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HB 1539 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Utility bonds for storm cost recovery

AI-generated

authorizing electric utilities to issue AAA-rated bonds for the purpose of storm cost recovery and infrastructure resilience.

Authorizes electric utilities to securitize storm-related costs through finance orders issued by the public utilities commission to support infrastructure resilience.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · April 17, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the securitization of storm-related electric utility costs through finance orders issued by the public utilities commission.

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

“An electric utility may submit to the commission an application for a finance order with respect to incurred storm costs.”
RSA 369-B:3-c
“Storm costs shall be paid off with the proceeds of rate reduction bonds if the commission determines that the issuance of such rate reduction bonds is in the public interest.”
RSA 369-B:3-c
“The commission shall issue a final decision on such application for financing of storm costs within a period not to exceed 180 days of its receipt of an application by an electric utility for a finance order. 25:7 Establishment of RRB Charge to Recover RRB Costs.”
RSA 369-B:3-c
“Such RRB charge shall be adjusted periodically, but not less frequently than annually nor more frequently than monthly, in accordance with the finance order.”
RSA 369-B:3-c

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael VoseRPrimeChair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Douglas ThomasRVice Chair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources

Also: Rep. Michael HarringtonR, Rep. Maureen MooneyR, Rep. John SchnellerR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

57% support29% oppose14% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose HB1455: This bill establishes energy security and clean energy standards by defining eligible energy sources for state programs, prioritizing domestic and dispatchable generation, and requiring that energy used in New Hampshire be affordable, reliable, and include hydrocarbons.…”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownopposes
“HB 1539 doesn’t make storms cheaper — it changes how we pay for them. It can prevent sudden rate spikes, but customers still foot the bill unless strong protections stop utilities from passing on unnecessary costs or profiting from disasters.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesterneutral

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
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0409h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0409hadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0409hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1127s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1127sfailed
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy4:24–11:597m 35slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy5:34:53–5:35:571m 4slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0409h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:25:11–5:27:071m 56slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0409h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0409h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:38:41–1:43:124m 31slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:00:43–5:01:2946slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1127s; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1127s — failed, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/26/2026 09:30 am GP 229
  3. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 09:30 am GP 158
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 03:00 pm GP 229
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0409h 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC) HC 7 P. 38
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0409h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 101
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0409h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  10. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 5
  11. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 9
  12. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1127s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  13. Mar 26, 2026SenHB 1539 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  14. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1127s, AF, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  15. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  16. Mar 26, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 56
  17. Apr 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 04/15/2026; Chapter 25; eff. 04/15/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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