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HB 86 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Unlicensed dog notice fee increase

AI-generated

increasing the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.

Increases the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture proceedings involving unlicensed dogs to match the rate charged for certified mail.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill increases the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.

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

“The town or city clerk shall annually, between June 1 and June 20, present to the local governing body a list of those owners of dogs that have failed to license or not renewed their dog licenses pursuant to RSA 466:1.”
RSA 466:14
“The local governing body shall, within 20 days from June 20, issue a warrant to a local official authorized to issue a civil forfeiture for each unlicensed dog.”
RSA 466:14
“The warrant may also authorize a local law enforcement officer to seize any unlicensed dog.”
RSA 466:14
“The civil forfeiture may be sent by certified mail, or delivered in hand, or left at the abode of the dog owner.”
RSA 466:14

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Charlie St. ClairDPrime
  • Rep. Timothy SoucyDDeputy Ranking Member· Labor

Also: Rep. John SellersR

Public testimony

2 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As we try to make government more accessible and helpful to the public, increasing fees arbitrarily is not helping. This bill may want to be amended and eliminate the seizure of private property for failing to register. It’s inconsistent.…”
— Pamela Tucker, Rye beachopposes

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
  • Jan 23, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0036h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 6, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0036hadopted
  • Feb 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0036hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:27:00–1:30:093m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:28:36–5:35:517m 15slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0036h; Executive Session
  • Feb 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0036h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0036h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs13:06–14:161m 10slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled 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 Municipal and County Government HJ 2 P. 5
  2. Jan 13, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2025 10:45 am LOB 301-303
  3. Jan 23, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/23/2025 01:40 pm LOB 301-303
  4. Jan 23, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0036h 01/23/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 10 P. 4
  5. Feb 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0036h: AA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 6
  6. Feb 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0036h: MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 6
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  8. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:15 am; SC 14
  9. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  11. Apr 17, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/17/2025); SJ 11
  12. Apr 10, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 163
  13. May 8, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2025; Chapter 7; eff.7/7/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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