Bill > HB1489

This bill updates New Hampshire's laws regarding interstate depositions and discovery by repealing the existing foreign depositions law and replacing it with the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. The new law establishes a standardized process for obtaining and serving subpoenas across state lines, defining key terms such as "foreign jurisdiction" and "subpoena" to include a broad range of legal and commercial entities and actions like testimony, document production, and premises inspection. The bill outlines a procedure where a party can submit a foreign subpoena to a local court clerk, who will then issue a corresponding subpoena for service, ensuring that the subpoena includes contact information for all relevant parties. The law also provides guidelines for serving and complying with these subpoenas, and establishes a process for enforcing, modifying, or challenging them through the appropriate county court. Additionally, the bill addresses the appointment of commissioners who can take depositions outside the state, removing the requirement for appointment when the foreign jurisdiction has similar discovery processes. The changes will apply to cases pending on or after January 1, 2027, and are designed to promote uniformity in interstate legal proceedings.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1531&inflect=2