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SB 297 · 2025 · Senate · Finance Committee

Regulating pooled risk management programs

AI-generated

relative to pooled risk management programs.

Transfers regulatory authority over pooled risk management programs from the secretary of state to the insurance department, requires licensing, permits guaranty funds and assessable policies, sets excess or stop-loss coverage requirements, and authorizes insurance department examinations of program finances.AI-generated

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · June 12, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Enables the secretary of state to require abatement of insufficient assets or to seek receivership, if necessary, of a pooled risk management program. II. Requires assessment of each participating member of the pooled risk management program on a pro rata basis to satisfy the amount of the deficiency. III. Requires the governing board of the pooled risk management program to use a standard of care, diligence, prudence, and skill in the management of the program. IV. Provides for the assessment of a pooled risk management program’s participating members, if required, after an actuarial calculation. V. Provides for contingency reserve standards depending on the pooled risk management programs line of coverage and requiring a contingency reserve replenishment if a program’s contingency reserves fall below the minimum level. VI. Requires pooled risk management programs to make certain public disclosures to prospective and actual member political subdivisions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Sharon CarsonRPrimePresident of the Senate

Public testimony

108 signed in online · 44 wrote testimony

3% support93% oppose5% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The City opposes this bill. The financial consequences are considerable for municipalities as a result of the measures in this bill. The analysis behind the bill is severely flawed. Members of the SOS Office have a personal bias that clouds their judgement on this matter.…”
— Shaun Mulholland, Lebanon · City of Lebanonopposes
“To be clear, I am not opposed to the idea that pooled insurance groups need to maintain adequate reserves. That part is just common sense. What I am opposed to is the way that SB297 addresses the problem.…”
— Dan Smith, Newmarketopposes
“NH legislators need to make sure that risk pools are able to provide the insurance educators bargained for in their collective bargaining agreements.…”
— Shannon Cole, Kensingtonopposes
“I've selected "neutral" as I understand the need to increase the reserves in the pools. I'm also aware of the impact that the single year time period would have on the costs for all concerned.…”
— Michael Cahill, Newmarket · Rockingham 10 Newfields, Newmarketneutral
“My hope is that the House Commerce Committee can work towards a compromise that ensures that all risk pool programs for public employees and retirees provide the insurance benefits for which union members collectively and fairly bargained for, while addressing the concerns expressed by the Secretary of State which are the basis for this bill.”
— Kim Paynter, Eppingneutral
“Please work to reach a compromise to preserve the health benefits for public employees and retirees which are part of our collective bargaining agreements. It is essential to address the concerns of the NH Secretary of State also, so that risk pool accounts remain solvent.”
— Kelli O’Connor-Maynard, North Hamptonneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-041:00 pmSenate FinanceSH 103Public hearing
  • 2025-04-2310:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-05-0710:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsLOB 302-304Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-05-2010:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsLOB 302-304Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-05-2110:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsLOB 302-304Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-05-2710:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-05-271:15 pmHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsLOB 302-304Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Feb 13, 2025SenIntroduced 02/13/2025 and Referred to Finance; SJ 6
  2. Mar 4, 2025SenHearing: 03/04/2025, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 11
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0951s, 03/20/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0951s, AA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0951s, 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. 113
  7. Apr 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/23/2025 01:30 pm LOB 302-304
  8. May 7, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  9. May 20, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/20/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  10. May 21, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/21/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  11. May 27, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  12. May 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 01:15 pm LOB 302-304
  13. May 27, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2473h 05/27/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 27 P. 8
  14. Jun 3, 2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Polozov, DeRoy, Morton, McFarlane, Tom Mannion, Perez, Sabourin, Panek, Comtois, Mehegan) 06/03/2025 HJ 16 P. 2
  15. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Hunt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 142
  16. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-2473h: AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 143
  17. Jun 5, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2473h: MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 149
  18. Jun 12, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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