Fee proposed to fund hiker rescues

The 2011 Legislature is considering SB 128, which would impose a fee on overnight hikers in order to fund search and rescue operations.

The bill is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester, along with Republican Sen. John Gallus of Berlin and GOP Reps. Gene Chandler of Bartlett and Paul Mirski of Enfield as a way to provide the state Fish and Game Department with money to fund rescues.

The measure imposes a $3 hiker fee on those who sleep at Appalachian Mountain Club and Randolph Mountain Club facilities.

Currently, the law allows the state to bill hikers who are deemed negligent if they are lost or injured or otherwise need rescue by state-funded personnel. Money also comes from a  $1 fee on registrations of boats, snowmobiles and off-highway recreational vehicles.

But the department has run out of money for rescue operations several times.

According to a Concord Monitor story on the issue, the sponsors know the measure probably won't pass.

But its sponsors want to bring attention to the rescue funding problem.

"The fee thing prevents a bit of a conundrum, no question," Chandler said to the Monitor. "Hopefully, the committee will look at suggestions and come up with other funding."

The bill is in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.