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HB 266 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Energy department powers and parental rights changes

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to structural changes to the department of energy and creating a limited exemption from parental consent required for certain recordings under the parental bill of rights and relative to the effect of murder on a decedent's estate.

Grants the department of energy full party status in proceedings before the public utilities commission, requires it to support the public utilities commission, site evaluation committee, and office of the consumer advocate, allows it to demand documents and answers from public utilities, creates an exemption from parental consent for certain assessments and school-sponsored public events, and makes final criminal conviction for murder the threshold for conclusively establishing criminal responsibility affecting a decedent's estate.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Ensures the department's full party status in proceedings before the public utilities commission. II. Requires the department to support the public utilities commission, site evaluation committee, office of the consumer advocate, and any related entities. III. Allow the department to demand documents and specific answers from public utilities or related entities. This bill is at the request of the department of energy.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael HarringtonRPrime
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader

Also: Rep. James SummersR

Public testimony

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

Hearings

  • 2025-03-039:00 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-03-109:00 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-03-101:00 pmHouse Science, Technology and EnergyLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-10-1410:00 amHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 229Public hearing
  • 2025-10-141:00 pmHouse Science, Technology and EnergyGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-02-119:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Jan 9, 2025HouseVacated and Referred to Science, Technology and Energy (Rep. C. McGuire): MA VV (in recess of) 01/09/2025 HJ 3 P. 28
  3. Mar 3, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/03/2025 09:00 am LOB 302-304
  4. Mar 10, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/10/2025 09:00 am LOB 302-304
  5. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
  6. Mar 11, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  7. Oct 14, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 10/14/2025 10:00 am GP 229
  8. Oct 14, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 10/14/2025 01:00 pm GP 229
  9. Oct 14, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2998h 10/14/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 51 P. 17
  10. Jan 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2025-2998h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 78
  11. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2998h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 78
  12. Jan 29, 2026SenIntroduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 3
  13. Feb 11, 2026SenHearing: 02/11/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 5
  14. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 3-0; SC 6
  15. Feb 19, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-0719s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  16. Feb 19, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-0720s; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  17. Feb 19, 2026SenChair Ruled Sections of Amendment # 2026-0720s Non-Germane, 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  18. Feb 19, 2026SenWithout Objection, Rule 3-17 is Suspended to Allow Non-Germane Amendment # 2026-0720s; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  19. Feb 19, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-0720s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  20. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-0719s and #2026-0720s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  21. Feb 19, 2026SenWithout Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  22. Feb 19, 2026SenRead a Third Time; and Final Passage in the early session; MA; VV, 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  23. Feb 19, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0719s and 2026-0720s (Rep. Vose): MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 89
  24. Feb 19, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 124
  25. Feb 19, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 02/19/2026); SJ 5
  26. Mar 3, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 03/03/2026; Chapter 4; eff. I. Sec 5-8 eff 3/3/2026 II. Rem eff 5/2/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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