HB 616-FN (2025): relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.

HB 616-FN (2025)

relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Animals

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 4, 2025, with 191 people signed in online: 16 in support and 175 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on March 5, 2025, March 7, 2025 and 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 2025-0999h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0999h) 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 Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on May 15, 2025. On May 15, 2025 the Senate voted to lay it on the table on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon. The bill died on the table under Senate Rule 3-23 on October 31, 2025, having been set aside and never taken back up.

Sponsors

• Rep. Judy Aron (R - Sull 4) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. James Creighton (R - Hills 30)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Barbara Comtois (R - Belk 7)
• Rep. Megan Murray (D - Hills 37)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 4, 2025, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 5, 2025, 9:30 AM: full committee work session, 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 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 22, 2025, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 15, 2025: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 26, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0999h — voice vote, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Laid on Table — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 644:8
• RSA 436:8
• RSA 437-B:1

Related Bills

• SB 302-FN (2025): requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners, establishing a solid waste site evaluation committee and temporarily suspends the issuance of solid waste permits by the department of environmental services, relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals, and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.
• SB 302-FN (2025): requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners, establishing a solid waste site evaluation committee and temporarily suspends the issuance of solid waste permits by the department of environmental services, relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals, and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 16
• SC 19
• SC 21