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New HampshireHB862025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

HB86

Sponsored By: Charlie G. St. Clair (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Annual dog license enforcement steps

Each year between June 1 and June 20, the clerk gives the local governing body a list of owners with unlicensed dogs. Within 20 days after June 20, the governing body must issue a warrant for each unlicensed dog on the list. The warrant may also authorize police to seize any unlicensed dog. These steps take effect 60 days after the law’s passage.

Seized dogs: 7-day hold and fees

If an unlicensed dog is seized, the town or city holds it for 7 days. If you license the dog within 7 days, you keep title. After 7 days without a license, full title passes to the holding facility. You must pay the daily boarding fee set by the town and facility, plus any necessary vet fees. This applies starting 60 days after passage.

When these dog rules start

All of these dog-license enforcement changes take effect 60 days after the law’s passage. This includes the annual list, warrants, service cost caps, 7-day holds and fees, and the warning rule.

Warning before any dog seizure

Before police seize an unlicensed dog, they must give the owner a written warning. This gives you a chance to license the dog and avoid seizure. This rule starts 60 days after passage.

Capped costs to serve dog notices

Notices can be sent by certified mail, delivered in hand, or left at your home. The city or town may recover the service cost in addition to the forfeiture. Certified mail cost is capped at the USPS certified mail with return receipt rate. In-hand or left-at-home service is capped at $10 per notice. These limits start 60 days after passage.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Charlie G. St. Clair

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • John Sellers

    Republican • House

  • Timothy A. Soucy

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2025; Chapter 7; eff.7/7/2025

    5/8/2025House

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 163

    4/30/2025House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/17/2025); SJ 11

    4/29/2025Senate

  4. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10

    4/17/2025Senate

  5. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17

    3/26/2025Senate

  6. Hearing: 03/25/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:15 am; SC 14

    3/19/2025Senate

  7. Introduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7

    3/12/2025Senate

  8. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0036h: MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 6

    2/6/2025House

  9. Amendment # 2025-0036h: AA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 6

    2/6/2025House

  10. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0036h 01/23/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 10 P. 4

    1/28/2025House

  11. Executive Session: 01/23/2025 01:40 pm LOB 301-303

    1/15/2025House

  12. Public Hearing: 01/13/2025 10:45 am LOB 301-303

    1/8/2025House

  13. Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 2 P. 5

    12/23/2024House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/29/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    12/23/2024

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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