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Committee hears SB 40 to allow NASBLA‑approved online boater education and restore lost revenue
Summary
Proponents told the Senate Transportation Committee SB 40 would permit use of NASBLA‑approved online boater education and proctored exams, restoring the convenience and revenue lost after the COVID‑era pause on in‑person testing.
Representative Coker, a cosponsor, introduced Senate Bill 40 to let New Hampshire accept NASBLA‑approved online boating education and proctored online final exams for a boater education certificate. Sponsors said the change would restore the convenience of proctored online testing that was permitted during COVID and avoid lost revenue when in‑person testing was required again.
Tom Prasal, representing Kalchemai Enterprises (vendor), testified that the language is primarily a cleanup of earlier statute to allow rulemaking and vendor onboarding; he said 34,000 people took the New Hampshire boater course online in 2020 (COVID period) and revenue dropped to about 4,600 participants in 2023 when in‑person exams resumed. Prasal said NASBLA‑accredited online courses generally produce reciprocity with other states.
Marine industry groups and the New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the change, saying online proctored testing helps ensure visiting and resident boaters learn New Hampshire laws rather than out‑of‑state rules. Private providers argued the state’s most popular interactive course and vendor arrangements already exist.
Tim Dunlavy of the Marine Patrol testified the agency is neutral. Marine Patrol said it currently offers classroom courses, timed online courses and interactive online courses that require an in‑person, proctored 60‑question final exam in New Hampshire. Dunlavy said scores dropped from an average 91.6% on in‑person exams to 84% on purely computer‑scored COVID‑era tests, raising concerns about knowledge retention and public safety. He described logistical and revenue concerns: online vendor fees can leave a smaller share for the state, and some residents use out‑of‑state exams rather than New Hampshire’s course.
Committee members asked about proctoring methods, reciprocity, fee splits, and whether online testing leads to more crashes; Dunlavy said no study directly correlates exam mode to crash rates but cited New Hampshire’s low fatality rate among states that require education. Several members raised revenue and implementation questions; vendors and the Marine Patrol described fee structures and offered to work on details.
No committee vote occurred during the hearing.
