This bill establishes a registry of registered agents for New Hampshire businesses, enhancing the verification processes for business formations to prevent fraud. Key provisions include the requirement that registered agents, whether individuals or business entities, must meet specific criteria, such as being a resident of New Hampshire or in good standing with the secretary of state. The bill introduces measures for the secretary of state to authenticate data submitted to the business registry, including verifying the identity of individuals and ensuring the validity of addresses according to the United States Postal Service. Additionally, it prohibits the submission of business data that includes a person's name or address without their consent, with penalties for violations.

The bill also introduces new definitions, including "New Hampshire business registry," which refers to the data and filing history of all businesses registered with the secretary of state, and "registered business entity," which encompasses various forms of business organizations. The term "verify" is defined as the process of confirming the accuracy of data submitted. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is projected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2028. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the integrity of business registrations in New Hampshire by implementing stricter verification processes and establishing clear guidelines for registered agents.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 420-A:2, 420-B:20