New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 5 D · 2 R cosponsors

SB 589 — relative to port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems.

Last action — II. Remainder Effective 06/19/2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on June 24, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (5 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill addresses port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity for energy and water systems.

This legislation promotes the use of electricity at ports, supports the development of microgrids, and sets cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems. It aims to enhance efficiency and security in these areas.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This may lead to new job opportunities in the areas of electrification and cybersecurity.
  • Environment: This means potential reductions in emissions and improved sustainability efforts at ports.
  • Small Business: This could create a more reliable energy environment, benefiting businesses reliant on energy stability.

Summary

(New Title) relative to port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

112 added · 157 removed

Plain-language change summary

The final version of SB 589 has added a focus on establishing cybersecurity programs specifically for water and wastewater systems. This change is significant because it strengthens the protections in place for critical infrastructure, ensuring that these systems can better defend against cyber threats. Additionally, the new language emphasizes the importance of electrification at ports and the development of microgrids, which can improve energy reliability and resilience. This reflects a growing recognition of the need for modern energy solutions in New Hampshire.

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Latest
SB 589-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 02/19/2026 0512s 23Apr2026...
CHAPTER 197 SB 589-FN - FINAL VERSION 02/19/2026 0512s 23Apr2026...
SB 589-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 02/19/2026 0512s 23Apr2026...
CHAPTER 197 SB 589-FN - FINAL VERSION 02/19/2026 0512s 23Apr2026...
1 Statement of Purpose.
197:1 Statement of Purpose.
2 New Paragraph;
197:2 New Paragraph;
3 New Sections;
197:3 New Section;
(a) The director of the division of ports and harbors, or designee, who shall serve as chair and convening authority, and shall administer the task force.
(a) The director of the division of ports and harbors, or designee, who shall serve as chair and convening authority and shall administer the task force.
(a) Identify feasible technologies and locations for charging infrastructure, energy supply, including on-site generation, and energy storage units, to serve hybrid electric, and fuel cell electric ships, for shipping, fisheries, and other vessels, and portside power supply for conventional- fueled vessels.
(a) Identify feasible technologies and locations for charging infrastructure, energy supply, including on-site generation, and energy storage units, to serve hybrid electric, and fuel cell electric ships, for shipping, fisheries, and other vessels, and portside power supply for conventional-fueled vessels.
SB 589-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - (b) Assess applicable state, federal, and international regulations and regulatory barriers.
(b) Assess applicable state, federal, and international regulations and regulatory barriers.
IV.
CHAPTER 197 SB 589-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - IV.
4 Microgrid Investigation Phase II.
197:4 Microgrid Investigation Phase II.
Within 120 days of the effective date of this section, the department of energy shall initiate a proceeding to continue to investigate the potential benefits, risks, and key considerations around developing a framework for electricity microgrids, in the state, continuing the work begun in Inv 2024-001.
Within 120 days of the effective date of this section, the department of energy shall initiate a proceeding to continue to investigate the potential benefits, risks, and key considerations around developing a framework for electricity microgrids in the state, continuing the work begun in Inv 2024-001.
(e) The need for legislation or regulatory relief to allow for pilot projects (f) Evaluation criteria for a pilot project.
(e) The need for legislation or regulatory relief to allow for pilot projects.
(f) Evaluation criteria for a pilot project.
For the purposes of this section, "microgrid" shall have the same meaning as in RSA 162- R:1, III-a.
For the purposes of this section, "microgrid" shall have the same meaning as in RSA 162-R:1, III-a.
5 Cybersecurity and Electric Grid Interconnection Guidelines.
197:5 Cybersecurity and Electric Grid Interconnection Guidelines.
SB 589-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 3 - (a) The need for guidelines or standards for cybersecurity standards for distributed energy generation and related devices.
(a) The need for guidelines or standards for cybersecurity standards for distributed energy generation and related devices.
(b) The proper venue for promulgation of those guidelines or standards, including, but not limited to rulemaking, statutory changes, and including guidelines or standards within existing procedures and filings.
(b) The proper venue for promulgation of those guidelines or standards, including, but not limited to, rulemaking, statutory changes, and including guidelines or standards within existing procedures and filings.
The report shall include recommendations for statutory changes, rulemaking, or other actions as needed.
The report shall include recommendations for statutory changes, CHAPTER 197 SB 589-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 3 - rulemaking, or other actions as needed.
  6 New Section;
  197:6 New Section;
In this section “cybersecurity protection program” means steps to prevent an event from occurring on or being conducted through a computer network that jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of computers, information systems, communications systems, networks, physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by computers or information systems, or the information or processes residing thereon.
In this section, “cybersecurity protection program” means steps to prevent an event from occurring on or being conducted through a computer network that jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of computers, information systems, communications systems, networks, physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by computers or information systems, or the information or processes residing thereon.
7 New Section;
197:7 New Section;
In this section “cybersecurity protection program” means steps to prevent an event from occurring on or being conducted through a computer network that jeopardizes the confidentiality, SB 589-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 4 - integrity, or availability of computers, information systems, communications systems, networks, physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by computers or information systems, or the information or processes residing thereon.
In this section, “cybersecurity protection program” means steps to prevent an event from occurring on or being conducted through a computer network that jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of computers, information systems, communications systems, networks, physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by computers or information systems, or the information or processes residing thereon.
8 Repeal.
197:8 Repeal.
9 Effective Date.
197:9 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2048 04/29/2026 SB 589-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1412h) AN ACT relative to port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
June 19, 2026 Effective Date:
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 County Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 County Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Expenditures $0 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable METHODOLOGY:
I.
This bill establishes a port electrification task force, directs the Department of Energy to investigate microgrid development and cybersecurity standards for distributed energy resources, and requires public water systems and wastewater treatment facilities to implement cybersecurity protection programs in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Environmental Services.
Section 8 effective July 1, 2027 II.
Cybersecurity standards for the state shall not apply to generation and related devices licensed or regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Remainder effective June 19, 2026
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states the bill may have an indeterminable increase in municipal expenditures beginning in FY 2027 and each year thereafter for public water systems and publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities that may need to implement cybersecurity upgrades to comply with future rules adopted by the Department of Environmental Services.
According to information provided by the Department of Environmental Services, there are approximately 2,500 public water systems and approximately 80 publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities in New Hampshire.
Because information regarding existing cybersecurity programs for these systems is not publicly available, the Association cannot determine how many facilities may need upgrades.
The cost of potential cybersecurity improvements is indeterminable, but could conservatively range from $10,000 to $100,000 per impacted facility.
The Department of Energy states this bill requires the Department to initiate investigative proceedings related to microgrid development and cybersecurity standards and to report its findings to the Legislature.
The Department indicates these activities can be completed with existing staff and resources and therefore anticipates no fiscal impact to state revenues or expenditures.
The Department of Environmental Services states this bill requires public water systems and wastewater treatment facilities to implement cybersecurity protection programs and authorizes the Department to adopt rules to support those programs.
The Department indicates the bill affirms responsibilities that are consistent with work already being undertaken under existing federal and state regulatory requirements and therefore does not result in an incremental cost to the state.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy, Department of Environmental Services, and New Hampshire Municipal Association
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Action History

  1. II. Remainder Effective 06/19/2026

  2. I. Section 8 Effective 07/01/2027

  3. Signed by the Governor on 06/19/2026; Chapter 197

  4. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  5. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  6. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2028e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  7. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2028e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14

  8. Sen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  9. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1412h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  10. Amendment # 2026-1412h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  11. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1412h 04/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC)

  12. ==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229

  13. ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/07/2026 02:00 pm GP 229

  14. Public Hearing: 04/06/2026 02:00 pm GP 229

  15. Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 5 P. 127

  16. Committee Amendment # 2026-0512s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

  17. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0512s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

  18. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0512s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6

  19. Hearing: 01/15/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 1

  20. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 407 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (407)

407 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 407 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

transportation technology energy
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 589 do?
(New Title) relative to port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems.
Who sponsors SB 589?
SB 589 is sponsored by Howard Pearl (Republican), Debra Altschiller (Democrat), Cindy Rosenwald (Democrat), Kat McGhee (Democrat), Kevin Avard (Republican), John R Cloutier, David Watters (Democrat), and Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 589?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 589?
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