New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 5 D · 3 R cosponsors

SB 540 — relative to plug-in solar generation systems.

Last action — II. Remainder Effective 07/02/2026

  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 09, 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 · 3 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 regulates plug-in solar generation systems.

This legislation focuses on the regulation of plug-in solar generation systems. It aims to establish guidelines and standards for their installation and use.

Summary

(New Title) relative to plug-in solar generation systems.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

79 added · 83 removed

Plain-language change summary

The final version of Bill SB 540 includes a new definition for "plug-in solar generation systems" and sets clear parameters for their use, allowing individuals to install one system with a maximum output of 1,200 watts without requiring additional utility approvals or fees. It also mandates that these systems must be certified for safety and comply with state building codes, ensuring a standard for safe installation and operation. Additionally, it establishes that electric utilities are not responsible for any damages caused by these customer-installed systems. These changes are important as they make it easier for residents to adopt solar technology and contribute to renewable energy efforts.

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Latest
SB 540-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 02/19/2026 0511s 23Apr2026...
CHAPTER 262 SB 540-FN - FINAL VERSION 02/19/2026 0511s 23Apr2026...
Authorizes the department of energy to adopt rules consistent with ANSI, UL, and IEEE standards, requires the department to maintain consumer information on its website regarding plug- in solar generation systems, and clarifies that electric distribution utilities are not liable for damages arising from customer‑installed systems.
Authorizes the department of energy to adopt rules consistent with ANSI, UL, and IEEE standards, requires the department to maintain consumer information on its website regarding plug-in solar generation systems, and clarifies that electric distribution utilities are not liable for damages arising from customer‑installed systems.
SB 540-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 02/19/2026 0511s 23Apr2026...
CHAPTER 262 SB 540-FN - FINAL VERSION 02/19/2026 0511s 23Apr2026...
1 New Paragraphs;
262:1 New Paragraph;
Amend RSA 362-A:1-a by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraphs:
Amend RSA 362-A:1-a by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
2 New Section;
262:2 New Section;
The department of energy shall establish and maintain a page on its website with relevant information for consumers regarding plug-in solar generation systems, including meter SB 540-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - compatibility at the state’s various distribution utilities, potential impacts on electric billing, applicable safety standards and considerations, and any other information the department determines appropriate.
The department of energy shall establish and maintain a page on its website with relevant information for consumers regarding plug-in solar generation systems, including meter compatibility at the state’s various distribution utilities, potential impacts on electric billing, applicable safety standards and considerations, and any other information the department determines appropriate.
Such information shall include notice that connecting unlisted systems or connecting systems in a manner not in accordance with the state building code or manufacturer instructions may affect a customer’s homeowners or renters insurance coverage.
Such information shall include notice that connecting unlisted systems or connecting systems in a manner not in accordance with CHAPTER 262 SB 540-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - the state building code or manufacturer instructions may affect a customer’s homeowners or renters insurance coverage.
3 New Section;
262:3 New Section;
4 New Section;
262:4 New Section;
5 Rulemaking;
262:5 Rulemaking;
and 6 Contingency.
and 262:6 Contingency.
7 Effective Date.
262:7 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2126 04/29/2026 SB 540-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1452h) AN ACT relative to plug-in solar generation systems.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 02, 2026 Effective Date:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county and local expenditures or revenue.
I.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Section 3 effective as provided in section 6 II.
None
Remainder effective January 1, 2027
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Action History

  1. II. Remainder Effective 07/02/2026

  2. I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect as provided in Section 6

  3. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 262

  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 # 2026-2020e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  7. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2020e: 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 2026-1452h: MA DV 293-43 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72

  10. Amendment # 2026-1452h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 71

  11. Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72

  12. Referred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72

  13. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

  14. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1452h (NT) 04/13/2026 (Vote 16-1; RC)

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

  16. Public Hearing: 04/06/2026 01:00 pm GP 229

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

  18. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  19. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 9

  20. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0511s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

  21. Committee Amendment # 2026-0511s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

  22. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0511s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6

  23. Hearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 46

  24. 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 540 do?
(New Title) relative to plug-in solar generation systems.
Who sponsors SB 540?
SB 540 is sponsored by Keith Murphy (Republican), Howard Pearl (Republican), Debra Altschiller (Democrat), Cindy Rosenwald (Democrat), Kat McGhee (Democrat), Kevin Avard (Republican), David Watters (Democrat), and Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 540?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 24, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 540?
Track SB 540 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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