Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 32 · 2025 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Fish and game commission updates

AI-generated

relative to the fish and game commission.

Allows fish and game public hearing notices to be posted digitally on newspaper websites, permits shooting injured or crippled waterfowl from a motorized watercraft in a specified area, removes 'brook' from the trout-taking statute, authorizes the executive director to set the fisheries habitat fee by rule, and repeals the Connecticut River Atlantic salmon commission.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Allows public hearing notices to be posted digitally on newspaper websites. II. Allows the shooting of injured or crippled waterfowl from a motorized watercraft in a specified area. III. Removes the word "brook" from the reference to trout in the method and manner of taking fish. IV. Enables the executive director of fish and game to set the fisheries habitat fee in rules. V. Repeals the Connecticut River Atlantic salmon commission. This bill is a request of the fish and game department.

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

“Once each biennium, in the odd-numbered year, the executive director shall hold public hearings to hear suggestions from the public on changes in the fishing rules or on any other subject with respect to [his] their duties.”
RSA 206:11
“A circular drop net, not more than 48 inches in diameter, or a square net of equal area, may be used for taking minnows for bait, from waters not inhabited by [brook] trout.”
RSA 211:9
“Public notice of said hearings shall be published at least twice in 2 newspapers having general circulation throughout the state, and in such other newspapers, magazines, or circulars as the executive director may deem desirable.”
RSA 206:11
“Public notice of said hearings may be published on the newspaper's website, and linked to the fish and game website.”
RSA 206:11

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

3 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration5:03–6:381m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine Resources3:18:57–3:23:014m 4slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1720h; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1720h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1720h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor58:31–59:1645slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2727e — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2727e 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 8, 2025SenIntroduced 01/08/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 2
  2. Jan 15, 2025SenHearing: 01/15/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 5
  3. Jan 30, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0014s, 01/30/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 7
  4. Jan 30, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0014s, AA, VV; 01/30/2025; SJ 4
  5. Jan 30, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0014s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/30/2025; SJ 4
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 11 P. 109
  7. Apr 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/23/2025 10:20 am LOB 307
  8. Apr 23, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/23/2025 10:20 am LOB 307
  9. Apr 23, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1720h 04/23/2025 (Vote 12-0; CC)
  10. May 8, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1720h: AA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 5
  11. May 8, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1720h: MA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 5
  12. May 15, 2025SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  13. Jun 12, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2727e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17
  14. Jun 12, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2727e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/12/2025); SJ 17
  15. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 58
  16. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  17. Jul 15, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0215; Effective 09/13/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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