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SB 589 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Port electrification and cybersecurity standards

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems.

Establishes a port electrification task force, directs investigation into microgrid development and cybersecurity standards, and requires cybersecurity programs for water and wastewater systems.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a port electrification task force, directs investigation into microgrid development and cybersecurity standards, and mandates cybersecurity programs for water and wastewater systems.

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

“The director of the division of ports and harbors, or designee, who shall serve as chair and convening authority and shall administer the task force.”
RSA 162-R:7
“Public water systems shall implement a cybersecurity protection program that is commensurate with the size and complexity of the public water system in accordance with rules adopted by the department.”
RSA 485:3-e
“Wastewater treatment plants or wastewater facilities shall implement a cybersecurity protection program that is commensurate with the size and complexity of the wastewater treatment plant or wastewater facility in accordance with rules adopted by the department.”
RSA 485-A:5-f
“Copies shall be submitted to the governor, speaker of the house, president of the senate, and the chairs of the house and senate standing committees for transportation, energy, and commerce. 197:4 Microgrid Investigation Phase II.”
RSA 162-R:7

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy

Also: Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Promoting port electrification and microgrid development both help expand clean energy use which is necessary for our current and future energy needs.”
— Barbara Callaway, Hanoversupports
“This bill directs New Hampshire to study and plan for port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for modern energy systems and will promote port electrification and microgrid development, both of which help expand clean energy use.”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoversupports
“I support this bill because it promotes port electrification and microgrid development, both of which help expand clean energy use.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoversupports

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 15, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources36:14–37:421m 28slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0512s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0512s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0512s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy6:06:51–6:08:381m 47slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy23:52–28:054m 13slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1412h — roll call; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:08:20–5:09:271m 7slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1412h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1412h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor21:12–22:0048slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2028e — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2028e 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 15, 2026SenHearing: 01/15/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 1
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0512s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0512s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0512s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 5 P. 127
  7. Apr 6, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/06/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  8. Apr 7, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/07/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  9. Apr 13, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  10. Apr 13, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1412h 04/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC)
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1412h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 73
  12. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1412h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 73
  13. May 7, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  14. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2028e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 37
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2028e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  18. Jun 19, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/19/2026; Chapter 197
  19. Jul 1, 2027SenI. Section 8 Effective 07/01/2027
  20. Jun 19, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 06/19/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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