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HB 153 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Study on animal cruelty resources

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a committee to study adding statewide resources to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response of animal cruelty.

Establishes a committee to study adding statewide resources to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response to animal cruelty.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 8, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires the state police and the county sheriffs to ensure that each has at least one trooper or deputy sheriff trained in animal cruelty investigations and who is able to assist local law enforcement agencies with such investigations.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Barbara ComtoisRPrime
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Catherine KennyR

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

92% support8% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“It is important to have necessary training regarding animal cruelty cases for law officers. Unfortunately cases of animal cruelty are increasing and it helps to have expertly trained personnel to lead investigations. Please pass this important bill.”
— Kristina Snyder, Chestersupports
“Many countries are enacting carbon pricing. For our economy to remain competitive, carbon pricing will have to occur.”
— Daniel Hooberman, Laconiasupports
“I believe that additional education on enforcing cruelty laws will provide the public protections that are now all too often missing when accusations of animal cruelty are made.…”
— Nancy Holmes, New Bostonsupports
“I am a retired UNH professor and veterinarian who specializes in the forensics of crimes against animals. I am also the author and instructor of the current 2-hour required animal cruelty course at the NH Police Academy.…”
— Jerilee Zezula, Madburyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-2110:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-01-2811:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-02-049:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1110:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-02-149:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-02-189:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1810:45 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-189:00 amSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 2 P. 8
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 10:00 am LOB 301-303
  3. Jan 28, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 01/28/2025 11:00 am LOB 301-303
  4. Feb 4, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/04/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  5. Feb 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 301-303
  6. Feb 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:00 am LOB 301-303
  7. Feb 18, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  8. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 10:45 am LOB 301-303
  9. Feb 18, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0443h (NT) 02/18/2025 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 14 P. 7
  10. Mar 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0443h: AA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 9
  11. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0443h: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 9
  12. Mar 6, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 10
  13. Mar 6, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 30
  14. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  15. Mar 18, 2025SenHearing: 03/18/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 13
  16. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  17. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  18. Apr 17, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/17/2025); SJ 11
  19. Apr 10, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 163
  20. May 8, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2025; Chapter 8; 05/08/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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