relative to wake surfing.
This bill establishes new safety rules for wake surfing in New Hampshire to protect both surfers and others on the water. It prohibits wake surfing on bodies of water smaller than 50 acres and within 300 feet of shorelines, docks, or other boats. Additionally, the law bans operating a motorboat while someone is wake surfing behind it unless the boat is specifically designed for that activity. The Department of Safety is also tasked with promoting safe boating practices and educating operators on how to direct waves away from shorelines. These regulations will become effective on January 1, 2025.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2023
Committee Review
May 2024
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Governor
Introduced Dec 12, 2023
Last action May 30, 2024
Floor votes · House May 23, 2024
How they voted
213–145
Passed · 31 other
Total votes 389
May 23, 2024
D
Democratic193
90% Yea
I
Independent2
100% Yea
R
Republican194
73% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 30, 2024
Introduced
Sen. Ricciardi Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/30/2024; SJ 16
upper
May 23, 2024
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (213-145-31)
house
May 23, 2024
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1598h: MA RC 214-148 05/23/2024 HJ 14 P. 153
lower
May 23, 2024
Introduced
Amendment # 2024-1598h: AA DV 193-164 05/23/2024 HJ 14 P. 153
lower
May 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
lower
May 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-1598h 05/08/2024 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 20 P. 28
lower
Apr 10, 2024
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/28/2024 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 10 P. 228
lower
Apr 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1413s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/05/2024; SJ 8
upper
Apr 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2024-1413s, AA, VV; 04/05/2024; SJ 8
upper
Apr 2, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-1413s, 04/05/2024, Vote 4-1; SC 13A
upper
Dec 12, 2023
Introduced
To Be Introduced 01/03/2024 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 1
upper
1 primary · 16 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Tim Lang
RRepublican
Co
Carrie Gendreau
RRepublican
Co
Catherine Rombeau
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Innis
RRepublican
Co
David Watters
DDemocratic
Co
Debra Altschiller
DDemocratic
Co
Denise Ricciardi
RRepublican
Co
Donna Soucy
DDemocratic
Co
Donovan Fenton
DDemocratic
Co
Howard Pearl
RRepublican
Co
JB
Jeb Bradley
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 431
Scope: NH
Hi! I can help you understand SB 431. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline