New Hampshire Legislative Overview – 2022 Session
(Adjourned May 26, 2022)
20 pet industry-related issues were proposed during the 2021-22 legislative session, 11 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| EO-2021-07 | Commission on Humane Treatment of Animals: Executive Order No. 2021-07 re-establishes the Governor’s Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals. | SIGNED |
| HB 92 | Companion Animal Groomers – Best Practices: An Act establishing a committee to study best practices for companion animal groomers. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 249 | Official Health Certificates – Animal Shelter Exemption: Amends Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 437 (Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals), Section 437:8 (Health Certificates for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets) of New Hampshire Statutes to clarify exemptions for animal shelters from official health certificate requirements. | ENACTED |
| HB 250 | Dog & Cat Breeders – Pet Vendor License Requirement: Amends Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 437 (Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals), Section 437:1 (Definitions) and Section 437:7 (Exceptions) of New Hampshire Statutes to: 1) redefine “pet vendor”; and 2) create an exemption from the requirement to obtain a pet vendor license for certain breeders of dogs and cats. | ENACTED |
| HB 367 | Dog, Cat, Ferret Quarantine Period: Amends Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 437 (Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals), Section 437:8 (Health Certificates for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets) of New Hampshire Statutes to make certain requirements for a dog, cat, or ferret to receive a health certificate, including a 7 day quarantine period for imported animals. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 438 | Animal Health Certificate Database Confidentiality: Amends Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 437 (Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals) of New Hampshire Statutes by adding a new Section 437:8 (Confidentiality) to provide for the confidentiality of records made by the Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food into any database relative to animal health certificates. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 532 | Establishment of Animal Health Certificate Database: Amends Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 437 (Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals), Section 437:8 (Health Certificates for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets) of New Hampshire Statutes by: 1) adding a new Section 437:8a establishing an animal health certificate database; and 2) providing for an additional fee for rabies vaccinations and health certificates for the administration of the animal health certificate database. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| SB 127 | Omnibus Appropriations Bill – Animal Health Certificate Database: Amends NH Revised Statutes relative to appropriations (includes animal records database provisions of HB 532). | DIED ON HOUSE CALENDAR |
| SB 146 | Omnibus Environment Bill – Live Animal Import Restrictions: Omnibus environmental legislation which includes provisions to amend: 1) Title XVIII (Fish & Game), Chapter 207 (General Provisions As To Fish & Game) of NH Revised Statutes Annotated by adding a new Section 207:14b (Prohibited Import of Animals and Fish; Risk of Zoonotic Disease Transmission) which would prohibit the importation or transportation of certain animals and fish into New Hampshire; and 2) Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry) of NH Revised Statutes Annotated by adding an new Chapter 428-A (Live Animal Markets) to regulate live animal markets. | ENACTED |
| SB 368 | Fines for Unlicensed Sales of Live Animals: Amends Title XL (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 437 (Sale of Pets; Disposition of Unclaimed Animals), Section: 437:10 (Penalty) of NH Revised Statutes to: 1) Increase the fine for subsequent offenses of unlicensed sale of live animals; and 2) Establish the revolving fund for agricultural hearing officers. | ENACTED |
View ALL New Hampshire legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.