HB641: relative to penalties for failure to license dogs.

HB 641-FN-LOCAL – AS INTRODUCED

2013 SESSION

13-0051

08/01

HOUSE BILL 641-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT relative to penalties for failure to license dogs.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cebrowski, Hills 7; Rep. Renzullo, Hills 37

COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government

ANALYSIS

This bill increases the penalty for failure to license a dog.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

13-0051

08/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen

AN ACT relative to penalties for failure to license dogs.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Penalty for Failure to License Dogs. Amend RSA 466:13 to read as follows:

466:13 Forfeiture. Whoever is the owner or keeper of a dog and who fails to license or renew the dog license pursuant to RSA 466:1 shall forfeit [$25] $50 to the town or city clerk of the municipality in which the dog is kept. If the forfeiture is not made to the town or city clerk within 15 calendar days of the notice of forfeiture, the case may be disposed of in a district court as a violation with a fine not to exceed [$50] $100, notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 651:2, IV. A forfeiture shall not relieve the owner or keeper of the requirement of proper licensing of the dog as required by RSA 466:1. This section shall also apply to cats, if the municipality licenses cats. Any forfeitures collected under this section may be retained by the city or town for the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.

LBAO

13-0051

Revised 02/05/13

HB 641 FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to penalties for failure to license dogs.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The New Hampshire Municipal Association states this bill, as introduced, will increase local revenue by an indeterminable amount in FY 2014 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on state, county, or local expenditures, or state and county revenue.

METHODOLOGY:

The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) states this bill would increase the fine for failure to license a dog from $25 to $50 and if the forfeiture is not paid within 15 calendar days, a fine not to exceed $100 may be imposed. The NHMA states this bill would increase local revenue but it is unable to determine the fiscal impact because it does not know how many such fines would be imposed.

The Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food states dog licensing, animal control, and forfeiture process are all local responsibilities and the state plays no role in them.