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HB 1245 · 2026 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

Portable benefits for contractors

AI-generated

relative to voluntary portable benefits plans for independent contractors.

Establishes a voluntary framework allowing independent contractors to participate in portable benefit plans offered through authorized providers.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a voluntary framework allowing independent contractors to participate in portable benefit plans through authorized providers.

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

“"Hiring party" means any individual or business that contracts for the performance of services by an independent contractor.”
RSA 283-A:1
“A hiring party may voluntarily contribute funds to an independent contractor’s portable benefit account.”
RSA 283-A:2
“The following actions shall be excluded from consideration when determining a worker’s legal status as either an employee or an independent contractor under RSA 275, RSA 282-A, or any other state labor, tax, or benefits statute:”
RSA 283-A:3
“"Independent contractor" means a person who qualifies as such under RSA 275:42, II, or applicable common law tests, who is free from control or direction over the performance of services.”
RSA 283-A:1

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Samuel FarringtonRPrime
  • Rep. Brian LabrieRClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce

Also: Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Mark WardenR

Public testimony

14 signed in online

64% support36% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 10, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0237h11–9
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0237hadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0237hAdopted188–151How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    185–398% yea
    Democrats
    3–1482% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2138eadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services4:29:51–5:04:5435m 3slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services14:27–23:449m 17slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0237h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:10:50–1:15:314m 41slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0237h — adopted, roll call 188-151; Amendment # 2026-0237h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:34:20–1:41:377m 17slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor38:12–42:083m 56slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2138e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2138e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 12
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 02:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 10, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0237h 02/10/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 10 P. 60
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0237h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 18
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0237h: MA RC 188-151 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 19
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  9. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:10 am; SC 13
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2138e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  13. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2138e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  16. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 220; eff. 8/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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