New Hampshire Senate Bill SB435

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/12/23
• Refer: 12/12/23
• Report Pass: 1/24/24
• Engrossed: 2/29/24
• Refer: 2/29/24
• Report Pass: 4/12/24
• Enrolled: 7/15/24
• Chaptered: 7/30/24
• Passed: 7/30/24

Caption

Relative to the New Hampshire unitrust statute.

Impact

The bill significantly alters the existing framework governing how trusts are managed in New Hampshire, particularly through defining 'net income' and establishing clear guidelines for trustees regarding distributions. The changes allow for distributions that can be a fixed percentage, ranging from 3 to 5 percent, thereby providing a more flexible and predictable model for trust income allocation. This could lead to enhanced financial stability for beneficiaries relying on trust distributions while enabling trustees to manage assets more effectively in line with market fluctuations.

Summary

SB435 is a legislative bill aimed at reforming the New Hampshire unitrust statute. This act consolidates the existing statutes into a singular, coherent framework and eliminates duplicative provisions to streamline trust management within the state. The legislation focuses on the definition and management of unitrusts, specifically detailing how income should be distributed and ensuring that trustees adhere to a standard percentage distribution calculated from the fair market value of trust assets.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB435 touch upon several contentious points, particularly regarding the authority granted to trustees in managing trust assets and the implications for beneficiaries. Critics argue that the defined parameters could limit a trustee's ability to make discretionary decisions that might be in the best interest of the trust's beneficiaries. Moreover, the environmental provisions included empower trustees to evaluate and manage properties under environmental laws, which raises concerns over potential liability for trustees and their fiduciary responsibilities to beneficiaries.