[§431:10F-105]  Directed suretyship;coercion of contractors.  (a)  No person may require as a conditionprecedent to the granting, awarding, or issuing a contract for the constructionor renovation of improvements to real property, that the person whose obligationunder such contract is to provide, construct, or renovate improvements to realproperty is to acquire or negotiate a surety bond or other contractguaranteeing completion of such improvements through a particular suretyinsurer or group of surety insurers, or a particular producer or group ofproducers.

(b)  The commissioner may examine andinvestigate the insurance related activities of any person whom thecommissioner believes may be in violation of this section.  Any person maysubmit to the commissioner a complaint or any material pertinent to theenforcement of this section.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall prevent aperson who grants, awards, or issues contracts for the construction orrenovation of improvements to real property from requiring a person to acquireor negotiate a surety bond or other contract guaranteeing completion of theimprovements through authorized surety insurers or producers licensed to dobusiness in the State or both. [L 2007, c 251, §1]