SB 475 (2026): relative to pet vendor foster homes, defining pet vendor foster facility, and relative to cruelty to livestock.

SB 475 (2026)

relative to pet vendor foster homes, defining pet vendor foster facility, and relative to cruelty to livestock.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Animals

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1005s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1005s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026, with 5 people signed in online: 4 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on April 7, 2026, April 14, 2026, April 28, 2026 and May 5, 2026. The committee met in executive session on May 5, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1838h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1838h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Judy Aron. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2092c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2092c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2181e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor vetoed it on July 15, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On August 19, 2026 the Senate voted 8–16 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Nicholas Germana (D - Ches 15)
• Rep. Cathryn Harvey (D - Ches 6)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Wayne MacDonald (R - Rock 16)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 17, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 12, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 31, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 7, 2026, 1:00 PM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 14, 2026, 1:30 PM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• May 5, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• May 5, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 26, 2026, 1:00 PM: committee of conference, GP 159
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1005s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1838h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• August 19, 2026, Senate: Veto Override — yeas 8, nays 16, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 437:1
• RSA 437:3
• RSA 644:8
• RSA 436:8

Related Bills

• HB 1709-FN (2026): prohibiting certain unlawfully present felons from occupying or renting real property, relative to pet vendor foster home and defining pet vendor foster facility, and providing procedures for the potential confiscation of livestock involved in cruelty to animal cases.
• HB 1766-FN (2026): relative to cruelty to livestock.
• HB 1766-FN (2026): relative to cruelty to livestock.
• HB 1766-FN (2026): relative to cruelty to livestock.
• HB 1709-FN (2026): prohibiting certain unlawfully present felons from occupying or renting real property, relative to pet vendor foster home and defining pet vendor foster facility, and providing procedures for the potential confiscation of livestock involved in cruelty to animal cases.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 5
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 8, page 114
• HC 19, page 13
• HJ 13, page 21
• SJ 13
• HJ 14, pages 11, 34 and 35
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 2 and 48
• SJ 15