This bill prohibits the importation and sale of live bait fish from out of state, effectively 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. Additionally, the bill amends RSA 214:35 by deleting the phrase "live fish or" from the section concerning the authority of the executive director to adopt and enforce rules related to bait dealers. The bill specifies that the rules will not affect the sale of garden worms or night crawlers, and it establishes daily bag limits and possession limits for retailers and wholesalers.
The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and its fiscal impact is currently indeterminable for both state and local governments. The Fish and Game Department has indicated that the prohibition may negatively affect the fishing experience for licensed anglers, potentially impacting revenue from fishing license sales. Furthermore, the bill may influence costs associated with the judicial and correctional systems due to the introduction of new penalties for violations.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 214:35