PRIA Logo™
New HampshireHB15392025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

authorizing electric utilities to issue AAA-rated bonds for the purpose of storm cost recovery and infrastructure resilience.

Sponsored By: Unknown sponsor (PersonID 909)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Tax benefits reduce customers' storm bond costs

The law requires utilities to credit customers for net deferred income tax benefits tied to costs financed through storm bonds. Utilities must provide this credit by reducing the amount of bonds issued. The reduction uses the present value of related tax cash flows, calculated using the bonds' expected interest rate. This lowers the amount customers must support through bond charges. The law took effect upon passage.

Storm bonds bring electric bill charges

Effective upon passage, the law lets New Hampshire electric utilities seek approval to finance storm preparation, response, restoration, and related transaction costs with bonds. After a hearing, the Public Utilities Commission must find the costs were prudent and the bonds serve the public interest. It must issue a final decision within 60 days of receiving the application. Customers pay a per-kilowatt-hour charge covering bond principal, interest, credit backing, other bond costs, and any premium payable. The Commission can consider whether bonds lower total costs or soften customer bill impacts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Unknown sponsor (PersonID 909)

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • David H. Watters

    Democratic • Senate

  • Douglas W. Thomas

    Republican • House

  • JD Bernardy

    Republican • House

  • John Schneller

    Republican • House

  • Kevin A. Avard

    Republican • Senate

  • Maureen C. Mooney

    Republican • House

  • Michael D Harrington

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 04/15/2026; Chapter 25; eff. 04/15/2026

    4/17/2026House

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 56

    4/8/2026House

  3. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7

    3/26/2026Senate

  4. Committee Amendment # 2026-1127s, AF, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7

    3/26/2026Senate

  5. HB 1539 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/26/2026; SJ 7

    3/26/2026Senate

  6. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1127s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11

    3/18/2026Senate

  7. Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 9

    3/4/2026Senate

  8. Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 5

    2/25/2026Senate

  9. Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112

    2/19/2026House

  10. Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102

    2/19/2026House

  11. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0409h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102

    2/19/2026House

  12. Amendment # 2026-0409h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 101

    2/19/2026House

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0409h 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC) HC 7 P. 38

    2/9/2026House

  14. Executive Session: 02/03/2026 03:00 pm GP 229

    1/29/2026House

  15. Public Hearing: 01/29/2026 09:30 am GP 158

    1/23/2026House

  16. ==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/26/2026 09:30 am GP 229

    1/21/2026House

  17. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 25

    12/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/8/2026

    HTML

  • Introduced

    12/10/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation