SB - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-1090
08/09
SENATE BILL 290-FN
AN ACT relative to the definition of "torture" in animal abuse cases.
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. J. MacDonald, Carr. 6
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill defines torture within the animal cruelty statute.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-1090
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to the definition of "torture" in animal abuse cases.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Torture; Definition. Amend RSA 644:8 by inserting after paragraph II-a the following new paragraph:
II-b. In this section, "torture" means any negligent or purposeful act or omission that causes intensive or prolonged pain or suffering, causes serious physical injury, or causes the death of an animal due to such negligent or purposeful act or omission.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
25-1090
1/8/25
SB 290-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the definition of "torture" in animal abuse cases.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 18, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
| Feb. 18, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
March 6, 2025: Pending Motion Rerefer to Committee; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
March 6, 2025: Sen. Pearl Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
March 6, 2025: SB 290 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
Feb. 21, 2025: Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
Feb. 12, 2025: Hearing: 02/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 10
Feb. 12, 2025: Hearing: 02/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 10
Jan. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3