New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 10 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 1723 — requiring utilities and electric grid operators to assess and report the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, and to recommend mitigation measures to protect the state electric infrastructure.

Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 310; eff. 9/1/2027

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 17, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 16, 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.

  • 12 sponsors

    1 primary, 11 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (10 R · 1 D) — 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

Utilities must assess and report on transformer vulnerabilities to geomagnetic disturbances.

This bill requires utilities and electric grid operators to evaluate how high-voltage transformers are affected by geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, along with suggesting ways to protect electrical infrastructure. This aims to enhance the resilience of the state's electric grid against such disturbances.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: This means consumers may experience improved reliability of their electricity supply with better protection against disruptions.

Summary

requiring utilities and electric grid operators to assess and report the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, and to recommend mitigation measures to protect the state electric infrastructure.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

96 added · 124 removed

Plain-language change summary

The final version of HB 1723 emphasizes the need for utilities and electric grid operators to assess the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to threats from solar weather and electromagnetic events. This version includes specific mentions of the risks associated with geomagnetically induced currents and the long replacement times for Extra High Voltage transformers. These changes are significant because they provide a clearer understanding of the risks to the electric grid and highlight the importance of taking proactive measures to protect critical infrastructure.

→
Previous
Latest
HB 1723 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 12Mar2026...
CHAPTER 310 HB 1723 - FINAL VERSION 12Mar2026...
Science, Technology and Energy ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill directs the Department of Energy to investigate vulnerabilities of electric transmission transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and report findings with recommendations.
Science, Technology and Energy ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill directs the department of energy to investigate vulnerabilities of electric transmission transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and report findings with recommendations.
HB 1723 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 12Mar2026...
CHAPTER 310 HB 1723 - FINAL VERSION 12Mar2026...
1 Short title.
310:1 Short title.
This act shall be known as "Survey All Vulnerable Electric Transformers Act." 2 Findings.
This act shall be known as "Survey All Vulnerable Electric Transformers Act." 310:2 Findings.
America’s electric grid is critical to modern life and faces existential threats from solar weather events (coronal mass ejections—CME), geomagnetic disturbances—GMDs, and high- altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse—HEMP, all capable of disabling electric power systems.
America’s electric grid is critical to modern life and faces existential threats from solar weather events (coronal mass ejections—CME), geomagnetic disturbances—GMDs, and high-altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse—HEMP, all capable of disabling electric power systems.
High voltage transformers are especially vulnerable to geomagnetically induced currents—GICs—whether induced by GMDs or HEMP E3 component, entering the grid through ground-connected neutral wires.
High voltage transformers are especially vulnerable to geomagnetically induced currents— GICs—whether induced by GMDs or HEMP E3 component, entering the grid through ground-connected neutral wires.
HB 1723 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - IX.
IX.
X.
CHAPTER 310 HB 1723 - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - X.
3 Geomagnetic and Electromagnetic Disturbance Electric Transmission;
310:3 Geomagnetic and Electromagnetic Disturbance Electric Transmission;
(a) What studies and assessments have previously been performed that reviewed transmission system vulnerabilities to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances? (b) How were those studies conducted and what were the transmission system grid vulnerabilities identified? (c) Given the current NERC GMD standard of 3 V/km and the IEC international standard of 85 V/km, did the magnetic field standard utilized adequately assess the vulnerability of the transmission system in New Hampshire to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances? (d) If the magnetic field standard utilized in previous studies did not adequately assess transmission infrastructure vulnerability, what standard should be used? (e) What would be the cost to conduct a transmission infrastructure assessment at a higher standard than has previously been used? (f) How long would an additional assessment at a higher standard take to complete? (g) What mitigation strategies and response methods are currently utilized to protect transmission system infrastructure from geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and are those strategies and methods adequate? (h) What role can the state of New Hampshire play in assessing transmission system vulnerabilities that fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and in directing transmission-owning utilities to implement infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions? (i) What funding sources are available to conduct additional assessments or support the installation of equipment to further protect vulnerable transmission system infrastructure from geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances? HB 1723 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 3 - II.
(a) What studies and assessments have previously been performed that reviewed transmission system vulnerabilities to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances? (b) How were those studies conducted and what were the transmission system grid vulnerabilities identified? (c) Given the current NERC GMD standard of 3 V/km and the IEC international standard of 85 V/km, did the magnetic field standard utilized adequately assess the vulnerability of the transmission system in New Hampshire to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances? (d) If the magnetic field standard utilized in previous studies did not adequately assess transmission infrastructure vulnerability, what standard should be used? (e) What would be the cost to conduct a transmission infrastructure assessment at a higher standard than has previously been used? (f) How long would an additional assessment at a higher standard take to complete? (g) What mitigation strategies and response methods are currently utilized to protect transmission system infrastructure from geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and are those strategies and methods adequate? (h) What role can the state of New Hampshire play in assessing transmission system vulnerabilities that fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and in directing transmission-owning utilities to implement infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions? (i) What funding sources are available to conduct additional assessments or support the installation of equipment to further protect vulnerable transmission system infrastructure from geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances? II.
III.
CHAPTER 310 HB 1723 - FINAL VERSION - Page 3 - III.
4 Effective Date.
310:4 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2705 05/19/2026 HB 1723-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1811s) AN ACT requiring utilities and electric grid operators to assess and report the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, and to recommend mitigation measures to protect the state electric infrastructure.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 10, 2026 Effective Date:
Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Revenue Fund(s) None Expenditures* $0 $0 $500,000 Funding Source(s) General Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:
September 01, 2027
This bill directs the Department of Energy to investigate the vulnerability of electric transmission transformers and other system components to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances and to report its findings and recommendations.
The Department of Energy states this bill would result in an increase in state expenditures of up to $500,000 to fund a consultant to perform the required investigation.
It is assumed the fiscal impact will occur in FY 2028 - FY 2029 contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding in the budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2029.
The Department further assumes since the language requiring the authority to directly assess the utilities for the cost is not longer in the bill that general funds will be appropriated.
This bill does not appropriate any funds.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (6)

Action History

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 310; eff. 9/1/2027

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

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

  4. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2158e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2158e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  6. House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1811s and 2026-1307s (Rep. Vose): MA DV 186-153 05/20/2026 HJ 14 P. 22

  7. Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1811s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

  8. Sen. Watters Floor Amendment # 2026-1811s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

  9. Sen. Watters Moved Ought to Pass; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

  10. Refer to Interim Study, MF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

  11. Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/14/2026, Vote 7-0; SC 18

  12. Special Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11

  13. HB 1723 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  14. Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 17

  15. Committee Amendment # 2026-1307s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1307s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  17. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1307s, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13

  18. Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12

  19. Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7

  20. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0935h: MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 65

  21. Amendment # 2026-0935h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 63

  22. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

  23. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0935h 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-3; RC) HC 10 P. 72

  24. ==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 159

  25. ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 229

  26. Subcommittee Work Session: 02/02/2026 10:30 am GP 229

  27. Public Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 229

  28. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 33

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 11 co-sponsors · 403 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (11)

Not signed on (403)

403 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 403 →

"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

public-safety 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 HB 1723 do?
requiring utilities and electric grid operators to assess and report the vulnerability of high-voltage transformers to geomagnetic and electromagnetic disturbances, and to recommend mitigation measures to protect the state electric infrastructure.
Who sponsors HB 1723?
HB 1723 is sponsored by Matt R Sabourin dit Choinière, Mary Murphy (Republican), Denise Ricciardi (Republican), Daniel Innis (Republican), Rita Mattson (Republican), Brian Cole (Republican), Kat McGhee (Democrat), John Schneller (Republican), Michael Vose (Republican), Douglas Thomas (Republican), Keith Ammon (Republican), and James Qualey (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1723?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 17, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1723?
Track HB 1723 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 1723

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 1723

Last checked for changes about 1 month ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →