HB 251 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee
Pet ownership of squirrels and raccoons
AI-generatedallowing the ownership of certain squirrels and raccoons.
Allows the ownership of squirrels and raccoons determined to be unable to survive in the wild.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · March 27, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill allows the ownership of squirrels and raccoons deemed unable to survive in the wild.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Bill BoydRClerk· Public Works and Highways
- Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
- Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
- Rep. Lino AvellaniRVice Chair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
- Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
- Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
- Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
Also: Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR
Public testimony
96 signed in online · 31 wrote testimony
18% support81% oppose1% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“For the same reason I oppose all the recent laws against Trans people and other lunacy: we are the live free or die state.…”
“Adhesive traps are dangerous to the environment. They can catch any animal and are usually fatal in a way that is very inhumane might I add. Please do support this bill. Making adhesive traps illegal will have a positive impact on our environment and wildlife.”
“From early 1990's, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation model has laid the foundation for the all state wildlife management agencies to follow including the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. It's basic tenet is that wildlife belongs to everyone.…”
“Raccoons and squirrels are wild animals that are difficult to domesticate and train. They should not be kept as pets. Animals that wildlife rehabilitators deem unable to survive in the wild are not meant to be kept as pets.…”
“Please note, Spillane is not educated in this area and as shown quite clearly that he is against what is best for wildlife and the public. He was even removed from his duties because he was more interested in violence than anything else.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2025-02-1910:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
- 2025-03-049:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
- 2025-03-119:30 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
- 2025-03-1111:20 amHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 2 P. 12
- Feb 19, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/19/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
- Mar 4, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/04/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
- Mar 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/11/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
- Mar 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/11/2025 11:20 am LOB 301-303
- Mar 11, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/11/2025 (Vote 12-2; CC) HC 17 P. 15
- Mar 26, 2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Korzen, Perez, Popovici-Muller, McFarlane, D. Kelley, Giasson, Granger, Sabourin, Tim Mannion, DeRoy) 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 1
- Mar 27, 2025HouseLay HB251 on Table (Rep. J. Aron): MA RC 226-115 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 105
- Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 19
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.