HB 1718-FN (2026): relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.

HB 1718-FN (2026)

relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.

• 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: 309

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 47 people signed in online: 47 in support. The committee met in executive session on February 9, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0582h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0582h) 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. The committee held a work session on March 9, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 9, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1714s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on May 7, 2026. The committee's amendment (2026-1714s) was rejected on a voice vote on May 7, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1791s), offered by Sen. David Watters, was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 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 with changes (amendment 2026-1909s). The committee's amendment (2026-1909s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1909s and 2026-1791s (Reps. Vose, Weyler)” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2157e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 309 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Michael Vose (R - Rock 5) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. JD Bernardy (R - Rock 36)
• Rep. Thomas Cormen (D - Graf 15)
• Rep. Michael Harrington (R - Straf 18)
• Rep. Rita Mattson (R - Ches 18)
• Rep. Kat McGhee (D - Hills 35)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. John Schneller (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Douglas Thomas (R - Rock 16)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 29, 2026, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 158
• February 9, 2026, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 9, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 9, 2026, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0582h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1791s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1909s and 2026-1791s (Reps. Vose, Weyler) — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 362-A:1-a
• RSA 374-H:1
• RSA 374-H:2
• RSA 362-A:9

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 32
• HC 7, page 38
• HJ 5, page 102
• HJ 9, page 3
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SC 18A
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 22
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 47 and 56
• SJ 15
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report