HB 1539-FN (2026): authorizing electric utilities to issue AAA-rated bonds for the purpose of storm cost recovery and infrastructure resilience.

HB 1539-FN (2026)

authorizing electric utilities to issue AAA-rated bonds for the purpose of storm cost recovery and infrastructure resilience.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Energy and Utilities
• Chapter law: 25

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 29, 2026, with 6 people signed in online: 3 in support, 2 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on February 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0409h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0409h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On February 19, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 10, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1127s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on March 26, 2026. The committee's amendment (2026-1127s) was rejected on a voice vote on March 26, 2026. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on March 26, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on April 15, 2026, making it Chapter 25 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Michael Vose (R - Rock 5) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. JD Bernardy (R - Rock 36)
• Rep. Michael Harrington (R - Straf 18)
• Rep. Maureen Mooney (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. John Schneller (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Douglas Thomas (R - Rock 16)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 29, 2026, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 158
• February 3, 2026, 3:00 PM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 10, 2026, 9:20 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0409h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 369-B:1
• RSA 369-B:2
• RSA 369-B:3
• RSA 369-B
• RSA 369-B:4

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 25
• HC 7, page 38
• HJ 5, pages 101, 102 and 112
• SJ 5
• SC 9
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 56