SB 619-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2164
08/06
SENATE BILL 619-FN
AN ACT establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
SPONSORS: Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. C. Harvey, Ches. 6
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of animals confiscated due to allegations of animal cruelty.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2164
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Cruelty to Animals; Court Hearing Upon Confiscation of Animals. Amend RSA 644:8, IV(a)(3) to read as follows:
(3) Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar. In cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.
(A) The scope of the hearing shall be limited to whether the impounding of the animal or animals was authorized. Upon such a showing, the court may require the defendant or appellant to post a bond or other security in an amount not exceeding $1,000 for each animal in custody or make a determination of disposition that is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing. If the confiscated animal is co-owned by the defendant, the court may transfer the defendant's interest in the property to the remaining owner or co-owners equitably if the court determines that such is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing.
(B) Such bond or security shall be posted to the court within 30 days. If such bond or security is not paid within 30 days after the court orders the bond or security to be posted, the animals shall be forfeited to the arresting officer, the arresting officer's agency, or the arresting officer's agency's designee. The court may, for good cause, extend the deadline by no more than 15 days. A court shall order the return of any bond or security upon a court approved agreement of the parties or a finding of not guilty.
(C) Neither the result of a hearing provided for under this paragraph nor a statement of an owner made at any such hearing shall be admissible in any criminal prosecution related to the impoundment of the animal or animals.
(D) Failure of the owner to appear in court without prior notice, or without proof of emergent circumstances within 3 days shall not prevent the court from conducting the hearing or making a determination.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
26-2164
10/27/25
SB 619-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch
Nov. 25, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1