Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1766 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Livestock cruelty seizure procedures

AI-generated

relative to cruelty to livestock.

As amended, this bill establishes separate confiscation procedures for livestock in animal cruelty cases, requiring veterinary involvement in probable cause determinations, a form informing owners of examination rights, court priority scheduling, and limits on altering confiscated livestock.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“It's important that we protect livestock owners' due process rights and ensure fair treatment under the law. However, HB 1766 would hinder the ability of local law enforcement, veterinarians, and animal welfare professionals to respond to cases involving neglect and abuse of animals. By centralizing power with the State, this bill would increase the size of state government, cost taxpayers more money, increase animals' pain and suffering, and lead to forced euthanasia of abused but otherwise healthy animals.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jun 19, 2026 · excerpt
Governor's press release

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill prohibits the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of abuse of animals unless such person is charged with cruelty to animals or the animals require temporary protective custody. This bill also requires the state veterinarian or their designee to accompany an investigating officer when livestock are the subject of a cruelty case in order to set probable cause criteria for the taking of the animal.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“No animal shall be confiscated unless a person is charged under this section, except when there is probable cause to believe the livestock's life is in imminent danger.”
RSA 644:8, IV-b(a)

Conditions livestock confiscation on a criminal charge, with an exception for imminent danger to the animal.AI-generated

“Livestock confiscated without a warrant where a charge has not been filed shall be returned within 10 days.”
RSA 644:8, IV-b(a)

Requires return of warrantlessly seized livestock within ten days absent charges.AI-generated

“The form shall inform the person of their right to have the confiscated livestock examined by a veterinarian licensed under RSA 332B, chosen by the person charged, at the person's expense.”
RSA 644:8, IV-b(b)

Grants a charged owner the right to an independent veterinary examination of seized livestock at their own cost.AI-generated

“an appropriate law enforcement officer shall require any person or their designated agent called upon to take custody of any livestock seized or to assist during any complaint investigation, to sign a binding nondisclosure agreement intended to protect any shared or confidential information against unauthorized use pending final adjudication or dismissal of such complaint”
RSA 644:8, IV-c(e)

Requires people assisting in livestock seizures to sign nondisclosure agreements during a pending case.AI-generated

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

Public testimony

623 signed in online · 347 wrote testimony

8% support92% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral statements of support for stronger livestock protection

AgainstExcluding humane societies removes vital investigative expertise

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing today to urge you to support HB1766 as it is introduced. It adds necessary definitions for explicit protections to animal/livestock owners that prevents seizing their property without due process.…”
— Brandon Stevens, Northfield · My householdsupports
“I think its important that Vets be involved in seizure cases. And that independent vets per the owner who the owner hires to be able to consult as well.”
— Heather Tower, Farmingtonsupports
“These proposed changes to this bill is a result of niumerous wrong takings of animals that did not go through the proper procedures. NH Farm Bureau has diligently worked with many groups that has interests in this law.…”
— Joyce Brady, Columbiasupports
“It is vital that neglected and abused animals be removed from the poor situations in which they are found.…”
— Laura Robertson, Gilmantonopposes
“This Bill will only serve to protect the perpetrators of livestock cruelty and abuse. It will further leave vulnerable animals in jeopardy in a system that already does little to protect them.…”
— Kristina McElhinney, Sullivanopposes
“Why would ANYONE want less protection for our animals, especially in a cold weather climate?? NO WAY!”
— Cate Ahern, Canterburyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture6:35:06–7:37:181h 2m 12s
  • Feb 10, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture1:01:16–1:09:568m 40s
  • Feb 17, 2026Subcommittee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture6:37–53:2346m 46s
  • Feb 17, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture1:34:56–1:58:1723m 21s
  • Feb 18, 2026Subcommittee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture2:35–1:31:201h 28m 45s
  • Feb 24, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture1:25:05–1:25:4237s
  • Mar 3, 2026Subcommittee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture7:36–22:0014m 24s
  • Mar 3, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture3:37:38–3:56:2018m 42s
  • Mar 3, 2026Executive sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture3:56:21–4:00:103m 49s
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources58:29–3:01:082h 2m 39s
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floor55:15–1:06:4011m 25s
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor24:52–25:571m 5s

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 03:00 pm GP 153
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 153
  5. Feb 17, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  6. Feb 18, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/18/2026 09:30 am GP 153
  7. Feb 24, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/24/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  8. Mar 3, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2026 09:30 am GP 153
  9. Mar 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  10. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  11. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0985h 03/03/2026 (Vote 12-1; CC) HC 10 P. 17
  12. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0985h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 36
  13. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0985h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 36
  14. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  15. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 12
  16. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1432s, 04/23/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 15
  17. Apr 16, 2026SenHB 1766 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  18. Apr 16, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Next Session, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  19. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1432s, 04/23/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 15
  20. Apr 23, 2026SenSen. Fenton Moved Laid on Table, MF, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  21. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1432s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  22. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1432s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  23. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1432s (Rep. J. Aron): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 4
  24. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2129e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  25. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2129e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 40
  26. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  27. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  28. Jun 19, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026

Coverage

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Detailed Discussion of Commercial Breeders and Puppy MillsExplainer

    Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University College of Law — A legal-reference overview of how federal and state law define and regulate commercial dog breeders and so-called puppy mills.AI-generated

  • What Are Cost of Care Laws and How Do They Work?Animal welfare

    ASPCA — Describes the seizure-and-custody process for abused animals and the cost-of-care rules that determine who pays while a cruelty case proceeds.AI-generated

  • Why Pet Shop Laws Affect YouBreeder

    American Kennel Club — Lays out breeder and hobbyist objections to broad commercial-breeder definitions and pet-vendor licensing requirements.AI-generated

  • Animal welfare organization opposes NH House-passed billNH context

    New Hampshire Public Radio — Reports a New Hampshire dispute over legislation on animal seizure and custody, quoting the state SPCA and the bill's sponsor.AI-generated

  • Animal RightsNH context — nonpartisan

    Citizens Count — A nonpartisan New Hampshire issue brief summarizing state debates over animal cruelty, seizure costs, and breeder regulation.AI-generated

  • Humane Organizations Oppose Bill To Change Laws Related To Livestock CrueltyNH context

    InDepthNH.org — Covers New Hampshire testimony on proposed changes to livestock cruelty and confiscation law, including concerns from humane organizations.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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