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HB 1384 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Foreign lawsuit financing and lobbying restrictions

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to prohibiting foreign adversary persons or foreign entities of concern from financing lawsuits, prohibiting foreign principals from registering as lobbyists, and requires certain disclosures for persons acting on behalf of foreign principals.

Prohibits foreign adversary persons or foreign entities of concern from financing lawsuits, bars foreign principals from registering as lobbyists, and requires certain disclosures for persons acting on behalf of foreign principals.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill regulates commercial litigation financing agreements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Brian ColeRPrimeVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Lisa PostRClerk· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. John HuntRChair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Steven KesselringR, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Clayton WoodR, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

15% support85% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

It is presently unlawful to try compelling litigant to disclose parties to a lawsuit. Compelling disclosure serves no legitimate purpose and only serves as intelligence in political enemy surveillance.
Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
I oppose this bill as written, not because transparency is bad, but because transparency that chills access to justice is not neutral.
bonnie bruno, hollisopposes
HB 1384 seeks to impose stringent reporting requirements on individuals and entities engaged in financing lawsuits, intending to bring transparency to commercial litigation funding.
Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1310:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-281:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 18
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 11:00 am GP 230
  3. Feb 13, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 27, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/27/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0921h (NT) 02/27/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 57
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0921h (NT): AA DV 183-147 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 7
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0921h: MA DV 183-151 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 8
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  10. Apr 28, 2026SenHearing: 04/28/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 17
  11. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1911s, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18A
  12. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1911s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  13. May 14, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-1928s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1928s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  15. May 14, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Rescind Order to Third Reading; Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment; Reconsider the Vote on Floor Amendment #2026-1928s; and Reconsider the Vote on Committee Amendment #2026-1911s, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  16. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1911s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-1928s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1911s and #2026-1928s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1911s and 2026-1928s (Rep. Lynn): MA DV 186-150 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 18
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 226; eff. I. Sec 2 eff 12:01 1/1/2027 II. Rem eff 1/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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