This bill aims to eliminate the penalty of forfeiture for non-payment of dog licenses, thereby removing the associated civil remedies. Key changes include the repeal of RSA 466:14, which pertains to warrants and proceedings for failure to license a dog; RSA 466:15, which relates to the payment of officers for enforcing the forfeiture of dogs; and RSA 466:16, which specifically addresses the forfeiture of dogs due to nonpayment of fees. Additionally, the bill amends RSA 466:1-d, I to remove references to certain sections regarding dog registration records and RSA 466:32 to adjust the compensation for police officers or constables without referencing the previous forfeiture enforcement provisions.
The fiscal impact of this bill is expected to be indeterminable, as it will likely lead to a decrease in state expenditures and local revenue due to the removal of penalties and civil remedies associated with dog licensing. The Judicial Branch has provided average cost estimates for civil cases, indicating that the financial implications of this bill may not be fully realized until FY 2026. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify the dog licensing process by removing punitive measures for non-compliance.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 466:1-d, 466:32