This bill mandates the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food to develop best practices and recommendations for contests involving the capture of pigs, aiming to ensure these events are educational, humane, and safe for all participants, including livestock and viewers. The commissioner is required to consult with livestock farmers, veterinarians, the state fair association, and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to create these guidelines, which must be published before the 2027 fair season. The best practices will cover various aspects, including the handling of pigs during capture and release, supervision of contestants, training for supervisors, and transportation provisions for pigs.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food will adopt rules for enforcing these best practices, as outlined in RSA 541-A. This includes establishing penalties for organizers and participants who violate the guidelines, which may involve a suspension period during which the violative contest cannot operate. The new section, 644:8-h, is inserted into RSA 644, while no specific deletions from current law are noted in the text provided. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.