Legislation, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, will most likely put the payday loan industry out of business in New Hampshire. HB-267 limits the annual percentage rate on a payday and title loans to no more than 36 percent per year. Payday loans are short term loans (usually a week or two) of…
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NH Retailers Not Required to Enforce Sales or Use Tax Collection for States Outside NH
When the State of Massachusetts attempted to collect sales and use tax from a NH retailer for purchases within NH, the Governor and Legislature acted quickly to put a stop to it. In response to this claim by Mass. against Town Faire Tire, NH enacted SB-5 prohibiting retailers from disclosing private customer information to foreign…
NH Enacts WARN Act in Response to Recent Mass Layoffs and Plant Closures
In response to some highly publicized and very sudden plant closures and mass layoffs that have plagued NH lately, the legislature enacted the NH Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (NH WARN). SB-40 is based on the Federal WARN Act, but increases the number of employers who are subject to the Act and substantially increases…
NH Auto Dealer Bill of Rights Expanded in Wake of Auto Industry Shake-Up
Like all states, NH has an Auto Dealer Bill of Rights (DBR) to protect local franchise auto dealers from unfair trade practices by their manufacturers. After the auto industry’s recent implosion, which caused the closure of at least 14 auto dealers in NH, the Legislature decided it was time to update NH’s DBR. SB-153 makes…
NH Creates HealthFirst as an Affordable Wellness-Based Health Insurance Plan for Small Business
In these tough economic times, many small businesses are facing decisions about severely limiting health insurance coverage, or dropping coverage all together. Recognizing that small businesses are the backbone of NH’s economy, and therefore a critical link in our health care system, NH enacted HealthFirst, an affordable, wellness-based health insurance plan for small employers. “We…
How NH’s Same-Sex Marriage Law Will Affect Your Business
NH recently became the 6th state in the U.S. (5th in New England) to enact a same-sex marriage law. Although NH has had civil unions since 2007, the amended law does away with the civil union concept and defines marriage as “the legally recognized union of 2 people… regardless of gender.” Civil unions will be…
NH Small Claims Jurisdiction Increased to $7,500; A quick, low cost alternative to collect business debts.
New Hampshire HB-281 increases the maximum amount of damages that may be claimed in Small Claims Court to $7,500. Originally established as a simple, speedy and informal process for lay people to resolve small disputes, the Small Claims procedure can be a useful tool for businesses to efficiently collect smaller business debts. Businesses often have…
Business and Commercial Dispute Docket Established in NH Superior Court
New Hampshire has now followed other states in the creation of its first ever specialized “Business Court.” Enacted in 2008, SB-378 creates a separate Business and Commercial Dispute Docket within the Superior Court. The aim of the new Business Docket is to alleviate overcrowded court systems by providing more efficient and specialized procedures for complex…