NHMTA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1987- Through NHMTA guidance, the NH Legislature signed into law, all labor repairs performed under warranty for a manufacturer must be paid at the same hourly amount as non-warranty labor charges.  These actions were made possible by A. Donald Thurston, a NHMTA member who was the prime sponsor of this important Bill, which which we now has become National policy for all manufacturers within the Boating Industry.
 

NH LEGISLATIVE DAY:
 

1989- NHMTA initiated and created a the culture of regularly hosting a Legislative Day during which our State elected officials are given firsthand exposure to the workings and efforts of the Marine Dealers in NH to make boating safer for our consumer and environmentally sensitive.
 

NH CLEAN ENGINE INITIATIVE:
 

 1999- The NHMTA was the first Boat Dealer Association in the USA to create a Clean Marine Engine Initiative in cooperation with the NH DES (NH Department of Environmental Services) to mandate the reduction and ultimate cessation of sales of older non-compliant “dirty” marine engines and actively promote the sale of clean newer designed "emission friendly" engines. This clean, pro-environment program took on National attention and became to forerunner of similar programs throughout the USA.


NH SHRINKWRAP RECYCLING PROGRAM:

2002- NHMTA participated in a shrink-wrap recycling program through the Northeast Resource Recovery Association.  The shrink-wrap was used to make playground equipment in elementary schools as well as some of the composite plastic material for decking and deck rails. Once again, NHMTA was the leader at the forefront of efforts to create a shrink-wrap recycling process to reduce landfill. This program continues to this day.


LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO PROTECT BOATERS

 
2011- Opposed and Defeated HB 548 - relative to boater safety education and relative to the minimum age for operation of motorized vessels. The State Senate killed this well-intended bill after hearing from the marine and hospitality industry on the negative impacts to the recreational boating industry and tourism. 

 
2012- Opposed and Defeated HB 1193 - relative to requirements for temporary certificates of safe boating education. Another bill that would have severely impacted NH's marine and tourism industries.


2012- Supported continued study on SB 305 - relative to boat fees, which would have changed how boat fees are handled in NH. 


2012- Amended SB 317 - relative to towable devices permitted to be towed by a motorboat, to reflect the needs of the recreational boating community and watersport enthusiasts.


NHMTA TEAMS UP WITH TOURISM PROMOTION

 
2013-  NHMTA teams with Lakes Region Tourism Association to promote boating and the economic tourism opportunity that exists in NH. NHMTA continues to partner with the lakes Region Tourism Association on mutual interests.

2013- NHMTA organizes Boat Show at Gilford Hills for it's members


NHMTA HELPS CREATE LAKE PROTECTION FUNDS

 
 2013- NHMTA  supported a $2 increase in boat registrations to provide an additional $200,000 in State revenue to be used exclusively to assist in protecting NH Lakes from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).


NHMTA STREAMLINES INSPECTION PROCESS

 
 2013-  NHMTA helped guide a Boat Trailer Inspection law SB-27 to active status. As a result boat trailers under 10,000 GVW no longer need to be inspected on an annual basis.


NHMTA FIGHTS FOR MARINA RIGHTS

 
2014-  NHMTA fought the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF). CLF targeted marinas in NH and NHMTA came together to try and stop this group. NHMTA members completed many meetings with NH state commissioners and DES to inform them of this group's actions and created a pathway steps to prevent further CLF targeting NH Marinas and Boat Dealers.


NHMTA SUPPORTS, WORKS IN CONCERT WITH NH MARINE PATROL

 
 2014- NHMTA has led the charge to assist the re-interpretation of Blue LED lighting use on boats.  Through a joint agreement between NHMTA and NH Marine Patrol, Blue LED lighting can be displayed inside/outside of vessels as long as the lighting will NOT interfere with safe navigation. 

 
 2014- Boating Certificate Modification: Marine Patrol wished to have an operator's Boating Certificate to be issued in the same state as the operator's driving license. NHMTA reviewed and discussed the barriers to boating in NH this would create and ultimately create a negative businesses impact.  NH Marine Patrol agreed with shared data and decided not to pursue making these changes.


2015- NHMTA works in concert with State Agencies to launch a pilot program allowing Boat Dealerships to have VPN connection to State's database for efficient boat registration and renewal process. Dealers now benefit from a statewide on-line agent program automating registrations, saving significant resources.

2015- NHMTA works with State agencies to maintain appropriate number of Utility Plates for legal, compliant over-road transport.  


NHMTA ORGANIZES AND HOSTS AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES WORKSHOP


2017- Clean, Drain and Dry technique sharing with stakeholders. Municipal, state government and public learn first hand how to protect NH lakes from the threat of AIS.  Training sessions continue today regarding lake health and efforts to understand all current AIS threats from other states. 


NHMTA PROVIDES CONTINUOUS INPUT


2020- NHMTA members have served and currently serve on a number of important State Committees, all relative to safe boating and waterway management, including the Shoreland Advisory Committee, the Exotic Aquatic Species Committee (Milfoil), the Lakes Management Advisory Committee and the most recent Wakeboat Study Commission (HB137).