Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

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.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-269:30 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 229Public hearingcancelled
  • 2026-01-299:30 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-02-033:00 pmHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-03-109:00 amSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing

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.