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HB 153 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Study on animal cruelty resources

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a committee to study adding statewide resources to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response of animal cruelty.

Establishes a committee to study adding statewide resources to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response to animal cruelty.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 8, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a committee to study adding a statewide resource to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response of animal cruelty.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“There is established a committee to study adding a statewide resource to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response of animal cruelty.”
Section 8:1
“Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.”
Section 8:2
“Examine existing training provided by the New Hampshire police standards and training council and other courses that may be available either in-state or out-of-state.”
Section 8:3
“The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
Section 8:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Barbara ComtoisRPrime
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Catherine KennyR

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

92% support8% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“It is important to have necessary training regarding animal cruelty cases for law officers. Unfortunately cases of animal cruelty are increasing and it helps to have expertly trained personnel to lead investigations. Please pass this important bill.”
— Kristina Snyder, Chestersupports
“Many countries are enacting carbon pricing. For our economy to remain competitive, carbon pricing will have to occur.”
— Daniel Hooberman, Laconiasupports
“I believe that additional education on enforcing cruelty laws will provide the public protections that are now all too often missing when accusations of animal cruelty are made.…”
— Nancy Holmes, New Bostonsupports
“I am a retired UNH professor and veterinarian who specializes in the forensics of crimes against animals. I am also the author and instructor of the current 2-hour required animal cruelty course at the NH Police Academy.…”
— Jerilee Zezula, Madburyopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0443h (NT)13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0443hadopted
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0443hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture18:15–19:231m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and AgricultureWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture7:28–10:072m 39slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture2:16:07–2:16:4841slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:38–2:461m 8slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:42:33–1:48:055m 32slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0443h (NT); Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor53:34–54:1743slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0443h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0443h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:35:56–2:00:5524m 59slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 2 P. 8
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 10:00 am LOB 301-303
  3. Jan 28, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 01/28/2025 11:00 am LOB 301-303
  4. Feb 4, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/04/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  5. Feb 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 301-303
  6. Feb 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:00 am LOB 301-303
  7. Feb 18, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  8. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 10:45 am LOB 301-303
  9. Feb 18, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0443h (NT) 02/18/2025 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 14 P. 7
  10. Mar 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0443h: AA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 9
  11. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0443h: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 9
  12. Mar 6, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 10
  13. Mar 6, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 30
  14. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  15. Mar 18, 2025SenHearing: 03/18/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 13
  16. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  17. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  18. Apr 17, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/17/2025); SJ 11
  19. Apr 10, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 163
  20. May 8, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2025; Chapter 8; 05/08/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Detailed Discussion of Commercial Breeders and Puppy MillsExplainer

    Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University College of Law — A legal-reference overview of how federal and state law define and regulate commercial dog breeders and so-called puppy mills.AI-generated

  • What Are Cost of Care Laws and How Do They Work?Animal welfare

    ASPCA — Describes the seizure-and-custody process for abused animals and the cost-of-care rules that determine who pays while a cruelty case proceeds.AI-generated

  • Why Pet Shop Laws Affect YouBreeder

    American Kennel Club — Lays out breeder and hobbyist objections to broad commercial-breeder definitions and pet-vendor licensing requirements.AI-generated

  • Animal welfare organization opposes NH House-passed billNH context

    New Hampshire Public Radio — Reports a New Hampshire dispute over legislation on animal seizure and custody, quoting the state SPCA and the bill's sponsor.AI-generated

  • Animal RightsNH context — nonpartisan

    Citizens Count — A nonpartisan New Hampshire issue brief summarizing state debates over animal cruelty, seizure costs, and breeder regulation.AI-generated

  • Humane Organizations Oppose Bill To Change Laws Related To Livestock CrueltyNH context

    InDepthNH.org — Covers New Hampshire testimony on proposed changes to livestock cruelty and confiscation law, including concerns from humane organizations.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.