(New Title) relative to the residential ratepayers advisory board.
Sponsored By: Ross Berry
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Some expenses leave utility assessment calculation
The yearly utility assessment calculation no longer includes Public Utilities Commission expenses tied to the Office of the Consumer Advocate. This removes those expenses from the cost base charged to utilities and other covered entities. The law specifies no savings amount and does not guarantee lower household utility bills.
Utilities pay for approved advocacy experts
Participating utilities pay for experts helping the consumer advocate in Public Utilities Commission cases. Hiring these experts requires approval from the legislative fiscal committee and the Governor and Council. The Department of Energy must assess those costs and provide for utilities’ timely recovery of the amounts. The law sets no dollar amount or direct household payment.
Utility advocacy moves into state department
The independent Office of the Consumer Advocate ends 120 days after passage. Its duties, contracts, and liabilities move to New Hampshire’s Department of Energy; property ownership transfers July 1, 2025. Existing rules and approvals stay in effect until legally changed. The department must appoint a qualified New Hampshire attorney as advocate, plus a full-time classified assistant and secretary. The advocate represents residential utility consumers, provides consumer education, promotes Link-Up New Hampshire and Lifeline telephone assistance, and addresses regional and federal rate policies. The Residential Ratepayers Advisory Board gets administrative support from a staff member chosen by a majority of board members.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ross Berry
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Donald S McFarlane
Republican • House
Jason M. Osborne
Republican • House
Joe H. Alexander
Republican • House
Joe Sweeney
Republican • House
Tom D Mannion
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Enrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
7/21/2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2026; Chapter 45; eff. 08/06/2026
5/12/2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1056s (Rep. Layon): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8
5/12/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
4/28/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1056s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Amendment # 2026-1056s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1056s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9
3/5/2026SenateHearing: 02/11/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 5
2/5/2026SenateIntroduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 3
1/30/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-3076h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 67
1/7/2026HouseAmendment # 2025-3076h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 67
1/7/2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3076h (NT) 11/05/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 9
11/5/2025HouseExecutive Session: 11/05/2025 10:00 am GP 231
10/27/2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 10/01/2025 10:00 am GP 231
9/22/2025HouseRetained in Committee
3/12/2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/05/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
2/20/2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 3 P. 18
1/16/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/28/2026
Introduced
1/16/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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