SB 442 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
03/26/2026 1125s
7May2026... 1794h
2026 SESSION
26-2243
08/09
SENATE BILL 442
AN ACT relative to pet transfers.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. C. McGuire, Merr. 27; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill changes the titles for pet health certificates.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/26/2026 1125s
7May2026... 1794h 26-2243
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to pet transfers.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals; Transfer of Animals and Birds; Health Certificates for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets. Amend the title of RSA 437:8 to read as follows:
437:8 [Health Certificates] Official Certificates of Transfer for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets.
2 Sale of Pets and Disposition of Unclaimed Animals; Transfer of Animals and Birds; Confidentiality. Amend RSA 437:8-b, V to read as follows:
V. [Certificates of transfer] Official certificates of transfer shall be removed from the animal records database after 4 years.
3 Health Certificate; Official Certificate of Transfer. Amend RSA 437:8, VI(f) to read as follows:
(f) No animal shelter shall transfer any dog, cat, or ferret that is received from outside of the state without an official [health certificate] certificate of transfer and until the quarantine requirements in RSA 437:8, IV have been met.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 11, 2026 | 2026-1125s |
| May 1, 2026 | 2026-1794h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 17, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 14, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| April 28, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
May 21, 2026: Sen. Avard Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
May 7, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1794h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12
May 7, 2026: FLAM # 2026-1794h (Rep. Bixby): AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12
April 29, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/28/2026 (Vote 13-0; RC) HC 18 P. 11
April 21, 2026: Full Committee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 153
April 8, 2026: Full Committee Work Session: 04/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
April 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/14/2026 10:30 am GP 153
March 27, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 9
March 17, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1125s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 23, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1125s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 12, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1125s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
Feb. 4, 2026: Hearing: 02/17/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:50 am; SC 5
Nov. 21, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1