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CACR 15 · 2026 · House · Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee

Right to hunt and fish

AI-generated

relating to the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish. Providing that citizens of New Hampshire shall have the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish, subject to restrictions existing in law.

Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing an individual right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish, subject to conservation-related laws and regulations, to be voted on in November 2026.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to include an individual right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish in New Hampshire.

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

“Public hunting and fishing shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife in New Hampshire.”
From the bill
“Nothing herein shall be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.”
From the bill
“To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.”
From the bill
“Nothing herein shall be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.” V.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James SpillaneRPrimeChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Will DarbyD, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Brian SeaworthR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

928 signed in online · 637 wrote testimony

67% support32% oppose0% neutral

ForHunting and fishing are cherished NH heritage

AgainstTrapping and hounding are cruel, inhumane practices

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We have hounds and hunt bear! Coons also do a number on chicken coops and should be hunted or trapped!”
— Crystal Heino, Newportsupports
“Having the right to hunt and fish is important because it helps people provide food for their families, manage wildlife populations responsibly, and stay connected to nature and local traditions.…”
— Nicole Anderson, Wearesupports
“As a 58 year old, lifelong hunter and angler, I support this bill.…”
— dan williams, concordsupports
“Hunting is bad enough, but Trapping is Cruel and Unusual Punishment meted out by sadistic humans against animals that have no say! Well, I will say it for them - STOP!”
— Edith Bednarcyk, Goshenopposes
“Trapping is morally wrong and does not discriminate between animals. There are better ways to control populations then torturing animals.”
— Karen Shaheen, Macombopposes
“Hound hunting is intrusive to property owners and their personal pets and livestock, as well as cruel. Trapping is also cruel, as animals suffer extreme pain and terror while waiting for death. Hunting doesn't mean torture.…”
— Holly Eckert, Lempsteropposes
“Change [Art.] 2-c. to apply only to "citizens of New Hampshire". Constitution should not apply to "All persons" [residents of other states].”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral
“I am a hunter and like to fish and it is a good sport... I do NOT believe in trapping - I feel is inhumane .for the animal & really cannot be monitored enough - all kinds of species can fall into the clutches of a trap.…”
— KAREN ROY, MILANneutral

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
  • Mar 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass8–6
    Overall
    57% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassFailed199–128How they voted
    Overall
    61% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    175–199% yea
    Democrats
    24–12716% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine Resources3:29:05–3:45:1416m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Fish and Game and Marine Resourcesfrom 1:07:13located in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:49:30–7:53:404m 10slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — failed, roll call 199-128

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 1 P. 40
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 12:45 pm SH Reps Hall
  3. Feb 25, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/25/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  4. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/04/2026 (Vote 8-6; RC) HC 10 P. 48
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF RC 199-128 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 176

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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