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HB 1414 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Dogs allowed in state parks

AI-generated

relative to establishing conditions for dog access to state parks.

Allows people to bring dogs to all state parks provided the dogs remain under their owner's control.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill allows people to bring their dogs to all state parks as long as they are under their owner's control.

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

“Dogs shall be permitted year-round in all state parks operated by the department of natural and cultural resources, provided the dog is under control.”
RSA 12-A:2-l
“The department shall not be required to mandate leashing as the sole method of control, provided alternative control methods are deemed sufficient to protect public safety and park operations.”
RSA 12-A:2-l
“Restrictions shall be limited to specific areas where dog access poses a documented risk, including but not limited to:”
RSA 12-A:2-l
“Except as provided in paragraph IV, dogs under control shall be permitted wherever their owners are permitted within state parks.”
RSA 12-A:2-l

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerRPrime
  • Rep. James SpillaneRChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways

Also: Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Terri O'RorkeD, Rep. Karen HegnerD, Rep. Peter LeishmanD, Rep. Sanjeev ManoharD, Rep. Sallie FellowsD

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

63% support25% oppose13% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“These requirements are well needed. Far too many out of control off leash dogs , including dog walking services taking multi off leash dogs . It’s gotten to the point where I a multi decade dog trainer cannot take my leashed dog for public trail hiking anymore due to being…”
— Diane Richardson, Georges millssupports
“Sorry but dogs should not be allowed everywhere all the time People go to parks to relax and dogs scare a ton of people I love animals but a blanket law like this is troubling”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchesteropposes
“Ah yes, the aroma of untrained dog owners turning their back on responsibility to pick up and take their dog shit. Its not the dogs fault. We have all seen owners just walk away with little if any risk of enforcement.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral

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
  • Feb 11, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development3:34:21–3:35:311m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 19
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:30 pm GP 228
  3. Feb 11, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Feb 11, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2026 (Vote 15-1; CC) HC 9 P. 26
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 34

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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