This bill amends RSA 207:14 to allow the ownership of raccoons and gray squirrels as companion animals without a permit, provided that a wildlife rehabilitation facility determines the animals are unable to survive in the wild and that they are up to date on required vaccinations. The new paragraph III-a specifies that if an owner fails to meet these requirements, they may face fines set by the fish and game commission, 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 due to increased enforcement actions and the need for a tracking system for the animals. The estimated increase in state expenditures ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 per year, while any potential revenue from fines is projected to be less than $10,000 annually. The bill does not provide any funding for these costs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 207:14