Mar 17, 2021

The deadline for New Hampshire ’crossover’ looms

Simon P. Thomson, PIANH Lobbyist

In the New Hampshire Legislature, the crossover—the deadline for the state House and state Senate to act on bills that originated in them, respectively—is Friday, April 9, 2021.

There are several bills in the state Legislature that PIANH is tracking, including two state House bills regarding the state budget:

• S.B.36—sponsored by Sen. Harold F. French, R-7—would remove the requirement for auto coverage applicants to sign statements of residency. This bill passed the state Senate 23-1 on Feb. 4, 2021, and was forwarded to the House Commerce Committee on March 10, 2021.
• S.B.63—also known as the Safe Harbor Act, and sponsored by Sen. Robert J. Giuda, R-2—would limit businesses’ liability for COVID-19 exposure claims. Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-3, retained the bill in the Senate Commerce Committee to determine whether the legislation was necessary.
• H.B.518, which is sponsored by state House Labor Committee Chair Rep. William Infantine, R-13, would allow producers to rebate all or a portion of their commission to their employees for their employees’ policies. The House Labor Committee voted 18-0 on the bill, and it will be sent to the state House in the beginning of April.
• H.B.450—also sponsored by Infantine, would change the minimum auto policy limits from $25,000 to $50,000 for injury to or death of any one person; from $50,000 to $100,000 for an accident that results in the injury or death of more than one person; and from at least $25,000 to $50,000 for damage to property of others. This bill was reported out of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee; however it has been indefinitely postponed, ass the bill has been marked “inexpedient to legislate.”

As the crossover approaches, watch your PIANH publications and the PIAdvocacy bill tracker for updates on these important bills.