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SB 535 - FINAL VERSION
03/26/2026 1124s
7May2026... 1740h
2026 SESSION
26-2150
08/06
SENATE BILL
535
AN ACT
defining residential breeder and imported animal for the purposes of animal transfers and removing references to commercial kennels.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill defines residential breeder and imported animal for the purposes of animal transfers and removes outdated references to "commercial kennels."
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/26/2026 1124s
7May2026... 1740h 26-2150
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
defining residential breeder and imported animal for the purposes of animal transfers and removing references to commercial kennels.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraphs; Definitions. Amend RSA 437:1 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraphs:
VI. “Residential breeder” means an individual who owns and breeds dogs or cats within their primary residence and not in a separate breeding facility. A residential breeder’s operations shall be integrated into their home environment and shall transfer no more than 50 dogs or cats with or without a fee or donation, between January 1 and December 31 of any calendar year. A residential breeder shall raise the litters in a household setting by maintaining the animals as part of the family environment. A residential breeder shall not transfer imported animals within New Hampshire with or without a fee or donation. Residential breeders shall be exempt from compliance with rules adopted by the department relative to premises requirements to house, harbor, or display animals in New Hampshire.
VII. “Imported animal" means any dog, cat, ferret, or other live animal or bird customarily used as household pets that is brought into this state, as well as the offspring of any animal imported into the state while pregnant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any animal imported prior to birth shall be considered to have met the import requirements of this chapter if the pregnant female has also met those requirements.
2 Group Licenses. Amend RSA 466:6, I to read as follows:
I. The owner or keeper of 5 or more dogs shall annually by April 30 pay the required fee and obtain a license authorizing the owner or keeper to keep the dogs upon the premises described in the license, or off the premises while under such owner's or keeper's control. Such owner or keeper shall not be required to obtain a [
"commercial kennel"
]
"pet vendor"
license under RSA 466:4, III unless such person [
has a commercial kennel
]
is a pet vendor
as defined under [
RSA 466:4, III
]
RSA 437:1, IV
.
3 Fees; Pet Vendors. Amend RSA 466:4, III to read as follows:
III. Fees for dogs licensed [
in a commercial kennel
]
as a pet vendor
shall be based on the numbers of dogs licensed, as in RSA 466:6 for group licenses. For purposes of this paragraph, [
"commercial kennel"
]
"pet vendor" shall have the same meaning as RSA 437:1, IV
[
means the establishment or domicile of any person who sells dogs at wholesale or retail; and, if retail, who sells or transfers 10 or more litters per year, or sells or transfers 50 or more puppies per year; or who derives 40 percent or more of gross annual income from the sale or transfer of dogs
]. The owner or keeper of any dog licensed under this paragraph shall not be assessed a companion animal population control fee.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
VETOED July 2, 2026