Committee advances bill to bar 'agitators' on small lakes after safety complaints

Senate Bill 594, introduced by its prime sponsor, would clarify New Hampshire law to require removal of devices that prevent ice formation — commonly called "agitators" or bubblers — when temporary docks on lakes under 1,000 acres must be removed for five months of the year.

A Cottage Pond resident testified that contradictory statutes leave an enforcement gap. "If docks are required to be removed because they pose a safety risk... then these agitators should not be permitted on the same small bodies of water," she said, and recounted that her 11‑year‑old son "went through the ice in February 2025" in an area affected by an agitator. She and New Hampshire Lakes described public‑safety and environmental concerns, including localized thinning of ice and increased aquatic weed survival where water fails to freeze.

Tim Dunleavy of Marine Patrol said his agency is the enforcement authority for devices that prevent ice formation and would not expect added difficulty enforcing a statutory clarification. Andrea Lamoreaux, president and policy advocate for New Hampshire Lakes, urged the committee to act, describing statewide complaints and ecological risks.

After public testimony and agency answers, the committee moved into executive session and voted to report SB 594 "ought to pass"; the motion was made and seconded on the record and passed on consent.

Next steps: SB 594 was reported out of committee on consent. The statute references cited in testimony included RSA 4 18 4 82 and RSA 2 70 (as stated by a public commenter); committee staff should normalize statutory citations in the bill drafting process.