Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1262 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Heating oil and propane contract rules

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to home heating oil and propane contracts and sales.

Expands contract-disclosure and prepaid-contract protections for home heating oil, kerosene, and propane dealers, sets requirements for tank removal and refunds, limits service-termination fees, and designates violations as unfair or deceptive acts.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill updates requirements for home heating oil, kerosene, and propane dealers by expanding contract-disclosure rules, modifying prepaid-contract protections, setting requirements for tank removal and refunds, limiting service-termination fees, and designating violations as unfair or deceptive acts.

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

“A contract with a consumer that offers a guaranteed price plan, requires prepayment by the consumer, or similar contracts shall be in writing and shall disclose the terms and conditions of the plan.”
RSA 339:79
“A solicitation for such a guaranteed price plan that could become a contract upon response from a consumer shall also be in writing with the terms and conditions, [disclosed in plain language] including any pre-buy fees or ancillary charges.”
RSA 339:79
“The information required by this section shall be in plain language and shall be printed [in no less than 12-point boldface type of uniform font after the price of service described] clearly and conspicuously.”
RSA 339:79
“A contract that requires prepayment by the consumer shall comply with paragraphs I and II of this section.”
RSA 339:79

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Janet LucasDPrime
  • Rep. Heather BaldwinDDeputy Ranking Member· Resources, Recreation, and Development

Also: Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Rep. Seth MillerD, Rep. Bill BoltonD, Rep. Peter LovettD, Rep. Sallie FellowsD

Public testimony

15 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

93% support7% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is a common-sense consumer protection bill, that prevents financial hardships for NH residents, due to price gouging during winter months.…”
— Jennifer legier, Camptonsupports
“Energy costs are a significant part of household budgets in a northern state such as NH. As such, it is important that these costs to the consumer are regulated in a manner reflective of their magnitude.…”
— John Walsh, New Londonsupports
“Protects consumers from predatory or unclear contract terms in essential utilities.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“I oppose this bill because it does not expand transparency, protections, or meaningful benefits for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes

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 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs4:58:09–4:59:171m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0979h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0979h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce17:58–19:251m 27slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1713s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1713s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1713s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor22:48–24:291m 41slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1713s (Rep. Hunt) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 13
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 0979h 03/03/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 6
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0979h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 7
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0979h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 7
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  8. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:40 am; SC 13
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1713s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1713s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1713s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1713s (Rep. Hunt): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 2
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 222; eff. 8/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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