This bill aims to prohibit the importation and sale of live bait fish from out of state by repealing and reenacting RSA 214:34-d to state that "No live fish of any description shall be brought into this state for use as bait." This prohibition applies to all species of live fish, thereby tightening regulations on the use of out-of-state bait. Additionally, the bill amends RSA 214:35 by deleting the phrase "live fish or" from the existing legal language, which clarifies that the rules regarding bait dealers will now focus solely on aquatic invertebrates, excluding live fish.

The bill also grants the executive director the authority to adopt and enforce rules related to bait dealers, while maintaining specific daily bag and possession limits for retailers and wholesalers. Retailers are allowed to take 20 quarts per day with a maximum possession limit of 100 quarts, while wholesalers can take 100 quarts per day with a maximum possession limit of 200 quarts. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. A fiscal note is currently pending as the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant awaits information from the Fish and Game Department.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 214:35