making technical corrections to certain insurance laws.
Sponsored By: John B. Hunt (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger protections when handling insurance claims
Claims adjusters must hold a license when handling policies covering New Hampshire risks, including policies from unadmitted surplus lines insurers. Public-adjuster contracts cannot require insured people to resolve disputes outside New Hampshire. This protection covers lawsuits, arbitration, and other dispute processes. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.
Insurance businesses can reserve names longer
Applicants can reserve a corporation name through the Insurance Department for 120 days, up from 90 days. This gives them 30 more days before the reservation expires.
Lower fees for insurance professionals
Producers and claims adjusters avoid $50 amendment fees for name or address changes; producers also avoid required designated-producer change fees. Producers, claims adjusters, and public adjusters no longer pay $10 address-change or $25 returned-mail fees. Resident and nonresident consultants no longer pay listed application, license, renewal, amendment, late-renewal, continuing-education, address-change, or returned-mail fees. Insurance vending machines no longer carry separate $50 application, $50 initial-license, or $50 annual-renewal fees.
State oversight reaches surplus lines insurers
The Insurance Department can investigate approved unadmitted surplus lines insurers that meet the state's eligibility requirements. Investigations must concern laws or rules that apply to those insurers. These insurers remain subject to the state's unfair insurance trade practice rules, but not every insurance rule automatically applies.
More warning before insurers leave markets
Insurers ending an entire line of business must give the Insurance Department and their appointed New Hampshire agents 120 days' notice. Related nonrenewals cannot take effect earlier than 120 days after notice to agents. This requirement does not itself require notice to policyholders.
Insurance Department fees are nonrefundable
People and organizations must pay Insurance Department fees when they submit the related materials. Fees under the department's fee schedule are nonrefundable.
Insurers must hold more capital
Covered stock companies organized in New Hampshire must hold at least $3 million in paid-up capital, up from $800,000. Stock insurers seeking a state license face the same increase. New Hampshire stock life insurers must hold $3 million in paid-in capital, up from $600,000. Life insurers must deposit half of that capital with the insurance commissioner. These requirements apply to insurers, not policyholders.
Insurers pay reviewers, then receive credits
The commissioner can hire independent specialists to review rates, policy forms, financial reports, and insurers' risk and solvency summaries. Regulated companies pay the reviewers directly. Companies receive a nontransferable credit against their administrative assessment for eligible costs paid in the prior calendar year. The credit applies in the next fiscal year and cannot carry forward beyond that year.
Fee deadlines decide insurance payment disputes
Each party submitting an offer in a managed-care fair-value dispute must include half of the independent review entity's fee. If one party fails to pay on time, the other party's offer wins only if that party paid on time. The rule does not set a household charge or benefit.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John B. Hunt
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 191; eff. 09/13/2025 HJ 18
7/22/2025HouseWithout Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
7/8/2025SenateEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/2/2025SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
7/2/2025HouseOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
6/5/2025SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 06/05/2025; Vote 7-1; CC; SC 24
5/27/2025SenateOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
5/22/2025SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/22/2025, Vote 5-0; SC 22
5/8/2025SenateSpecial Order to 05/22/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/08/2025 SJ 12
5/8/2025SenateHB 499 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
5/8/2025SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20
4/30/2025SenateHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:55 am; SC 16
4/1/2025SenateIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 8
3/19/2025SenateReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 76
3/13/2025HouseReferred to Ways and Means 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 8
3/13/2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0364h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 7
3/13/2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0364h: AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 7
3/13/2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0364h 03/05/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
3/6/2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/12/2025 10:45 am LOB 302-304
2/21/2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
2/13/2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2025 01:45 pm LOB 302-304
1/23/2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 3 P. 13
1/14/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
7/2/2025
Introduced
1/14/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
Related Bills
HB2026, (New Title) relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to toll rate adjustments and periodic toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan; and relative to reconstruction of the Gregg Mill Road Bridge in the town of New Boston.
HB1002, repealing the solar energy systems tax exemption.
HB1834, relative to the education freedom account enrollment cap.
SB101, (Second New Title) authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state.
CACR22, relating to the compensation of the legislature. Providing that the present compensation per elected term for legislators is hereby abolished.
HB1786, relative to creating a state assessment on non-homestead luxury second homes to fund statewide housing development programs and address housing shortages and making appropriations therefor.