The Law Offices of Patricia Morris, PLLC
Animal Law - Equine Law - Animal Welfare
NH Proposed Animal Related Legislation 2012
Bills in the House:
HB325- changes to NH RSA 437: Sale of Pets - requiring a two day quarantine by a licensed premises. The language on the website is the initial version introduced in 2011 session, which was retained in committee. Passed.
HB1337 - Enforcement of Fish and Game laws, also establishes a committed to study the disposition of wildlife confiscated by Fish and Game. This bill provides that local/state police shall refer violations of fish and game laws to conservation officers of Fish and game for enforcement. Referred to Fish and Game Committee. Hearing 1-31, 1:00 pm LOB 307.
HB1336- the reciprocity of nonresident hunting dogs. Clarifies the reciprocity requirement for restrictions applicable to nonresident trainers of dogs for bear hunting. Removes the current language which applies this current bill to more general "wildlife species" to only bears. Allows a properly licensed NH Guide for brea hunting to guide a proplrly licensed on-resident, paying client to take bear with the use of dogs even if the client's state of residence prohibits such takign by residents of N.H. Referred to Fish and Game. Hearing 1-23 10:30 am, LOB 307.
HB1523- Return of personal property seized by law enforcement agencies from a person charged with a crime. Animals are personal property in the eyes of the law. I am uncertain how this would interact with NH RSA 644-8 (our current cruelty laws allowing for seizure and court disposition of animals). If ther eis an acquittal or dismissal of criminal proceedings, personal property woned by the person shall be returned. Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Hearing 2-9 10:30 am LOB 204.
HB1362 - establishes a service animal registration commission. This is a new section that would establish a commission to study the registration of service animals. There will be appointed members, with its findings due on 11-1-12. Referred to Executive Department. Hearing 2-9 10:00 am LOB 306.
HB1446- relative to meat inspection program. This has been nicknamed the "horse slaughter bill", which is not full picture of the law. Last year, NH passed HB339, which initiated a meat inspection program in NH (we have not had one yet). It applies to all livestock, including horses by definition. This bill amends the meat inspection program to exempt equines. Referred to Environmental and Agr Committee. Public Hearing 1-19-2012 LOB 303. 10:00 am.
HB1449 - requiring a warrant for searches of privately-owned property. A warrant shall be required for any serach of privately-owned property. This will conflict with our current cruelty laws which allows law enforcement to seize animals if they deem it necessary to save the animals life, or a vet to order the seizure of livestock. A court would have to grant a search warrant if this bill passes. That is my understanding. In Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Hearing 1/10/2012 1:30 pm LOB 204.
HB1231 - repeals the ban on sale, gift or display of certain young birds and rabbits. To take effect 60 days after passage. In Commerce and Consumer Affairs commission. Public hearing 1-26 2:00 LOB 302.
HB1498- repealing dog licensing requirements. This has 8 pages with changes. It involves dogs who have bitten and how they are disposed of, and/or euthanized. Also includes impoundment of cat rabies suspects. No longer must adhere to NH RSA 437:13-a. Vaccinations are still mandatory, but the town will not license the dog. Municipal Committee. Hearing on 1-23, 11:35 am LOB 301.
HB1244 - firearms possession while trapping. Allows trapper to have right to carry a firearm for self defense.
HJR22 - "antifreeze bill" - aversive agent in engine coolants and anitfreeze to render them inpalatable (to animals and children). This has been before our gov't several times and failed - however our legislatures all agree this is something that should be done. Referred to the Science, Technolog and Energy Commission. Hearing 11:00 am, January 20,LOB 304.
HB325- changes to NH RSA 437: Sale of Pets - requiring a two day quarantine by a licensed premises. The language on the website is the initial version introduced in 2011 session, which was retained in committee. Passed.
HB1337 - Enforcement of Fish and Game laws, also establishes a committed to study the disposition of wildlife confiscated by Fish and Game. This bill provides that local/state police shall refer violations of fish and game laws to conservation officers of Fish and game for enforcement. Referred to Fish and Game Committee. Hearing 1-31, 1:00 pm LOB 307.
HB1336- the reciprocity of nonresident hunting dogs. Clarifies the reciprocity requirement for restrictions applicable to nonresident trainers of dogs for bear hunting. Removes the current language which applies this current bill to more general "wildlife species" to only bears. Allows a properly licensed NH Guide for brea hunting to guide a proplrly licensed on-resident, paying client to take bear with the use of dogs even if the client's state of residence prohibits such takign by residents of N.H. Referred to Fish and Game. Hearing 1-23 10:30 am, LOB 307.
HB1523- Return of personal property seized by law enforcement agencies from a person charged with a crime. Animals are personal property in the eyes of the law. I am uncertain how this would interact with NH RSA 644-8 (our current cruelty laws allowing for seizure and court disposition of animals). If ther eis an acquittal or dismissal of criminal proceedings, personal property woned by the person shall be returned. Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Hearing 2-9 10:30 am LOB 204.
HB1362 - establishes a service animal registration commission. This is a new section that would establish a commission to study the registration of service animals. There will be appointed members, with its findings due on 11-1-12. Referred to Executive Department. Hearing 2-9 10:00 am LOB 306.
HB1446- relative to meat inspection program. This has been nicknamed the "horse slaughter bill", which is not full picture of the law. Last year, NH passed HB339, which initiated a meat inspection program in NH (we have not had one yet). It applies to all livestock, including horses by definition. This bill amends the meat inspection program to exempt equines. Referred to Environmental and Agr Committee. Public Hearing 1-19-2012 LOB 303. 10:00 am.
HB1449 - requiring a warrant for searches of privately-owned property. A warrant shall be required for any serach of privately-owned property. This will conflict with our current cruelty laws which allows law enforcement to seize animals if they deem it necessary to save the animals life, or a vet to order the seizure of livestock. A court would have to grant a search warrant if this bill passes. That is my understanding. In Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Hearing 1/10/2012 1:30 pm LOB 204.
HB1231 - repeals the ban on sale, gift or display of certain young birds and rabbits. To take effect 60 days after passage. In Commerce and Consumer Affairs commission. Public hearing 1-26 2:00 LOB 302.
HB1498- repealing dog licensing requirements. This has 8 pages with changes. It involves dogs who have bitten and how they are disposed of, and/or euthanized. Also includes impoundment of cat rabies suspects. No longer must adhere to NH RSA 437:13-a. Vaccinations are still mandatory, but the town will not license the dog. Municipal Committee. Hearing on 1-23, 11:35 am LOB 301.
HB1244 - firearms possession while trapping. Allows trapper to have right to carry a firearm for self defense.
HJR22 - "antifreeze bill" - aversive agent in engine coolants and anitfreeze to render them inpalatable (to animals and children). This has been before our gov't several times and failed - however our legislatures all agree this is something that should be done. Referred to the Science, Technolog and Energy Commission. Hearing 11:00 am, January 20,LOB 304.
Bills in the Senate:
SB1646- prohibiting the take of deer from baited areas. TBD.
LSR2446 - relative to the forfeiture of personal property (may impact our cruelty laws)
SB1538 - relative to innovative cosmetic or esthietic procedures.
LSR 2272- antifreeze bill in the Senate, comparable to HJR22
SB312 - prohibiting the cruel confinement of certain farm animals.
SB370 - relative to the breeding of dogs for transfer or sale. January 19 10:45, SH 100.
SB1646- prohibiting the take of deer from baited areas. TBD.
LSR2446 - relative to the forfeiture of personal property (may impact our cruelty laws)
SB1538 - relative to innovative cosmetic or esthietic procedures.
LSR 2272- antifreeze bill in the Senate, comparable to HJR22
SB312 - prohibiting the cruel confinement of certain farm animals.
SB370 - relative to the breeding of dogs for transfer or sale. January 19 10:45, SH 100.
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