HB 1045 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

relative to hunting with lights at night.

HB 1045 clarifies rules for using artificial lights during nighttime hunting and outdoor activities in New Hampshire. It prohibits using lights (other than normal vehicle headlights and incidental lights like reversing lights during typical driving) to locate or take wildlife between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. Exceptions include agricultural work (e.g., protecting livestock), utility operations, and using lights solely for navigation or property inspection without targeting wildlife. The bill does not change existing nighttime hunting bans but provides clearer guidelines to prevent accidental violations. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 7, 2025 Last action Mar 11, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 21
lower
Nov 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Fish and Game and Marine Resources HJ 1 P. 3
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors