House Fish & Game committee hears bills on air rifles, oysters, HikeSafe, guides and lifetime licenses; several measures advance

The House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee held a series of public hearings on Oct. 12 that covered hunting with high‑power compressed‑air rifles (HB211), a study of oyster‑harvesting laws (HB61), changes to the HikeSafe membership language (HB404), authority to set newborn lifetime‑license fees by rule (HB647), and changes to the licensing process for hunting and fishing guides (HB579). Committee members took executive action on several items toward the end of the day.

HB211 — air rifles for big game

Representative James Spillane introduced HB211, a bill that would authorize use of large‑bore compressed‑air rifles for hunting big game subject to technical requirements the department would set. Proponents said modern high‑energy air rifles—fired from a pressurized tank carried or refilled at a cabin—can produce muzzle energy comparable to existing muzzleloaders and that ballistics testing done for the committee supported statutory authorization with technical standards.

Representative Brian Cole, a co‑sponsor who took part in the range demonstrations, told the committee crews measured penetration and kinetic energy in ballistic gelatin and that muzzle energy, not merely caliber, is the operative measure for humane take. Dan Bergeron of the wildlife division and Colonel Kevin Jordan of law enforcement both testified that the department had tested the technology and supported allowing the method subject to technical standards set in rule rather than fixed in statute. Bergeron said rules could allow higher energy thresholds for larger species (for example for moose), while Jordan said the department viewed the technology as potentially safer than some firearms in certain populated areas and favored rulemaking authority.

After testimony, the committee adopted an amendment that moves the technical threshold for muzzle energy out of statute and into department rulemaking; the amendment passed 15–0 and the committee reported HB211 OTPA (ought to pass as amended) by voice vote and placed the bill on the consent calendar.

HB61 — study committee on oyster aquaculture and harvesting laws

Representative Aden Ankenberg sponsored HB61 to create a legislative study committee to assess the state’s shellfish aquaculture rules and opportunities to expand leasing and support for oyster farming. Conservation groups and industry witnesses supported the idea: Melissa Paley of Conservation Law Foundation and Meredith Hatfield of The Nature Conservancy said oysters provide both habitat and “natural filtration,” and Steven Genso of the New Hampshire Shellfish Farmers Initiative said the industry produced roughly $5.5 million in farm receipts and about $4.4 million in ecological value for 2023, and that there are roughly 95 acres currently licensed in Great Bay and Hampton Harbor with UNH studies suggesting substantially more suitable acreage.

Committee members asked Fish and Game and the Department of Environmental Services to participate in the review. In executive session the committee voted to recommend ITL (inexpedient to legislate), 10–5; members voting ITL said the topic deserved study but wanted a committee with clear technical participation and follow‑up, while opponents wanted an active study to move toward expansion of aquaculture. The committee recorded that a minority report would be filed.

HB404 — HikeSafe family definition amended

Representative Will Darby introduced HB404 to change the statutory definition of “family” for the HikeSafe card so that unmarried domestic partners living at the same address can be covered by a single family card. The department supported the modest change and proposed a clarifying amendment that ties “domestic partner” to the same‑address definition used in other administrative rules. Noah Telerski and other witnesses described buying HikeSafe cards for cohabiting partners. The committee adopted the department’s clarifying amendment and voted OTPA (15–0); the measure was placed on the consent calendar. Committee testimony reiterated that the HikeSafe program raises about $300,000 a year and is a voluntary funding stream for search‑and‑rescue operations.

HB647 — newborn lifetime license rule authority

Representative Abul Khan sponsored HB647 to allow the executive director to establish the fee for a newborn lifetime combination hunting-and‑fishing license by rule rather than carrying the fee level in statute. The department testified this change would let the agency reset a currently low newborn fee so the actuarial cost of lifetime coverage does not create a long‑term revenue shortfall; the department said it sold about 1,092 newborn licenses in 2023 at roughly $304.50 each (including habitat surcharge and agent fee). The committee voted OTP (with the bill later placed on the consent calendar) 15–0 in executive session after members were assured the change is intended to let the department set the actuarially appropriate newborn fee by rule.

HB579 — guide licensing and the oral exam

Representative Claudine Burnham introduced HB579 to require that the written and oral portions of the guide licensing exam be administered only by Fish and Game officers. Sponsors said the current practice — where volunteer or industry examiners may run parts of the oral scenarios — can leave applicants confused about grading and preparation. Witnesses split: some guide‑association representatives opposed the change, arguing the association and accredited guide training programs do practical, scenario‑based evaluation that reflects actual on‑the‑job situations; others asked for clearer study guides and for standardization.

Department witnesses told the committee that Fish and Game officers already administer the written test and that an officer sits on the oral board; the department opposed a statutory mandate that would require conservation officers to be licensed guides themselves, noting conflict‑of‑interest concerns and the agency’s limited staffing. The committee discussed several alternatives, including an apprenticeship scheme being considered in the Senate and improved study materials. In executive session the committee voted ITL on HB579 (15–0).

Why it matters: The committee advanced or acted on several measures that would change how the agency sets technical thresholds (HB211), how coastal aquaculture is studied (HB61), how voluntary HikeSafe membership is defined (HB404), fee‑setting authority for newborn lifetime licenses (HB647), and who administers guide licensing tests (HB579). Several votes were unanimous on procedural or technical changes; the study committee motion for oysters fell short and will be the subject of a minority report.

Next steps: HB211, HB404 and HB647 were placed on the consent calendar as OTPA; HB61 will have a minority report after the ITL vote; HB579 was recommended ITL. Committee chairs asked department staff to provide follow‑up technical documents: the department agreed to supply test‑prep guidance, a list of study resources, equipment inventories and fiscal details requested in hearings.