Bill Text - HB1579 (2014)

(New Title) relative to penalties for the injury or death of a domestic animal caused by trapping which is in violation of law or rules, and establishing a committee to study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations.


Revision: March 27, 2014, midnight

HB 1579-FN – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

12Feb2014… 0435h

2014 SESSION

14-2046

10/04

HOUSE BILL 1579-FN

AN ACT relative to penalties for the injury or death of a domestic animal caused by trapping which is in violation of law or rules, and establishing a committee to study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations.

SPONSORS: Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 15; Rep. Charron, Rock 4; Rep. Gile, Merr 27; Rep. Levesque, Hills 26; Rep. D. Hooper, Straf 16; Rep. K. Rogers, Merr 28; Rep. Shaw, Hills 16; Rep. Carson, Merr 7; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Carson, Dist 14

COMMITTEE: Fish and Game and Marine Resources

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill adds penalties for violations of trapping laws and rules which result in the injury or death of a domestic animal. The bill requires trapping education for license applicants who have not held a trapping license in this state during any of the previous 3 years. This bill also establishes a committee to study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12Feb2014… 0435h

14-2046

10/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen

AN ACT relative to penalties for the injury or death of a domestic animal caused by trapping which is in violation of law or rules, and establishing a committee to study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations.

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

1 Trapping; Injury or Death of Domestic Animal; Penalty. Amend RSA 210:18 to read as follows:

210:18 [Damage to] Injury or Death of Domestic Animals; Penalty.

I. Any person causing injury or [damage]death to domestic animals[, except for dogs at large pursuant to RSA 466:33,] by the aid or use of traps shall be liable to the owner therefor. An injury to a licensed dog at large shall be reported to the town or city listed on the dog's tag, and to the owner of the dog if identifiable.

II. Any person who violates the laws or rules governing trapping under this title, which violation results in the injury or death of a domestic animal, shall be subject to a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for each offense and, in addition, the person’s hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and permits shall be revoked and the person shall not be issued a license or permit to hunt, fish, or trap for a period of 3 years. Prior to the restoration of such person’s ability to apply for a license or permit to hunt, fish, or trap, the person shall show successful completion of a trapping education program pursuant to RSA 210:25.

2 Trapping Licenses; Education Requirements. Amend RSA 214:11-b, I(c) to read as follows:

(c) Satisfactory proof that he or she has [previously] held a trapping license issued to him or her in this state[, any other state, province or country] during any of the previous 3 years.

3 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations.

4 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Four members of the house of representatives who are members of the fish and game and marine resources committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

5 Duties. The committee shall study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations. The committee shall seek input from the fish and game department and any other persons or organizations as the committee deems relevant.

6 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

7 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2014.

8 Effective Date.

I. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2015.

I. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBAO

14-2046

Amended 02/26/14

HB 1579-FN FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to penalties for the injury or death of a domestic animal caused by trapping which is in violation of law or rules, and establishing a committee to study the administration of trapping laws and rules and the issuance of trapping licenses by the fish and game department including education requirements and penalties for violations.

FISCAL IMPACT:

    The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation, as amended by the House (Amendment #2014-0435h), has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2018.