New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 7 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 538 — extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.

Last action — Signed by the Governor on 07/10/2026; Chapter 315; Effective 09/08/2026

  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 24, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 15, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

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

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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 (7 D · 1 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

Extends net metering eligibility for municipal energy projects.

This bill extends the terms for net metering eligibility specifically for municipal energy projects. It allows these projects to benefit from net metering for a longer period.

What this means for you
  • Environment: This bill may promote the development of renewable energy sources by municipal projects, benefiting the environment.

Summary

extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

33 added · 61 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of SB 538 includes new provisions that aim to provide municipalities in New Hampshire with more flexible net metering options, allowing them to transition to alternative tariffs approved by the public utilities commission. This change is important because it addresses delays in project implementation that could render many municipal energy initiatives economically unfeasible, especially as the deadlines for net metering approach in 2040. By ensuring these municipalities maintain access to net metering benefits, the bill helps support local renewable energy projects and community energy independence.

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Latest
SB 538-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 03/12/2026 1001s 06/04/2026 2072CofC SESSION 26-2118 06/07 SENATE BILL 538-FN AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
CHAPTER 315 SB 538-FN - FINAL VERSION 03/12/2026 1001s 06/04/2026 2072CofC SESSION 26-2118 06/07 SENATE BILL 538-FN AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
SB 538-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 03/12/2026 1001s 06/04/2026 2072CofC 26-2118 06/07 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
CHAPTER 315 SB 538-FN - FINAL VERSION 03/12/2026 1001s 06/04/2026 2072CofC 26-2118 06/07 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
1 Findings and Purpose.
315:1 Findings and Purpose.
2 New Paragraph;
315:2 New Paragraph;
3 Effective Date.
315:3 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2118 4/7/26 SB 538-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1101s) AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 10, 2026 Effective Date:
This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
September 08, 2026
Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Revenue Fund(s) None Expenditures* $0 $121,000 $125,000 $126,000 Funding Source(s) Renewable Energy Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:
This bill extends eligibility for certain customer-generators used by political subdivisions to receive compensation under the Public Utilities Commission’s alternative net-metering tariffs for a minimum term and establishes conditions for transitioning to future tariffs.
The Department of Energy states this bill will result in an increase in state expenditures beginning in FY 2027.
The bill is expected to increase the number of municipal group net- metering and interconnection applications requiring review and processing, which the Department indicates cannot be absorbed within existing staffing.
The Department anticipates the need for one full-time Business Specialist (SOC13-07) to support the additional workload.
The estimated cost for this position is $121,000 in FY 2027, $125,000 in FY 2028 and $126,000 in FY 2029.
These expenditures would be paid from the Renewable Energy Fund (REF).
If these positions are authorized, it is assumed the funding for these positions would be included in the Department's FY 2028 - FY 2029 budget request.
The Public Utilities Commission states they could absorb the new requirements within this bill into their existing budget.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy and Public Utilities Commission
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Action History

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/10/2026; Chapter 315; Effective 09/08/2026

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15

  4. Conference Committee Report # 2026-2072c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14

  5. Conference Committee Report 2026-2072c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  6. Conference Committee Report # 2026-2072c Filed 05/28/2026; New Amendment HC 22

  7. Committee of Conference Meeting: 05/26/2026, 12:00 pm, Room 154, GP

  8. Speaker Appoints: Reps. Vose, D. Thomas, Cambrils, McGhee 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22

  9. House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Reps. Vose, Weyler): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22

  10. President Appoints: Senators Avard, Pearl, Watters; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  11. Sen. Avard Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  12. Ought to Pass: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 96

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass 05/05/2026 (Vote 24-0; RC) HC 19 P. 24

  14. Division I Work Session: 05/04/2026 10:00 am GP 230

  15. Executive Session: 05/05/2026 10:30 am GP 230

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1453h and 2026-1578h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 71

  17. Amendment # 2026-1453h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 70

  18. FLAM # 2026-1578h (Rep. Vose): AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 70

  19. Referred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 71

  20. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1453h 04/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC)

  21. Executive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229

  22. Public Hearing: 04/06/2026 09:30 am GP 229

  23. Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 8 P. 114

  24. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1001s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  25. Committee Amendment # 2026-1001s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  26. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1001s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9

  27. Hearing: 01/13/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 48

  28. 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

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 538 do?
extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
Who sponsors SB 538?
SB 538 is sponsored by Pat Long (Democrat), Debra Altschiller (Democrat), Donovan Fenton (Democrat), Suzanne Prentiss (Democrat), Cindy Rosenwald (Democrat), Kevin Avard (Republican), David Watters (Democrat), and Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 538?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 24, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 538?
Track SB 538 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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