Bill Text - HB512 (2019)

Relative to dogs on hiking trails in state parks and state forests.


Revision: Jan. 15, 2019, 11:44 a.m.

HB 512 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2019 SESSION

19-0212

08/10

 

HOUSE BILL 512

 

AN ACT relative to dogs on hiking trails in state parks and state forests.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Harrington, Straf. 3

 

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill allows dogs off leash on hiking trails in state parks and state forests.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19-0212

08/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT relative to dogs on hiking trails in state parks and state forests.

 

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

 

1  New Paragraph; Use of Statewide Trail System.  Amend RSA 216-F:2 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

IV.  On trails where dogs are not prohibited, dogs may hike off leash if such dogs are under the verbal or physical control of their owner or handler.  The owner or handler of such dog or dogs shall carry a leash in order to physically restrain and control the dog if necessary.  

2  Public Forest Lands.  Amend RSA 227-H:8 to read as follows:

227-H:8  Use of Land for Recreational Purposes.  Any land acquired by the department or under its jurisdiction, pursuant to this chapter, may, in the discretion of the department, be used for public recreational and park purposes, provided that such use is not contrary to the conditions incident to any bequest or gift.  In areas where dogs are not prohibited, dogs may hike off leash if such dogs are under the verbal or physical control of their owner or handler.  The owner or handler of such dog or dogs shall carry a leash in order to physically restrain and control the dog if necessary.  

3  New Section; State Park System; Dogs.  Amend RSA 216-A by inserting after section 3-o the following new section:

216-A:3-p  Dogs in State Parks.  On trails where dogs are not prohibited, dogs may hike off leash if such dogs are under the verbal or physical control of their owner or handler.  The owner or handler of such dog or dogs shall carry a leash in oder to physically restrain and control the dog if necessary.

4  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.