New Hampshire HB 1766: requiring the department of environmental services to report to the general court regarding bedrock testing and perfluorochemical contamination in the Seacoast area and at other landfills and hazardous waste sites.

Bill Text

HB 1766-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

11Mar2026... 0985h

04/23/2026 1432s

2026 SESSION

 26-2839

 08/09

HOUSE BILL 1766-FN

AN ACT relative to cruelty to livestock. 

SPONSORS: Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill provides procedures for the potential confiscation of livestock involved in cruelty to animal cases.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11Mar2026... 0985h

04/23/2026 1432s 26-2839

 08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to cruelty to livestock. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Cruelty to Animals. Amend RSA 644:8, IV(a)(1) to read as follows: 

 IV.(a)(1) Any person charged with animal cruelty under paragraphs III or III-a may have his or her animals, except for livestock, confiscated by the arresting officer. The confiscation of livestock shall be governed by paragraph IV-b. 

 2 Cruelty to Animals. Amend RSA 644:8, IV-a(a) to read as follows: 

 IV-a.(a) Except as provided in subparagraphs (b) and (c) any appropriate law enforcement officer, animal control officer, or officer of a duly licensed humane society may take into temporary protective custody any animal, except for livestock, which shall be governed by paragraph IV-b, when there is probable cause to believe that it has been or is being abused or neglected in violation of paragraphs III or III-a when there is a clear and imminent danger to the animal's health or life and there is not sufficient time to obtain a court order. Such officer shall leave a written notice indicating the type and number of animals taken into protective custody, the name of the officer, the time and date taken, the reason it was taken, the procedure to have the animal returned and any other relevant information. Such notice shall be left at the location where the animal was taken into custody. The officer shall provide for proper care and housing of any animal taken into protective custody under this paragraph. If, after 7 days, the animal has not been returned or claimed, the officer shall petition the municipal or district court seeking either permanent custody or a one-week extension of custody or shall file charges under this section. If a week's extension is granted by the court and after a period of 14 days the animal remains unclaimed, the title and custody of the animal shall rest with the officer on behalf of the officer's department or society. The department or society may dispose of the animal in any lawful and humane manner as if it were the rightful owner. If after 14 days the officer or the officer's department determines that charges should be filed under this section, the officer shall petition the court. 

 3 New Paragraphs; Cruelty to Animals; Livestock. Amend RSA 644:8 by inserting after paragraph IV-a the following new paragraphs: 

 IV-b.(a) Any person charged with cruelty to animals under RSA 644:8 paragraphs III or III-a concerning livestock may have his or her livestock confiscated by the arresting officer. 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. The investigating officer for a case involving livestock as defined in RSA 427:38, III shall be accompanied by the state veterinarian or designee, to include New Hampshire department of agriculture, markets, and food staff, or a licensed veterinarian, or other qualified staff from an animal shelter facility approved by the state veterinarian, in person or by video who shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the livestock should be confiscated. Livestock confiscated without a warrant where a charge has not been filed shall be returned within 10 days.

 (b) The department of justice shall develop a form to be distributed to any person charged with cruelty to animals under RSA 644:8, paragraphs III or III‑a, concerning livestock. The form shall inform the person of their right to have the confiscated livestock examined by a veterinarian licensed under RSA 332‑B, chosen by the person charged, at the person's expense. 

 (c) Courts shall give cases in which livestock have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar, as outlined in RSA 644:8, IV(a)(3).

 (d) Any person with proof of sole ownership or co-ownership of the livestock confiscated by an arresting officer in a livestock cruelty case and