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HB 1253 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Exempting livestock guard dogs

AI-generated

(New Title) exempting dogs guarding livestock or crops from nuisance dog statutes when engaged in such work.

Exempts dogs engaged in guarding livestock or crops from nuisance dog statutes while performing such work.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill exempts dogs engaged in guarding livestock or crops from nuisance statutes when engaged in such work.

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

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dog may run at large while it is actively engaged in the protection, herding or management of livestock, provided that such dog:”
RSA 466:30-c
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dog may run at large while it is actively engaged in the protection of farm crops, provided that such dog is:”
RSA 466:30-d
“Any person who knowingly and willfully falsely claims livestock guardian dog status in response to a nuisance complaint, enforcement action, or otherwise to evade application of nuisance or at-large laws shall be guilty of a violation.”
RSA 466:30-c
“Upon verified complaint, the local animal control authority or law enforcement agency may issue:”
RSA 466:30-c

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. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources

Also: Rep. Catherine KennyR

Public testimony

14 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The very function of livestock guardian dogs is to bark to ward off predators of the livestock they protect.”
— Lana Nickerson, Eatonsupports
“I support the bill except I have a question about the punctuation used in the language in the existing law: . 1 Dog Control Law; Guarding Crops.…”
— erick sawtelle, Leesupports

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 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture5:21:43–5:22:531m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture37:15–39:572m 42slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:52:30–1:53:0939slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0930h (NT); Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0930h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0930h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:51:04–1:54:593m 55slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1308s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1308s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1308s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor23:32–24:521m 20slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1308s (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. 12
  2. Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 02:00 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: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0930h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 10 P. 16
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0930h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 32
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0930h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 32
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  10. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 12
  11. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1308s, 04/09/2026; Vote 2-0; CC; SC 13
  12. Apr 9, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1308s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  13. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1308s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  14. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1308s (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 160; eff. 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.