HB 1384 (2026): 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.

HB 1384 (2026)

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.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Courts and Procedure
• Chapter law: 226

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2026, with 13 people signed in online: 2 in support and 11 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 13, 2026 and February 27, 2026. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0921h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0921h) was adopted on a division vote 183–147 on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 183–151. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 28, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1911s). The committee's amendment (2026-1911s) was rejected on a voice vote on May 14, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1928s), offered by Sen. Regina Birdsell, was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “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” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Regina Birdsell. The committee's amendment (2026-1911s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1928s), offered by Sen. Regina Birdsell, was adopted again on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the Senate again voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1911s and 2026-1928s” on a division vote 186–150, on a motion by Rep. Bob Lynn. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 226 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Cyril Aures (R - Merr 13)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. John Hunt (R - Ches 14)
• Rep. Steven Kesselring (R - Hills 18)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Mike Ouellet (R - Coos 3)
• Rep. Lisa Post (R - Hills 42)
• Sen. Tara Reardon (D - SD15)
• Rep. Clayton Wood (R - Merr 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, GP 230
• February 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 158
• February 27, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 158
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 28, 2026, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 183, nays 147, passed
• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0921h — yeas 183, nays 151, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1928s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: 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 — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1911s and #2026-1928s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1911s and 2026-1928s — yeas 186, nays 150, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 15:1
• RSA 15:6

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 18
• HC 10, page 57
• HJ 8, pages 7 and 8
• SJ 7
• SC 17
• SC 18A
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 18
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52