HB 221 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Utilities owning nuclear power resources

(New Title) enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

Allows electric utilities to own and operate advanced nuclear resources, modifies net energy metering eligibility and compensation for certain customer-generators, defines 'advanced nuclear reactor,' and extends deadlines for utility requests for proposals for multi-year energy purchase agreements.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · May 28, 2026

✓Introduced
✓House
✓Senate
Governor
Law

Governor's veto message

“I have questions about the impact of this legislation. I understand that this language is also attached to another bill scheduled for a conference committee and will work with the conference committee in an effort to reach an outcome that is protective of ratepayers.”

— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · May 22, 2026 · excerpt

Governor's press release

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill modifies the assessment of system benefit charges cost effectiveness.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“"Advanced nuclear reactor" has the same meaning as that provided in 42 U.S.C. section 16271(b)(1), as amended from time to time.”

RSA 374-F:2, II-a

The bill defines "advanced nuclear reactor" by reference to federal law, the definition that governs which resources qualify for the higher procurement caps it creates.AI-generated

“A single net meter that shows the customer's net energy usage by measuring both the inflow and outflow of electricity internally shall be the extent of metering that is required at facilities with a total peak generating capacity of not more than [100] 250 kilowatts.”

RSA 362-A:9, III

The bill raises the capacity threshold for simple single-meter net metering from 100 to 250 kilowatts, expanding which customer-generators qualify.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 bill extends by 15 years the deadline for utilities to solicit long-term energy contracts, keeping the purchased-power authority open through 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(5)

The bill grants advanced nuclear reactors double the per-source procurement ceiling available to other energy sources.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Hearings and debates

Jan 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy33:11–1:31:2958m 18s
Mar 4, 2025Full committee work sessionHouse Science, Technology and Energy10:20–43:5533m 35s
Mar 4, 2025Executive sessionHouse Science, Technology and Energy2:51:02–2:52:241m 22s
Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor6:47:43–7:04:5017m 7s
Apr 1, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources21:31–1:07:0545m 34s

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Votes

yeanay

Starting text: Bill as introduced

Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass9–8
Overall
53% yea
Mar 20, 2025HouseRoll callLay HB221 on Table (Rep. N. Germana)Failed151–193
Overall
44% yea
Mar 20, 2025HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted195–151
Overall
56% yea
May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee5–0
Overall
100% yea
May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3044s4–1
Overall
80% yea
Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-3044sadopted
Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-3044sadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-3044s and Requests CofC (Rep. Vose)adopted
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Carson Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-1774cadopted

Legislative history

Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 2 P. 11
Jan 27, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2025 09:30 am LOB 302-304
Mar 4, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/04/2025 10:30 am LOB 302-304
Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
Mar 4, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/04/2025 (Vote 9-8; RC)
Mar 10, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
Mar 20, 2025HouseLay HB221 on Table (Rep. N. Germana): MF RC 151-193 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 82
Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 195-151 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 84
Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 9
Apr 1, 2025SenHearing: 04/01/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 15
May 15, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21A
May 15, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3044s, 01/07/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 46
Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-3044s, AA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
Jan 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-3044s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
Apr 23, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-3044s and Requests CofC (Rep. Vose): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
Apr 23, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Bernardy, Notter 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
Apr 23, 2026SenSen. Carson Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 10
Apr 23, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 04/23/2026); SJ 10
Apr 30, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 04/30/2026 10:00 am GP 229
May 14, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-1774c; 05/14/2026
May 14, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-1774c, Adopted, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-1774c: Adopted, VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 43
May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
May 22, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 05/22/2026

Coverage

Ayotte Signs 16 Bills Into Law, Vetoes OneInDepthNH · May 22, 2026
HB 221, enabling electric utilities to own and operate advanced nuclear resources, was the one bill Ayotte vetoed, citing concerns about the impact on ratepayers.AI-generated
Nuclear power dominated energy debate in Concord. Two bills now head to Ayotte's desk.NHPR · Jun 10, 2026
The article discusses Ayotte's veto of HB 221, which would have created a pathway for utilities to enter agreements with advanced nuclear reactors and expanded net metering.AI-generated
Nuclear power dominated energy discussions this session. A pair of bills now head to Ayotte's desk.New Hampshire Bulletin · Jun 10, 2026
The piece recounts Ayotte's veto of HB 221 and its net metering and advanced nuclear provisions amid the session's energy debate.AI-generated

Background reading

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

Advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)Explainer
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy — Federal overview of what advanced small modular reactors are, how they differ from conventional plants, and their potential uses.AI-generated
Clean EnergySupporters
Nuclear Innovation Alliance — Advocacy group's case that advanced nuclear can provide carbon-free, always-available power alongside wind and solar.AI-generated
The collapse of NuScale's project should spell the end for small modular nuclear reactorsCritics
Utility Dive — Opinion piece arguing the cancelled NuScale/UAMPS project illustrates the cost and schedule risks facing small modular reactors.AI-generated
Nuclear WasteCritics
Union of Concerned Scientists — Explains the unresolved problem of storing and disposing of long-lived radioactive spent fuel from nuclear plants.AI-generated
As bills calling for more utility-owned generation advance, an old debate is renewedNH context
New Hampshire Bulletin — Reports on New Hampshire legislation letting utilities own generation and the ratemaking debate over who bears the risk and cost.AI-generated
Ayotte wants to bring more nuclear power to New Hampshire. How would that work?NH context
New Hampshire Public Radio — Examines the state's push for more nuclear power, the role of Seabrook Station, and how new reactors might fit the grid.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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