New Hampshire Fish and Game officials will hold a public hearing on proposed rules to establish a hike safe card that would forgive hikers for rescue expenses they might face if they're negligent.

The hearing is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord.

The cards will take effect in January under legislation approved in June.

Proceeds from sale of the cards would help offset the cost of rescues, which range from $200 to over $50,000.

The cards would cost $25 per person and $35 for a family. Their purchase would be voluntary.

State law holds those rescued liable if they acted negligently, but efforts to collect are not always successful.