Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1092 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Liability exemption for guard dogs

AI-generated

relative to guard dogs.

Exempts guard dogs on their owner's property from the statute governing menacing and vicious dogs.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill exempts guard dogs on their owner's property from the statute relative to menacing and vicious dogs.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Barbara ComtoisRPrime
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Rep. Catherine KennyR

Public testimony

19 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

68% support32% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I for one completely expect a guard dog to do his or her job in protection of person/people or property whether or not the dog is on the owner's property.…”
— Nancy Holmes, New Bostonsupports
“Getting to be that dogs are getting more rights then humans.”
— Angelique Hall, Bristolopposes
“I respectfully urge the Committee to oppose HB 1092. RSA 466:31 currently classifies a dog as a nuisance, menace, or vicious if it “bites, attacks, or preys on game animals, domestic animals, fowl or human beings.” The statute is behavior-based, not location-based.…”
— Timothy Swaan, N. Haverhillopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-1712:00 pmHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing
  • 2026-02-2410:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0310:15 amHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 1 P. 6
  2. Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
  3. Feb 24, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/24/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  5. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  6. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 10 P. 16
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 24

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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