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SB 599 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Renewable energy fund allocation rules

AI-generated

relative to the renewable energy fund.

Directs remaining renewable energy fund moneys to first cover department of energy administrative costs up to $1,000,000, allocates the remainder to thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives, and prohibits use of remaining funds for individual residential solar initiatives.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 15, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires that remaining moneys from certain electricity provider payments made to the renewable energy fund shall first be used by the department of energy for administrative costs up to $1,000,000, with the remainder to be used to support thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives. The bill also prohibits any remaining moneys from being used to support individual residential solar initiatives.

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

“Income received on investments made by the state treasurer shall also be credited to the fund.”
Section 317:1
“Any remaining moneys paid into the fund under paragraph II of this section, excluding class II moneys, shall first be used by the department of energy [to support thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives] for administrative costs, including the office of energy innovation.”
Section 317:1
“After funding of the administrative costs, up to $1,000,000 annually shall support thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives, pursuant to RSA 362-F:10, VIII, and shall not be used to support individual residential solar initiatives.”
Section 317:1
“Class II moneys shall primarily be used to support solar energy technologies in New Hampshire.”
Section 317:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Rep. Maureen MooneyR, Rep. Keith ErfR

Public testimony

33 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thermal and solar should be paid for privately, not with tax payer money. The ROI is not fiscally responsible.”
— Cory Stone, DOVERopposes
“It is so important to strengthen the energy supply for New Hampshire residents, and make it more economical.”
— Virginia Riege-Blackman, Chichesteropposes
“Money designated for Renewable Energy Funds should not be swept into the General Fund. It should remain available for Renewable Energy Projects. It should then be USED for Renewable Energy Projects, rather than left unused.”
— Susan Richman, Durhamopposes

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 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–1
    Overall
    80% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteFloor amendment 2026-1608h (Rep. McGhee)adopted
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1608hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of Cadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Vose)adopted
  • Jun 4, 2026HouseVoice voteConference committee report 2026-1990cadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources2:09:39–2:10:551m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy3:05:29–3:11:145m 45slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy1:53:55–2:04:1910m 24slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:24:58–5:26:051m 7slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1608h — adopted, voice vote; FLAM # 2026-1608h (Rep. McGhee) — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Vose) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Bernardy, McGhee
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report 2026-1990c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:30:23–3:31:401m 17slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report # 2026-1990c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled 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, 01:45 pm; SC 46
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 5 P. 127
  6. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  7. Apr 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  8. Apr 13, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 04/13/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  9. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  10. Apr 23, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1608h (Rep. McGhee): AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 74
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1608h: MA VV HJ 11 P. 74
  12. Apr 23, 2026SenSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
  13. Apr 23, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
  14. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Vose): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  15. May 7, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Bernardy, McGhee 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  16. May 15, 2026SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 05/15/2026, 10:00 am, Room 159, GP
  17. May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-1990c Filed 05/28/2026; As Amended by the Senate HC 22
  18. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-1990c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-1990c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  21. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  22. Jul 10, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/10/2026; Chapter 317; Effective 07/10/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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