New Hampshire SB 596: prohibiting smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.

Bill Text

SB 596-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2198

 09/08

SENATE BILL 596-FN

AN ACT prohibiting smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.

SPONSORS: Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Rep. Muns, Rock. 29

COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources

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ANALYSIS

 This bill prohibits smoking in Hampton Beach state park.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2198

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT prohibiting smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Subdivision; Smoking in State Parks. Amend RSA 155 by inserting after section 78 the following new subdivision:

Smoking in State Parks

 155:78-a Smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.

 I. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, including any regulation adopted pursuant to RSA 12-A:2-c, II(a), smoking, as defined by RSA 155:65, XV, shall be prohibited within Hampton Beach state park.

 II. The department of natural and cultural resources shall develop and post signage in Hampton Beach state park informing the public of this prohibition.

 III. Any authorized official may enforce this prohibition through directing the offending individual to comply with the prohibition. No monetary fine shall be levied.

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.

 LBA

 26-2198

 11/4/25

SB 596-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT prohibiting smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

Indeterminable Decrease ($0 to $25,000)

Indeterminable Decrease ($0 to $50,000)

Indeterminable Decrease ($0 to $50,000)

 Revenue Fund(s)

State Park Fund

 Expenditures*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill prohibits smoking in Hampton Beach State Park, including the RV park, and requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to post signage notifying the public of the prohibition.

The New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources states this bill may result in a minor decrease in State Park Fund revenue, estimated at up to $50,000 annually, due to reduced visitation. Because the bill takes effect January 1, 2027, the Department assumes the impact in FY 2027 would be approximately half that amount. Any costs for signage and implementation can be absorbed within the Department’s existing budget. 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources