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SB 597 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Inflation-capped utility rate increases

AI-generated

relative to utility rate increases to inflation-adjusted thresholds and performance incentive metrics for utilities.

Prohibits the public utilities commission from adopting an electric utility rate exceeding the prior year's inflation-adjusted rate and directs the commission to implement performance incentive metrics, including consideration of TOTEX ratemaking.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · March 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the public utilities commission, pursuant to its rulemaking authority, from adopting an energy rate for any electric utility that exceeds the previous year’s rate after adjusting for inflation. The bill also directs the public utilities commission to implement performance incentive metrics for utilities, including determining whether TOTEX ratemaking should be established.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDPrimeMinority Leader
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Rep. Janet WallDRanking Member· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Thomas CormenDDeputy Ranking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy

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

Public testimony

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:00 amSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-02-109:00 amSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing

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, 09:00 am; SC 2
  3. Feb 10, 2026Sen==RECONVENE== Hearing: 02/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 4
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 9
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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