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HB 1539-FN

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

Filed 2026 · Signed into law · Science, Technology and Energy · Energy and Utilities

Official record at gencourt.state.nh.us ↗

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On the record

Quoted from the General Court bill status page, not worked out from the docket.

StatusSIGNED BY GOVERNOR
In the HousePASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT
In the SenatePASSED/ADOPTED
Introduced1/7/2026
Floor date2/19/2026
LSR number2605
Chapter0025
Local government impactno
Committee codeH34

Bill text (PDF) ↗

Where it stands

House: PASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT · Senate: PASSED/ADOPTED

Every floor vote on this bill was a voice or division vote, so there is no record of how individual legislators voted.

A bill goes on the consent calendar when the committee vote was unanimous or nearly so, and any members who dissented did not object to placing it there. It then passes without floor debate. Ten members may file a petition to pull a bill off the consent calendar and have it debated and voted on separately.

Sponsors

Avard, Kevin(R) Hills 12, Bernardy, JD(R) Rock 36, Harrington, Michael(R) Straf 18, Mooney, Maureen(R) Hills 12, Schneller, John(R) Hills 2, Thomas, Douglas(R) Rock 16, Watters, David(D) Straf 4
Prime sponsor in bold. From the General Court sponsor file.

What happened

Every action recorded in the official docket, in order. Each line ends with the journal or calendar that recorded it; where we have the document, that citation links to it.

Votes

Roll call tallies and individual votes from the General Court roll call files. Presiding, excused and absent are shown separately: one member presides over each House roll call and does not vote except to break a tie.

Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0409h

February 19, 2026 · House · None–None, adopted

Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.

Ought to Pass

March 26, 2026 · Senate · None–None, adopted

Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.

Committee reports

Reproduced from the House Calendar in the committee’s own words.

Committee — OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT

Rep. Michael Vose

This bill is a straightforward measure that amends existing statutes to add storm recovery costs to the list of expenses the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may allow utilities to securitize. Utilities have had to respond to numerous large and impactful storms over the past several years. This bill will provide utilities and regulators with a tool to limit the impact on customers’ electric bills associated with storm cost recovery. This bill would allow utilities to access lower cost financing options and extend the period of cost recovery, subject to PUC approval, thus reducing the burden that NH’s electric customers will experience on their energy bills. New Hampshire has used securitization in the past for other utility-related costs, such as the sale of generation assets to complete electric restructuring. This bill only applies to storm costs that the PUC has determined to be prudently incurred. Utilities must demonstrate that securitizing storm costs provides a meaningful benefit to customers, and the PUC must review and approve any proposals. The amendment changed the PUC review period from 60 to “a period not to exceed 180” days. Vote 18-0.

Hearings and recordings

Recordings are the General Court’s own, on YouTube. Start times are estimates unless stated otherwise, and the player opens early.

Page generated 2026-09-03 from data published by the New Hampshire General Court. Granite Record is an independent project, not affiliated with the General Court. The official record always takes precedence. Corrections: [email protected]