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SB 440 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Municipal clean energy district rules

AI-generated

relative to the adoption of energy efficient and clean energy districts by municipalities.

Modifies the requirements for municipalities to adopt energy efficient and clean energy districts.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill modifies the requirements for adoption of energy efficient and clean energy districts by municipalities.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In a municipality that has adopted a charter pursuant to RSA 49-D, the legislative body or governing body may consider and act upon the question in accordance with its municipal charter.”
RSA 53-F:2
“In a municipality that has not adopted a charter pursuant to RSA 49-D, or in a village district, the question may be placed on the warrant of an annual meeting only by the governing body, or the governing body has the authority to adopt the provisions of this chapter and create a district after the governing body holds at least one public hearing in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.”
RSA 53-F:2
“Notice of the time and place of each public hearing held under this section shall be at least 10 calendar days before the hearing, excluding the day of posting and the day of the hearing.”
RSA 53-F:2
“Notice of each public hearing shall be published in a paper of general circulation in the municipality and shall be posted in at least 2 public places.”
RSA 53-F:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daniel InnisRPrimeChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Public testimony

20 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

65% support35% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Commercial property owners need help to reduce energy costs, improve building performance, and invest in resilience without new taxes or mandates. This bill would give them this help.”
— Barbara Callaway, Hanoversupports
“This bill would help municipalities confidently use this authority to support private investment and local economic development. It would allow local governing bodies like city councils or select boards to approve these districts directly without requiring a full town-wide vote.…”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoversupports
“I support this bill because I think C-PACER gives cities and towns a voluntary, locally controlled tool to help commercial property owners reduce energy costs, improve building performance, and invest in resilience without new taxes or mandates.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoversupports
“This bill if passed, signed, and enacted, would repeal RSA 53-F:2. That would be a mistake. RSA 53-F:2 is a much fair, clear, and easier to legislate process. We should keep it. SB440 as proposed, is regressive and Inexpedient To Legislate. It should not pass.…”
— Germano Martins, Hooksettopposes

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 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0353s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0353sadopted
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0353sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 5, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass20–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026HouseVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2141eadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce42:51–48:425m 51slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0353s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0353s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0353s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government2:48:34–2:50:161m 42slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 5, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:22:34–1:29:186m 44slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2141e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2141e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1
  2. Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 1
  3. Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0353s, 02/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0353s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0353s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 12:10 pm GP 154
  8. May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  9. May 5, 2026House: Ought to Pass 05/05/2026 (Vote 20-0; CC) HC 19 P. 15
  10. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 25
  11. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2141e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  12. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2141e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  13. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 250; Effective 07/02/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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