This bill mandates that any physical facility transferring 30 or more animals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, or birds, must be operated by a licensed pet vendor. Specifically, it introduces a new paragraph (IV-a) to RSA 437:3, which states that no facility can be used by multiple entities if their combined animal transfers exceed the specified limits unless at least one of those entities holds a pet vendor license. This change aims to regulate the transfer of animals more strictly and ensure that those involved in such activities are properly licensed.

The bill will take effect 45 days after its passage and is projected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2029. The Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food has been contacted regarding this legislation, indicating that the bill is part of ongoing efforts to enhance animal welfare and regulation in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 437:3
HB1157 text: 437:3