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HB 1723 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Assessing electric grid geomagnetic risks

AI-generated

requiring utilities and electric grid operators to assess and report the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, and to recommend mitigation measures to protect the state electric infrastructure.

Directs the department of energy to investigate the vulnerability of electric transmission transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and report findings with mitigation recommendations.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill directs the department of energy to investigate vulnerabilities of electric transmission transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and report findings with recommendations.

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

“In May 2025, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) updated the international standard IEC 61000-2-9 for E3 HEMP to 85 V/km.”
Section 310:2
“The department of energy shall investigate the vulnerability of electric transmission transformers and other system components to geomagnetically induced currents.”
Section 310:3
“The department shall commence the investigation within 120 days of the effective date of this section and complete the investigation within a time period not to exceed 12 months of its commencement.”
Section 310:3
“All data submitted under this section shall be handled in accordance with critical energy infrastructure information protocols and location and purpose data shall be redacted from public reports.”
Section 310:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Rita MattsonRPrime
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. James QualeyRVice Chair· Election Law
  • Rep. Douglas ThomasRVice Chair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Michael VoseRChair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Keith AmmonRMajority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. John SchnellerR, Rep. Mary MurphyR

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Testimony in Support of HB 1723 HB 1723 is a vital step toward strengthening the resilience of New Hampshire's electric grid against potentially catastrophic threats posed by geomagnetic events.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontsupports

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy3:05:10–3:08:283m 18slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy2:42:58–2:44:031m 5slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy3:08:20–3:10:482m 28slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy34:12–36:312m 19slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0935h — roll call; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:55:59–4:57:041m 5slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0935h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0935h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources5:43–20:4014m 57slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1307s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1307s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1307s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:08:32–6:10:372m 5slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — failed, voice vote; Sen. Watters Moved Ought to Pass
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2158e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2158e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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. 33
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  3. Feb 2, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/02/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  4. Feb 17, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  5. Mar 3, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  6. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0935h 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-3; RC) HC 10 P. 72
  7. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0935h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 63
  9. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0935h: MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 65
  10. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  11. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
  12. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1307s, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  13. Apr 9, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1307s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  14. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1307s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  15. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 17
  16. May 7, 2026SenHB 1723 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  17. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
  18. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/14/2026, Vote 7-0; SC 18
  19. May 14, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  20. May 14, 2026SenSen. Watters Moved Ought to Pass; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  21. May 14, 2026SenSen. Watters Floor Amendment # 2026-1811s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  22. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1811s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  23. May 20, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1811s and 2026-1307s (Rep. Vose): MA DV 186-153 05/20/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  24. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2158e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  25. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2158e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  26. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  27. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  28. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 310; eff. 9/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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