New Hampshire HB 1542: establishing a committee to study New Hampshire's electric renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund.

Bill Text

HB 1542-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

12Feb2026... 0241h

26Mar2026... 1085h

05/07/2026 1726s

2026 SESSION

 26-2766

 07/05

HOUSE BILL 1542-FN

AN ACT establishing a committee to study New Hampshire's electric renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund.

SPONSORS: Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Ammon, Hills. 42; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. D. Thomas, Rock. 16; Rep. Vose, Rock. 5

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill establishes a committee to study New Hampshire's electric renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12Feb2026... 0241h

26Mar2026... 1085h

05/07/2026 1726s 26-2766

 07/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT establishing a committee to study New Hampshire's electric renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Committee Established. There is established a study committee on New Hampshire's electric renewable portfolio standard under RSA 362-F and the renewable energy fund under RSA 362-F:10. 

 2 Membership and Compensation.

 I. The members of the committee shall be as follows: 

 (a) Three members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom is currently serving on the house committee on science, technology, and energy, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

 (b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

 II. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

 3 Duties. The committee shall study and make recommendations on the following matters: 

 I. The extent to which the current class structure of the renewable portfolio standard under RSA 362-F continues to serve its original purpose of providing a market for technologies that increase the fuel diversity of New Hampshire’s electricity generation, which supports for low-emission energy technologies that are not yet commercially self-sustaining, and whether that class structure remains the appropriate policy instrument given technological changes since the policy was enacted. 

 II. Whether to maintain a class-based renewable portfolio standard or transition to the energy standard design recommended by the department of energy in its 2025 review of the renewable portfolio standard, and if such a change could be made at a cost that is beneficial to the ratepayers.

 III. The effect of the integration of additional qualifying resources.

 IV. The benefits to ratepayers delivered by the renewable energy fund and the feasibility of returning surplus revenue directly to ratepayers or redirecting funds to higher value programs.

 4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

 5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the policy committees in the house and senate with jurisdiction over renewable energy, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.

 6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 LBA

 26-2766

 05/11/2026

HB 1542-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1726s)

AN ACT establishing a committee to study New Hampshire's electric renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county 
 and local expenditures or revenue.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

 None