HB 733-FN (2026): relative to reporting requirements for persons or entities financing lawsuits.

HB 733-FN (2026)

relative to reporting requirements for persons or entities financing lawsuits.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Courts and Procedure

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The House withdrew that referral and sent the bill to the Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee instead. The committee held a public hearing on February 12, 2025, with 7 people signed in online: 5 in support, 1 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee held a work session on March 4, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 5, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0726h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0726h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 13, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 13, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On March 13, 2025 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 24, 2025. The committee met in executive session on April 1, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 10, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 24, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate send it back to committee, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 22, 2025 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Mike Ouellet (R - Coos 3)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 12, 2025, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• March 4, 2025, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 104
• March 5, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• March 13, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 24, 2025, 9:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 212
• April 1, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• April 10, 2025: consent calendar, House
• April 24, 2025, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 22, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• January 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 13, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0726h — voice vote, passed
• April 10, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Related Bills

• SB 209-FN (2025): relative to owner's project managers for projects funded by school building aid and relative to reporting requirements for persons or entities financing lawsuits.
• SB 209-FN (2025): relative to owner's project managers for projects funded by school building aid and relative to reporting requirements for persons or entities financing lawsuits.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 19, page 12
• SC 19
• SC 22
• SJ 1
• House Calendar 15, 2025, committee report