The bill HB 221 addresses the purchase of agricultural land development rights by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, specifying that these rights must be held in the state's name or the deed must state the state's enforcement rights. It also amends the composition of the Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee, increasing its members from seven to nine and adding a representative from the New Hampshire Land Trust Coalition. The bill includes insertions that detail the state's rights in agricultural preservation and the conditions under which these rights may be released, such as the land no longer being suitable for agricultural purposes. It also requires landowner repayment of a reasonable value for the release of the state's interest in development rights purchased with public funds.

Furthermore, HB 221 defines "game camera" and regulates its use in hunting, prohibiting the taking of game animals on the same day they are remotely viewed in an area via a game camera. The bill requires game cameras to be labeled with the owner's contact information and placed on private property only with the owner's consent, which expires annually. Violations of these game camera regulations result in fines and potential forfeiture of equipment, with the game camera provisions becoming effective on January 1, 2024, and the rest of the act on October 7, 2023. The bill also allows for certain exemptions for scientific or law enforcement purposes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 432:22
As Amended by the House: 432:19, 432:22, 432:24, 432:25
As Amended by the Senate: 432:19, 432:22, 432:24, 432:25, 284:12, 207:1
As Amended by the Senate (2nd): 432:19, 432:22, 432:24, 432:25, 284:12, 207:1
Version adopted by both bodies: 432:19, 432:22, 432:24, 432:25, 207:1
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 432:19, 432:22, 432:24, 432:25, 207:1