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SB 26 · 2025 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Escrow deposit use for construction changes

AI-generated

(Second New Title) allowing the department of justice to authorize the preclosing use of a portion of a deposit held in escrow for the payment of certain construction customizations, upgrades, or change orders.

Allows the department of justice to authorize the preclosing use of a portion of an escrow deposit to pay for certain construction customizations, upgrades, or change orders.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · August 4, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows the department of justice to authorize the preclosing use of a portion of a deposit held in escrow for the payment of certain construction customizations, upgrades, or change orders.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Any deposit made in regard to any disposition of a lot, parcel, unit or interest in subdivided lands shall be held in escrow until settlement or closing.”
RSA 356-A:9-a
“Subject to the foregoing, such escrow funds shall be deposited in a separate account designated for this purpose; provided, however, if such funds are being held by a real estate broker or attorney licensed under the laws of this state, they may be placed in that broker's or attorney's regular escrow account and need not be placed in a separate designated account.”
RSA 356-B:57
“Such escrow funds shall be deposited in a separate account designated for this purpose; provided, however, if such funds are being held by a real estate broker or attorney licensed under the laws of this state, they may be placed in that broker's or attorney's regular escrow account and need not be placed in a separate designated account.”
RSA 356-A:9-a
“Such escrow funds shall not be subject to attachment by the creditors of either the purchaser or the subdivider.”
RSA 356-A:9-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD, Rep. Alvin SeeR, Rep. Carol McGuireR, Rep. Kevin VervilleR, Rep. Scott BryerR

Public testimony

1 signed in online

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce50:37–54:343m 57slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0906s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0906s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0906s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs30:46–32:211m 35slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs52:45–53:541m 9slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • May 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • May 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs3:21:17–3:27:196m 2slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1976h (NT); Executive Session
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1976h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1976h (NT) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floor13:17–14:1356slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2905e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2905e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025SenIntroduced 01/08/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 2
  2. Jan 14, 2025SenHearing: 01/14/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 5
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0906s, 03/20/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0906s, AA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0906s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 11 P. 109
  7. Apr 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/22/2025 01:30 pm LOB 302-304
  8. May 6, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  9. May 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/14/2025 10:30 am LOB 302-304
  10. May 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 01:15 pm LOB 302-304
  11. May 27, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1976h (NT) 05/27/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 27 P. 6
  12. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1976h (NT): AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 2
  13. Jun 5, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1976h: MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 2
  14. Jun 12, 2025SenSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16
  15. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2905e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  16. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2905e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  17. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  18. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  19. Aug 1, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 291; Effective 08/01/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.