2026 SESSION
26-2476
12/08
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15
RELATING TO: the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish.
PROVIDING THAT: citizens of New Hampshire shall have the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish, subject to restrictions existing in law.
SPONSORS: Rep. Spillane, Rock. 2; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Darby, Hills. 11; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. McFarlane, Graf. 18; Rep. Ouellet, Coos 3; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Rep. Seaworth, Merr. 12; Rep. Ulery, Hills. 13; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Fish and Game and Marine Resources
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ANALYSIS
This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to include an individual right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish in New Hampshire.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type
26-2476
12/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
RELATING TO: the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish.
PROVIDING THAT: citizens of New Hampshire shall have the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish, subject to restrictions existing in law.
Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, that the
Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:
I. That the first part of the constitution be amended by inserting after article 2-b the following article:
[Art.] 2-c. [Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Game and Fish.] All persons have the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish, including by the use of traditional methods, subject only to the laws enacted by the general court of New Hampshire and rules and regulations promulgated by the fish and game department which:
(a) Promote wildlife conservation and management;
(b) Maintain resources in trust for public use; and
(c) Preserve the future of hunting and fishing.
Public hunting and fishing shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife in New Hampshire. Nothing herein shall be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.
II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2026.
III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards, and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2026 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.
IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:
“Are you in favor of amending the first part of the constitution by inserting after article 2-b the following article:
[Art.] 2-c. [Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Game and Fish.] All persons have the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish, including by the use of traditional methods, subject only to the laws enacted by the general court of New Hampshire and rules and regulations promulgated by the fish and game department which:
(a) Promote wildlife conservation and management;
(b) Maintain resources in trust for public use; and
(c) Preserve the future of hunting and fishing.
Public hunting and fishing shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife in New Hampshire. Nothing herein shall be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.”
V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.” If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2026 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.
VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.
VII. Voters’ Guide.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, the constitution provides no individual right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish.
IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, the constitution will include an individual right to hunt, fish, and harvest game and fish.