NH Marine Trades Association Hosts Legislative Education Day

The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association (NHMTA), in partnership with the National Marine Manufacturers Associationhttps://www.nmma.org/ (NMMA), hosted its Legislative Education Day on September 8, at Lake Winnipesaukee. This continues a tradition of offering annual educational days to the House and Senate Committees. The event format remains consistent: introductions and a brief presentation, followed by a boat tour where activities like wakesurfing are demonstrated firsthand. While last year’s efforts were aimed at the Senate, this year focused on educating the House, which welcomed several new members to its committees.

Lawmakers from the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee and the House Transportation Committee were joined by NHMTA leaders, NMMA staff and local marina operators. Presentations covered boating’s $1.4 billion annual economic impact, which support 279 businesses and 5,900 jobs statewide, as well as positive legislative developments like HB 25 funding for a marine trades career pathway at Lakes Region Career Technical Education, and SB 40 which enables online boater safety certification.

The on-water portion featured a guided tour and wakesurfing demonstration, underscoring NHMTA’s message that education, not additional restrictions, protects waterways and tourism. Discussions also touched on dam maintenance funding, aquatic invasive species prevention, and boat trailer titling modernization.