New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted 10 R cosponsors

HB 1603 — requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.

Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 236; eff. 8/31/2026

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 10, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 10, 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 62% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 11 sponsors

    1 primary, 10 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (10 R).

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

The bill requires rules for verifying wildlife records and obtaining landowner permission for data collection.

This bill mandates the executive director of the department of fish and game to create rules for ensuring the accuracy of records related to threatened and endangered wildlife, while also requiring landowner consent for collection activities. It aims to improve the reliability of wildlife data and respect private property rights.

What this means for you
  • Environment: This means that wildlife conservation efforts will be based on verified data, potentially leading to better protection strategies.

Summary

(New Title) requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

46 added · 84 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill HB 1603-FN clarify the responsibilities of the Department of Fish and Game regarding the collection of records on threatened and endangered wildlife. The updated version emphasizes the need for landowner permission before gathering these records and requires the executive director to set rules for verifying the accuracy of the data collected. These changes matter because they help protect the rights of landowners while ensuring that wildlife conservation efforts are based on reliable information.

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Latest
HB 1603-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES SESSION 19Feb2026...0518h 04/09/2026 1305s 26-3192 08/06 HOUSE BILL 1603-FN AN ACT requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.
CHAPTER 236 HB 1603-FN - FINAL VERSION SESSION 19Feb2026...0518h 04/09/2026 1305s 26-3192 08/06 HOUSE BILL 1603-FN AN ACT requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.
HB 1603-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 19Feb2026...
CHAPTER 236 HB 1603-FN - FINAL VERSION 19Feb2026...
1 Endangered Species Conservation Act;
236:1 Endangered Species Conservation Act;
  The provisions of RSA 212-A or any rule promulgated under this chapter shall not be applicable to a state department or agency when that state department or agency, in the process of undertaking an HB 1603-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - action, is required by federal law or regulation to address the environmental impact on wildlife or wildlife habitat, of that action.
  The provisions of RSA 212-A or any rule promulgated under this chapter shall not be applicable to a state department or agency when that state department or agency, in the process of undertaking an action, is required by federal law or regulation to address the environmental impact on wildlife or wildlife habitat, of that action.
2 Effective Date.
236:2 Effective Date.
LBA 26-3192 05/18/2026 HB 1603-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1305s) AN ACT requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.
CHAPTER 236 HB 1603-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 02, 2026 Effective Date:
This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
August 31, 2026
Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Revenue Fund(s) None Indeterminable Increase, anticipated to be less than Expenditures* $0 $100,000 annually Funding Source(s) Fish and Game Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires state agencies, when possible, to avoid or minimize harm to endangered and threatened species and their critical habitats in projects they authorize, fund, or carry out.
It also requires the Fish and Game Department to adopt rules for verifying species data, notifying landowners when records are added, obtaining permission before entering private property to collect data, and defining key standards under the law, while exempting agencies already subject to federal wildlife review requirements.
The Department states the bill would create new administrative and technology costs associated with notifying landowners, obtaining permission to access private property, and maintaining records related to endangered species data.
Overall, the Department states the fiscal impact is indeterminable, however estimates costs are likely to be less than $100,000 per year:
 Annual mailing and notification costs are estimated at approximately $25,000 to $45,000, depending on the notification method used, including the potential use of certified mail.
 The Department estimates an initial database upgrade would cost approximately $15,000 to $25,000, with ongoing secure data storage, IT support, and maintenance costs of approximately $15,000 to $30,000 annually.
 The Department estimates the workload would require at least one-half of a full-time position, which would need to be absorbed by existing staff, and could impact current operations.
The bill does not provide authorization or funding for additional staffing.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Fish and Game Department
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Action History

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 236; eff. 8/31/2026

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  4. House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1305s (Rep. Harb): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22

  5. Committee Amendment # 2026-1305s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  6. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1305s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1305s, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13

  8. ==RECONVENE== Hearing: 03/17/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 10

  9. ==RECESSED== Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 9

  10. Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 5

  11. Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112

  12. Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 99

  13. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0518h: MA DV 192-152 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 99

  14. Amendment # 2026-0518h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 98

  15. Minority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study

  16. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0518h (NT) 02/04/2026 (Vote 8-7; RC) HC 7 P. 37

  17. ==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/04/2026 09:50 am GP 228

  18. ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228

  19. Public Hearing: 01/21/2026 09:30 am GP 228

  20. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 27

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 404 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (404)

404 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 404 →

"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

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1603 do?
(New Title) requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.
Who sponsors HB 1603?
HB 1603 is sponsored by Linda McGrath (Republican), Matt R Sabourin dit Choinière, Mary Murphy (Republican), Keith Murphy (Republican), Lisa Mazur (Republican), Melissa Litchfield (Republican), Juliet Harvey-Bolia (Republican), Calvin Beaulier (Republican), Tom Mannion (Republican), Susan DeRoy (Republican), and Sayra DeVito (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1603?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 10, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1603?
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