HB 86-FN-LOCAL - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
6Feb2025... 0036h
2025 SESSION
25-0115
07/08
HOUSE BILL86-FN-LOCAL
AN ACTincreasing the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.
SPONSORS:Rep. St. Clair, Belk. 5; Rep. Sellers, Graf. 18; Rep. Soucy, Merr. 21
COMMITTEE:Municipal and County Government
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill increases the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
6Feb2025... 0036h25-0115
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACTincreasing the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Unlicensed Dogs; Warrants; Proceedings. Amend RSA 466:14 to read as follows:
466:14 Warrants; Proceedings. The town or city clerk shall annually, between June 1 and June 20, present to the local governing body a list of those owners of dogs that have failed to license or not renewed their dog licenses pursuant to RSA 466:1. The local governing body shall, within 20 days from June 20, issue a warrant to a local official authorized to issue a civil forfeiture for each unlicensed dog. The warrant may also authorize a local law enforcement officer to seize any unlicensed dog. The civil forfeiture may be sent by certified mail, or delivered in hand, or left at the abode of the dog owner. The cost of service shall not exceed the United States postal service rate of certified mail with return receipt at the time of mailing. The same cost of service for the United States postal service rate of certified mail with return receipt shall apply for delivery of such notice in-hand or left at the abode of the dog owner [$7 and]. The cost of service, in any case, may be recovered by the city or town in addition to the amount of the civil forfeiture. If the unlicensed dog is seized, it shall be held in a town or city holding facility for a period of 7 days, after which time full title to the dog shall pass to the facility, unless the owner of the dog has, before the expiration of the period, caused the dog to be licensed. The owner shall pay the facility a necessary and reasonable sum per day, as agreed upon by the governing body of the town or city and the facility, for each day the dog has been kept and maintained by the facility, plus any necessary veterinary fees incurred by the facility for the benefit of the dog. Before a local law enforcement officer seizes any unlicensed dog, a written warning shall be given to the dog owner.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBA
25-0115
2/10/25
HB 86-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2025-0036h)
AN ACTincreasing the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028
Local Revenue $0 Indeterminable Increase Indeterminable Increase Indeterminable Increase
Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact
FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
Local Revenue
$0
Indeterminable Increase
Indeterminable Increase
Indeterminable Increase
Local Expenditures
$0
$0
$0
$0
METHODOLOGY:
This bill increases the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs from $7 to up to the rate for certified mail with return receipt (currently $8.95) whether delivery of notice is in-hand or left at the home. The bill will result in an indeterminable amount of additional revenue to municipalities to cover the costs of service. It is not known how many notices of civil forfeiture will be served or whether service will be provide through the mail or delivered in-hand.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
None