Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 696 · 2025 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Utility tax rules for power plants

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the application of utility property taxes and statewide education property taxes to electric generating facilities.

Exempts electric generating facilities under payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements from the statewide education property tax until the agreement expires or July 1, 2032, whichever occurs first, and modifies calculation of utility property tax under future agreements.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill provides certain electric generating facilities with a temporary exemption from the state education tax while they have an existing payment in lieu of taxes agreement.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael VoseRPrimeChair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. John JanigianRChair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Sen. Timothy LangRChair· Ways and Means

Also: Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Carol McGuireR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

26 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

62% support38% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“By offering a temporary tax exemption for electric generating facilities, the bill could lower the operational costs of these facilities. In turn, these savings could potentially be passed on to consumers, helping to stabilize or even lower energy prices for residents.”
— Barbara Callaway, Hanoversupports
“I support this bill because I think it will reduce costs for facilities and hopefully for the consumer.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoversupports
“I am writing in opposition to this Bill IN ITS CURRENT FORM. I served with Rep. Vose on the 2024 HB 458 Commission concerning the Assessment of Generation Assets; and I have served on the several prior Commissions on this subject.…”
— Chris Boldt, Sandwichopposes
“I oppose this bill and the idea, that in a time of financial need for our public education system, the State would intentionally reduce or remove a funding resource.…”
— H SMITH, CONCORDopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-119:00 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-03-031:00 pmHouse Science, Technology and EnergyLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-03-2510:00 amHouse Ways and MeansLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-0110:00 amHouse Ways and MeansLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-0110:30 amHouse Ways and MeansLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-239:15 amSenate Ways and MeansSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 3 P. 23
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 302-304
  3. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
  4. Mar 3, 2025House: Ought to Pass 03/03/2025 (Vote 18-0; RC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 88
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Ways and Means 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 88
  7. Mar 25, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2025 10:30 am LOB 202-204
  8. Apr 1, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  9. Apr 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2025 10:30 am LOB 202-204
  10. Apr 1, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 04/01/2025 (Vote 17-2; RC) HC 19 P. 13
  11. Apr 2, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  12. Apr 10, 2025HouseLay HB696 on Table (Rep. Oppel): MF DV 27-342 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 22
  13. Apr 10, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 22
  14. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Ways and Means; SJ 10
  15. Apr 23, 2025SenHearing: 04/23/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 18
  16. May 8, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1844s, 05/08/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20
  17. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1844s, AA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  18. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1844s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  19. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/22/2025; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 22A
  20. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  21. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1844s (Rep. Vose): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 19
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  24. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 206; eff. 07/01/2027 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.