[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332223,"mediaKeyId","2308369-44bc1f76ed25c255015d746840ba832b","parentId",2308369,"title","Committee recommends ITL on bill to make Fish and Game advisory-only; 14-1","audioSeconds",734,"startMs",711000,"endMs",1445000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308369-44bc1f76ed25c255015d746840ba832b&start=711&end=1445","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308369-44bc1f76ed25c255015d746840ba832b/thumbnail_711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332223/New-Hampshire/Committee-recommends-ITL-on-bill-to-make-Fish-and-Game-advisory-only-14-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332223-7515513644fdcddbfd43a758acf0b7c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175492&Signature=jd42iHVAQjaRHPRXNVJ6Fj3mSKOiZG~RmjGLpnz1giOCW3QDEOCDvqq7Td37RY8ahwggr7m0Mz1WpM2WiiclKlTOtnsBu6ySbSwCVJLPEn-wzvZfb6Omk92b812vuyzDLRsoYBhgoLtQl9iFzgzUo3W3rHxuFnc82YkBoi300PAAHD1MgmBnwQIAC0de16steuGltRcRp7eZyn9ypMOJ1CNrpxYw1ivVr6EjaPe4HB9BgUL3-QA8DUVaafebQ-E9wh6z6sjN0Jq30~u-Lv7N8vvUx1FtXjWjiOfh5kYWIiTS6NH1nOW2SS3rQqPnKzBIbOd1YJQoxUgRW3yRHlhE8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NH House of Representatives Committee","date","2025-02-14T00:00:00Z","article","The House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee voted 14-1 to recommend an Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 202, a proposal that would have changed the Fish and Game Commission from a voting governing body to an advisory-only panel.

Committee members and witnesses emphasized the commission's statutory duties and the potential consequences of removing binding authority from the elected or appointed commissioners who represent 11 districts. Commissioner Stoll read the commission's duties \"right from statute,\" and lawmakers said the commission is responsible for representing hunters, anglers and trappers across the state.

Representative Harvey, who opposed the bill, told the committee that the measure would not reduce the commissioners' statutory duties and that the commission and director currently work together. \"This bill does not change the way the commissioners consult, advise, and work together,\" Harvey said, adding that the proposal primarily sought to change how decisions are made. Harvey and other members said the commission's closer connection to local constituents is a reason to preserve voting authority.

Several members warned of political and practical consequences if the bill passed. Representative Durkin said the commission's chair had told him he would resign if the bill passed, and Durkin warned there could be additional resignations. Other members compared the commission to a board of directors accountable to stakeholders and said reducing its authority in the first year with a new director from another state would be unwise.

The committee heard that many of the commissioners and the director currently collaborate and that statutes continue to impose duties on the commission even if internal governance structures change. Representative Ouellette moved the ITL recommendation; Representative Durkin seconded. On the roll call, the clerk recorded 14 yeses and one no; Representative Harvey registered the lone no vote. The clerk said the result would normally be handled by consent and asked whether anyone wanted it pulled to the floor; committee members agreed to proceed with consent and processing of reports due the following day.

Ending: With the ITL recommendation adopted (14-1), HB 202 will be reported from committee against passage; committee members asked that majority and minority reports be prepared for the calendar.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (02/13/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee voted 14-1 to recommend ITL on HB 202, which would have reduced the decision-making authority of the Fish and Game Commission in favor of an advisory role; members raised concerns about loss of local representation and potential resignations.","taxTitle","Fish and Game and Marine Resources, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17753,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332228,"Committee recommends ITL on bill addressing killing contests, wanton waste; 12-3",720,0,720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2308369-44bc1f76ed25c255015d746840ba832b&start=0&end=720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2308369-44bc1f76ed25c255015d746840ba832b/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6332228/New-Hampshire/Committee-recommends-ITL-on-bill-addressing-killing-contests-wanton-waste-12-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332228-01f1f096790426c284164b36d6837f5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175492&Signature=RyFu1CqLGO6~FCu-~xjJO3M99lftIg3MPda~mhtMDMGH0TurjyLXv75AVlgghSDa49VwFFeprPnA8PJi~HE2zdL5Ep03cuI3FB9Wd~Tp0LCW8M3nKLUwkm1Ywx7~ufql--LNp8AnQwAt03FgNiuAbiUEH3dQMng-cVH~bU5mV~np3eGfO4-3vuevaTmH3Xf~KO7L1kLJybZMANRu8Zihbr7DPpT2CTKjdjgG-mQfhLaU~J0amXi65pAPyOFRWiHnXa6~8AerlaKBp0PYaiMriSDTHkDUVVWGG4e8fj5Ti1zUA0RHhfqxsgOvU4DtVcZE5~SSGslGcpyjqRyPM8EQxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee voted 12-3 to recommend an Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 589, a bill aimed at addressing so-called \"killing contests\" and wanton waste in hunting.

Committee members said the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission and department staff can — and in some instances already do — create rules addressing wanton waste and the oversight of contests, and several lawmakers argued that rulemaking offers a faster, more flexible response than new legislation.

Representatives who spoke during the hearing described competing views about how to address contests that some witnesses characterized as organized events that encourage excessive killing of wildlife. Representative Harvey said the commission has promised to take up wanton-waste rules and that letting the commission and the new director craft rules — with public hearings — could be preferable to passing legislation that may require correction later. \"Given the fact that he's told us it's gonna happen in rules anyway, I think I prefer to let them handle it in rules and see where it goes,\" Harvey said.

Other members echoed caution about an across-the-board legislative ban. Representative Tudor said many informal private \"pools\" and small contests have nuances that would be better addressed in rules, and Representative Smith said that if wanton-waste rules are clear, they will provide a basis to regulate killing contests through enforcement of waste provisions. Representative Khan noted the commission's chair said he did not know of any contests currently operating in New Hampshire and that the commission is looking into rules, concluding \"I don't think that we need to make a new law that they are taking care of it.\"

Committee members also discussed the difficulty of proving that advertised or social-media images reflect current, ongoing contests. Representative Khan cautioned that distributed photos could be years old and not reflect present conduct. Representative Jacobs asked whether contests must be approved; the committee heard they are not approved in a formal statewide registry, and a private club could hold an event without the commission necessarily knowing unless it was advertised.

The committee recorded 98 online submissions related to the bill; a committee member reported that of those 98, all but five supported the bill. The committee then proceeded to a roll call on an ITL recommendation. The roll call recorded the following votes: Chair (yes), Vice Chair (yes), Representative Khan (yes), Representative Smith (yes), Representative Tudor (yes), Representative Murphy (yes), Representative Aldrich (yes), Representative Jarkin (yes), Clerk (yes), Representative Lovett (yes), Representative O'Rourke (yes), Representative Pearson (yes), Representative Harvey (no), Representative Fox (no), Representative Jacobs (no). The clerk summarized the result as 12 yeses and 3 nos; the committee clerk noted the item would go to the floor because one member objected to consent.

No formal prohibition was adopted by the committee; the ITL recommendation means the committee advises against moving the bill forward in this form. Committee discussion repeatedly distinguished between policy choices appropriate for statute and technical or operational rules that the Fish and Game Commission can draft and revise through its rulemaking process. Several members said that if the commission determines it needs additional statutory authority after rulemaking, it will return with specific recommendations.

Ending: With the ITL recommendation recorded, the HB 589 matter will appear on the chamber calendar and may be brought to the floor for further action. The committee record includes substantial testimony and public comment both for and against statutory changes to address killing contests and wanton waste.","The House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee voted to recommend an Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 589 after debate over whether the Fish and Game Commission can address killing contests and wanton waste through rulemaking.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee recommends ITL on bill to make Fish and Game advisory-only; 14-1

Committee recommends ITL on bill addressing killing contests, wanton waste; 12-3