Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 518 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Transmission asset replacement project rules

AI-generated

relative to asset condition projects.

Establishes definitions and a certification process for qualified transmission asset replacement projects, modifies application and fee requirements, clarifies agency roles in site evaluation proceedings, and expands the site evaluation committee fund to include monitoring and enforcement costs.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · February 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes definitions and a certification process for qualified transmission asset replacement projects. II. Modifies application and fee requirements. III. Clarifies agency roles in site evaluation proceedings. IV. Expands the site evaluation committee fund to include monitoring and enforcement costs.

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

“There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a nonlapsing, special fund to be known as the site evaluation committee fund.”
RSA 162-H:21
“All application and other filing fees received by the committee under RSA 162-H:8-a shall be deposited in the fund.”
RSA 162-H:21
“In the event lawful expenditures of the committee and department in a fiscal year are greater than the total fees and charges held in the site evaluation committee fund, the chair of the site evaluation committee may request, with prior approval of the fiscal committee, that the governor and council authorize additional funding from general funds not otherwise appropriated.”
RSA 162-H:21
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may engage additional technical, legal, or administrative support to fulfill the requirements of this chapter, the cost of which shall be charged directly to the applicant or energy facility owner.”
RSA 162-H:21

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Kevin AvardRPrimeChair· Energy and Natural Resources

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resourcesfrom 2:30:21located in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources40:06–44:364m 30slocated in the stream transcript==RECONVENE== Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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 Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026Sen==RECESSED== Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 2
  3. Feb 3, 2026Sen==RECONVENE== Hearing: 02/03/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 4
  4. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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