Upcoming Hearings
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on
- HB1615-FN – regulating the transfer of dogs from out of state.
When: 10 a.m. Where: Room 303, the Legislative Office Building.
Monday, February 29, 2016
The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety will hold a hearing on
- HB 1547-FN – prohibiting beastiality.
When: 1 p.m. Where: Room 204, the Legislative Office Building.
New Bills of Interest
HB1615-FN – regulating the transfer of dogs from out of state.
STATUS: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on 2/16/16 at 10 a.m.
DOGS POSITION: Support HB 1615 This bill defines an animal importer as someone who brings animals into NH with the intent of transferring ownership of them and requires importers to be registered with the Department of Agriculture. Additionally, it defines a transfer event and requires animal importers to notify the department of these events. If passed, it would protect consumers by regulating the retail rescue organizations.
HB 1547-FN – prohibiting beastiality.
STATUS: The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety will hold a hearing on 2/29/16 at 1 p.m.
DOGS POSITION: Oppose as written DOGS does NOT support bestiality, but, although the bill allows for “accepted veterinary procedures,” “insemination of animals,” and “accepted animal husbandry practices,” these exceptions only apply to either veterinarians or “animals bred for commercial purposes.” This would exclude many small hobby dog and cat breeders, small farmers or horse owners who are not breeding for commercial purposes. Please email the committee members a polite note explaining that not all animal breeding is done for commercial purposes and ask for an amendment eliminating that requirement.
Update on recent bills
HB1571– prohibiting the possession, purchase, or sale of equipment used for animal fighting.
STATUS: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on 2/2/16 at 10 a.m.
DOGS POSITION: Oppose At the hearing, the sponsor introduced an amendment that removed “breaking sticks, treadmills, unprescribed veterinary medicine and treatment supplies” from the definition of animal fighting paraphernalia. HSUS and several police officers spoke in favor of the bill. The Farm Bureau and a member of public spoke against. Both said they were against dog fighting but had concerns about some of the implements included in the definition of paraphernalia. Spring poles are sold by Amazon as exercise equipment for active dogs.
HB1499 – relative to certificates for rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, or ferrets
STATUS: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on 2/2/16 at 11 a.m.
DOGS POSITION: Oppose The State Veterinarian and a DOGS member spoke against. Both discussed the need for accurate and authentic rabies certificates. The only person in favor was the sponsor.
SB505-FN – relative to the transfer of animals and birds.
- STATUS: Inexpedient to Legislate.
HB1230 – relative to information on dog licenses
- STATUS: Inexpedient to Legislate.
HB 1567 -FN-A authorizing friends of animal number plates
- STATUS: Inexpedient to Legislate.
HB1576- FN-L – repealing the licensure of dogs
- STATUS: Inexpedient to Legislate.
