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HB 1738 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Regional greenhouse gas initiative changes

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to ratepayer benefits from the regional greenhouse gas initiative and relative to energy procurement and nuclear regulatory duties.

Changes carbon dioxide emissions budget allowances and cost containment trigger prices for 2027 through 2030 and beyond, modifies nuclear development coordinator duties, defines advanced nuclear reactor, and extends and modifies requirements for electric distribution utility energy procurement agreements.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 20, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Changes the carbon dioxide emissions budget allowances for 2027 through 2030 and thereafter, and creates 2 cost containment allowance levels and the trigger price at which the department releases allowances for years 2027 through 2030 and thereafter. II. Modifies the coordinator of nuclear development and regulatory activities' duties. III. Defines "advanced nuclear reactor." IV. Extends the deadline for electric distribution utilities to issue requests for proposals for multi-year agreements for energy, in conjunction with or independent of any attendant environmental attributes from electric energy sources, and modifies the requirements for the agreements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“2027 [3,248,648] 2,993,220 2028 [3,129,922] 2,619,068 2029 [3,011,197] 2,244,915 2030 and thereafter [2,892,472] 1,870,763”
RSA 125-O:21, II

The heart of the bill in four lines: bracketed figures are current law, the ones beside them the new, steeper cap on CO2 allowances.AI-generated

“The CO2 allowance auction price equals or exceeds $19.50 in 2027, up to 503,667 allowances and up to 503,667 additional allowances if it equals or exceeds $29.25;”
RSA 125-O:29, I(a)

The cost-containment valve: if prices spike, the state releases more allowances at two set trigger prices.AI-generated

“Investor-owned electric distribution utilities may elect to develop and, no later than June 30, [2025] 2040, issue a request for proposals for multi-year agreements for energy, in conjunction with or independent of any attendant environmental attributes from electric energy sources.”
RSA 374-F:11, I

The procurement window is extended by fifteen years — bracketed 2025 becomes 2040.AI-generated

“any single source shall be eligible to procure an amount of energy not to exceed 1 million megawatt hours statewide, on an annual basis, except for advanced nuclear reactors as defined in RSA 374-F:2, II-a, which may procure an amount not to exceed 2 million megawatt hours on an annual basis.”
RSA 374-F:11, I(h)(5)

Advanced nuclear gets double the per-source procurement cap of anything else.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael HarringtonRPrime
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Rep. Michael VoseRChair· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

56 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We need to remain a part a part of RGGI. Withdrawing would in fact only raise our electric rates!”
— Barbara Callaway, Hanoversupports
“Despite what our federal government is promoting, clean energy is needed.”
— Janet Flanders, Hanoversupports
“Please support NH's continued participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) . RGGI has been a powerful driver of the region’s transition to cleaner sources of electrical generation. A small portion of the proceeds help fund NH Saves.…”
— Ann Shedd, KEENEsupports

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
  • Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1735s3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1735s3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1735sfailed
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Watters Floor Amendment # 2026-1931sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1931sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1931s (Reps. Vose, Janigian)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Avard Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-2069cadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2190eadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy5:55:18–5:56:521m 34slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Ways and Means
  • Mar 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means3:41:19–3:45:504m 31slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1931s (Reps. Vose, Janigian) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Janigian, McGhee
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor9:04:32–9:06:342m 2slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1735s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1931s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1735s — failed, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:10:11–2:13:123m 1slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2026-2069c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2190e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:29:23–3:29:5633slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2069c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2069c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2190e 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 Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 33
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 03:00 pm GP 229
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 6 P. 20
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 67
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Ways and Means 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 67
  7. Mar 2, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/02/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  8. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  9. Mar 2, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/02/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  10. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 4
  11. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  12. Apr 9, 2026SenHearing: 04/09/2026, Room 103, SH, 02:10 pm; SC 13
  13. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1735s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 17
  14. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
  15. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1735s, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 18
  16. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1735s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Watters Floor Amendment # 2026-1931s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1931s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1931s (Reps. Vose, Janigian): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  20. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Janigian, McGhee 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  21. May 14, 2026SenSen. Avard Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  22. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  23. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 09:30 am GP 228
  24. May 21, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Ford Replaces Rep. Janigian 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 35
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2069c; 06/04/2026
  26. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2069c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  27. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2069c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  28. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2190e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2190e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  30. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  31. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  32. Jul 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 332; eff. 09/13/2026

Coverage

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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