SB 26-FN (2025): 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.

SB 26-FN (2025)

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.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Banking and Finance
• Chapter law: 291

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0906s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0906s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 20, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025, with one person signed in online in opposition. The committee held work sessions on May 6, 2025 and May 14, 2025. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1976h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1976h) was adopted on a voice vote on June 5, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On June 5, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On June 12, 2025 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Daniel Innis. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2905e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 291 of the session laws. It took effect on August 1, 2025.

Sponsors

• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. Alvin See (R - Merr 26)
• Rep. Kevin Verville (R - Rock 2)
• Sen. Tara Reardon (D - SD15)
• Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 27)
• Rep. Scott Bryer (R - Rock 1)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2025, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• March 20, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 22, 2025, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• May 6, 2025, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• May 14, 2025, 10:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• May 27, 2025, 1:15 PM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 12, 2025: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 20, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0906s — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1976h — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2025, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 356-A:9-a
• RSA 356-B:57

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 5
• SC 13
• HC 27, page 6