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SB 538 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Municipal net metering eligibility extension

AI-generated

extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.

Establishes long-term eligibility for certain customer-generators to receive net energy metering compensation under alternative tariffs approved by the public utilities commission and outlines conditions for transitioning to future tariffs.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 15, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes long-term eligibility for certain customer-generators to receive net energy metering compensation under alternative tariffs approved by the public utilities commission. This bill also outlines conditions for transitioning to future tariffs.

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

“Each electric distribution utility shall make available alternative tariffs for net metering to eligible customer-generators in accordance with order no. 26,029 dated June 23, 2017, and the net metering rules adopted by the commission.”
Section 315:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

96 signed in online · 42 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“SB 538 is a targeted approach to ensure that the many municipalities in New Hampshire that have built solar arrays are able to take full advantage over the years to provide benefits to ratepayers.…”
— Rob Werner, Concord · League of Conservation Voterssupports
“I’m a constituent from Manchester, and I’m writing to ask for your support on SB449, SB538, and SB540. These bills will help lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and support local investment in our communities.…”
— Colin Conneally, Manchestersupports
“I’m a constituent from Littleton, and I’m writing to ask for your support on SB449. This bill will help lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and support local investment in our communities. Please support this bill as it moves through the House.…”
— Kathleen Smith, Littletonsupports

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources53:50–56:523m 2slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1001s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1001s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1001s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy2:39:15–2:44:134m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy3:13:32–3:16:172m 45slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1453h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:56:05–4:59:313m 26slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1453h and 2026-1578h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1453h — adopted, voice vote; FLAM # 2026-1578h (Rep. Vose) — adopted, voice vote
  • May 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I24:11–26:322m 21slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
  • May 5, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance14:30–22:338m 3slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:05:25–4:06:271m 2slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Reps. Vose, Weyler) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Cambrils, McGhee
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report 2026-2072c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:28:53–3:29:4350slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report # 2026-2072c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled 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 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 48
  3. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1001s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1001s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1001s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Apr 6, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/06/2026 09:30 am GP 229
  8. Apr 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  9. Apr 13, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1453h 04/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC)
  10. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1453h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 70
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1578h (Rep. Vose): AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 70
  12. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1453h and 2026-1578h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 71
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 71
  14. May 4, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 05/04/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  15. May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  16. May 5, 2026House: Ought to Pass 05/05/2026 (Vote 24-0; RC) HC 19 P. 24
  17. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 96
  18. May 14, 2026SenSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  19. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  20. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Reps. Vose, Weyler): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  21. May 21, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Cambrils, McGhee 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  22. May 26, 2026SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 05/26/2026, 12:00 pm, Room 154, GP
  23. May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-2072c Filed 05/28/2026; New Amendment HC 22
  24. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2072c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2072c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  28. Jul 10, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/10/2026; Chapter 315; Effective 09/08/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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