HB 1167
enabling the use of ferrets for hunting.
Official record at gencourt.state.nh.us ↗Open this bill in the searchable view → · Follow this bill by RSS
On the record
Quoted from the General Court bill status page, not worked out from the docket.
| Status | HOUSE |
|---|---|
| In the House | INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE |
| Introduced | 1/7/2026 |
| Floor date | 3/5/2026 |
| LSR number | 2659 |
| Local government impact | no |
| Committee code | H42 |
Where it stands
House: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE
Every floor vote on this bill was a voice or division vote, so there is no record of how individual legislators voted.
Sponsors
Barton, Joseph(R) Graf 1, Alexander, Joe(R) Hills 29, Granger, Michael(R) Straf 2, King, Seth(R) Coos 4, Mannion, Tom(R) Hills 1, Noble, Kristin(R) Hills 2
Prime sponsor in bold. From the General Court sponsor file.
What happened
Every action recorded in the official docket, in order. Each line ends with the journal or calendar that recorded it; where we have the document, that citation links to it.
- January 7, 2026Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources
- January 28, 2026Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 11:15 am GP 153
- January 28, 2026Executive Session: 01/28/2026 11:15 am GP 153
- February 4, 2026Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 01/28/2026 (Vote 9-6; RC)
- February 4, 2026Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- March 5, 2026Ought to Pass: MF DV 145-189 03/05/2026
- March 5, 2026Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026
Votes
Roll call tallies and individual votes from the General Court roll call files. Presiding, excused and absent are shown separately: one member presides over each House roll call and does not vote except to break a tie.
Inexpedient to Legislate
Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.
Ought to Pass
Decided on a division vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.
Committee reports
Reproduced from the House Calendar in the committee’s own words.
Majority — OUGHT TO PASS
This bill would eliminate the prohibition on possessing a ferret while hunting or while traveling to or from hunting. It does not authorize hunting with ferrets. Bringing your furry friendly ferret along for a car ride or hunt has no more inherent risk to the outdoors than keeping your ferret at your home or in your backyard. Vote 9-6.
Minority — INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE
This is a bill that repeals the prohibition is possessing a ferret while hunting or while on the way to and from hunting. The expressed concern was the risk of ferrets spreading diseases and parasites or getting loose and preying on native wildlife. Ferrets are vicious hunters. The Fish and Game Department also opposes the bill. They testified that there has never been a request for the bill. In fact, they questioned in their testimony whether the bill would lead to a pathway for a ferret season. The creation and administration of such a season would be extremely costly for the Fish and Game Department.
Hearings and recordings
Recordings are the General Court’s own, on YouTube. Start times are estimates unless stated otherwise, and the player opens early.
- January 28, 2026 at 11:15Fish and Game and Marine Resources public hearing recording 1:25:49–1:29:39, about 4 min (estimated)
- January 28, 2026 at 11:15Fish and Game and Marine Resources executive session recording (start time not identified)
- March 5, 2026House floor debate recording (start time not identified)
Page generated 2026-09-03 from data published by the New Hampshire General Court. Granite Record is an independent project, not affiliated with the General Court. The official record always takes precedence. Corrections: [email protected]