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SB 475 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Pet foster homes and livestock cruelty

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to pet vendor foster homes, defining pet vendor foster facility, and relative to cruelty to livestock.

Adds consideration of an animal's best interest to the definition of foster home for pet vendors and establishes procedures for confiscating livestock involved in cruelty to animal cases.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · July 17, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“I fully support making it easier to foster animals as they await safe, loving homes. Unfortunately, SB 475 includes the same problematic language from House Bill 1766, which I vetoed last month. The language in both of these bills makes it harder to respond to animal abuse and neglect cases, costs taxpayers more money, and could lead to forced euthanasia of abused but otherwise healthy animals.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 15, 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 includes a determination of the best interest of the animal in the definition of foster home.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

““Pet vendor foster home” means a private residence in New Hampshire associated with and inspected by a pet vendor licensed under RSA 437:3 that is used to provide temporary physical custody and care at such private residence for the pet vendor’s animals”
RSA 437:1, VI

The bill creates a statutory definition of a pet vendor foster home tied to a licensed vendor and inspection.AI-generated

“Information contained in such pet vendor foster home listings shall be confidential and shall not be subject to public disclosure in accordance with RSA 436:6-a and RSA 91-A.”
RSA 437:3, VII

Foster home listings reported to the state are shielded from public records disclosure.AI-generated

“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)

The bill sets a charging requirement before livestock may be confiscated, with a narrow exception.AI-generated

“Any donations raised using the stories or likenesses of the animals in protective custody shall be used to offset the cost of care of such animals.”
RSA 644:8, IV-b(h)

It requires donations solicited using seized animals' likenesses to go toward their care costs.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Nicholas GermanaDDeputy Ranking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Wayne MacDonaldRChair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Cathryn HarveyDRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

80% support20% oppose0% neutral

AgainstLegislature is focused on a trivial matter

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Here is comedy. Our senate concerns itself with the definition of an animal's foster home.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources31:26–1:32:301h 1m 4s
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture2:48–54:4351m 55s
  • Apr 7, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture6:40–2:03:381h 56m 58s
  • Apr 14, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture3:20:17–3:46:1225m 55s
  • Apr 28, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture31:26–36:355m 9s
  • May 5, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture1:34:37–1:44:299m 52s
  • May 5, 2026Executive sessionHouse Environment and Agriculture1:44:29–1:46:171m 48s
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:28:07–1:28:5043s

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, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 5
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1005s, 03/12/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1005s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1005s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  8. Apr 7, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
  9. Apr 14, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
  10. Apr 28, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  11. May 5, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 05/05/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  12. May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  13. May 5, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1838h (NT) 05/05/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 13
  14. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1838h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 21
  15. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1838h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 21
  16. May 14, 2026SenSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Birdsell, Pearl, Altschiller; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  18. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. J. Aron): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 11
  19. May 21, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. J. Aron, Comtois, Bixby, N. Germana 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 11
  20. May 26, 2026SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 05/26/2026, 01:00 pm, Room 159, GP
  21. May 22, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Freeman Replaces Rep. Bixby 05/22/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  22. May 26, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Alexander Jr. Replaces Rep. Freeman 05/26/2026 HJ 14 P. 35
  23. May 26, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Lang Replaces Senator Altschiller; SJ 14
  24. May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-2092c Filed 05/28/2026; As Amended by the House
  25. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2092c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  26. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2092c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  27. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2181e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  28. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2181e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  30. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  31. Jul 15, 2026SenVetoed by Governor 07/15/2026

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.