HB 1603-FN (2026): requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.

HB 1603-FN (2026)

requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Environment - Administration
• Chapter law: 236

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2026, with 192 people signed in online: 8 in support and 184 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 28, 2026 and February 4, 2026. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0518h), and the minority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, by a vote of 8–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0518h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 192–152. On February 19, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held public hearings on March 10, 2026 and March 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1305s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1305s) 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 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1305s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Robert Harb. 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 July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 236 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Sayra DeVito (R - Rock 8) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Calvin Beaulier (R - Graf 1)
• Rep. Susan DeRoy (R - Straf 3)
• Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia (R - Belk 3)
• Rep. Melissa Litchfield (R - Rock 32)
• Rep. Tom Mannion (R - Hills 1)
• Rep. Lisa Mazur (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Linda McGrath (R - Rock 40)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Mary Murphy (R - Hills 27)
• Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R - Rock 30)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2026, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• January 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• February 4, 2026, 9:50 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 10, 2026, 9:10 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 17, 2026, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0518h — yeas 192, nays 152, passed
• April 9, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1305s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1305s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 212-A:9

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 27
• HC 7, page 37
• HJ 5, pages 98, 99 and 112
• SJ 5
• SC 9
• SC 10
• SC 13
• SJ 8
• HJ 14, page 22
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52