HB 250 (2025): enabling local governing bodies to regulate the muzzling of dogs.

HB 250 (2025)

enabling local governing bodies to regulate the muzzling of dogs.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Animals
• Chapter law: 272

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 5, 2025, with 17 people signed in online: 9 in support and 8 in opposition. The committee held a work session on March 7, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 11, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on March 11, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 18, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on March 18, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0896h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0896h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 2–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1697s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1697s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 1, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 1, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 22, 2025 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1697s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jason Osborne. On June 5, 2025 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. A committee of conference met on June 17, 2025 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2790c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2790c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2923e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 272 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jodi Newell (D - Ches 4) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Samantha Jacobs (D - Ches 15)
• Rep. Philip Jones (D - Ches 3)
• Rep. Nicholas Germana (D - Ches 15)
• Rep. Terri O'Rorke (D - Ches 7)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 5, 2025, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 7, 2025, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 11, 2025, 9:30 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 11, 2025, 11:20 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 18, 2025, 10:45 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 18, 2025, 12:00 PM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 26, 2025: consent calendar, House
• April 8, 2025, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• April 10, 2025: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources
• May 1, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• June 17, 2025, 8:30 AM: committee of conference, LOB 302-304

Votes

• March 26, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0896h — voice vote, passed
• May 1, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1697s — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1697s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 466:39

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 15
• SC 16
• SC 19