, measured at 50 feet.
II. The director or the director's agent may order the operator or owner of any boat which he or she has articulable suspicion to believe is capable of being operated in a manner which exceeds the decibel limits contained in this section to subject the boat to one or more noise level testing procedures as provided in this subdivision or to inspection of the engine and mechanical systems for violations of this section or RSA 270:25.
III. A boat owner or operator shall submit a boat which is the subject of an order by the director or the director's agent pursuant to RSA 270:37, II to noise level testing by the director or the director's agent immediately or at the time and location designated by the director or the director's agent. No person shall operate the boat after the time designated until it is subjected to such noise level testing or engine and mechanical system inspection.
IV. The director or the director's agent may prohibit the operator or owner of any boat which fails a noise level testing procedure from operating the boat until the boat successfully passes the procedure. No person shall operate a boat contrary to such an order of the director.
V. Pursuant to the penalties imposed under RSA 270: 41-a, any person convicted of violating this section shall be fined not less than $250. No portion of any fine imposed under this section shall be suspended or reduced by the court.
Source.
1976, 6:1. 1977, 140:1. 1987, 370:5. 1989, 209:1. 2006, 234:2, eff. June 1, 2006.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XXII - Navigation; Harbors; Coast Survey › Chapter 270 - Supervision of Navigation; Registration of Boats and Motors; Common Carriers by Water › Section 270:37-a - Stationary Sound Level Testing Authorized.

270:37-a Stationary Sound Level Testing Authorized. –
I. The director or the director's agent may use stationary sound level testing to determine marine engine noise levels for boats. Such testing shall be conducted while boats are stationary on the water according to test SAE J2005.
II. Noise levels in decibels for stationary sound level testing shall be established for a specific distance between the boat tested and the testing device, at levels which correlate with noise levels in decibels, as set forth in RSA 270:37.
III. Testing procedures for stationary sound level testing shall be measured according to procedures established pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 270:39.
IV. Any test conducted pursuant to this section shall be sufficient to establish a violation of RSA 270:37.
Source.
1989, 143:6. 2006, 234:3, eff. June 1, 2006.