Committee Summary for House Environment and Agriculture (02/18/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1766 00:02:34.800 - 8:31:21 AM	General Working Session	relative to cruelty to livestock.	Comtois, Barbara(R)[B+]2025

HB1766: Unidentified Chair Information Only00:02:34.800 - 8:31:21 AM; The chair opens the subcommittee work session on HB 1766, leads the pledge, and discusses expectations for the commissioner and state vet to join. They review the bill section by section, starting with section one on cruelty to animals and livestock, emphasizing that changes should only pertain to livestock, not companion animals. They propose striking language about imminent danger for confiscation to allow earlier intervention based on probable cause determined by the state veterinarian.
HB1766: Unidentified Committee Member Information Only00:04:38.800 - 8:33:25 AM; Suggests taking the department's recommendation to strike the imminent danger clause and adjust language for confiscation involving livestock, accompanied by the state veterinarian. Agrees to change 'believe that the animal's life is in imminent danger' to 'believe that the animal should be confiscated' for more leeway.
HB1766: Representative Kenny Support00:05:53.759 - 8:34:40 AM; Agrees that the department's suggestion on section one is reasonable.
HB1766: Unidentified Committee Member Information Only00:07:04.400 - 8:35:51 AM; Proposes breaking the bill into a new subsection specifically for cruelty to livestock to avoid affecting companion animals. References the definition of livestock in RSA 427:38 and suggests citing it to ensure clarity. Emphasizes that the intent is to deal only with livestock.
HB1766: Unidentified Committee Member Information Only00:09:42.959 - 8:38:29 AM; Discusses no changes needed for sections two, three, and four. Adds that in section two, the person charged should be made aware of their rights in writing. Notes section three is current law and no changes for section four.
HB1766: Unidentified Chair Information Only00:10:58.160 - 8:39:45 AM; Raises concerns about section five on cost of care and euthanasia. Rejects the department's suggestion to tie euthanasia to costs exceeding reimbursement limits, preferring to focus on suffering rather than finances. Suggests keeping 'may be euthanized' instead of 'shall' to avoid mandating it, and discusses the cruelty of prolonging suffering.
HB1766: Representative Bixby Information Only00:12:07.279 - 8:40:54 AM; Expresses concern about who pays for care in cruelty cases and leans towards allowing euthanasia if the animal is in extreme suffering, even if costs are involved.
HB1766: Rob Johnson, New Hampshire Farm Bureau Information Only00:13:46.480 - 8:42:33 AM; Suggests adding a time frame or buffer period to see if someone is willing to cover costs before deciding on euthanasia, to avoid immediate financial burdens.
HB1766: Michelle Merch, New Hampshire SPCA Information Only00:17:16.319 - 8:46:03 AM; Explains that in most cruelty cases, owners lack funds, often prioritizing other expenses over animal care. Notes that cases only arise when animals are not under vet care. Shares experiences with livestock investigations, including horses, and cases involving mental illness or pride preventing surrender. Supports euthanizing suffering animals based on veterinary determination, not cost, emphasizing quality of life and case-by-case decisions. Opposes 'shall' for euthanasia, preferring 'may' for flexibility, as situations are not black and white.
HB1766: Commissioner Oppose00:22:45.360 - 8:51:32 AM; Strongly advocates for 'shall' over 'may' for euthanizing livestock in suffering to avoid indefinite costs, emphasizing livestock as business assets with determinable value, not pets. Argues against unlimited spending from the cost of care fund (capped at $500 per animal or $5,000 per case), warning it could deplete resources and burden taxpayers or police budgets. Notes healthy livestock go to slaughter daily and owners should be responsible; suggests allowing third-party responsibility but insists on clear rules to prevent turning livestock into family pets.
HB1766: Representative Bixby Support00:33:10.320 - 9:01:57 AM; Shifts towards supporting 'shall' for euthanasia in cases of severe suffering to avoid burdening vets with decisions and ensure humane treatment, acknowledging not all animals can be saved.
HB1766: Unidentified Committee Member Support00:35:08.160 - 9:03:55 AM; Supports simplifying language to 'unless the owner pays for the care' without requiring written agreement, recognizing owners often can't pay and third parties might cover costs. Agrees this addresses the issue practically.
HB1766: Aaron Brig Information Only00:36:11.520 - 9:04:58 AM; Appreciates the committee's consideration of the issue. References a past Humane Society case in Wolfeboro costing over $2 million for rescuing Great Danes, noting such funding won't be available under the proposed changes for livestock cruelty cases.
HB1766: Committee Chair Information Only00:38:14.079 - 9:07:01 AM; The chair facilitates discussion on the distinction between surrendered animals and those for which the state is responsible, clarifying that the bill applies to state-responsible animals. The chair moves the discussion to sections 6 and 7, noting no changes, and addresses the state vet's office suggestion to specify 'livestock' in the livestock subsection to avoid confusion with domesticated animals. The chair supports creating distinct sections for livestock and animals.
HB1766: Commissioner Information Only00:38:14.079 - 9:07:01 AM; The commissioner supports distinguishing between livestock and domesticated animals, recommending separate sections in the bill to eliminate confusion. The commissioner suggests changing 'animals' to 'livestock' in the livestock section for clarity, noting it would be a simple computer edit.
HB1766: Committee Chair Information Only00:41:27.119 - 9:10:14 AM; The chair discusses section 8, addressing the sheriff's concern about publicizing owner names and addresses until adjudication. The chair proposes keeping the second part of the line regarding donations raised using animals' stories or likenesses being used to offset care costs, and seeks committee input.
HB1766: Michelle Merch, New Hampshire SPCA Information Only00:41:27.119 - 9:10:14 AM; Michelle Merch explains that if donations exceed care costs, such as $15,000 received for $10,000 in care, the excess is returned, as the SPCA does not seek to profit but to cover costs specifically for those animals.
HB1766: Commissioner (former legislator) Information Only00:42:31.119 - 9:11:18 AM; Wearing his former legislator's hat, the commissioner suggests rephrasing to 'shall be used to offset the cost' without 'only' or 'such animals' to address concerns, allowing flexibility for any excess funds.
HB1766: Committee Chair Information Only00:43:36.319 - 9:12:23 AM; The chair moves to section 2 on page 2 regarding confiscation for temporary custody, noting no changes, but discusses repealing RSA 644:8, deciding against it to address issues like licensing for humane societies in a future bill.
HB1766: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:43:36.319 - 9:12:23 AM; The speaker notes a written comment on line 14 about not repealing RSA 644:8, as it is being integrated into a new section, and suggests future fixes for problems like the lack of licensing procedure for humane societies.
HB1766: Sheriff Bill Wright, Belknap County Sheriff, President of NH Sheriff's Association Information Only00:46:26.800 - 9:15:13 AM; Sheriff Wright expresses concern about for-profit or nonprofit organizations being involved in both investigation and care of livestock, preferring they handle either but not both to avoid conflicts. He emphasizes the need for expertise in real-time situations, like midnight calls, where designees might advise on confiscation but not take possession immediately after.
HB1766: Commissioner Information Only00:47:18.000 - 9:16:05 AM; The commissioner supports adding 'no other person other than the state veterinarian or their designee or an employee of a government agency' to limit investigation participation. He agrees on striking 'or be present' to allow presence for advising but not active participation, highlighting past issues like the Lee case where non-experts influenced decisions on lactating animals.
HB1766: Representative Bixby Information Only00:47:18.000 - 9:16:05 AM; Representative Bixby confirms no issues with the proposed change to limit investigation participation to specified persons.
HB1766: Michelle Merch, New Hampshire SPCA Information Only01:07:18.079 - 9:36:05 AM; Michelle Merch clarifies that volunteers or humane society members do not make seizure decisions; veterinarians do, and they only assist in assessing probable cause without influencing outcomes for profit. She provides an example of advising on a horse's condition without deciding on seizure.
HB1766: Rob Johnson, Farm Bureau Information Only00:58:12.480 - 9:26:59 AM; Rob Johnson suggests clarifying that 'designee' can be multiple people, as the state vet could assign several experts for different aspects, but the final decision rests with law enforcement based on recommendations.
HB1766: Sheriff Wright Information Only01:09:28.880 - 9:38:15 AM; Sheriff Wright raised concerns about section 4 A1, noting that the proposed language requiring a charge before confiscating an animal could hinder investigations. He explained that investigations take time, and if an animal is in immediate need of seizure, officers might have to make premature arrests or ignore the animal's plight. He emphasized the need for flexibility in law enforcement to act when necessary without completing the full investigation first.
HB1766: Commissioner Information Only01:11:45.120 - 9:40:32 AM; The Commissioner pointed out an exception in the amendment for cases where there is probable cause to believe the animal's life is in imminent danger, allowing confiscation without charges. He expressed openness to discussion and concern about the process for returning the animal if no charges are filed, noting that the bill outlines procedures only after an arrest. He suggested clarifying the language to address suffering rather than just imminent danger and ensuring due process, such as expedited hearings.
HB1766: Sheriff Wright Information Only01:12:55.440 - 9:41:42 AM; Sheriff Wright advocated for retaining 'imminent danger' in the language, explaining its definition in law enforcement as something likely to cause irreparable harm, death, or serious injury. He stressed its importance under use of force statutes and confirmed that law enforcement must contact the state veterinarian's office prior to seizing livestock, even in imminent danger cases.
HB1766: Representative Bixby Information Only01:12:55.440 - 9:41:42 AM; Representative Bixby suggested modifying the language to 'probable cause to believe the animal is suffering' instead of 'imminent danger' to allow earlier intervention. She supported adding a provision that if charges are not filed within 7 days, the animal must be returned, which would encourage timely investigations by police departments.
HB1766: Sheriff Wright Information Only01:21:19.600 - 9:50:06 AM; Sheriff Wright agreed with the 7-day return provision if no charges are filed, noting it would address concerns without complicating the subsection. He confirmed that law enforcement contacts the state vet's office before seizures and supported the flexibility for imminent danger.
HB1766: Representative Kenny Information Only01:23:35.040 - 9:52:22 AM; Representative Kenny inquired about the availability of designates for off-hours calls, such as midnight, and how they would be contacted. He emphasized wanting to support law enforcement in these situations.
HB1766: Commissioner Information Only01:24:52.800 - 9:53:39 AM; The Commissioner explained plans to work with the Farm Bureau to identify willing designates with expertise in specific animals across counties, adding an 's' to allow multiple designates. He noted the liability protection in the bill to encourage volunteers and the use of video conferencing for remote assessments, especially in urgent or distant cases like Colbrook.
HB1766: Sheriff Wright Information Only01:25:55.520 - 9:54:42 AM; Sheriff Wright described how dispatch centers manage on-call lists for various roles, similar to medical examiners or judges, suggesting a similar system for designates. He expressed Belknap County's interest in assisting to ensure resources are available, even at 2 AM, to provide the best services.

Aron, Judy(Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	King, Seth(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Barbour, Liz(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Gruber, James(D)[F]2025	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025	Sofikitis, Catherine(D)[D-]2025
Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2025	Comtois, Barbara(R)[B+]2025	Scully, Kevin(R)[A-]2025
Howard, Molly(D)[D]2025	Wheeler, Jonah(D)[D-]2025	Haskins, Linda(D)[F]2025
Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025	Kenny, Catherine(R)[B]2025	Germana, Nicholas(D)[F]2025
Miner, Laurence(R)[B]2025