[{"_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",6607919,"mediaKeyId","2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4","parentId",2947048,"title","Committee approves changing a Solid Waste Working Group member and extending report deadlines","audioSeconds",394,"startMs",2006000,"endMs",2400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4&start=2006&end=2400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4/thumbnail_2006000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607919/New-Hampshire/Committee-approves-changing-a-Solid-Waste-Working-Group-member-and-extending-report-deadlines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607919-25dbaf62b1df54925ebdbf35f8cfdf92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188682&Signature=Uc~b4gaElqBnnkuCyHT~o0TDvRUQGDBQX-8LuXKnsfkNyQVRBravoZ7-f-yft0OemmE8GHBAgpQ2qF-fxnl8qCjOqw~zeH--ibYzGPPZa9lsSzIcubRp0JF5iwu8yJ31zc9NVpZHHxJi-aTuYeDrlJDeo5Eqs10FvUmy4UiSgQnO~DkGRnm24Ovv4suPhds6jPdzmMqvD7Hq~h5KcAMVWshZFdTbKNwgKhCa5jXRG36wBDcExSL52QU6h5sza0526UpHkXDzbUBFiILTy1vlyilJegzgGCqb9mHFVZ7WyeLDT2SQOmbMRGAclD2JksC-M~FJhfNRTmQBbA09tC02yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-10T14:46:26.233Z","article","Senator McConkie introduced House Bill 355 on behalf of Representative Bebel. The bill proposes to change one member of the statutory Solid Waste Working Group and to extend the due dates for that group's interim and final reports.

Matt Leahy, public policy director for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, testified that his organization would be willing to serve on the working group and could provide perspective on land- and water-resource impacts of solid-waste management. Leahy emphasized the organization is a nonprofit land trust and forestry manager rather than a solid-waste technical expert but said environmental and land-use interests are relevant to the group’s charge.

Committee members asked about prior participation by recycling organizations and whether those groups remain active; Leahy said some national or regional groups cited capacity constraints rather than disappearance. Senators also asked whether the forest society takes blanket positions on landfill siting; Leahy said the organization evaluates siting on a case-by-case basis rather than opposing all landfills categorically.

After testimony, the committee moved and seconded a motion to return HB355 to pass; the motion carried on a voice vote. The committee record shows the bill will be recommended for passage.

Why it matters: The Solid Waste Working Group studies and reports on recycling and solid-waste issues; adding a conservation-oriented member and extending deadlines can change the group’s expertise mix and schedule.

What’s next: The committee advanced HB355 with a recommendation to pass; the member substitution and reporting extensions will proceed as governed by the statute once enacted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/10/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Senators advanced House Bill 355 to change membership of the state Solid Waste Working Group and extend interim and final-report due dates.","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},6607923,"Committee votes not to pass bill aimed at insulating farm operations from local noise rules",371,1197000,1568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4&start=1197&end=1568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4/thumbnail_1197000.jpg","/articles/6607923/New-Hampshire/Committee-votes-not-to-pass-bill-aimed-at-insulating-farm-operations-from-local-noise-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607923-5ced19087758a6fab1a81e6a442282aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188682&Signature=CaXDxpm61w-eTyaDGQK9OE2JcjWYY5vKFzUu7a4N66-8NhO5IBWhrqspochNC6gpmjsHqN0QffglZn~T0nGb9pHK4KVbqABsHDppInB3GEnmE5WAXsTUrPtAHOyPi~zZpI~Jft5aXOCCqtlbJwX11aNBe8fhHsePdAQnRYZbd68Unj9FxfjC69w~7BqikQaYP3adpZgH73VG4AxdjcyajlwrQ9IHRvbfizEOwFnZxcVRvq5sqMQn9lpSYdOJ2vWOxlewFgrmANe-bUTkyk0F8wzV5b~EI09BRzMXVK-nrM077C4CA5oWBIKGwEXHoszSWZM8ggj~T8fdLDMUL3D2oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Comteuil of Belknap District 7 introduced House Bill 272 to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, saying the measure is intended to protect agricultural operations from local ordinances that can unintentionally limit necessary farm work.

Comteuil told the committee that a prior session’s quiet-hours statute led some towns to rely instead on disturbance-of-the-peace ordinances that interfered with time-sensitive farm tasks such as crop spraying, sugaring operations and winter feeding. He said the amendment under consideration would exempt production agriculture — not agritourism — from such local restrictions.

Rob Johnson, policy director for the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, testified in support and described farming as not a ‘‘9-to-5’’ occupation that depends on weather and appropriate timing. He and the sponsor said the amendment clarifies legislative intent after the prior term’s change.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the scope of the exemption and whether the change further codifies the state’s right-to-farm policy (discussed in committee as RSA 432). Comteuil and proponents said the amendment is intended to cement legislative support for agricultural activities and leave agritourism and other nonproduction uses outside the exemption.

Following testimony and discussion, the committee moved and seconded a motion \"not to pass\" HB272. The committee voice vote was in favor of the motion; senators then appointed Senator McConkie to carry related work on other bills. The committee record indicates the motion not to pass was approved, resulting in a negative committee recommendation.

Why it matters: Farmers and agricultural businesses told the committee that local quiet-hours or disturbance rules can make it difficult to perform weather-dependent activities at appropriate times. Supporters argued the bill restores or clarifies protections for standard farm operations.

What’s next: The committee’s action generates a negative recommendation for HB272; sponsors and agricultural representatives may pursue alternative vehicles or draft language for future consideration.","Representative Comteuil introduced House Bill 272 to clarify that agricultural operations are not subject to local disturbance-of-the-peace or quiet-hours ordinances that impede necessary farming activities; the committee voted to recommend the bill not pass.",{"_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},6607927,"Rep. Jody Newell seeks to let municipalities require muzzles for ‘‘vicious’’ dogs",1254,386000,1640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4&start=386&end=1640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4/thumbnail_386000.jpg","/articles/6607927/New-Hampshire/Rep-Jody-Newell-seeks-to-let-municipalities-require-muzzles-for-vicious-dogs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607927-e80f85783ec54c43a767f33428af4705/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188682&Signature=LtXkxgMlvKOWk6Pr2AdXY4PvIbZshgxdgH8twt47V81Y774QTc~~iNyh4J6Dcp3VrjNxL3mzOmaAlSkRIjFH8FQ94bwF5ZKOq5DDr9N63ZWHvglcIDjM~nRxNrpBv2m39TKpWR4k2Glm8qnCWHtZw7NDK~IaXNdGgGoeoqZvT5nlDKnRcpB2HWAMMJu8V89zthdOvVPHALUrnOCdxfbMxOYc5NYV3CK8acm2PphmPQINPhBMzlv1RB0DwHrjsmBtSNMoBhygjELjMaWueEmJGtN0ff8Do6-xDgDs40oHxdgJy1Upy91z-n427Of1NqDABwl3hu-YW90FmQLw9tSi4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jody Newell introduced House Bill 250 to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asking lawmakers to allow municipalities to require muzzles for dogs licensed in New Hampshire when dogs have demonstrated dangerous behavior.

Newell said the bill responds to a Keene city council request after a resident experienced a ‘‘tragic encounter with a known aggressive dog.’’ She told the committee the proposal would let local officials require protective muzzles for demonstrably aggressive animals in public, a step she described as aimed at public safety and the dog’s welfare.

The bill, as amended, ties any municipal muzzling requirement to behavior-based statutory categories such as nuisance, menacing and vicious dogs, rather than to breed. \"We want to tie this to the behavior and not anything else,\" Newell told the committee. She also said veterinarians and trainers had described modern muzzles as humane and comfortable protective tools.

Representative Bixby, speaking for the amendment, explained that the original draft had raised concerns among sportsmen and owners of working dogs and the American Kennel Club because it could have been interpreted to impose breed-based muzzling. Bixby said the committee chose to reference the statutory definition of vicious dogs in RSA 466:31 to avoid opening the door to improper uses.

Committee members asked whether the definition in RSA 466:31 could be narrowed further; one senator suggested limiting the reference to a specific subsection that focuses on the activity-based conduct (for example, subsection 2(g)). Committee discussion also noted a separate technical issue: an unrelated change to how dog-license fee revenues were moved last year that had inadvertently reduced income by $0.25; members suggested that could be addressed with a separate amendment or placed on this bill as a vehicle later.

The committee did not take a final vote on the bill. Senators agreed to hold HB250 for additional language work and amendments; Senator McConkie volunteered to take the bill for further drafting and follow-up with staff.

Why it matters: The proposal would give local elected bodies explicit authority under state law to enact muzzle requirements for dogs that meet a behavior-based statutory threshold. Supporters said the change preserves municipalities’ ability to protect the public while avoiding breed-based rules; opponents cautioned against overbroad language that could capture working dogs or otherwise lawful activity.

What’s next: The committee held the bill for further amendment and indicated staff and sponsors will draft narrower statutory cross-references to RSA 466:31 and consider addressing the unrelated license-fee drafting issue in a later amendment or vehicle.","Representative Jody Newell introduced House Bill 250 to allow local governments to require muzzles for dogs licensed in-state when the animals meet the statutory definition of ‘‘vicious’’ or similar behavioral thresholds. The committee discussed narrowing the language and held the bill for further amendment.",{"_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},6607913,"Bill would expand HikeSafe family definition to include domestic partners sharing an address",1436,2880000,4316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4&start=2880&end=4316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947048-0685510f9fa7007c4673083838bfb3b4/thumbnail_2880000.jpg","/articles/6607913/New-Hampshire/Bill-would-expand-HikeSafe-family-definition-to-include-domestic-partners-sharing-an-address","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607913-9dfea675ba9d451b22fc370a045784dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188682&Signature=TRDrsas~xq6TuJuVHste0vkVi0Tb-gCfzUfv9F3sb6akVBDXiIZXEug0MRTCkVBoeKEcXdoigd4ERcTjzsApGJMGS-fz1m-VA7smZrKTYUhHlDhntu0tCHeYhqohhGZtZO-wX-7LCNbU1LbHb6Ne-bg7YCpRqLGxnpzuv3BgRjvxaHKwdPVjYJjsIVgfAy3oBRn6O0IZJoD0~S8If7~3bmNg0y8PJBuH12UVhl3x5D7saIXN8aobHwHAIIrcnaEXDfHwCXagumk6LIX-ziQ1Xw7Y8cJnVjX-pdKcNV1JEuY-gVPk2aYptCkgPKhtxl5kCkk47tTxkYCByrmnKvJwOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Will Darby of Hillsborough District 11 introduced House Bill 404 to expand the definition of \"family\" for the HikeSafe voluntary card so that domestic partners and cohabiting family units who share an address may qualify for a family card.

Darby said the HikeSafe card has raised between $100,000 and $300,000 annually since its 2015 inception and could generate more revenue if Fish and Game engaged partner organizations and recognized modern family arrangements. He said the bill aims to build interest among younger and nontraditional households and to align HikeSafe language with other statutes and administrative rules that use the term \"domestic partner.\"

Noah Telerski, a Nashua resident and the constituent who sponsored the idea, said he and his then-fiancée (now wife) lived together and chose not to buy a family card because the existing definition required marriage. He said expanding the definition would encourage more people to buy family cards and help fund Fish and Game’s search-and-rescue operations.

Major David Walsh, assistant chief of law enforcement for New Hampshire Fish and Game, testified in support. Walsh said the HikeSafe card generated about $390,000 in calendar-year 2024 and that card sales have increased every year since the program began. He reported the department averages about 180 search missions a year and recommends billing in roughly 12 of those cases; HikeSafe covers more than half of the department’s search-and-rescue funding and has contributed to the program operating with a surplus in recent years.

Senators asked practical questions about administration, including how Fish and Game would verify domestic partnerships in field rescue situations. Walsh said staff generally interview rescued subjects and could check addresses to confirm a domestic-partner or household relationship; the statute already allows billing in cases of recklessness even for HikeSafe holders.

The committee closed the hearing on HB404; senators indicated they would save the bill for a particular member to carry (comments noted follow-up with a senator named Kevin). No final committee vote was recorded during the hearing.

Why it matters: Expanding the family definition could increase HikeSafe card sales and revenue for search-and-rescue operations, support outreach partnerships and reduce barriers for cohabiting families who currently must buy multiple individual cards.

What’s next: The committee closed the hearing and will consider further follow-up; staff and sponsors may refine statutory language or propose an amendment that clarifies who qualifies as a household or domestic partner under the program.","Representative Will Darby introduced House Bill 404 to broaden the definition of a family on the state’s voluntary HikeSafe card so domestic partners and cohabiting families sharing an address can qualify for a family card. Fish and Game and a constituent testified in support; the committee closed the hearing and held the bill for follow-up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves changing a Solid Waste Working Group member and extending report deadlines

Committee votes not to pass bill aimed at insulating farm operations from local noise rules

Rep. Jody Newell seeks to let municipalities require muzzles for ‘‘vicious’’ dogs

Bill would expand HikeSafe family definition to include domestic partners sharing an address