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Marine trade backs bill to exempt older boat trailers from mandatory titles
Summary
Testimony in support of House Bill 14‑66 said boat trailers over 3,001 pounds and older than 10 years present low theft risk and that voluntary titling for owners who want it would reduce administrative burdens; sponsors noted a finance division estimate of roughly $200,000 potential revenue reduction.
Representative Steven Smith introduced House Bill 14‑66, which would exempt from certificate of title requirements boat trailers over 3,001 pounds when the manufacturer's model year is more than 10 years old, and would allow owners of currently title‑exempt trailers to voluntarily apply for a title. The sponsor said the bill had passed the House on consent and was unanimously recommended by finance division 2 with a reduced fiscal‑note estimate.
Jody Grumbles and John Wally of the New Hampshire Marine Trade Association testified in support, saying marinas and brokers often cannot complete boat sales because trailers lack titles or paperwork. "We've talked to the department of safety last fall... We worked with everyone to narrow it to just boat trailers," Grumbles said, adding that limiting the change to boat trailers avoids capturing other trailer types.
The sponsor noted a fiscal note that reduced the potential revenue reduction to about $200,000 per year and said the finance recommendation was unanimous. The committee heard the testimony, asked clarifying questions and closed the hearing; no committee vote was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
