The boat speed limit bill drowned today/Thursday in the Senate.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports.
A majority of Senators believe boat speed is not the problem on New Hampshire lakes- it's that people don't follow the current water rules.
Last month the House passed legislation requiring a 45 mile an hour limit on all lakes and rivers during the day.
Nashua Senator David Gottesman, who owns a home on Lake Winnipesaukee, says one of the biggest problems is that people don't keep 150 feet from other vessels.
:45...The wake of a cabin cruiser going 10-20 miles an hour is larger than any canoe or kayak can handle. It creates a 3 foot wake and can easily capsize a boat when it comes to those smaller vessels.
Given the amount of comments received from constituents, Senators said this legislation clearly touched a nerve with the public.
Sandy Helve, who also owns a home on Winnipesaukee went to Concord, was hoping she wouldn't have to fear for her life anymore.
11:04 your heart goes into your throat. You start to shake, and you are just looking around, very fast, is this going to be the time? what can I do to get out of their way? What can I do? That's what you are thinking, what can I do at the last minute.
Helve and others say even if the state didn't enforce the speed limit, it would put boaters on notice and slow boats down.
Both sides claimed the state was at risk of losing money.
Lakes Region Senator Joe Kenney said the bill as drafted- affecting all New Hampshire lakes- was too broad.
He said it could chase away business.
T.2
10:00 people argue you are taking away our freedoms if you were to pass that. We are the live free or die state. Obviously tourism is the second largest industry in the state. And we want to develop a family environment.
Exeter Senator Maggie Hassan said she's hearing the opposite.
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2:10 ...there are property owners on the lake saying they are having difficulty renting their homes b/c people are scared to go out on the lake as a family.
Both Hassan and Kenney agree there is a need to balance the needs of all lake users.
And while the Senate has effectively killed a speed limit this year, Senator Kenney knows the issue isn't dead.
T.2
11:23 this issue will not go away for NH. This is a serious issue and we need to create an environment where families and the public can enjoy the environment and feel safe.
He says lake safety is a byproduct of growth.
And growth, Kenney told his colleagues, won't be slowing down in the state anytime soon.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
Thank you senate. New Hampshire has enough laws. Its about time someone used thier heads. It definitly would hurt the economy. Myself and others I have spoken with were considering NOT vacationing in NH to many laws can't even sneeze probably a law against that to. NH has to many laws for a number plate that reads LIVE FREE OR DIE which needs to be removed because NH is no longer a live free state. There will always be some accidents we do not live in a perfect world. You just need to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings when boating. The things that need to be slowed down are the 80 mph cars on your highways. There won't be as many boaters this year so no need to worry about the speed limit, the gas prices will take care of that. Gas is going to do enough damage to the tourism without adding more.
Thank you,
K