Bill Text - HB1299 (2022)

Relative to the process for the importation of wildlife and creating an appeal process for denials of permits.


Revision: Nov. 19, 2021, 3:05 p.m.

HB 1299  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2022 SESSION

22-2205

04/08

 

HOUSE BILL 1299

 

AN ACT relative to the process for the importation of wildlife and creating an appeal process for denials of permits.  

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Lang, Belk. 4; Rep. Bordes, Belk. 3

 

COMMITTEE: Fish and Game and Marine Resources

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a procedure for applying for a permit to import or display wildlife and establishes an appeal process for denial of such permits.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22-2205

04/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

 

AN ACT relative to the process for the importation of wildlife and creating an appeal process for denials of permits.  

 

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

 

 

1  New Paragraph; Fish and Game Commission; Duties.  Amend RSA 206:4-a by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:

VI.  Upon petition, and within 45 days of the appeal request, hear appeals of decisions made by the executive director to deny a permit requested under RSA: 207:14, I, and upon a majority vote of a quorum of commissioners, reverse such decision by written ruling issued within 14 days of the hearing.

2  General Provisions as to Fish and Game; Import, Possession or Release of Wildlife.  Amend RSA 207:14, I to read as follows:

207:14  Import, Possession, or Release of Wildlife.

I.(a)  [No person shall import, possess, sell, exhibit, or release any live marine species or wildlife, or the eggs or progeny thereof, without first obtaining a permit from the executive director except as permitted under title XVIII.  The executive director shall have the authority to determine the time period and any other conditions governing the issuance of such permit.  The executive director may refuse to issue a permit if he determines that such issuance may pose significant disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety, or welfare risks to persons, marine species or wildlife] A person may import, possess, sell, exhibit, or release any live marine species or wildlife, or the eggs or progeny thereof, after first obtaining a permit from the executive director, except as otherwise provided in Title XVIII.  The permit shall be granted within 30 days of the request, unless the executive director determines that issuing a permit may pose a direct and significant disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety, or welfare risks to persons, marine species, or wildlife.

(b)  Any person who is denied a permit under subparagraph (a) may appeal the decision in writing to the fish and game commission within 60 days of the denial.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.