Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 655 · 2025 · House · Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee

Fish and game penalties update

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to fish and game violations, permits, and licenses.

Increases and makes mandatory the restitution for illegally taking or possessing certain animals, expands hunting license suspension and misdemeanor penalties for repeat fish and game violations, removes the perpetual crossbow permit requirement for certain persons with disabilities, and restricts nonresident taking of Atlantic menhaden absent reciprocal licensing.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Increases the restitution for the illegal taking or possession of certain animals, and makes such restitution mandatory. II. Allows for an increased hunting license suspension for a third violation of a fish and game law or regulation. III. Establishes a class A misdemeanor penalty for a third-offense violation of fish and game offenses that carry a license suspension penalty. IV. Removes the requirement that a crossbow permit issued for certain persons with a disability be perpetual. V. Adds Atlantic menhaden to the list of species that nonresidents may not take unless the state in which such person is a resident provides a reciprocal licensing privilege for residents of this state.

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

“In every case of conviction involving the illegal taking or illegal possession of game animals, game birds, or fur-bearing animals, the court [may] shall order the defendant to reimburse the state in a sum or sums not to exceed the amount as established in paragraph I.”
RSA 207:55
“If 2 or more defendants are convicted of the illegal taking or the illegal possession of the game animal, game bird or fur-bearing animal the reimbursement above prescribed shall be declared against them jointly and severally.”
RSA 207:55
“Courts ordering such reimbursement damages shall remit such monies as prescribed in RSA 206:34.”
RSA 207:55
“Monies collected from such reimbursement damages shall be deposited in the fish and game fund.”
RSA 207:55

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. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Will DarbyD, Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Aboul KhanR, Rep. David LoveR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

36 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The NH Association of Conservation Commissions supports the increase in penalties for violations to Fish & Game regulations.”
— Barbara Richter, Concord · NH Association of Conservation Commissionssupports
“I support this bill, in fact I think the penalties listed in this bill could be even higher”
— Diane Richardson, Georges millssupports
“Hunting violations not only pose a danger to those of us who enjoy walking in New Hampshires beautiful woods, but also adversely affect our treasured wildlife. Increasing penalties is an effective way to prevent these violations. Thank you.”
— Joan Walker, Peterboroughsupports

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

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine ResourcesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine Resources5:47:52–5:48:1624slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0063h (NT); Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-0063h; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0063h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0063h (NT) — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources23:18–24:251m 7slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floor58:20–1:01:473m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1586s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Avard Floor Amendment # 2025-1586s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:16:23–1:17:351m 12slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1586s (Rep. Spillane) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 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 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 3 P. 21
  2. Feb 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/05/2025 02:00 pm LOB 307
  3. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-0063h: 02/12/2025 03:45 pm LOB 307
  4. Feb 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/12/2025 03:45 pm LOB 307
  5. Feb 12, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0063h (NT) 02/12/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC)
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0063h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 13
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0063h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 13
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 13
  9. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 47
  10. Mar 13, 2025SenIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 8
  11. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 103, SH, 10:00 am; SC 14
  12. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  13. Apr 17, 2025SenHB 655-FN was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  14. Apr 17, 2025SenSen. Avard Floor Amendment # 2025-1586s, AA, VV; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  15. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1586s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  16. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1586s (Rep. Spillane): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 9
  17. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  18. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  19. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 202; eff. I Sec 1-3-5 eff 09/13/2025 II. Rem eff 07/15/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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