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New HampshireHB6702025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

(New Title) adjusting the minimum fine for attacks by nuisance dogs.

Sponsored By: Len P Turcotte (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Dog owners face new penalty rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, civil penalties for first dog offenses are $100 for nuisance, $200 for menace, and $400 for vicious offenses. Repeat offenses in the same category within 12 months of the first cost $200, $400, and $1,000, respectively. A cited owner or keeper can pay the clerk where the dog is owned or kept within 96 hours after notice. Payment fully settles the assessed penalty, waives a court hearing, and ends further prosecution for that violation. Unpaid cases go to district or municipal court. After two civil-penalty payments in any 12-month period, further violations during that period must go to court. Vicious dogs that threaten public safety require immediate district or municipal court proceedings instead of this payment option.

Dog owners owe victims' medical bills

Beginning January 1, 2026, dog owners are liable for all medical bills resulting from attacks involving a vicious offense. This applies to both first and later vicious offenses, in addition to the civil penalty. The attacked person can seek payment from the owner.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Len P Turcotte

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Katelyn T Kuttab

    Republican • House

  • Lorie Ball

    Republican • House

  • David Rochefort

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 203; eff. 01/01/2026 HJ 18

    7/22/2025House

  2. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60

    7/8/2025House

  4. House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1712s (Rep. Roy): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 4

    6/12/2025House

  5. Committee Amendment # 2025-1712s, AA, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11

    5/1/2025Senate

  6. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1712s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11

    5/1/2025Senate

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1712s, 05/01/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 19

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. Hearing: 04/22/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 19

    4/17/2025Senate

  9. Introduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10

    3/28/2025Senate

  10. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0325h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 15

    3/26/2025House

  11. Amendment # 2025-0325h (NT): AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 15

    3/26/2025House

  12. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0325h (NT) 03/19/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 10

    3/19/2025House

  13. Executive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204

    3/10/2025House

  14. ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204

    3/6/2025House

  15. Public Hearing: 02/07/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204

    1/29/2025House

  16. Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 22

    1/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    7/8/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/21/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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