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HB 251 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Pet ownership of squirrels and raccoons

AI-generated

allowing the ownership of certain squirrels and raccoons.

Allows the ownership of squirrels and raccoons determined to be unable to survive in the wild.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 27, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows the ownership of squirrels and raccoons deemed unable to survive in the wild.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Raccoons and gray squirrels may be possessed as companion animals without a permit from the department if a wildlife rehabilitation facility makes the determination that the animal cannot survive in the wild and such animal is up to date on any vaccines required.”
Section 1
“If an owner of a raccoon or gray squirrel cannot satisfy the requirements of this paragraph, the fish and game commission may charge them with a fine set in rules adopted under RSA 541-A and the animal shall be examined and, if necessary, vaccinated.”
Section 1
“The raccoon or gray squirrel shall not be confiscated or euthanized without the permission of the owner.”
Section 1
“Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as enabling the trapping, breeding, and sale of raccoons and gray squirrels.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James SpillaneRPrimeChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Bill BoydRClerk· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Lino AvellaniRVice Chair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR

Public testimony

96 signed in online · 31 wrote testimony

18% support81% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“For the same reason I oppose all the recent laws against Trans people and other lunacy: we are the live free or die state.…”
— Nathan Powell, rochestersupports
“Adhesive traps are dangerous to the environment. They can catch any animal and are usually fatal in a way that is very inhumane might I add. Please do support this bill. Making adhesive traps illegal will have a positive impact on our environment and wildlife.”
— Kate Tomlinson, Peterboroughsupports
“From early 1990's, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation model has laid the foundation for the all state wildlife management agencies to follow including the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. It's basic tenet is that wildlife belongs to everyone.…”
— Cathryn Harvey, Spoffordopposes
“Raccoons and squirrels are wild animals that are difficult to domesticate and train. They should not be kept as pets. Animals that wildlife rehabilitators deem unable to survive in the wild are not meant to be kept as pets.…”
— Patricia Anastasia, Londonderryopposes
“Please note, Spillane is not educated in this area and as shown quite clearly that he is against what is best for wildlife and the public. He was even removed from his duties because he was more interested in violence than anything else.…”
— Julia Sinclair, Newmarketopposes

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
  • Mar 11, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–2
    Overall
    86% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseRoll callLay HB251 on Table (Rep. J. Aron)Adopted226–115How they voted
    Overall
    66% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    95–9749% yea
    Democrats
    131–1888% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture3:50:23–3:51:281m 5slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:01:53–1:03:011m 8slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture3:00:50–3:01:581m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor9:02:30–9:08:175m 47slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB251 on Table (Rep. J. Aron) — adopted, roll call 226-115
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

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. 12
  2. Feb 19, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/19/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/04/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/11/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  5. Mar 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/11/2025 11:20 am LOB 301-303
  6. Mar 11, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/11/2025 (Vote 12-2; CC) HC 17 P. 15
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Korzen, Perez, Popovici-Muller, McFarlane, D. Kelley, Giasson, Granger, Sabourin, Tim Mannion, DeRoy) 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 1
  8. Mar 27, 2025HouseLay HB251 on Table (Rep. J. Aron): MA RC 226-115 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 105
  9. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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