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SB 619 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Expedited hearings for confiscated animals

AI-generated

establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.

Establishes procedures for expedited court hearings and the disposition of animals confiscated on allegations of animal cruelty.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 22, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of animals confiscated due to allegations of animal cruelty.

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

“Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar.”
Section 143:1
“In cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.”
Section 143:1
“A purpose of the hearing shall be to determine whether the confiscation of the animal or animals was lawful in accordance with paragraph IV-a.”
Section 143:1
“Upon such a showing, the court may make a determination of temporary custody that is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing.”
Section 143:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daryl AbbasRPrimeVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Cathryn HarveyDRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

3 signed in online

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:02:13–1:06:574m 44slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0848s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0848s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0848s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:34:23–1:39:485m 25slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1347h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1347h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor22:42–23:1836slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
  2. Feb 12, 2026SenHearing: 02/12/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 5
  3. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0848s, 03/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0848s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0848s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  8. Apr 8, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  9. Apr 8, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1347h 04/08/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  10. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1347h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 11
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1347h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  14. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 12, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/12/2026; Chapter 143; Effective 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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