HB 696-FN (2025): relative to the application of utility property taxes and statewide education property taxes to electric generating facilities.

HB 696-FN (2025)

relative to the application of utility property taxes and statewide education property taxes to electric generating facilities.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
• Senate committee: Ways and Means
• Subject: Energy and Utilities
• Chapter law: 206

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2025, with 21 people signed in online: 16 in support and 5 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 13, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On March 13, 2025 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2025, with 5 people signed in online: 5 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 1, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on April 1, 2025. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 17–2. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On April 10, 2025 the House failed “Lay HB696 on Table” on a division vote 27–342, on a motion by Rep. Oppel. On April 10, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 23, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1844s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1844s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 8, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 8, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 22, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 12, 2025 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1844s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Vose. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 15, 2025, making it Chapter 206 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Michael Vose (R - Rock 05) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Donald McFarlane (R - Graf 18)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Rep. John Janigian (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 27)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. John MacDonald (R - Carr 6)
• Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2025, 9:00 AM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 302-304
• March 3, 2025, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 302-304
• March 13, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 25, 2025, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• April 1, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• April 1, 2025, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• April 10, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 23, 2025, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 100
• May 8, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• May 22, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• June 12, 2025: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 13, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 10, 2025, House: Lay HB696 on Table — yeas 27, nays 342, failed
• April 10, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 8, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1844s — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2025, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1844s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 72:74
• RSA 83-F:1
• RSA 83-F:5
• RSA 83-F:9

Related Bills

• SB 277-FN (2025): relative to the application of utility property taxes and statewide education property taxes to electric generating facilities.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 19, page 13
• SC 18
• SC 20
• SC 22A
• House Calendar 15, 2025, committee report