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 that grants the executive director the authority to adopt and enforce rules regarding bait dealers. The rules will still apply to aquatic invertebrates, and the bill specifies bag and possession limits for retailers and wholesalers, while clarifying that the sale of garden worms or night crawlers is unaffected.

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 the judicial and correctional systems due to the introduction of penalties for violations, which could affect costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 214:35