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HB 202 · 2025 · House · Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee

Shifting fish and game commission power

AI-generated

relative to the duties of the fish and game commission.

Converts several fish and game commission powers that previously required consent, approval, or joint action with the executive director into an advisory role, shifting decision-making authority to the executive director.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill changes the duties of the fish and game commission which provide for consent, approval, or joint duties with the executive director of fish and game to be made as advisory or in consultation with the executive director.

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

“There shall be an agency of the state to be known hereafter as the fish and game department under [a commission to be known as] an executive director and the fish and game commission.”
RSA 206:1
“In addition to other duties provided by law, it shall be the duty of the fish and game commissioners, as the citizens' representatives, to [be the] assist the department as stewards of the fish, wildlife, and marine resources of the state of New Hampshire and to [set] advise the executive director on general policy in the following areas:”
RSA 206:4-a
“Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the executive director, with the [consent] advice of the commission, shall have the power and authority to extend any season on fish, game, and game birds, including migratory birds and fur-bearing animals, when a season has been closed by an act of fire ban or other proclamation or any unpredictable cause.”
RSA 206:15-b
“The executive director, with the [consent] advice of the commission, shall have the power and authority to enter into agreements with individuals, partnerships and corporations whether resident or nonresident for the purpose of implementing fishways or fish ladders and any other matters relative to the protection, propagation and preservation of fish, game and fur-bearing animals of this state.”
RSA 206:23-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Cathryn HarveyDPrimeRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Susan AlmyDRanking Member· Ways and Means

Also: Rep. Chuck GrassieD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

328 signed in online · 143 wrote testimony

5% support95% oppose0% neutral

ForThe change is a reasonable, overdue reform

AgainstFish and Game has a long, successful track record — don't fix it

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My comments are on behalf of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), for which I chair the New Hampshire State Leadership Team and sit on the New England Chapter Board.…”
— Heather Kusmierz, Bow · Backcountry Hunters and Anglersopposes
“I oppose this bill since it would remove the oversight powers of the fish and game commission.”
— Robin Schweikart, Portsmouthopposes
“The New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission serves as a check and balance to politically appointed leadership via the Governor’s office and maintains rule setting based on the best, and most current science available, not political winds for a given administration.…”
— Lynn Schweikart Schweikart, Portsmouthopposes

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
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–1
    Overall
    93% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine Resources4:58:52–5:00:011m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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 Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 2 P. 10
  2. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 03:15 pm LOB 307
  3. Feb 13, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2025 11:50 am LOB 307
  4. Feb 13, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2025 (Vote 14-1; CC) HC 14 P. 9
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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