2000 State Legislative Report - New Hampshire

Overview:

2000 was a year of continuing controversy:

State Funding of Education: The NH Supreme Court’s struck down a State legislation which declared a statewide property tax enacted as a result of the 1997 ruling that the State’s reliance on property taxes for the purpose of funding school was unconstitutional . The State revised the new property tax; new protests were launched. NH Supreme Court and its practices are under investigation. The Chief Justice is facing an Impeachment trial in September. Privacy protections: In light of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (G-L-B) Act, NH is evaluating its position in regards disclosure of personal information by financial institutions. Bank modernization.

However, other legislative business did take place. About 900 Legislative Service Requests were filed for the 2000 Session. Public hearings began in January 2000. Some bills of interest are :

Please note that NH Bills are now available online: http://www.state.nh.us/gencourt

I CIVIL ACTIONS
HB 1448/Session Chapter: 232/RSA Amended: 547-C

Effective: January 1, 2001

This act is relative to partition of real estate and allows a procedure to include equitable interests or estates in real or personal property.

II ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
III. ESCROWS
IV. INSURANCE / BUSINESS ISSUES
SB 353/SessionChapter 313/RSA’s amended: 400-A, 402, 405, 406-C,394-A.

Effective August 20, 2000

This bill is relative to sales of insurance by financial institutions and removes the ‘place of 5000’ restrictions. It also allows for payment of insurance referral fees to non-licensed bank employees under certain conditions and provides the NH Insurance Department with authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement some parts of the G-L-B Act.

SB 393/Session Chapter: 315/ New RSA: 402-J/

Effective January 2, 2001

This act is relative to providing uniformity in the licensing requirements for insurance agents per the G-L-B Act. The bill resets the fee schedule for agents’ fees and requires the financial institution to obtain insurance sales license for the purpose of enrolling borrowers into group credit insurance.

V. STATUTORY LIENS
SB 315/Session Chapter:191/RSA Amended: 527

Effective: January 1, 2001

This act is relative to writs of execution by amending the form to include items: money, personal estate, property interest etc. to items allowed to be levied, paid or seized by the sheriffs per a court order.

VI. TAXES
VII. PUBLIC ENTITIES
VIII. REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS
IX. DEEDS AND SECURITY INTERESTS
X. RECORDING
SB 378/Session Chapter 262/RSA’s amended: 361 and 382-A

Effective August 11, 2000

This act is relative to changing the effective date of the computerized system for security interest filings (Article 9 UCC) from July 1, 2001 to the earlier of July 1,2002 or a date 3 months after the Secretary of State certifies to the Governor that participant cities/towns are ready to accept filings on behalf of the Secretary of State. Fees are reduced from $2.00 to $ .75 per copy fee.