§ 485-I:4 — Coastal Fund

I. There is hereby established in the state treasury the coastal fund which shall be kept distinct and separate from all other funds. All moneys in the fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of environmental services for the purposes of this chapter.
II. The commissioner may apply for and accept, from any source, gifts; donations of money; grants; federal, local, private, and other matching funds and incentives; and interests in land for the purposes of this chapter. The moneys collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.
III. All moneys collected by the state to mitigate impacts to wildlife, natural resources, ecosystems, and traditional or existing water-dependent uses, including but not limited to commercial and recreational fishing, including aquaculture, and transit lanes, shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.
IV. There is hereby established an agency advisory board to advise the department of environmental services on the distribution moneys from the coastal fund. Members of the advisory board shall include:
(a) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee;
(b) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee;
(c) The executive director of the fish and game department, or designee;
(d) The commissioner of the department of energy, or designee;
(e) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee;
(f) The director of New Hampshire homeland security and management, or designee; and
(g) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
V. The department of environmental services may collect a reasonable administrative charge, not to exceed 10 percent, on moneys in the fund appropriated to the department to ensure their proper oversight and administration.

Legislative History

2021, 208:2, Pt. I, Sec. 1, eff. July 1, 2021. 2022, 130:2, eff. July 26, 2022.