relative to the release of escrowed funds by the judicial branch.

HB 1591 requires the New Hampshire Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to release court-ordered funds held in escrow within 30 days of a final, non-appealable court order. This directly affects individuals or entities entitled to such funds, such as plaintiffs in lawsuits or settlement recipients. Key provisions include imposing interest on delayed disbursements, allowing recovery of attorney fees for noncompliance, and mandating annual public reports listing funds held beyond the 30-day deadline. The bill also applies retroactively to delays occurring in the past five years, with claimants having 18 months from the bill’s effective date to seek remedies.