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On Tuesday, January 21, two bills impacting dogs are on the agenda for review by the New Hampshire House Committee on Environment and Agriculture (HE&A).

10AM – SUPPORT HB 153, which seeks to require the commissioner of the department of safety ensure that in every county there will be at least one state trooper who is trained in animal cruelty investigations through instruction in a course at the New Hampshire police training facility. It also seeks to require that every county sheriff ensures that there is at least one deputy sheriff who is also trained to assist local law enforcement. The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes dogs deserve a life in a safe, caring, and healthy environment and those who treat dogs in a negligent or cruel manner should be held accountable. Unform training is important to ensure governments protect constitutional rights and privileges of dog owners by following substantive and procedural due process.

1PMOPPOSE HB 240, which would repeal local authorities’ ability to enforce the rabies vaccination and dog licensure requirement.  Currently, they are able to issue a written warning; and continued failure to obtain a license could result in seizure and forfeiture of their animal.  Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. AKC is concerned that removing all penalties for failure to vaccinate and license a dog could increase noncompliance and increase the threat of rabies to public and animal health and safety.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: The public hearing on these bills is scheduled to start at 10AM in the Legislative Office Building, Room 301-303, 33 N State St, Concord, NH 03301. AKC encourages New Hampshire dog owners to attend and sign up to testify in person, or submit comments to the committee via its online testimony form. Complete your personal information and select the hearing date, House Environment and Agriculture Committee, and bill number before typing or uploading your testimony. Do not forget to click “submit”.

Then, on Thursday, January 23, the Senate Committee on Commerce has scheduled a hearing that includes one dog related bill.

9:30AM – SB 50 seeks to establish a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities and report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2025. AKC is taking no position on SB 50.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: The public hearing on SB 50 will take place at 9:30AM in the State House, Room 100, 107 N Main St, Concord, NH 03301. Testimony can be made by signing up upon arrival or online submission using this form. Select the hearing date, the Senate Commerce Committee, and complete your personal information in order to indicate your position on SB 50.

AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates on New Hampshire legislation as developments warrant. For more information on this or other legislative issues in New Hampshire, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the New Hampshire Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) at dogs.nh@gmail.com.