The bill, HB 202, amends various sections of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes to redefine the roles and responsibilities of the fish and game commission and the executive director of the fish and game department. Key changes include replacing the term "commission" with "department" regarding land postings and establishing the fish and game department as an agency under the executive director, who will now have enhanced authority. The bill modifies the duties of the fish and game commissioners, shifting their role to advisory support for the executive director rather than being primary decision-makers. It also allows the executive director to act with the "advice" of the commission instead of requiring "consent" for actions like extending hunting seasons and entering agreements for fishway implementations.

Additionally, HB 202 streamlines processes related to wildlife management and funding. It permits the department to accept individual gifts and donations over $2,500 with the governor and council's approval, eliminating the need for commission consent. The bill establishes a wildlife legacy initiative account for donations that do not require formal acceptance, and it creates a game management account funded by license sales for specific population and habitat management programs. Other amendments include the establishment of separate accounts for pheasant license revenues and fish food sales, and the executive director is granted exclusive power to expend funds for fish and game conservation. The bill also modifies the process for restoring hunting licenses and updates regulations on hunting permits, emphasizing the executive director's role in establishing rules with the commission's advice. Overall, HB 202 aims to enhance wildlife management practices while shifting the commission's role to a more advisory capacity.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 162-C:9, 206:1, 206:4-a, 206:15-b, 206:23-a, 206:23-c, 206:26-c, 206:28, 206:30, 206:33-a, 206:33-c, 206:33-d, 206:34-b, 206:35-a, 206:35-c, 206:38, 207:37-b, 208:1-a, 208:1-e, 208:7-a, 208:22, 209:12-a, 209-A:3, 210:23, 210:25, 211:60, 211:61, 211:62, 212-B:4, 214:1-f, 214:1-g, 214:9-e, 214:9-f, 482-A:10-a