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HB 211 · 2025 · House · Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee

Air rifles allowed for hunting

AI-generated

relative to the use of air rifles for hunting game.

Allows the use of air rifles for hunting game, further defines "air rifle," and directs the fish and game commission to create an air rifle hunting tag program.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Allows the taking of game in New Hampshire with air rifles. II. Further defines "air rifle." III. Requires the fish and game commission to make rules creating and administering a hunting tag program for air rifle hunting.

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

“Paragraph I shall not apply to the firing or discharge of a cannon, gun, pistol, air rifle, or other firearm within the compact part of a town or city for the following events, provided that the person responsible for organizing the event notifies the police department and the fire department prior to the following events using blank ammunition:”
RSA 644:13
“The executive director may adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, for the electronic issuance of licenses, permits, and tags under the provisions of this title, by an agent or by the department.”
RSA 644:13
“Any such rules shall include procedures for verification of residency, the determination of sufficient proof of hunter education or other certification requirements, and any requirements of the licensee as to the use of the license, permit, or tag acquired electronically.”
RSA 644:13
“The executive director may further adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A to create, issue, and sell a tag specifically for hunting with an air rifle. 21:6 Effective Date.”
RSA 644:13

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James SpillaneRPrimeChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources

Also: Rep. Will DarbyD, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

63% support38% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This broadens participation in NH outdoors sports for those who want to avoid problems associated with firearm ownership.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“Fully oppose as written as it adds restrictions to air rifles and equates them to firearms. So much for Little Johnny learning on a Tractor Supply purchased BB gun in the basement or back yard before going to the range for some time on a .22LR.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes

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 5, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0073h15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0073hadopted
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0073hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine ResourcesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0073h; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0073h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0073h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 1, 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 Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 2 P. 10
  2. Feb 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/05/2025 11:00 am LOB 307
  3. Feb 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/05/2025 11:00 am LOB 307
  4. Feb 5, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0073h 02/05/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 12 P. 7
  5. Feb 20, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0073h: AA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 7
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0073h: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 7
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  8. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 14
  9. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  11. May 1, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 31
  12. May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/01/2025); SJ 12
  13. May 14, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/14/2025; Chapter 21; eff.07/13/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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