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New HampshireSB5232025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

(Second New Title) establishing a committee to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system.

Sponsored By: Ruth Ward (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Builders face fines; harmed customers gain remedies

Beginning January 1, 2028, violations can bring fines up to $5,000 each, plus $500 daily for continuing violations. Grounds include unregistered work, missing insurance, false documents, and violations of program rules or board orders. After notice and a hearing, the board can order repayment to harmed customers, require more education, or suspend or revoke registration. It can also deny renewal or seek a court order to stop violations. Willful violations by applicants or registrants can lead to a class B felony, up to 5 years in prison, and additional fines. The nonprofit administrator handles complaints and early resolution, including mediation, and sends probable-cause reports to the board’s disciplinary unit. Emergencies must be referred for interim suspension, with local building officials notified. Investigation files remain confidential until the board votes that probable cause exists.

Home builders face new registration costs

Beginning January 1, 2028, New Hampshire requires residential builders and general contractors to register when covered work totals $5,000 or more annually. This covers construction, renovation, remodeling, and repairs on property they do not own. Licensed professionals working within their license’s scope are exempt. Applicants need liability and workers’ compensation insurance, 8 hours of approved education, and a surety bond of at least $50,000. They must provide business and owner details, an owner’s Social Security number or taxpayer identification number, and related business names. They must also disclose bankruptcies within 7 years and document out-of-state registrations or licenses. Registrations last 2 years; renewal requires current insurance and 8 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours of building code updates. Builders pay application and renewal fees set by board rules; the law does not specify amounts. Fees, fines, and settlements enter a dedicated fund whose unused money carries forward to pay the program administrator.

Builder checks protect homeowners, restrict permits

Beginning January 1, 2028, municipalities cannot issue permits for covered work without a valid builder registration number. The number must be available for instant online checks. Registered builders must display it on business vehicles, ads, marketing, contracts, and estimates, including electronic materials. An eight-member board within the Department of Labor oversees registration, sets rules, and makes final disciplinary decisions. Its membership includes builder, consumer, municipal, building-code, trade, and state representatives, plus a permanent nonvoting home builders association executive. A qualified nonprofit, chosen through competition, runs the system under a contract approved by the Governor and Council. It checks identity, insurance, and education and maintains an online application system and public registry showing registration status and insurance dates. Personal identifying information stays out of the public registry. The contract requires annual independent financial and performance audits, reporting, board access to data, privacy safeguards, and remedies for poor performance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ruth Ward

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daniel E. Innis

    Republican • Senate

  • David H. Watters

    Democratic • Senate

  • Debra Altschiller

    Democratic • Senate

  • Howard Pearl

    r • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 258; Effective 07/02/2026

    7/9/2026Senate

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 45

    6/17/2026House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

    6/17/2026Senate

  4. Sen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

    5/14/2026Senate

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1589h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 14

    5/7/2026House

  6. Amendment # 2026-1589h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 14

    5/7/2026House

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1589h (NT) 04/21/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 18 P. 9

    4/28/2026House

  8. Executive Session: 04/21/2026 10:30 am GP 231

    4/16/2026House

  9. Public Hearing: 04/21/2026 10:00 am GP 231

    4/1/2026House

  10. Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 8 P. 114

    3/16/2026House

  11. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0831s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5

    3/5/2026Senate

  12. Committee Amendment # 2026-0831s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5

    2/24/2026Senate

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0831s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8

    2/19/2026Senate

  14. Hearing: 01/20/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 1

    1/8/2026Senate

  15. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1

    11/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    6/17/2026

    HTML

  • Introduced

    11/24/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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