This bill amends RSA 207:14 to allow the ownership of raccoons and gray squirrels that have been deemed unable to survive in the wild by a wildlife rehabilitation facility. The new legal language inserted into the law specifies that these animals may be kept as companion animals without a permit, provided they are up to date on required vaccinations. Additionally, if an owner fails to meet these requirements, they may face fines, but the animals cannot be confiscated or euthanized without the owner's consent. The bill also clarifies that it does not permit the trapping, breeding, or sale of these animals, and allows individuals relocating from states where ownership is legal to keep their raccoons or gray squirrels under the same vaccination conditions.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is expected to have a fiscal impact on the Fish and Game Department, which anticipates increased enforcement actions and the need for a tracking system to document the ownership of these animals. The estimated increase in state expenditures for this system and enforcement is projected to be between $10,000 and $100,000 per year, while any revenue from fines is expected to be less than $10,000 annually.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 207:14