SB 591-FN (2026): allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.
Cite this page
Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.
- MLA
- “SB 591-FN (2026): allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb591. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
- APA
- Granite Record. (n.d.). SB 591-FN (2026): allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb591
- Chicago
- Granite Record. “SB 591-FN (2026): allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb591.
- BibTeX
@misc{bill-2026-sb591, title = {SB 591-FN (2026): allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb591}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }
SB 591-FN (2026)
allowing utility companies to own or build generation facilities.
- 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: 108
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 27, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0779s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0779s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 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 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026, with 8 people signed in online: 2 in support and 6 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 13, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 11–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 180–151. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 108 of the session laws. It took effect on July 27, 2026.
Sponsors
- Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12) (prime sponsor)
- Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
- Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
- Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
- Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
- Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
Hearings and Sessions
- January 27, 2026, 9:10 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
- March 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
- April 7, 2026, 10:30 AM: 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: floor debate, House
Votes
- March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0779s — voice vote, passed
- April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 180, nays 151, passed
The Docket
- January 7, 2026: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources
- January 27, 2026: Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am
- March 5, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0779s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC
- March 5, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-0779s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026
- March 5, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0779s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026
- March 12, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy
- April 7, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/07/2026 10:30 am GP 229
- April 13, 2026: Executive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
- April 13, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/13/2026 (Vote 11-7; RC)
- April 15, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- April 23, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA DV 180-151 04/23/2026
- May 14, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026)
- May 14, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026
- May 28, 2026: Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 108; Effective 07/27/2026