SB 447 (2026): enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

SB 447 (2026)

enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

• Status: Killed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Energy and Utilities

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 8, 2026. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1213s). The committee's amendment (2026-1213s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026, with 23 people signed in online: 6 in support and 17 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 13, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
• Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R - Rock 30)
• Rep. Douglas Thomas (R - Rock 16)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 8, 2026, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 7, 2026, 1:15 PM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• April 13, 2026, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• April 23, 2026: consent calendar, House

Votes

• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1213s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 162-B:4
• RSA 362-A:9
• RSA 362-A:1-a
• RSA 374-F:2
• RSA 362-F:2
• RSA 374-F:11

Related Bills

• HB 1738-FN (2026): relative to ratepayer benefits from the regional greenhouse gas initiative and relative to energy procurement and nuclear regulatory duties.
• SB 232 (2025): clarifying certain net metering terms and conditions.
• HB 710-FN (2025): enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HJ 11, page 12
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report