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Lawmakers hear that a $5 boat‑decal increase would add modest revenue while DES warns dam repair needs far exceed decal funds
Summary
Representative Karen Ebel and DES engineers told the committee that a $5 increase in boat‑decal fees would raise limited revenue for the dam maintenance fund, but DES estimated renovation needs in the hundreds of millions and said the small fee increase would primarily support operations rather than large capital repairs.
Representative Karen Ebel told the committee HB629 would raise the boat decal fee by $5 and dedicate proceeds to the dam maintenance fund, noting New Hampshire owns many century‑old dams and the cost to renovate the statewide inventory is large.
"The average age for a state owned dam in New Hampshire exceeds 100 years old," Ebel said, summarizing the rationale for a new revenue stream. The Legislative Budget Assistant confirmed an amended fiscal note shows the $5 decal increase would generate modest new revenue (the prior estimate in discussion was about $530,000) and that prior staffing costs connected to a shoreline fee had been removed from the revised bill.
Jen Bailey and Jennifer O'Leary of the DMV explained boat decal fees already include multiple surcharges—public access, search and rescue, milfoil and others—totaling about $21.50 before adding $5, which would represent roughly a 23–25% increase in decal‑related fees.
Corey Clark, chief engineer at the Department of Environmental Services' dam bureau, gave a historical overview and a 2023 estimate: renovating roughly 275 state‑owned dams on a 50‑year cycle could require about $414,000,000; correcting the 64 high‑hazard dams alone would be on the order of $300,000,000. Clark said the DES currently operates on roughly $7.5 million annually and that modest decal revenue would likely offset operating costs rather than cover large capital projects. He also noted federal HHPD grants have provided roughly $0.5M–$1M per year for design and that some removal projects may attract other restoration funding.
Members challenged prioritization and asked whether federal funds could be used; Clark said federal grants exist but are limited and typically used for design. The committee did not vote and closed the HB629 work session, seeking additional details on current fees and the amended fiscal note.
