HB 645 & HB 646 – Relative to repealing increases in fees enacted from 2006 to 2010.
Public Hearing: February 17th at 10:15am and 11:15am, Room 202 LOB
Everyone would like to have their least favorite tax or licensing fee lowered or repealed. However, the funds raised by many of these measures allow state agencies to provide valuable services that protect the public health and safety.
HB 645 contains a provision (Section 82 of the bill) that rolls back the “pet shop and commercial breeder” licensing fee from $350 to $200. When this fee was increased in 2010, it was well publicized and none of those effected objected during the public hearings. Moreover, the $350 fee does not cover the Department of Agriculture’s cost for inspecting these facilities twice annually and responding to consumer concerns.
HB 646 contains a provision (Section 94) that rolls back the pesticide registration fee from $120 to $80. This fee is paid by the manufacturers of household and commercial pesticides. Dog and cat owners benefit by the state ensuring that products like flea and tick applications for pets are safe and comply with EPA standards. It is doubtful that the roll-back of this fee would be reflected in the cost of pesticides to the consumer but it would result in the state not being able to comprehensively supervise the content and application of pesticides and provide education information.
The NH Department of Agriculture protects the public and your pets from infectious diseases as well as ensures that the NH animal welfare and abuse laws are properly administered. As a pet owner, breeder, trainer, etc., you have an interest in the Department of Agriculture having adequate funding to protect animals and the public.
You are encouraged to write the members of the House Ways and Means Committee using the points made above. In your correspondence ask them to remove Section 82 from HB 645 and Section 94 from HB 646. In addition to sending your letter to the committee members, please forward a copy to Yvonne at yln@comcast.net so that DOGS can insure that it is submitted into the public record at the hearing and so that the NH Dept. of Agriculture knows they can depend upon our support. The email addresses of the Representatives that serve on the House Ways & Means Committee are listed below for your letters.
House Ways & Means Committee Member’s email addresses
Stephen Stepanek sbs2093@aol.com
Norman Major nlbem@comcast.net
Christine Hamm hammchristine@gmail.com
David Hess dave.hess@leg.state.nh.us
Frank Sapareto sapareto@comcast.net
Jordan Ulrey jordanulery@myfairpoint.net
Joe Osgood joejfcc@myfairpoint.net
Patrick Abrami patrick.abrami@leg.state.nh.us
Gary Azarian gazarian@comcast.net
Duffy Daugherty duffy.daugherty@leg.state.nh.us
John McDonnell john.mcdonnell@leg.state.nh.us
Keith Murphy rep.keithmurphy@gmail.com
Bill Ohm billohm2010@aol.com
Laurie Sanborn laurie.sanborn@leg.state.nh.us
Wyman Shuler wes.shuler@leg.state.nh.us
Susan Almy susan.almy@comcast.net
William Butynski williambutynski@aol.com
William Hatch hatchbill@hotmail.com
Mary Cooney mary.cooney@leg.state.nh.us
