2009 NH Legislation Summary Report

During the 2009 NH Legislative Session, DOGS earmarked some 20 bills that would impact ownership, breeding, training and working with dogs and other companion animals. Due to the involvement of our members voicing their concerns to legislators, all of the bills had favorable outcomes. The final dispositions of the major bills that we were involved in are summarized below.

DOGS is a NH non-profit organization and an American Kennel Club affiliated federation that represents NH dog and other companion animal owners. Our members are involved in all aspects of pet ownership. To become a supporting member of DOGS’ programs and our legislative advocacy efforts contact Joyce Arivella, DOGS President, at  DOGS@NHdogs.org .

New Laws – Legislation Enacted in 2009

Bill #	Summary	Status	DOGS’ Comments
HB 148	Requires an annual veterinarian statement for exemption from rabies vaccination and declares that an official health certificate is prima facie evidence of transfer of a dog, cat, or ferret.	Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 9/29/09. Chapter Law 296	The Senate Wildlife Committee chose not to incorporate DOGS’ amendment into the bill. DOGS is working with the State Vet to introduce a bill next session that incorporates the clarifying language into the transfer requirements.
HB 247	Changes the law pertaining to domestic animal cruelty complaints.  Instead of the state veterinarian, the first on site responder, will be the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff, with jurisdiction over where the animal is kept.	Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 8/21/09. Chapter Law 123	DOGS supported this bill that was requested by the State Veterinarian.  The State Vet’s office has jurisdiction over the investigation of a complaint but the first responder will include someone with law enforcement training.
HB 345	Allowing licensed physical therapists who are graduates of a relevant certificate program and with proof of malpractice coverage to practice on animals.	Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 1/1/10. Chapter Law 311	DOGS supported the bill. It was the result of a collaboration of the state veterinarians’ and the physical therapists’ associations.
SB 13	Declaring the Chinook the official state dog.	Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 8/7/09. Chapter Law 62	DOGS supported the bill as the Chinook is a recognized AKC breed that is indigenous to the US and a popular choice for dog-sledding.
SB 137	Eliminates Plan A from the state spay/ neuter program thereby providing additional funding for Plan B.  Plan A allows the animal shelters to provide a voucher at adoption to reduce the cost of spaying/neutering a dog/cat. There are no income criteria for being able to qualify for a Plan A voucher.  Plan B provides dog or cat spay/neutering for a nominal co-pay for persons that participate in certain low-income programs.	Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 1/1/10. Chapter Law 98	DOGS supported the bill. In 2008, an identical measure was proposed by DOGS and defeated.
SB 156	Extends and add members to the commission to develop an animal care worker professional classification.	Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 7/16/09. Chapter Law 262	DOGS supported the bill. The addition of a representative from the community college system and members who raise livestock will benefit the development of this profession.

Retained (held-over) Bills for Action in 2010 Legislative Session

Bill #	Summary	Status	DOGS’ Comments
HB 191	Adds bicycles to the liability exemption activities for landowners who permit access to their property.	Retained by the House Judiciary Committee.	DOGS requested adding Dog-sledding to the activities covered in the bill.
HB 431	Requiring certain engine coolants to include an aversive agent so they are less likely to be consumed by animals.	Retained by the House Commerce Committee.	DOGS supports the bill.
HB 630	Prohibits live greyhound racing in NH by 2010 but allows the retention of simulcast.	Retained by the House Local & Regulated Revenues Committee.	DOGS opposed the bill. The greyhound tracks are properly regulated to ensure proper care of the dogs.

Defeated Bills

Bill #	Summary	Status	DOGS’ Comments
HB 220	In animal cruelty cases, allows a civil proceeding in addition to the criminal proceeding which will allow the municipality and the shelters a more efficient way to recoup the costs of caring for the confiscated animal(s). Owners would be required to post a $2,000 bond for each animal for both the civil and the criminal cases (doubling the current requirement).	Killed in the House	Numerous DOGS members testified and wrote letters in opposition to this onerous measure. In Vermont, a similar law resulted in an owner being found innocent in the animal cruelty criminal case but because they were found guilty in the previous civil proceeding their animals had been adopted and unable to be returned.
HB 278	Increasing the penalty for mistreating service animals from a misdemeanor to a felony..	Killed in the House	Legislators felt that the current RSA 167-D:9 is sufficient punishment in these cases – a class A misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.
HB 337	Requires that those selling more than one cat or dog per year obtain a temporary license for $25, valid for 60 days. No more than two temporary licenses can be obtained in a year.	Killed in the House.	The bill was requested by HSUS to identify “puppy mills”.  DOGS maintains that the current laws regarding licensing breeders and sellers as well as the animal cruelty laws provide sufficient regulation.  A similar law was enacted in Maine that proven costly, burdensome and without benefit.
HB 427	Requires licensure for horses.	Killed in the House.	DOGS opposed the bill as numerous members also own horses and saw no benefit to this costly measure.
HB 559	Added an animal rights member to the NH Fish and Game Advisory Council.	Killed in the House	DOGS opposed the bill as the animal rights activists who supported the measure would not be a beneficial addition to the Council.
HB 59	Requiring employers of employees who have service dogs to place signs prohibiting other animals access to their facilities.	Killed in the House.	DOGS opposed the bill as an onerous and unnecessary burden on employers.
SB 19	Provides liability immunity for municipal entities that allow dog parks on their lands.	Killed in the House	DOGS supported the bill.
SB 140	Establishes a certification process for licensed chiropractors to practice on animals.	Killed in the Senate	Unlike the successful bill allowing physical therapists to practice on animals, the chiropractors needed to collaborate further with the veterinarian community.

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