Initiatives
NHMTA is a thought leader in efforts to promote safe recreational boating, a healthy lake environment and the boating culture in New Hampshire. NHMTA members work in partnership with federal and state policymakers, state regulatory agencies, stakeholders including environmental, business and tourism organizations, and the boating consumer to engage in the following subject areas:
Legislative Actions: Through our partnership with J Grimbilas Strategic Solutions, a NH lobbying firm, NHMTA has a pulse on what's happening at the Statehouse. JGSS work focuses on all aspects of legislative, regulatory, state procurement, strategic communications, business development and government relations matters. JGSS works closely with the Governor, Executive Council, State Senate, and House of Representatives, as well as with state agency officials and regulatory commissions. NHMTA is a stakeholder in ALL matters that impact the industry, from efforts to place restrictions on boating activity or certain types of boats, efforts to enact luxury taxes on the sale of boats in NH, efforts to change laws resulting to wetlands and shoreland regulation, efforts that impact the business community, and so on.
State Regulatory Guidance: NHMTA is your watchdog for State and Federal regulation. NHMTA offers process and procedure review for all regulations (potential and new) that pertain to the NH Boating Industry impacting retailers, employees and the environment which we operate our business.
Networking and Communication: Members of NHMTA are updated regularly on the issues pertaining to NH's Boating Industry through monthly meetings, weekly check-ins, direct calls and email alerts. These contact methods contain important legislative information, recreational boating updates and other concerns that affect NH's Boating community. In many circumstances, responses require professional, immediate attention and NHMTA is prepared to act quickly.
Boater Education: Whether you own, lease or rent a boat, New Hampshire has a mandatory Boating Education law for operators. Everyone 16 years of age and older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters must have a boating education certificate. NHMTA supports further development and implementation of NH's Boating Education Program for all users on State waterways and works cooperatively with NH Marine Patrol to assist in training and promotion.
Promotion of Recreational Boaters Safety: Education plays a key role in the work that NHMTA puts forward. In many cases, newly introduced bills affecting NH's Boating Community are put forward with minimal attention to existing laws and regulations. It's the job of NHMTA to encourage the education of dealers, lawmakers and stakeholders for messaging to keep our waterways safe for all users. Examples of work completed by NHMTA includes supporting efforts to maintain an adequately funded NH Marine Patrol force and the promotion of the industry sponsored Wake Responsibility Campaign.
Healthy Lakes: NHMTA is a STRONG supporter of keeping NH Lakes and waterbodies clean and healthy. Frankly, all of our members rely on ecologically balanced, clean and healthy waterways to sustain a successful business. Examples of NHMTA efforts to keep our lakes healthy include an Memorandum of Understanding crafted with the NH Department of Environmental Services to move towards cleaner running engines and addressing gasoline additives like MBTE which are harmful to our environment. Through dealer education, NHMTA promotes NH's Clean, Drain and Dry initiative, which provides simple steps needed to prevent aquatic invasive species transport (AIS) for all craft, including transient powerboats, fishing boats and paddle sports.