New HampshireProperty owners would pay yearly fees for state dam upkeep
Owners of certain properties would pay yearly fees into a state fund for dam work, if this proposal had taken effect on July 1, 2026.
What it does
Owners of covered properties would pay $100 a year for waterfront access or $50 for deeded water rights. Current-use properties and working farms would be exempt.
Municipalities would report unpaid fees to the state, which could seek payment and place a lien on the property. Unpaid fees would accrue interest under the proposal’s terms.
Argument forThe fees could provide money for operating and repairing state-owned dams, including emergency repairs that may help keep them safe.
Argument againstProperty owners could face annual fees, while municipalities may take on collection and reporting work, even with exemptions for farms and current-use properties.
More detail
Municipalities would assess annual fees on covered properties. The fees would apply to real estate with waterfront access or deeded water rights to a waterbody held back by a state-owned dam. Properties in current use or classified as working farms would not be charged. A municipality could collect an additional $5 for managing, collecting, and sending the money. The proposal says it would take effect July 1, 2026.
Municipalities and the state would collect and enforce payment of the fees. The rules would cover unpaid fees for properties with waterfront access or deeded water rights to waterbodies held back by state-owned dams. After a property is transferred, the new owner would have to give the municipality a mailing address. The text provides for 8 percent annual interest on unpaid fees and allows the state to place a lien on the property. The proposal says it would take effect July 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Died on table
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 19Died on Table, Session ended 08/19/2026 HJ 16Died on table
- Mar 26Lay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Janigian): MA RC 187-161 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 49Minor
- Vote recorded Table. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17Committee Report: Without Recommendation 03/02/2026 (Vote 9-9; RC)
- Feb 25Full Committee Work Session: 03/02/2026 11:00 am GP 159
- Feb 25Executive Session: 03/02/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
- Feb 12Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0170h: MA RC 208-146 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 49Passed House
- Vote recorded OTPA. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Amendment # 2026-0170h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 48
- Feb 12Lay HB1655 on Table (Rep. Granger): MF DV 173-179 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 49
- Feb 12Referred to Ways and Means 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 51Minor
- Feb 3Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Feb 3Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0170h 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 6 P. 17Minor
- Jan 21Executive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- Jan 8Public Hearing: 01/21/2026 10:45 am GP 228
- 2025
- Dec 12Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 30Introduced
Environment & EnergyTaxes & Budget