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HB 1745 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Limits on utility costs charged to ratepayers

AI-generated

relative to the allocation of public utility costs to ratepayers.

Prohibits public utilities from recovering certain legal, trade association, and promotional costs through ratepayer rates.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 25, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits public utilities from recovering certain legal, trade association, and promotional costs through rates.

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

“No public utility shall recover through rates any costs associated with its attendance at, participation in, preparation for, or appeal of any contested proceeding conducted before the public utilities commission.”
RSA 374:2-b
“No public utility shall recover through rates any cost associated with membership, dues, sponsorships, or contributions to any business or industry trade association, group, or related entity incorporated under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.”
RSA 374:2-b
“No public utility shall recover through rates any cost associated with advertising, marketing, or promotional activities, unless the commission determines that such costs directly benefit ratepayers and are necessary for the provision of utility service.”
RSA 374:2-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wendy ThomasDPrime

Rep. Alice WadeD

Public testimony

9 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Fish & Game department needs to be able to draw from a broad spectrum of science-based methods for managing and controlling wildlife in New Hampshire, not just relying on public hunting and fishing to do the job.”
— Bonnie Hill, South Suttonsupports
“I oppose HB 1745 because reallocating utility costs to ratepayers without strong oversight risks higher bills for households and small businesses. Any changes to cost-recovery rules should prioritize transparency and protect consumers from unjustified increases.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes

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 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–6
    Overall
    67% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy6:06–13:507m 44slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy2:17:17–2:19:091m 52slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session

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. 34
  2. Feb 2, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/02/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/17/2026 (Vote 12-6; RC) HC 10 P. 107
  5. Feb 25, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0732h

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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