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HB 1603 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Wildlife record verification rules

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.

Requires the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules for verifying the accuracy of records on threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is obtained when gathering such records.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensures landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Sayra DeVitoRPrimeClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Calvin BeaulierR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Mary MurphyR

Public testimony

192 signed in online · 43 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If the state of NH would pay its fair share, we taxpayers would save far more on property taxes. Stop the gop tax scam for once and for all. NH must fund public education.…”
— Kathy Archibald, Warrenopposes
“I have worked for The Nature Conservancy in NH, NH Audubon and Beaver Brook Association in Hollis,NH. I have been involved in environmental protection for wildlife habitat for the 21 years I have lived in NH.…”
— Gail Coffey, Wiltonopposes
“Please reject this bill. This provision is in direct conflict with RSA 212-A:9”
— JOHN MILLER, ORFORDopposes

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

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0518h (NT) — roll call; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:18:29–5:19:361m 7slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0518h — adopted, division 192-152; Amendment # 2026-0518h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources59:55–1:01:091m 14slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Hearing
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECONVENE== Hearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1305s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1305s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1305s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:53:56–3:55:011m 5slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1305s (Rep. Harb) — 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 Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 27
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 09:30 am GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Feb 4, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/04/2026 09:50 am GP 228
  5. Feb 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0518h (NT) 02/04/2026 (Vote 8-7; RC) HC 7 P. 37
  6. Feb 9, 2026HouseMinority : Refer for Interim Study
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0518h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 98
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0518h: MA DV 192-152 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 99
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 99
  10. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  11. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 5
  12. Mar 10, 2026Sen==RECESSED== Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 9
  13. Mar 17, 2026Sen==RECONVENE== Hearing: 03/17/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 10
  14. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1305s, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  15. Apr 9, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1305s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  16. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1305s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  17. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1305s (Rep. Harb): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  18. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  19. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  20. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 236; eff. 8/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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