SB 597 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Inflation-capped utility rate increases
AI-generatedrelative 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- ✓Introduced
- ✕Senate
- House
- Governor
- 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.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“No later than one year following the effective date of this section, the commission shall open an investigative proceeding to evaluate whether to establish performance incentive mechanisms that directly tie electric and gas utility revenues to achievement on performance metrics for the purposes of grid modernization.”
“In connection with seeking new and higher rates, fares, charges, or prices, an electric or gas utility may propose a multi-year rate plan that includes the performance incentives adopted by the commission pursuant to RSA 374:3-a as a mechanism for varying any initial revenue requirement determined by the commission to be just and reasonable in such rate proceeding.”
“"Total expenditures" or "TOTEX" means the sum of a public utility’s capital expenditures and operating expenditures, measured on the accounting and/or regulatory basis determined by the commission;”
“In establishing performance incentive mechanisms, the public utilities commission shall consider:”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- 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
Votes
yeanay- Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2Overall60% yea
- Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:57–3:051m 8slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Hearing
- Feb 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources34:43–35:511m 8slocated in the stream transcript==RECONVENE== Hearing
- Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor52:11–56:093m 58slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee 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
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
- Jan 27, 2026Sen==RECESSED== Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 2
- Feb 10, 2026Sen==RECONVENE== Hearing: 02/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 4
- Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 9
- Mar 12, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.