Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 406 · 2025 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Preventing fraudulent business formation

AI-generated

relative to the formation of fraudulent businesses.

Establishes a registry of registered agents for New Hampshire businesses, allows corporations to restate their articles of incorporation, authorizes the secretary of state to verify and prevent fraudulent business formations, and creates penalties for fraudulently forming a business.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes a registry of registered agents for New Hampshire businesses. II. Allows corporations to restate their articles of incorporation. III. Enables the secretary of state to verify and prevent fraudulent business formations. IV. Creates penalties for individuals who fraudulently formulate businesses. The bill is a request of the secretary of state.

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

“If the agent is another registered business entity, such entity shall be in good standing with the secretary of state.”
RSA 5:15-d
“In the case of a foreign nonprofit corporation registered in New Hampshire, a copy of the amendment or plan of merger, certified by the proper officer of the state of incorporation, shall be filed with the secretary of state, together with the fee provided in RSA 292:5.”
RSA 292:7
“For the purposes of this section, "good standing" means the registered business entity is active on the secretary's records and compliant with its legal obligation to file annual reports and/or pay annual fees as applicable, and maintain a registered agent and registered office.”
RSA 5:15-d
“No corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other business entity required to maintain a registered office in this state shall designate the address of a commercial postal box provider, virtual office, mail forwarding service, or any similar service as its registered office address.”
RSA 5:15-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Luz BayDPrime
  • Rep. John HuntRChair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Anita BurroughsDRanking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Rep. Jessica GrillD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

3 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 19, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0960h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0960hadopted
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0960hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 8, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2872eadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs2:13:48–2:30:0616m 18slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs37:57–40:132m 16slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs49:41–50:491m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0960h; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0960h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0960h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce1:39:03–1:47:338m 30slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2872e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2872e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 3 P. 8
  2. Jan 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/23/2025 11:30 am LOB 302-304
  3. Mar 12, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/12/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  4. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  5. Mar 19, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0960h 03/19/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 7
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0960h: AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 5
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0960h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 5
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 10
  9. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:45 am; SC 16
  10. May 8, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20
  11. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  12. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2872e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  13. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2872e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 56
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  15. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  16. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 185; eff. 01/01/2026 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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