SUPPORT SENATE BILL #SB431

Hello Boaters and Friends of MacCallum's Boathouse– 

UPDATE!  SB 431, the bill that codifies the 200' setback distance for wake surfing promoted by the Wake Responsibly campaign is scheduled for a public hearing on TUESDAY, JANUARY 30TH AT 1:00pm before the Senate Transportation Committee in Room 101 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord.     

** MacCallum's Boathouse, all of our boating vendors, the NH Marine Trades Association, the Water Sports Industry Association, the National Marine Manufacturer Association, USA Waterski & Wake Sports, the Lakes Region Tourism Association and many boating families SUPPORT SB 431 as a reasonable regulation for wake surfing that DOES NOT define any boat type or ban the sport.  

The 200' setback has passed in other states to date (TN, SC, GA) and is backed by a peer-reviewed scientific study.   This bipartisan effort promotes the “Buffer NOT Ban” approach.  

Our Dealership, partners and the Boating Industry will continue to oppose HB 1301 and HB 1390, but support SB 431.       

How Can Boaters Support SB 431?

1) Testify in Support.  We are pleased that we already have a number of boaters able to testify in favor of SB 431.  All of the Senate Transportation Committee members are co-sponsors of the bill so we hope it is a good constructive hearing.  

2) Attend and Stand in Support of SB 431.   There will be sign in sheets for those who want to support SB 431 but not testify.  If you are able to attend the hearing, please do. The more people that stand in support, the better!   

3) Register Support on SB 431 through the On-Line Sign In Portal:  See below for directions.    We were very successful in the sign-in against HB 1301.  Let’s reach the same goals to SUPPORT SB 431.  

To register support or opposition on a bill that has a public hearing scheduled, you will utilize the sign-in form located on the General Court website available here: 

You are encouraged to sign in well in advance of the hearing. This online form will allow you to sign in on a bill as soon as it has been scheduled for a hearing. 

1. Click on the date that the bill you are interested in is being heard  January 30th. 

2. Under the drop-down menus. 

a. Select the committee that is hearing the bill  Senate Transportation

b. Select the bill you are interested in  Senate Bill 431. 

c. Select a category (elected official, lobbyist, agency staff, member of the public) Member of the Public. 

3. If you are representing an entity or someone other than yourself, enter that information in the box. 

4. Indicate whether you support, oppose or are neutral on the bill by checking the appropriate circle.  SUPPORT

5. Click continue. 

6. Enter your name and contact information. 

7. Click continue. 

8. Carefully review that the information you have entered is correct. If it is correct, check the box and click continue. This completes the sign in process.

** Note – there is an option to email the full Committee with a statement.  If you decide to email them, be positive – note that all of the members are co-sponsors of SB 431!  Thank them!

Here is how to email the Senate Transportation Committee to tell them why you support SB 431! 

Copy and paste the following email addresses into the "to" line of your email: Denise.Ricciardi@leg.state.nh.us; David.Watters@leg.state.nh.us; Ruth.Ward@leg.state.nh.us; Carrie.Gendreau@leg.state.nh.us; Donovan.Fenton@leg.state.nh.us; sophie.walsh@leg.state.nh.us