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SB 539 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Biomass renewable energy classification

AI-generated

relative to eligible biomass technology in the renewable portfolio standards.

Restructures the categorization of eligible biomass technologies under the renewable portfolio standards by aligning them to class III.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 29, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill restructures how biomass technologies are categorized and eligible for renewable portfolio standard compliance in the state by aligning all eligible biomass technologies to class III.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“A set percentage of the class I totals shall be satisfied annually by the acquisition of renewable energy certificates from qualifying renewable energy technologies producing useful thermal energy as defined in RSA 362-F:2, XV-a.”
RSA 362-F:3
“The set percentage shall be 0.4 percent in 2014, 0.6 percent in 2015, 0.8 percent in 2016, and increased annually by 0.2 percent per year from 2017 through 2023, after which it shall remain unchanged.”
RSA 362-F:3
“Class II shall increase to 0.5 percent beginning in 2018, 0.6 percent beginning in 2019, and 0.7 percent beginning in 2020, otherwise classes II-IV shall remain at the same percentages from 2015 through 2025 except as provided in RSA 362-F:4, V-VI.”
RSA 362-F:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Mark McConkeyRPrimeChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:21–6:525m 31slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 46
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 01/29/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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