Committee Summary for House Environment and Agriculture (11/12/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB396 2025-3090H 00:04:51.840 - 10:03:32 AM	General Working Session	exempting meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in state for sale in state from certain inspections.	Comtois, Barbara(R)[A]2024
HB396 2025-3090h 00:52:33.520 - 10:51:14 AM	Executive Session	exempting meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in state for sale in state from certain inspections.	Comtois, Barbara(R)[A]2024

HB396 2025-3090H: Representative Comtois Support00:04:51.840 - 10:03:32 AM; Representative Comtois presented the revised amendment, explaining changes such as removing meat food products from amenable species to focus on cuts of meat, correcting exemptions from federal law, clarifying labeling for state inspection exemptions, striking the seasonal dates for storage at Representative Bixby's request, reinstating section J, ensuring different labeling for amenable and non-amenable species, and adding requirements for sanitary slaughter and clear labeling. She emphasized that farmers need a 12-month processing model, highlighted issues with USDA facilities like freezer burn and mold leading to meat loss, and noted that on-farm slaughter reduces animal stress and improves meat quality. She addressed concerns about education versus legislation, stating discussions have been ongoing for a decade and small farmers require monthly processing. She supported the bill's guidelines and risk acknowledgment to federal law violations.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative Bixby Information Only00:07:23.039 - 10:06:04 AM; Representative Bixby commented that the amendment is now in good shape after revisions but expressed reservations about the overall bill, to be discussed in executive session. Later, he explained changes like replacing seasonal storage dates with a 12-hour cold storage requirement for reliability, clarified parallel language for USDA-consistent and non-consistent processing, specified that amenable species cuts must be done at inspected custom facilities without ground meat to reduce risk, and addressed veterinarian reports being more feasible for herds of non-amenable species like bison rather than small numbers of pigs or cows.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative Howard Oppose00:08:36.559 - 10:07:17 AM; Representative Howard expressed concerns based on Commissioner Jasper's opposition, particularly the idea of registering as a criminal. She suggested educating farmers on organizing during slow times at USDA facilities instead of legislating, questioned the Department of Agriculture's role in aggregating small producers, and advocated for awareness of federal law conflicts. She compared it to marijuana legislation, suggesting a test case if a passionate farmer is willing, but ultimately leaned against the bill due to federal law issues.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative Miner Support00:14:42.480 - 10:13:23 AM; Representative Miner urged moving forward with the amendment to support local food production, noting New Hampshire provides only 7% of its food and emphasizing the need for change without drastic measures. He supported the proposal as a step in the right direction and countered concerns about sickness by stressing knowing local farmers mitigates risk, criticizing inaction on promises to farmers.
HB396 2025-3090H: Colleen Smith and Erica Davis, DHHS Information Only00:16:18.880 - 10:14:59 AM; Colleen Smith and Erica Davis from DHHS reviewed the amendment, noting the striking of September 1 to April 30 dates originally for large non-amenable animals like bison to ensure cool storage. They pointed out documentation requirements only for bison, elk, and red deer, clarified DHHS has no oversight over custom-exempt facilities (only USDA inspects), and warned of limited regulatory oversight if passed, relying on farmers to follow labeling and slaughter conditions, with inspections only on complaints or outbreaks. They confirmed no oversight for half-cow or half-pig sales labeled not for resale.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative German Information Only00:23:38.559 - 10:22:19 AM; Representative German questioned past issues with non-amenable species exemptions and whether extending to amenable species would cause problems, noting few current non-amenable producers. He followed up on limitations like acknowledging federal violations and monthly slaughter caps reducing participants, and raised risks to retail stores and restaurants facing confiscation, suggesting they acknowledge risks too.
HB396 2025-3090H: Rob Johnson, New Hampshire Farm Bureau Information Only00:25:47.200 - 10:24:28 AM; Rob Johnson from the Farm Bureau reported their policy opposing uninspected meat sales at retail until federal prohibition lifts was voted down at their annual meeting, indicating support for something but needing further discussion with leaders. He suggested using 'cattle' instead of 'beef cows' for consistency with livestock statutes including dairy and beef. He clarified the double negative in the vote means they do not oppose such regulations, noted a learning curve with federal delegation on the issue, and mentioned ongoing support for the PRIME Act at national levels, preferring a process of laws but recognizing challenges.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative Gruber Oppose00:42:17.119 - 10:40:58 AM; In executive session, Representative Gruber appreciated support for local farmers but had concerns this isn't the best approach now. She referenced the New Hampshire Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan recommending funding a state inspection program like Maine and Vermont's for cross-state sales, and other supports. She worried about political liabilities for farmers, potential backlash from corner-cutting or false blame leading to sickness claims, and negative impacts on the farming community, advocating balanced support protecting public health without harm.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative King Support00:48:36.480 - 10:47:17 AM; In executive session, Representative King supported the motion for the amendment, emphasizing its importance for citizens to know food sources and support farmers. She balanced safety concerns with practicality, noting high food prices and the need to help small farmers compete against big corporations pushing out the little guy.
HB396 2025-3090H: Representative Leyon Support00:49:36.559 - 10:48:17 AM; In executive session, Representative Leyon thanked the committee for work on the bill and amendment, stating it enables small farmers to sell cuts of locally raised meat to those wanting access without buying whole animals. She noted it won't flood store shelves but provides options for trade, giving freedom to individuals, and hoped for passage to prompt federal PRIME Act action.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Bixby Oppose00:52:33.520 - 10:51:14 AM; Representative Bixby expresses support for the amendment as it clarifies guidelines and mitigates risks, making it clear that participants are entering problematic territory. However, he opposes the bill overall due to the lack of state recourse if federal prosecution occurs and the risk to state agencies like the Department of Agriculture, DHS, and cooperative extension in providing assistance to farmers, which could expose the state to federal risks. He acknowledges the problem of limited access to slaughter and processing facilities for New Hampshire farmers under current USDA setups and advocates for the PRIME Act, easier state programs, and encouraging private sector meat processing facilities to address the supply-demand imbalance.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Comtois Support00:55:15.440 - 10:53:56 AM; Representative Comtois appreciates Representative Bixby's concerns but emphasizes the long-standing efforts to address the issue, noting the stalled PRIME Act federally. He draws parallels to state cannabis legalization despite federal illegality, arguing that states must lead to prompt federal change, especially to help small farmers with non-amenable species. He highlights past study committees' lack of results and precedents like cannabis, urging passage to provide nutritious local food to New Hampshire citizens.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Wheeler Support00:57:48.079 - 10:56:29 AM; Representative Wheeler identifies the core issue as the federal PRIME Act's failure due to big agriculture's influence, contrasting it with New Hampshire's relative freedom. He underscores the historical role of local farmers in America and the current bottleneck from over-reliance on USDA facilities, which can be unsafe despite regulations. He supports the bill as a legislative protest to exercise state autonomy, enabling farmers to sell local meat directly and allowing consumers to know its source. He argues against worrying about other legislative branches' approval, emphasizing representation of local people and breaking big agriculture's hold to support local processing without long USDA waits.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative King Support01:03:00.799 - 11:01:41 AM; Representative King addresses Representative Bixby's concern about farmers facing federal prosecution without recourse, noting that such bills often attract lawsuits backed by nonprofits and lawyers to challenge federal law through courts, as seen in issues like abortion, guns, and marijuana. He views the bill as enabling a states' rights challenge to potentially defeat bad federal laws judicially, rather than leaving farmers unsupported; organized parties with funding would lead such efforts.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Germana Support01:03:59.119 - 11:02:40 AM; Representative Germana reflects on this being the longest-discussed bill in his three years on the committee, thanking Representatives Comtois and Bixby for their hard work in shaping it. He praises the committee's collaborative process as beneficial to constituents and plans to vote in favor to make a statement supporting farmers.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Howard Oppose01:04:56.720 - 11:03:37 AM; Representative Howard worries about liability and where responsibility ends, drawing parallels to marijuana. He questions if farmers qualified to raise animals are also qualified to butcher them, expressing concern that the need for facilities might override regulation and responsibility, finding the prospect scary.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Miner Support01:05:57.200 - 11:04:38 AM; Representative Miner addresses Representative Howard's point, noting the significant learning curve to become a skilled butcher, which many farmers lack initially. However, he believes they can learn, and while not many will jump in immediately, the bill will enable gradual adoption as the practice gains momentum.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Comtois Support01:07:01.839 - 11:05:42 AM; Representative Comtois clarifies that most farmers seek on-farm slaughter to deliver to non-USDA facilities for cutting, not full butchering themselves, as current law allows whole/half sales post-slaughter. He notes farms must register with the Department of Markets and Food, creating a list of compliant operations under state guidance, with built-in guidelines and safeties. Exempting meat products was key, emphasizing consumer choice between organic farms, USDA facilities (some subpar), or non-USDA options. Responding to Representative Howard's outbreak concern, he stresses labeling for awareness.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Leon Support01:09:14.560 - 11:07:55 AM; Representative Leon highlights the recent botulism outbreak in baby food to show that even regulated systems lack perfect safety guarantees. He argues that allowing informed purchases of on-farm cuts only risks willing buyers, not others, and farmers may innovate to meet consumer needs and stay viable. Personal risk tolerance, like eating salad during pregnancy despite listeria, underscores that consumers choosing this perceive equal or reduced risk.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Comtois Support01:11:16.480 - 11:09:57 AM; Representative Comtois adds that meat from on-farm slaughter for cuts will be labeled as non-USDA and against federal law, unlike current 'not for sale' labels on whole animals. Buyers and restaurants know their farmers in New Hampshire's small community; bad actors would quickly go out of business via word-of-mouth on social media. Farmers self-police to avoid tarnishing the community's reputation, unlike reliance on USDA assurances in stores.
HB396 2025-3090h: Representative Bixby Oppose01:12:18.880 - 11:10:59 AM; Representative Bixby feels the discussion has thoroughly covered the issues and suggests it's time to vote, sensing the outcome.

Aron, Judy(Chairman)(R)[A]2024	King, Seth(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Barbour, Liz(V Chairman)(R)
Gruber, James(D)	Bixby, Peter(D)[CT]2024	Sofikitis, Catherine(D)[D-]2024
Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2018	Comtois, Barbara(R)[A]2024	Scully, Kevin(R)[A-]2018
Howard, Molly(D)[F]2024	Wheeler, Jonah(D)[D+]2024	Haskins, Linda(D)[CT]2024
Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2024	Kenny, Catherine(R)[B+]2024	Germana, Nicholas(D)[CT]2024
Miner, Laurence(R)