Committee Summary for House Environment and Agriculture (04/15/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB302 2024-1453h 00:05:46.080 - 8:34:57 AM	Public Hearing	requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners.	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024
SB229 00:22:50.640 - 8:52:01 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat.	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024
SB50 00:47:42.720 - 9:16:53 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
SB50 02:01:46.080 - 10:30:57 AM	Executive Session	establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
Unclear 02:06:02.719 - 10:35:13 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

SB302 2024-1453h: Senator Howard Pearl, representing District 17, from Loudon Support00:05:46.080 - 8:34:57 AM; Senator Pearl introduced Senate Bill 302, which aims to establish background checks for owners of solid waste facilities. He mentioned that this is the third attempt to get the language correct, having worked with New Hampshire DEES and Director Whimsat. He noted technical corrections, mostly grammatical, and presented an amendment to address these issues. He deferred to Director Whimsat for detailed explanation of the bill.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative King Information Only00:07:45.680 - 8:36:56 AM; Representative King, a new member of the committee, sought clarification on the reasoning behind the bill. Senator Pearl responded that the bill was brought by the agency and suggested that Director Whimsat would provide more historical context.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative Bixby Information Only00:08:44.560 - 8:37:55 AM; Representative Bixby recounted the history of the bill, mentioning that it initially came to the committee to allow FBI involvement in background checks. He noted a previous drafting error that prevented the bill from being actionable and expressed hope that the current version would be the final one needed.
SB302 2024-1453h: Director Mike Whimsat, Waste Management Division, New Hampshire DEES Support00:11:24.519 - 8:40:35 AM; Director Whimsat testified in support of Senate Bill 302, explaining the long-standing requirement for background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants. He highlighted the historical concern about organized crime in the solid waste industry and the need for clear language to satisfy FBI requirements for accessing federal criminal databases. He detailed the efforts to refine the bill's language, including an amendment to correct technical errors, and explained the changes aimed at streamlining the background check process by removing the Department of Justice as a middleman.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative King Information Only00:17:00.120 - 8:46:11 AM; Representative King sought clarification on the purpose of the bill, confirming that it was not about debating the legitimacy of background checks but about refining the language to facilitate these checks. The clarification was needed to ensure that federal criminal investigations could be conducted alongside state-level checks, which would not be possible without the proposed changes.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative German Information Only00:18:00.720 - 8:47:11 AM; Representative German asked if background checks extend to tangentially related individuals, such as family members of the operator, similar to restrictions in finance. The response clarified that the language of the bill specifies background checks for certain officers of the entity, without extending to family members.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative Sofakitus Information Only00:18:26.720 - 8:47:37 AM; Representative Sofakitus inquired about the deletion of a section regarding the cost of investigations, which was clarified as redundant since the costs are still borne by the applicant, as specified elsewhere in the bill.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative Scully Information Only00:19:21.720 - 8:48:32 AM; Representative Scully asked about the demonstrated need for the bill, specifically if any permits had been denied due to background checks. The response confirmed a denial due to a felony conviction of an officer associated with an applicant. A follow-up question about whether any permits would have been denied with improved screening was met with an explanation that background checks had been limited to state level since the issue was identified.
SB302 2024-1453h: Representative Miner Information Only00:20:32.640 - 8:49:43 AM; Representative Miner, late to the hearing, asked about the duration of background checks, which was clarified as having discretion up to 5 years for felony convictions but with flexibility for the agency to look further back if needed.
SB302 2024-1453h: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:22:22.799 - 8:51:33 AM; The speaker reported the results from the blue sheet, indicating one person in favor of the bill and an ongoing check for online responses.
SB302 2024-1453h: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:22:22.799 - 8:51:33 AM; The testimony of the Unknown Speaker was not included in the provided snippet, as they were finishing their speech before the start of the new testimony.
SB229: Senator Howard Pearl, representing district 17, from Loudon Support00:22:50.640 - 8:52:01 AM; Senator Howard Pearl introduced Senate Bill 229, which aims to allow the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat by retailers, in addition to restaurants, which are already permitted to sell these products. The bill also seeks to remove the prospective repeal of these provisions. He emphasized that all labeling and tracing requirements would remain the same, with stores needing to label the products as uninspected and maintain records of their sources. Senator Pearl highlighted the bill's alignment with the legislature's goal of supporting New Hampshire farmers in safely marketing their products. He noted that there was no opposition to the bill in the Senate, and he was open to answering questions, mentioning that others would also speak in support of the bill.
SB229: Representative Bixby Information Only00:24:32.880 - 8:53:43 AM; Representative Bixby, who was on the committee when previous bison slaughter regulations were established and also part of the study committee that recommended including red deer and elk, discussed the existing statute's sunset provision related to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. He clarified that the current law allows on-farm slaughter of these animals for sale under certain conditions, including having a designated slaughter area, humane slaughter practices by farm employees, specific timeframes for slaughter and storage, and annual veterinary examinations with documentation. He noted that the bill aims to repeal the sunset on these provisions, which are set to expire on July 1st, 2025, unless changed.
SB229: Senator Pearl Support00:28:32.799 - 8:57:43 AM; Senator Pearl supports the bill, emphasizing its role in helping local agriculture. They explained that the current inspection system for bison, which includes annual antemortem inspections, seems to be working well. The bill aims to allow bison meat to be sold into a larger market, supporting local farmers. They also addressed concerns about chronic wasting disease, stating that existing importation regulations have been effective in keeping it out of New Hampshire.
SB229: Nick Veis, Rivervale Farm, Errol Support00:34:05.840 - 9:03:16 AM; Nick Veis, owner of Rivervale Farm in Errol, supports the bill. He detailed his 30-year experience raising bison, highlighting the nutritional benefits of bison meat and the need for expanded market access. He explained the farm's practices, including annual veterinary inspections and sending tissue samples for every five animals slaughtered. Veis also discussed the challenges with transporting bison and their humane dispatch method on the farm, which minimizes stress for the animals.
SB229: Representative Bixby Information Only00:40:28.880 - 9:09:39 AM; Representative Bixby asked questions about the specifics of the bill, such as the inspection requirements for ground meat and the stress levels during bison slaughter. They sought clarification on the rules governing tissue sampling and the handling of bison to ensure animal welfare.
SB229: Representative Miner Information Only00:43:03.119 - 9:12:14 AM; Representative Miner inquired about the hanging weight of bison, expressing interest in the specifics of bison meat production.
SB229: Representative Sofakitis Information Only00:36:49.359 - 9:06:00 AM; Representative Sofakitis asked about the possibility of visiting Nick Veis's farm to see the bison and learn more about their care and the farm's operations.
SB229: Committee Chair Information Only00:46:13.520 - 9:15:24 AM; The Committee Chair closed the hearing on SB229, noting that no representatives from the Department of Agriculture had testified, suggesting no opposition from the department. They confirmed the bill's passage seemed unopposed and moved to open the next hearing on SB50.
SB50: Committee Chair Information Only00:47:42.720 - 9:16:53 AM; The Committee Chair introduced Senate Bill 50 on behalf of Senator Ruth Ward, the bill's prime sponsor. The bill was inspired by a constituent whose dog was lost at a boarding facility and never recovered, highlighting the lack of rules and regulations for such facilities. The bill proposes establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities, reviewing current laws, identifying licensing and incident reporting procedures, and identifying any regulatory gaps. The Committee Chair noted that Senator Ward was unavailable due to another meeting and offered to relay any questions to her.
SB50: Patricia Morris, Attorney, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts; Professor, University of New Hampshire School of Law; Former Chair, Governor's Commission for the Humane Treatment of Animals Support00:50:28.640 - 9:19:39 AM; Patricia Morris, an attorney specializing in animal law, supported the establishment of the committee proposed in Senate Bill 50. She provided background on the case that inspired the bill, where a constituent's dog was lost at a boarding facility, and noted that civil legal action had been initiated in this case. She emphasized the need for regulation of private animal boarding facilities, citing the significant economic impact of pet ownership in New Hampshire and the number of cases she has handled related to animal harm in such facilities. Morris discussed the lack of regulation for boarding facilities compared to pet vendors and breeders, and highlighted public health and safety concerns due to diseases that can spread unchecked. She offered to donate her time to the proposed subcommittee and answered questions from committee members about regulations in other states and the difference between vetting individuals and businesses.
SB50: Chris Shemmet, Jaffrey, New Hampshire Support01:03:52.799 - 9:33:03 AM; Chris Shemmet, a Vietnam veteran, supported Senate Bill 50, sharing a personal experience where his dog died while in the care of a dog sitter in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He emphasized the emotional support his dog provided, especially given his health issues and military service. Shemmet highlighted the need for regulation to prevent such incidents, drawing analogies to regulated daycare centers and expressing concerns about the lack of oversight and care in boarding facilities. He also spoke about the broader issues faced by veterans, including the lack of support from the VA, and stressed the importance of protecting those who cannot speak for themselves, advocating for the bill to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in boarding facilities.
SB50: Chris Shemmet, Jaffrey, New Hampshire Information Only01:03:52.799 - 9:33:03 AM; Chris Shemmet discussed a personal incident involving the death of his dog while under the care of a dog sitter. He detailed the circumstances leading to the dog's death, including the lack of communication from the sitter about the dog's health and the refusal to take the dog to the vet. Shemmet highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of this event, mentioning his plans to have a necropsy performed to understand the cause of death. He expressed his mourning and trauma over the loss and his intention to eventually acquire another therapy dog. He also spoke on behalf of veterans and pet owners, emphasizing the need for responsible pet care.
SB50: Representative Sofakitus Information Only01:12:13.640 - 9:41:24 AM; Representative Sofakitus responded to Chris Shemmet's testimony, expressing disbelief at the dog sitter's negligence. She inquired about Shemmet's plans to get another therapy dog, to which he responded that he is currently mourning but will eventually seek another dog through a program for veterans. Shemmet also emphasized the importance of responsible pet care and the need for protective measures against unscrupulous practices.
SB50: Representative Howard Information Only01:14:12.080 - 9:43:23 AM; Representative Howard asked Chris Shemmet if the dog sitter was an individual or a boarding facility. Shemmet clarified that she was an individual recommended by a company in Peterborough. He stressed the need for a bill to protect consumers from such practices, suggesting a form similar to medical intake forms to ensure proper care and communication.
SB50: Marcus Gilbert, Ware, New Hampshire Support01:17:56.159 - 9:47:07 AM; Marcus Gilbert testified about the disappearance of his professionally trained retriever, Cash, after boarding him at a facility in New Boston. He detailed the events leading up to Cash's disappearance, including the facility's negligence and lack of transparency. Gilbert shared his extensive search efforts, the community's feedback on the kennel's poor conditions, and other incidents of dogs being harmed or dying under the facility's care. He highlighted the lack of legal recourse due to the absence of evidence and urged for legislation to protect dogs and their owners from such situations.
SB50: Representative King Information Only01:31:08.960 - 10:00:19 AM; Representative King responded to Marcus Gilbert's testimony, expressing sympathy and suggesting that the dog might have been sold due to its high value. Gilbert considered this possibility but noted the difficulty in proving it without further legal access to the kennel's records. He also mentioned other concerning behaviors of the kennel owner, such as not providing water and food adequately, which could lead to serious health issues for the dogs.
SB50: Representative Miner Information Only01:35:41.120 - 10:04:52 AM; Representative Miner discussed the potential fate of Marcus Gilbert's dog, suggesting it might have been sold due to its value. Gilbert agreed that this was a possibility but emphasized his focus was not on the monetary value but on the loss and the negligence that led to it. He reiterated the need for better regulations to prevent such incidents.
SB50: Marcus Gilbert, New Boston Support01:37:22.600 - 10:06:33 AM; Marcus Gilbert shared a distressing experience regarding his missing dog, which he had entrusted to a kennel in New Boston. He expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and minimum standards for kennels in New Hampshire. He recounted how the kennel owner operated without supervision, leading to his dog's disappearance and the lack of response to requests for proof of the dog's well-being. Gilbert suggested the need for regulations such as on-site personnel, security cameras, and a system for reporting complaints against kennels. He argued that community knowledge alone is insufficient for ensuring kennel standards, especially for newcomers like himself, and emphasized the need for a more formal oversight mechanism.
SB50: Ross Norwood, New Boston Support01:46:09.119 - 10:15:20 AM; Ross Norwood, a resident of New Boston, spoke in favor of SB50 due to his experience as a licensed pet vendor and former operator of a dog rescue. He highlighted the drastic difference in oversight between regulated rescues and unregulated boarding kennels, pointing out the lack of inspections and regulations for the latter. Norwood shared that even after a tragic incident at another local kennel, information about such events did not circulate effectively within the community. He supported the idea of some form of licensing or oversight for boarding kennels, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability. He also discussed the benefits of insurance as a regulatory tool and expressed willingness to contribute further to a study committee on the issue.
SB50: Committee Members Information Only02:01:46.080 - 10:30:57 AM; The committee discussed the public hearing testimonies on SB50, which focuses on the regulation of kennels. Members expressed support for the bill, recognizing the need for further discussion on the issue through a study committee. They planned to reconvene the following Tuesday to make executive decisions on this and other bills heard during the session.
Unclear: Unidentified Committee Member Information Only02:06:02.719 - 10:35:13 AM; The speaker mentioned an upcoming presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance scheduled for the next Tuesday morning at 10:30. They proposed to meet at 10:00 to handle the executive session of three bills within half an hour. Additionally, they suggested celebrating the committee's work by going out to lunch after the meeting, as it would be the last meeting before the fall.
Unclear: Representative Miner Information Only02:07:25.679 - 10:36:36 AM; Representative Miner expressed appreciation for their experience on the committee and mentioned that they and their wife will soon start processing animals on their farm. They invited the committee members to visit their farm to see the process, indicating they would notify the committee when they start, likely in a few weeks.

Aron, Judy(Chairman)(R)[A]2024	King, Seth(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Comtois, Barbara(V Chairman)(R)[A]2024
Gruber, James(D)	Bixby, Peter(D)[CT]2024	Sofikitis, Catherine(D)[D-]2024
Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2018	Scully, Kevin(R)[A-]2018	Barbour, Liz(R)
Howard, Molly(D)[F]2024	Wheeler, Jonah(D)[D+]2024	Haskins, Linda(D)[CT]2024
Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2024	Kenny, Catherine(R)[B+]2024	Germana, Nicholas(D)[CT]2024
Miner, Laurence(R)