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HB 1013 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Rules for pig-capture contests

AI-generated

relative to games wherein the object is to capture a pig.

Directs the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food to develop and publish, in consultation with farmers, veterinarians, and other stakeholders, best handling practices for pig-capture contests before the 2027 fair season.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food to develop best practices and recommendations for games in which the object is to capture a pig.

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

“Such practices and recommendations shall be published in advance of the 2027 fair season and shall include:”
RSA 644:8-h

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Cathryn HarveyDPrimeRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary

Also: Rep. James GruberD, Rep. Jodi NewellD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

141 signed in online · 63 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

ForChasing, grabbing, and restraining piglets is inherently cruel

AgainstEvents give children a rare, valued connection to farm animals

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Terrorizing baby pigs is animal abuse. No animal should be used for entertainment. We don’t have the right to do this to them.”
— BJ Wahl, Sullivansupports
“This is a cruel inhumane way to treat baby animals and does not help children to learn to care for animals”
— patricia snyder, Durhamsupports
“Please support this bill to end abusive and needless cruelty to these sentient beings.”
— Sarah Hils, Canterburysupports
“My husband and I supply the Lancaster Fair with our piglets for the scramble. There is no abuse or cruelty before, during, or after this event. Only so many are let out at a time and each heat only takes a few minutes.…”
— Joyce Brady, Columbiaopposes
“Kids pig scrambles are a huge part of county fairs throughout the country and are in no ways cruel. This is a bad bill which seeks further erode the culture that makes rural areas great places to live and raise families.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes
“This is a time honored tradition at fairs. It is highly regulated, and conducted in a way that the pigs are not harmed. For many kids this is as close as they will ever get to farm animals. Let the kids have some fun and the pigs usually win.”
— Chuck Souther, Concordopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture5:31:00–5:33:412m 41slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and AgricultureWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:14:36–1:16:251m 49slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0718h (NT); Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0718h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0718h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources2:10:55–2:13:322m 37slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1435s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1435s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1435s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor21:16–23:021m 46slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1435s (Rep. J. Aron) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 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, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 1 P. 2
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 02:30 pm GP 153
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  5. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  6. Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0718h (NT) 02/17/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 9 P. 14
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0718h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 15
  8. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0718h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 15
  9. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 6
  10. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 13
  11. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1435s, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14A
  12. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1435s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  13. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1435s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  14. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1435s (Rep. J. Aron): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 4
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 154; eff.06/19/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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