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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: I. That an electric generating facility exempt from the utility property tax and making a payment in lieu of taxes to the municipality shall not be responsible for payment of the state education tax until such agreement expires or until July 1, 2032, whichever occurs first. II. For calculation and payment of the utility property tax in future agreements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Persons and property subject to taxation under this chapter shall not be subject to tax under RSA 76:3; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to exempt such persons or property from local school, municipal, district, or county taxation under RSA 76, except as provided in RSA 72:74, VIII. 206:5 Applicability.”
RSA 83-F:9
“This act shall apply to tax periods beginning on or after April 1, 2028. 206:6 Effective Date.”
RSA 83-F:9

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 3, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 1, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass17–2
    Overall
    89% yea
  • Apr 10, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB696 on Table (Rep. Oppel)Failed27–342
    Overall
    7% yea
  • Apr 10, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1844s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-1844sadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1844sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass7–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1844s (Rep. Vose)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy1:33–2:0734slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2025Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy4:15:14–4:17:051m 51slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Ways and Means
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingHouse Ways and Means31:33–33:161m 43slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingHouse Ways and Means2:07:19–2:12:585m 39slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Apr 10, 2025Floor debateHouse floor49:40–53:313m 51slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Lay HB696 on Table (Rep. Oppel) — failed, division 27-342
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingSenate Ways and Means49:50–53:393m 49slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1844s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1844s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1844s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor2:42:23–2:43:311m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1844s (Rep. Vose) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

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.