New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 8 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 619 — establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.

Last action — Signed by the Governor on 06/12/2026; Chapter 143; Effective 01/01/2027

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on June 22, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (8 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill establishes faster court procedures for dealing with confiscated animals.

The legislation establishes expedited court hearings and procedures for the disposition of animals that have been confiscated. It aims to streamline the legal process related to these cases.

Summary

establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

28 added · 36 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to SB 619 introduce clearer guidelines for expedited court hearings when animals are confiscated due to animal cruelty allegations. Notable changes include setting a firm timeline requiring a hearing within 14 days of confiscation, allowing for the determination of temporary custody in the animal's best interest, and specifying that the court may proceed with the hearing even if the accused does not appear, under certain conditions. These updates are significant because they aim to provide more timely and fair resolutions for the confiscated animals and their owners, ensuring their welfare during legal proceedings.

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SB 619-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 03/05/2026 0848s 23Apr2026...
CHAPTER 143 SB 619-FN - FINAL VERSION 03/05/2026 0848s 23Apr2026...
SB 619-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 03/05/2026 0848s 23Apr2026...
CHAPTER 143 SB 619-FN - FINAL VERSION 03/05/2026 0848s 23Apr2026...
1 Cruelty to Animals;
143:1 Cruelty to Animals;
(3) Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendaIn cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.
(3) Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar.
In cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.
2 Effective Date.
143:2 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2164 04/29/2026 SB 619-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1347h) AN ACT establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
June 12, 2026 Effective Date:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
January 01, 2027
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch
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Action History

  1. Signed by the Governor on 06/12/2026; Chapter 143; Effective 01/01/2027

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14

  4. Sen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1347h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  6. Amendment # 2026-1347h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1347h 04/08/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC)

  8. Executive Session: 04/08/2026 10:30 am GP 230

  9. Public Hearing: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 230

  10. Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 8 P. 114

  11. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0848s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5

  12. Committee Amendment # 2026-0848s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0848s, 03/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 8

  14. Hearing: 02/12/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 5

  15. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 405 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (405)

405 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 405 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 619 do?
establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
Who sponsors SB 619?
SB 619 is sponsored by Victoria Sullivan (Republican), Tim McGough (Republican), Keith Murphy (Republican), Daryl Abbas (Republican), Joe Alexander (Republican), Daniel Innis (Republican), Kevin Avard (Republican), Regina Birdsell (Republican), David Watters (Democrat), and Suzanne Harvey.
What is the current status of SB 619?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 619?
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