HB 1738-FN (2026): relative to ratepayer benefits from the regional greenhouse gas initiative and relative to energy procurement and nuclear regulatory duties.

HB 1738-FN (2026)

relative to ratepayer benefits from the regional greenhouse gas initiative and relative to energy procurement and nuclear regulatory duties.

• 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: 332

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 27, 2026, with 56 people signed in online: 56 in support. The committee met in executive session on January 27, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On February 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On February 12, 2026 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee held a work session on March 2, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026 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 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 3–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1735s). On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection”. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1735s). The committee's amendment (2026-1735s) was rejected on a voice vote on May 14, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1931s), offered by Sen. David Watters, 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 14, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1931s (Reps. Vose, Janigian)” on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. A committee of conference met on May 26, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2069c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2069c) 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 (2026-2190e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 15, 2026, making it Chapter 332 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Michael Harrington (R - Straf 18) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Kat McGhee (D - Hills 35)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Rep. Michael Vose (R - Rock 5)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 27, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• January 27, 2026, 3:00 PM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• February 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 2, 2026, 11:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• March 2, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 9, 2026, 2:10 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 26, 2026, 9:30 AM: committee of conference, GP 228

Votes

• February 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1931s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1931s (Reps. Vose, Janigian) — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• May 29, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 125-O:20
• RSA 125-O:21
• RSA 125-O:22
• RSA 162-B:4
• RSA 374-F:2
• RSA 374-F:11
• RSA 125-O:29

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 33
• HC 6, page 20
• HJ 4, page 67
• HJ 9, page 4
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SC 18
• SJ 12
• HJ 13, page 150
• SJ 13
• HJ 14, page 35
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 15 and 56
• SJ 15
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report