HB 1477-FN (2026): relative to the permitting and regulation of anchored seasonal floating platforms on public waters.

HB 1477-FN (2026)

relative to the permitting and regulation of anchored seasonal floating platforms on public waters.

• Status: Killed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Ways and Means
• Subject: Environment - Conservation

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2026, with 140 people signed in online: 123 in support and 17 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 14, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 11–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0067h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0067h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 284–47. On February 5, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 13, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 14–11. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB1477 on Table” on a division vote 169–178, on a motion by Rep. Kenneth Weyler. On March 26, 2026 the House rejected a motion to kill it on a roll call 172–180. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2026. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate kill it. On April 23, 2026 the Senate voted to kill it on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. John MacDonald (R - Carr 6) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Karel Crawford (R - Carr 3)
• Rep. Hope Damon (D - Sull 8)
• Rep. Will Darby (D - Hills 11)
• Rep. Karen Ebel (D - Merr 7)
• Rep. Joseph Hamblen (R - Carr 3)
• Rep. Rosemarie Rung (D - Hills 12)
• Rep. David Walker (R - Straf 19)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• January 14, 2026, 2:30 PM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• February 5, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 15, 2026, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 122-123
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0067h — yeas 284, nays 47, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Lay HB1477 on Table — yeas 169, nays 178, failed
• March 26, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 172, nays 180, failed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 270:72-c

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 22
• HC 5, page 27
• HJ 3, page 55
• HJ 9, pages 15 and 17
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 15
• SJ 10
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report