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Panel advances HB 1384 after debate on OFAC designations and whether the problem exists locally
Summary
Committee adopted amendment 0261415s to HB 1384, which would bar persons designated by OFAC or listed by the U.S. Secretary of State as terrorist organizations from filing certain lawsuits; one senator said there was no testimony that this is a New Hampshire problem.
The Judiciary committee considered House Bill 1384 and approved an amendment that would limit certain lawsuits by persons or entities designated by federal authorities.
A committee member outlining the amendment said most of the language is on the bill’s second page and described how the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designations and Secretary of State listings could affect the right to file a lawsuit. The speaker (Senator (Speaker 1) in the transcript) said: "If he lists you as a terrorist organization, you would be someone that would not be able to file, a lawsuit or a third party cause of action."
Another committee member, Senator (Speaker 2), pressed back on the need for the bill, saying the committee "received 0 testimony that this is a problem in New Hampshire" and called the issue theoretical, with "no examples" offered in the state. "So, honestly, I don't know why we need this," the senator said.
The committee moved the bill 'ought to pass as amended' after the floor exchange; the transcript records a voice vote with at least one senator opposing. The record does not include a roll‑call tally in the provided transcript excerpt.
The amendment was described as tying litigation eligibility to federal designations; proponents framed it as preventing certain foreign‑sanctioned actors from using New Hampshire courts, while critics questioned whether the restriction addresses any documented state‑level harms. The transcript does not include language text beyond the sponsor’s summary, nor does it provide details on how the rule would be implemented or how courts would treat designation disputes.
