HB 573 · 2025 · House · Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee
Fish and game search-rescue funding
AI-generatedrelative to the funding for search and rescue operations of the fish and game department and making an appropriation therefor.
Directs general funds to support fish and game search and rescue operations, authorizes the department to solicit and collect donations through new technology, and appropriates funds for that purpose.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill provides that general funds shall be used for funding search and rescue operations of the fish and game department and authorizes the executive director of fish and game to invest in technology necessary to enable the solicitation and collection of donations. Such funds collected shall be credited to the fish and game search and rescue fund. This bill also makes an appropriation to the fish and game department to purchase technology necessary to enable the solicitation and collection of donations.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Sen. David WattersD
Public testimony
34 signed in online · 9 wrote testimony
88% support12% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I strongly support this bill to increase funding for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Search and Rescue Operations.…”
“It’s vital that we create a sustainable funding source for search & rescue operations without straining NHFG’s budget and taking resources away from important wildlife work. This bill is a step in the right direction.”
“I support this bill that would grant NHFG additional resources for Search and Rescue efforts.”
“The burden of search and rescue costs should be upon the one who needed the rescuing, not the taxpayers of the State of NH. This bill is allowing for the risky actions of a few to increase the burden of the many.…”
“Search and rescue operations should be billed at cost to the users; users of Fish & Game search and rescue have put themselves in jeopardy, not comparable to normal ambulance services (which get billed back anyway)”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2025-02-1211:00 amHouse Fish and Game and Marine ResourcesLOB 307Public hearingrescheduled
Legislative history
- Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 3 P. 17
- Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 12:30 pm LOB 307
- Feb 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/12/2025 12:30 pm LOB 307
- Feb 12, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/12/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC)
- Mar 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 13
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.