[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6625209,"mediaKeyId","2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf","parentId",2762569,"title","Bill raises restitution and strengthens penalties for repeat hunting violations; removes \"in perpetuity\" language for disability crossbow permits","audioSeconds",252,"startMs",3743000,"endMs",3995000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf&start=3743&end=3995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf/thumbnail_3743000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625209/New-Hampshire/Bill-raises-restitution-and-strengthens-penalties-for-repeat-hunting-violations-removes-in-perpetuity-language-for-disability-crossbow-permits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625209-58411a09565525113799e1f50baeb1af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136736&Signature=QpP-Fftjns31TJ20-Mbs9xVnD~dD2Tu~~QnFtKDyYwGlmAnnL18XXA6jkcwG9JI1-wSzlWmfQIk15~sc3KdVomoQ87ho2zahXn7f7FHzDfW1wHX3uADqldfjIeE8~vhcbSwc6QOaQKKn91sHzGVcTde06Ih8l0vqKWE-fEjDH93EvsgPclxQ1gVAOm~tDH7yE51sfKI7~L-jxzobIZNrWFHiBtyUfO1cbA5s3aefjZfB93yv1Wecd9UYQJmqeGA6LKqcfAh-8iR4~US6WNoxq779jmTXzQqFw1RCi8O2GfsAftWjoFNZ5eWt~E3fFfqYlXC1ZTzSdVQ8PSmbuBJQMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-03-25T14:42:07.5Z","article","A representative introduced a department‑requested bill to raise restitution fees and increase penalties for repeat hunting violations. The sponsor said the change responds to repeated illegal take incidents and to the department's difficulty obtaining restitution under the prior \"may\" language in statute.

Colonel Kevin Jordan of Fish and Game told the committee commissioners sought stronger tools for habitual offenders because repeat violators have been common, especially as enforcement staff use digital evidence to uncover past violations. Jordan explained that restitution historically was discretionary and often not ordered; changing the law from \"may\" to \"shall\" would make restitution mandatory when ordered by a court and would direct funds back to the department for wildlife and habitat uses.

The bill increases license‑suspension periods for second and subsequent offenses and creates an habitual offender status to strengthen penalties for repeat illegal hunting. Jordan said current practice often results in a one‑year loss of license for a first offense and three years for a second offense within a 5‑year window; the bill would extend and formalize penalties and habitual‑offender treatment.

At the end of the bill, sponsors also removed language that had described crossbow permits issued for some people with disabilities as existing \"in perpetuity.\" A sponsor recounted a constituent who had a permanent shoulder injury, obtained a disability crossbow permit, and later recovered after medical treatment; under the earlier language the permitting division had understood the disability crossbow permit to prevent return to a regular bow license. The amendment strikes \"in perpetuity\" so a person who becomes able to use a regular bow again may apply for a standard archery license.

The committee advanced the bill and reported it as \"ought to pass\" on voice consent.

Why this matters: Fish and Game said the changes will help deter repeated illegal taking and ensure restitution funds return to support wildlife programs. The crossbow change fixes an unintended consequence for disabled hunters who later recover.

Votes at a glance: Committee reported HB 655 as \"ought to pass\" by unanimous consent.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/25/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","A bill requested by Fish and Game increases restitution amounts and creates enhanced penalties for habitual hunting offenders; it also removes wording that had made disability crossbow permits effectively permanent, allowing hunters who recover from injuries to resume bow hunting.","taxTitle","Energy and Natural Resources, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29507,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625213,"Bill would cut assessment on landline/VoIP providers from 33% to 10%; providers say savings will fund broadband buildout",237,2543000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf&start=2543&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf/thumbnail_2543000.jpg","/articles/6625213/New-Hampshire/Bill-would-cut-assessment-on-landlineVoIP-providers-from-33-to-10-providers-say-savings-will-fund-broadband-buildout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625213-830441d3c91411be5d7f0571642d9dc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136736&Signature=DbBZ-b~1wTgQNpdS3KI3WjNLgU4F7JSV6ywdX-gRCrUnKc1OVPUUUgV2aKByW7hkluA6sz-xqfToBQ5ts49heXzT-7i1hTOAsSGxanPrOBj6tjsUZBlXer-7fXCqKC9rT4JzlaOApo-jHVyFLNx07JPkWEEtqAmHaTOU7OwZCZQrrbPghOhBgbTXRW6iYbXEyS3oKBEj6fxIHUYM8OGInhdhruMgWzNVlnthlTyZWX9gULC8yZUtjWssgZtFM2ZIRhpfG4yMTB7gO6nNjQPsctn-f0fzCimSo1~LB0PhRsUFWp8M-XAw3m7gw4J~x5nsBHd3oY0-nGl01trquaBE6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Mike Harrington, sponsor of House Bill 508, told the committee the bill corrects a prior statutory omission and reduces the assessment level charged to accepted local exchange carriers, certain VoIP providers and IP‑enabled service providers from about 33% of gross utility revenue to 10%. \"This bill is just a long overdue correction,\" Harrington said, noting the bill reduces assessment on providers that now receive virtually no regulation compared with the past.

Meg Stone of the Department of Energy told the committee the department currently invoices 26 providers and that in fiscal year 2025 it assessed just under $530,000 to those 26 providers; if the assessment had been set at 10 percent, the department estimated that cohort's assessment would have been about $158,000 — a reduction of roughly $371,000 that would be reallocated to other regulated utilities such as electric, gas, water and sewer.

Industry witnesses representing rural providers said the smaller assessment better reflects modern oversight and will free funds for broadband deployment. Chris Rand, vice president of Granite State Communications speaking for the New Hampshire Telephone Association, said member companies provide internet and voice service to rural areas and have been deregulated since 2011. He said the companies plan to use the reduction to help complete fiber networks: \"Given this reduced better reflects the funding level necessary to support modern telecommunications oversight,\" he testified.

Teresa Rosenberger, representing landline companies, said the reduced assessment would not be money going \"into pockets\" but would be used for network buildout and to convert customers to fiber.

The committee voted HB 508 out as \"ought to pass\" on unanimous voice consent.

Why this matters: The change shifts who bears assessment obligations among regulated utility classes and could accelerate broadband investment by smaller, rural providers that argued the prior assessment level left less funding available for network construction.

Votes at a glance: Committee reported HB 508 as \"ought to pass\" by voice consent.","House Bill 508 would reduce the Department of Energy/PUC assessment on certain landline and IP‑enabled telephone providers from roughly 33% of gross utility revenue to 10%, shifting the assessed amount to other regulated utilities; industry witnesses said the reduction frees funds for fiber buildout in rural areas.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625217,"Committee endorses allowing air rifles for big‑game hunting, leaves technical standards to Fish and Game rulemaking",547,1413000,1960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf&start=1413&end=1960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf/thumbnail_1413000.jpg","/articles/6625217/New-Hampshire/Committee-endorses-allowing-air-rifles-for-biggame-hunting-leaves-technical-standards-to-Fish-and-Game-rulemaking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625217-d3225e58587e7e34ca7a0807f9b870ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136736&Signature=QL5izjycdX-9TixfZ68CpSPoSeEUyD2Y5BS4AGeyOxGXGlqCm5IG4i0ynmO-C0JdmqkOq8kPxbmIg5Fnkm~e~N9KqVgBnqHJ9LUQhX3frHFJhZXPAkxbMqOVLuqVppsvwgymIBgzoUEjClTSIR366J-kGHP-O39zucwgQO1xoPDdwOTtrp-J4QZ-7ufW8DAWPaT2~7YL6u3EvS0c-JvLoXA2FR4~9RjhB9I-pBkdAV6Z0o0hsbIEnDmvIyqj8RTFPt0jF1pi7qsHhI2YVe9g7ZqVdLTTdx7C6zbBpEow0pk47dF5mSBepyC9Wt5fWYC7DPC4KvqI2XHdNHoriniY6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A sponsor introduced House Bill 2211 to allow the regulated use of high‑powered air rifles for hunting certain big game and to give the Fish and Game Department authority to set equipment standards in rule. The sponsor told the committee his study group tested rifles at a ballistics range and recommended a performance‑based standard measured in foot‑pounds at the muzzle rather than a simple caliber threshold.

\"The amount of foot pounds generated at the muzzle is the determining factor, and that is to be set in rules depending on the game being hunted by Fish and Game,\" the sponsor told the committee, noting tests of larger calibers produced penetration similar to muzzleloaders.

Fish and Game staff and the department's colonel reported they initially had concerns about lethality, multiple‑shot performance and temperature effects, but that range testing and manufacturer briefings alleviated several of those concerns. Colonel Kevin Jordan said the department and commission changed their view after hands‑on testing and recommended rule authority so the department can set appropriate thresholds: \"We would recommend that we start with a 35 caliber with 400 at least 400 foot‑pounds on deer and bear and then 45 for moose,\" he said as an illustrative starting point for rulemaking.

Committee members asked about accuracy and effective range. The sponsor said most of the committee's test shots were taken at about 50 yards and compared the rifles favorably to muzzleloaders for the typical hunting scenarios in the state.

The bill also allows Fish and Game to create an air‑rifle tag similar to a muzzleloader tag so the department could recover costs if air‑rifle hunting became widely used and required enforcement resources; sponsors said the department did not expect immediate need for a tag but wanted the option.

The committee moved HB 2211 out as \"ought to pass\" and approved the measure on a voice vote/consent. The committee emphasized that equipment performance standards will be set by Fish and Game rulemaking rather than fixed calibers in statute.

Why this matters: The change would expand permissible hunting equipment and could affect enforcement, licensing and the department's workload; the department and sponsors said rule authority will allow the state to adjust technical requirements as technology evolves.

Votes at a glance: Committee reported HB 2211 as \"ought to pass\" on voice consent.","A proposed change to permit certain air rifles for hunting advanced from committee after sponsors described range testing; Fish and Game and the bill sponsor said the department should set muzzle‑energy or performance thresholds in rule rather than by fixed caliber numbers in statute.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625220,"Committee advances bill to criminalize posting “No Hunting” signs on land not owned by poster",4469,211000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf&start=211&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762569-26aeac8ec897c50051e65435ad98a2cf/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6625220/New-Hampshire/Committee-advances-bill-to-criminalize-posting-No-Hunting-signs-on-land-not-owned-by-poster","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625220-a3e16ec3b21ad53e17d24e2c40e24732/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136736&Signature=l7K1GmrickMdFT1LXH3m87iJXJRhdsFpgN4vQMbpDUEbgPO2ja3lgqMylywg40OoesRcVPdAKkd1mYhyfgKaGVM9SA~3ykq4atQkUVJ3r~kfh-5811jBIhvDah5OfL0sa4rqvBn1JmatvIdrid1u6VQCRQwDuheou2avKOmHbD-zyBt3GUFEZH9mKG6lGH2X~GN4aqMHysXMP2tXPPF3xr4je5GtND0S3ifH9rhuQjPip96iehafTgXp0L9A4Km1vK9KihV9abFJsHjRxrm2x0fSSEa9bBtlAOIIj9QCL3jwewiJfTq8QW9K6uaslqsitLloY3gfVJXHVg4ZP3H7IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative David Love, the House sponsor of House Bill 87, told the Senate committee he brought the measure after incidents where neighbors posted \"No Trespassing\" or \"No Hunting\" signs on land they did not own and then called police on legitimate hunters. \"I brought this bill to the house, because of what something that happened to my brother,\" Love said, adding that modern mapping apps often make it possible for hunters to contact the actual landowner when signs appear to be on private property.

The bill would add a criminal penalty for knowingly placing a sign or poster that prohibits certain physical activities on land when the person knows they lack a legal right or reasonable basis to do so. Love described the proposed penalty as a class B misdemeanor and framed it as the flip side of an existing statute that penalizes the removal of posted signs: \"This will put penalties to it. It's more or less the flip side of the coin of RSA 6:35:4, where people caught taking down signs are penalized,\" he said.

Colonel Jason Jordan of Fish and Game told the committee existing statutory tools are weak for this conduct and that law enforcement sometimes sees landowners who report that their land was posted by someone else. Jordan referenced an older statute on unauthorized posting and advertising and said it has not been used often in his 30 years of service: \"It's not ... well written for what we have. It's RSA 2:36‑27. It's unauthorized posting and advertising. I've never used that in 30 years,\" he said, but added that the new bill could be a better tool and act as a deterrent.

Committee members discussed a drafting/clarifying amendment suggested by one member to tighten the bill's grammar and make the mens rea clearer. The committee adopted a technical committee amendment to change the phrasing to, in effect, require that the person know they have no legal right or reasonable basis to post the sign.

The committee moved the bill out with the committee amendment and reported it as \"ought to pass as amended.\" The motion carried on unanimous voice consent.

Why this matters: witnesses and law enforcement told the committee that falsely posted signs can reduce available land for licensed hunters and that a clearer, enforceable penalty could deter people who post signs on neighbors' or third-party land to prevent lawful access.

What the bill does not do: the measure does not change the existing civil rights of landowners who properly post their own property; it targets persons who knowingly post signs on land they do not own or for which they lack a reasonable basis to assert control.

Votes at a glance: The committee adopted a committee amendment and moved HB 87 out as \"ought to pass as amended\" on unanimous voice consent.","House Bill 87 would make it a class B misdemeanor to place signs or posters prohibiting hunting or other physical activity on land the poster knows they do not own; sponsors and law enforcement said the change is intended to deter false posting that restricts access for licensed hunters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill raises restitution and strengthens penalties for repeat hunting violations; removes "in perpetuity" language for disability crossbow permits

Bill would cut assessment on landline/VoIP providers from 33% to 10%; providers say savings will fund broadband buildout

Committee endorses allowing air rifles for big‑game hunting, leaves technical standards to Fish and Game rulemaking

Committee advances bill to criminalize posting “No Hunting” signs on land not owned by poster