Two legislative bills need your attention over the next two weeks, SB 365 and HB 1417. See below for further information on these bills.
NH LEGISLATIVE ACTION UPDATE
SB 365: requires that animal shelters and rescue organizations cannot sell, give away, adopt, or otherwise transfer ownership of any dog or cat unless it has been sexually sterilized. An exemption from the requirement is provided for shelters that can demonstrate that at least 85% of the dogs transferred had been sterilized in the previous year through the voucher system or private means.
DOGS supported the bill which was requested by shelter advocates. DOGS requested an amendment incorporated into the bill that added essential protections for animals and animal owners such as an exemption for health an animal’s health status and an animal that is reclaimed by its owner.
Further amendments are being prepared for the House Environment Committee public hearing by DOGS. Our amendment will make it clear that those who transfer less than 10 litters or 50 kittens in a 12-month period are not required to obtain a state license.
STATUS: Passed the Senate with amendments. Next step: public hearing before the House Environment & Agriculture Committee on April 13th at 11am in room 308 of the LOB.
Action Needed: Emails and letters to House Environment Committee members requesting support for the amendment that clarifies the exemption for cat hobby breeders from the state licensee law. House Environment Committee members should be urged to support the amendment that clarifies the exemption for hobby breeders who are not “conducting a business” as they do not make a profit nor can they deduct expenses on their tax forms. The law already clarifies the exemption for hobby dog breeders. This will make it clear for the hobby cat breeder and provide them a point of law to refer to when deterring an overzealous SPCA staff person (contact yln @ comcast.net if you need more information about the recent enforcement action that this amendment pertains to). Environment and Agriculture Committee Mailing List
HB 1417: allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants at the owners’ discretion. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Butler, owns an Inn and the new health inspector maintains that the owner’s dogs having access to the dining room is a violation of the state regulations. DOGS is supporting the bill. More information about why DOGS supports this bill is available here. STATUS: The House passed the bill. Next step: Senate Commerce Committee public hearing on April 29th at 12:45 pm in room 103 State House. Action Needed: Send a letter to the members of the Senate Commerce committee urging them to support passage of the bill. Many of New Hampshire’s Inns, Bed & Breakfasts are pet friendly for the inn owner’s pets and guests’. This unique feature should be the establishment owner’s decision.
Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection Committee
- Margaret W. Hassan, Chairman, 107 North Main Street, Room 302, Concord, NH 03301-2528
- Betsi L. DeVries, V Chairman, 107 North Main Street, Room 106, Concord, NH 03301-2528
- Deborah R. Reynolds, 5 Chaddarin Lane, Plymouth, NH 03264-4401
- Jacalyn L. Cilley, 2 Oak Hill Road, Barrington, NH 03825-3820
- Peter E. Bragdon, P.O. Box 488, Milford, NH 03055-4425
- Sheila Roberge, 83 Olde Lantern Road, Bedford, NH 03110-4816
