Dog Owners of the Granite State

Wednesday,  2/17/10 -

• The House will vote on  HB1417 – allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants. Committee recommendation: Ought to Pass.
  

• The House will vote on HB1596 – relative to the civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs. Committee recommendation: Inexpedient to Legislate.

Thursday, 2/18/10

• The Governor’s Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals will be meeting.  The public may attend and listen. When: 1:30 – 4  p.m. Where: Senate Room 100 of the State House, Concord.
  

Thursday 1/7/10 -

The House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on HB1562 – relative to assistance dogs. When: 2:30 p.m. Where: Room 205 of the Legislative Office Building, Concord

4/28 -
The N.H. House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold an executive session on SB137 – relative to animal population control. When: 10 a.m. Where: Room 308, Legislative Office Building, Concord

The N.H. House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold an executive session on SB13 – declaring the chinook the state dog of New Hampshire. When: 10 a.m. Where: Room 308, Legislative Office Building, Concord

The N.H. Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold a hearing on HB 345 – allowing physical therapists to practice on animals. When: 3:20 p.m. Where: Room 101, Legislative Office Building, Concord

4/29 – Purge the Merge!
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold a subcommittee work session on SB132 -  relative to merging the department of cultural resources, the department of agriculture, markets and food, the department of fish and game, the division of parks and recreation, and the division of forests and lands into a newly established department of natural and cultural resources; and transfers all law enforcement functions of those departments to the department of safety. When: 9 a.m. Where: Room 305, Legislative Office Building, Concord

4/30 -
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold an executive session on SB156 – relative to the commission to study the creation of an animal care worker classification. When: 10:15 a.m. Where: Room 306 , Legislative Office Building, Concord

The N.H. House Resources Committee will hold a hearing on SB 203 – relative to liability protection for railroad operators operating alongside recreational trails. When: 2:30 p.m. Where: Room 305, Legislative Office Building, Concord

Initiative to Merge Certain State Agencies

SB132 establishes a commission to develop implementation plans for merging the department of cultural resources, the department of agriculture, markets and food, the department of fish and game, the division of parks and recreation, and the division of forests and lands into a newly established department of natural and cultural resources; and transfers all law enforcement functions of those departments to the department of safety.

The public hearing is  scheduled in House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on April 23rd at 11:00am in room 306 of the Legislative Office Bldg.

This change will affect farmers, discourage growing a safe, local food supply, and anyone who is currently regulated by the Agriculture Department including dog, cat and horse owners will be impacted.
Please contact the members of the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee and ask them to Oppose SB132.

Contact information for members of this committee.
Some talking points to include in your request for them to oppose the bill:

• Less than 1% of the N.H. budget is devoted to the Department of Agriculture, but….
• NH Agriculture generates  $935 million in sales and agricultural based tourism revenues and preserves over half a million acres which benefits NH wild life, its sportsmen and animal owners.
• If agriculture were considered part of the manufacturing sector, it would be N.H.’s second largest industry.
• The number of farms has increased 24% since 2002 (the highest increase in the nation). Agriculture is a success story and a growing industry
• If this bill passes, New Hampshire could become one of only 3 states without a real Agriculture Department.

Access to Recreational Trails and Byways – Musher’s Alert!

SB 203: Provides liability immunity for railroads who own, lease occupy or maintain a right of way for designated recreational use.
STATUS: Passed the Senate with amendment. Public hearing scheduled in House Resources Committee on April 30th at 2:30pm in room 305 of the Legislative Office Bldg.

4/23 –

The N.H. House Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold a hearing on SB 132 – Creating a commission to merge the department of cultural resources, the department of agriculture, markets and food, the department of fish and game, the division of parks and recreation, and the division of forests and lands into a newly established department of natural and cultural resources; and transfers all law enforcement functions of those departments to the department of safety. When: 11 a.m. Where: Room 306, Legislative Office Building, Concord

4/30 –

The N.H. House Resources Committee will hold a hearing on SB 203 - relative to liability protection for railroad operators operating alongside recreational trails.. When: 2:30 p.m. Where: Room 305, Legislative Office Building, Concord