HB 1253 (2026): exempting dogs guarding livestock or crops from nuisance dog statutes when engaged in such work.

HB 1253 (2026)

exempting dogs guarding livestock or crops from nuisance dog statutes when engaged in such work.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Agriculture
• Chapter law: 160

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026, with 14 people signed in online: 14 in support. The committee held work sessions on February 24, 2026 and March 3, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0930h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0930h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 2–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1308s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1308s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 7, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1308s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Judy Aron. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 19, 2026, making it Chapter 160 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Barbara Comtois (R - Belk 7) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Judy Aron (R - Sull 4)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)
• Rep. Catherine Kenny (R - Hills 13)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 17, 2026, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• February 24, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• March 3, 2026, 10:15 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• March 3, 2026, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 31, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0930h — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1308s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1308s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 466:30-a
• RSA 466
• RSA 466:31

Related Bills

• HB 1092 (2026): relative to guard dogs.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 12
• HC 10, page 16
• HJ 7, page 32
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 13
• SJ 8
• HJ 12, page 4
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43