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HB 616 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Limiting animal confiscation in cruelty cases

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.

Restricts confiscation of animals to cases where a person is charged with cruelty or the animal needs protective custody, and requires a state veterinarian to help set probable cause for taking livestock in cruelty cases.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · November 3, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of abuse of animals unless such person is charged with cruelty to animals or the animals require temporary protective custody. This bill also requires the state veterinarian or their designee to accompany an investigating officer when livestock are the subject of a cruelty case in order to set probable cause criteria for the taking of the animal.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Judy AronRPrimeChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. James CreightonRChair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Megan MurrayD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

191 signed in online · 92 wrote testimony

8% support92% oppose0% neutral

ForProvides due-process protections for animal owners

AgainstDelaying removal until charges are filed risks animal suffering or death

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“NH Farm Bureau has been working on wording that will protect owners of animals and the animals themselves. Too many people think they know what is best for animals without truly understanding the needs of them, especially farm animals.…”
— Joyce Brady, Columbia · NH Farm Bureausupports
“I'm actually writing in support of HB152 to ban the use of glue traps for rodents. There are many other options for rodent control: snap traps, electric traps, live capture traps, eliminating food sources, exclusion techniques, repellants, and rodent contraceptives.…”
— Cynthia Coughlin, Merrimacksupports
“3/4/2025 Madame Chair and Members of the Environment and Agriculture Committee, My name is Nancy Holmes and I am writing today from New Boston, NH in support of HB616. HB616 contains much needed clarification of our laws on animal cruelty, the seizure of farm animals and their subsequent care.…”
— Nancy Holmes, New Bostonsupports
“The board and volunteers of Spicy Cats Rescue strongly oppose this bill. In cases of abuse or neglect, even a few hours can mean life or death for an animal. In 2021, a cat named Bennie came into our care as a stray in horrific condition.…”
— Caroline Wilkinson, Brentwood · Spicy Cats Rescueopposes
“Getting over the hurdle of collecting enough evidence to prove the case of animal abuse to 100% satisfaction to a judge only means more suffering for the animal(s.) More realistically there is a good chance they will die in the meantime while waiting for rescue.”
— Suzanne Butler, Chichesteropposes
“Humane agents are the first line of defense against animal cruelty and neglect. If humane agents are removed from investigations, animals that are suffering in dangerous and life-threatening situations will be impacted. I urge members to vote 'NO' on HB616.”
— E Ann Poole, Hillsboroughopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-041:30 pmHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-059:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-079:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-119:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-1810:45 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-1812:00 pmHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-04-221:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 3 P. 19
  2. Mar 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/04/2025 01:30 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/05/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 7, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/07/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  5. Mar 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/11/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  6. Mar 18, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/18/2025 10:45 am LOB 301-303
  7. Mar 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/18/2025 12:00 pm LOB 301-303
  8. Mar 18, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0999h (NT) 03/18/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 17 P. 16
  9. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0999h (NT): AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 24
  10. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0999h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 24
  11. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
  12. Apr 22, 2025SenHearing: 04/22/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 19
  13. May 15, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/15/2025; SC 21
  14. May 15, 2025SenHB 616 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  15. May 15, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  16. May 15, 2025SenPending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  17. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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