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New HampshireHB4992025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

HB499

Sponsored By: John B. Hunt (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger insurance protections for NH policyholders

Insurers cannot refuse most non‑life coverage just because of your age, where you live, race, creed, national origin, marital status, or job. For mortgage life insurance, they cannot cancel only for age until you turn 80. If an insurer stops a whole line of coverage, it must give 120 days’ notice to the state and its agents, and any nonrenewal must start at least 120 days after agents are notified. A public adjuster cannot force you to sue or arbitrate outside New Hampshire. Anyone acting as a claims adjuster on New Hampshire risks must be state‑licensed, which protects policyholders.

Updated fees for insurers and plans

The department updates and specifies many fees. A certificate of authority application costs $1,000, the initial certificate $100, and annual renewal $100. Producer application and license is $210; adjuster is $75; public adjuster is $100. Third‑party administrator applicants must pay the listed fee. Sponsors that submit continuing education courses may be charged application fees. Discount medical plan organizations pay application and renewal fees; registrations expire each June 1 and must be renewed at least 60 days before.

Higher capital required for insurers

Stock insurers must have at least $3,000,000 in paid‑up capital, with at least half not in real‑estate‑secured loans, and assets equal to liabilities. This raises the prior $800,000 minimum. Domestic life insurance stock companies must have $3,000,000 in paid‑in capital and deposit half with the Insurance Commissioner; investments follow state rules.

No fee to update license address

Licensed adjusters, public adjusters, and producers must report address changes within 30 days. There is no fee to change your address. The extra penalty for late notice by public adjusters is repealed.

Title insurer tax report rule repealed

The law repeals the specific rule for how title insurers calculate their premium tax report. It removes that calculation requirement and does not set a replacement method here.

New payment rule in billing disputes

In independent dispute resolution, each side must pay half of the fee when it submits its offer. If one side does not pay on time, the certified IDR entity picks the paying side’s offer as the winner.

Clearer rules for surplus lines insurers

When the commissioner approves a foreign company as an unadmitted surplus lines insurer, most state laws do not apply unless they name surplus lines. These companies still must follow unfair trade practice laws and can be investigated under the department’s authority.

Insurers fund outside reviews, get credits

The commissioner may hire outside experts to review rates and forms, financial statements, and ORSA reports. Insurers must pay these professionals directly. Money paid in one calendar year becomes a nontransferable credit against the next fiscal year’s administrative assessment, up to the assessment amount. The department must keep costs reasonable and follow NAIC standards.

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

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 191; eff. 09/13/2025 HJ 18

    7/22/2025House

  2. Without 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

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18

    7/2/2025Senate

  4. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59

    7/2/2025House

  5. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15

    6/5/2025Senate

  6. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 06/05/2025; Vote 7-1; CC; SC 24

    5/27/2025Senate

  7. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/22/2025; SJ 14

    5/22/2025Senate

  8. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/22/2025, Vote 5-0; SC 22

    5/8/2025Senate

  9. Special Order to 05/22/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/08/2025 SJ 12

    5/8/2025Senate

  10. HB 499 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/08/2025; SJ 12

    5/8/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20

    4/30/2025Senate

  12. Hearing: 04/08/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:55 am; SC 16

    4/1/2025Senate

  13. Introduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 8

    3/19/2025Senate

  14. Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 76

    3/13/2025House

  15. Referred to Ways and Means 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 8

    3/13/2025House

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0364h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 7

    3/13/2025House

  17. Amendment # 2025-0364h: AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 7

    3/13/2025House

  18. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0364h 03/05/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)

    3/6/2025House

  19. Subcommittee Work Session: 02/12/2025 10:45 am LOB 302-304

    2/21/2025House

  20. Executive Session: 03/05/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304

    2/13/2025House

  21. Public Hearing: 01/29/2025 01:45 pm LOB 302-304

    1/23/2025House

  22. Introduced (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

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/14/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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