relative to the department of energy.
Sponsored By: Howard Pearl (r)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Net metering customers lose capacity caps
The law removes statutory net metering capacity caps for eligible customers who generate electricity. It also removes the 20% queue-reservation limit for a person or related businesses, plus related reporting and certification requirements. Utilities must offer standard net metering rates first-come, first-served until commission-approved alternatives become available. Standard rates, rate structures, and charges must match the customer's default generation supply tariff and follow department rules and commission orders. Investor-owned utilities must also offer alternatives under the 2017 Commission Order 26,029 and department rules until approved replacements become available.
Customers gain electric supplier contact choices
The law requires rules letting residential and small business customers choose how competitive electric suppliers contact them. The Department of Energy must start rulemaking within 60 days after the section takes effect. The law takes effect 60 days after passage; the rulemaking deadline runs from that effective date. Once conforming rules are adopted, complaints and proceedings under this section are exempt from RSA 541-A:29 and 541-A:29-a.
Local power programs gain complaint oversight
Municipal and county power-buying programs fall under Department of Energy oversight for complaints under the aggregation law, rules, or commission orders. The department must docket and publish complaints received from non-residential ratepayers. These department complaints and commission proceedings are exempt from RSA 541-A:29 and 541-A:29-a.
Phone customers face complaint coverage limits
The law limits general utility complaint protections for users of specified telecommunications carriers and internet-based or cellular phone services. Complaints involving listed laws remain covered, with limited retained rights in disputes with basic service providers. The listed exceptions include RSA 371:17–24 and RSA 374:34-a, 374:48–56, and 374:59.
Utilities owe full-year assessments when registered
Covered utilities and other assessed entities registered with the Department of Energy on July 1 owe the full fiscal-year assessment. The department calculates, bills, and publishes assessment amounts each year. Quarterly billing dates are September 15, November 15, February 15, and April 15. Entities assessed less than $10,000 may receive a full-year bill on September 15. After the fiscal year, the department adjusts for underpayments or overpayments; households have no direct payment duty under this provision.
Energy customers get revised complaint routes
People can file written Department of Energy petitions alleging violations by entities under department or Public Utilities Commission oversight. They must first bring the same or a similar complaint to the department's consumer services division and exhaust its remedies. The department can investigate and seek voluntary resolution without a formal hearing, using rules or procedures set by order. It need not continue after an entity repairs the alleged harm, stops the alleged violation, and notifies the department. For unresolved cases under its sole authority, the department may dismiss the complaint or start a formal case. For commission matters, it must transfer the complaint and investigation report on the complainant's request; the commission then opens a formal case. Department complaints are exempt from RSA 541-A:29 and 541-A:29-a.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Howard Pearl
r • Senate
Cosponsors
Alvin B See
Republican • House
Kevin A. Avard
Republican • Senate
Bill M. Gannon
Republican • Senate
James A Spillane
Republican • House
Jose E Cambrils
Republican • House
Keith R. Murphy
Republican • Senate
Timothy Lang
Republican • Senate
Tim McGough
Republican • Senate
Michael I Moffett
Republican • House
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
Democratic • Senate
Cindy Rosenwald
Democratic • Senate
Victoria Sullivan
Republican • Senate
David H. Watters
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0294; Effective 09/30/2025
8/4/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2919e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/18/2025SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
7/18/2025HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/18/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2919e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 61
7/9/2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2748c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 2
6/26/2025HouseConference Committee Report # 2025-2748c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
6/24/2025SenateConference Committee Report # 2025-2748c Filed 06/18/2025; As Amended by the House HJ 17
6/18/2025HouseCommittee of Conference Meeting: 06/13/2025, 09:00 am, Room 103 SH, 9:00 a.m.
6/11/2025SenateSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Harrington, McGhee 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
6/11/2025HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
6/11/2025HousePresident Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
6/11/2025SenateSen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
6/11/2025SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1585h: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 8
5/1/2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1585h: AA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 8
5/1/2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1585h 04/14/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 22 P. 11
4/21/2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/14/2025 11:00 am LOB 302-304
4/9/2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/14/2025 09:00 am 302-304
4/2/2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2025 01:30 pm LOB 302-304
4/2/2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 04/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 302-304
3/31/2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 11 P. 111
3/28/2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0550s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
3/6/2025SenateCommittee Amendment # 2025-0550s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
3/6/2025SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0550s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
2/21/2025SenateHearing: 02/04/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 8
1/30/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Amended
7/18/2025
Enrolled
7/9/2025
Introduced
1/22/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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