Rep. Michael Vose

Maddy summaryHB 672 legalizes off-grid electricity providers in New Hampshire, allowing companies to operate without connecting to the state's main power grid. It directly affects off-grid energy providers and their customers, removing previous legal barriers to their services. The key provision establishes a regulatory framework for these providers to legally offer power through independent systems like solar or wind. The law took effect on August 1, 2025, after being signed by Governor Ayotte.

Maddy summaryHB 189 amends New Hampshire's energy strategy framework by removing references to the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board from the Department of Energy's 10-year state energy strategy. The bill inserts a new definition stating "clean energy" includes nuclear and renewable sources with minimal or no greenhouse gas emissions. This change streamlines the strategy document by eliminating a specific board oversight reference while establishing a clear definition for "clean energy" in state policy. The bill passed both chambers, was signed by the governor, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 696 modifies how utility property taxes and statewide education property taxes apply to electric generating facilities, such as power plants. It exempts qualifying facilities from these taxes, directly affecting utility companies and electric generators that own such infrastructure. The key provision changes the tax treatment by removing these facilities from the taxable base for both utility and education property taxes. The bill was signed into law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect on July 1, 2027. This creates a permanent tax exemption for eligible electric generation facilities under the specified tax categories.

Maddy summaryHB 504 establishes New Hampshire's official state energy policy, directly affecting utilities, energy providers, and all state residents by setting new guidelines for energy planning. The bill declares that the state must prioritize meeting energy needs at the lowest reasonable cost while ensuring reliability, diversity of sources, environmental protection, and public health - using market mechanisms rather than government favoritism toward specific technologies. Key provisions include requiring utilities to develop resources that support energy independence, removing regulatory barriers for innovation, and balancing cost, reliability, and environmental goals through market-based approaches. It also mandates that state regulations avoid unnecessary costs while protecting consumer prices and utility financial stability.

Maddy summaryHB 710 allows electric utilities to own, operate, and offer new advanced nuclear power plants, expanding their energy generation options. It modifies rules for utilities purchasing power from other providers and adds restrictions on community solar and small-scale generator programs. The bill directly affects utilities, power providers, and customers participating in community energy projects. Key provisions include enabling nuclear ownership, adjusting power purchase agreements, and limiting community generator capacity. This is a substantive policy change focused on energy infrastructure and market rules.

Maddy summaryHB 627 allows the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to directly approve new companies to provide Lifeline program services in the state, without requiring separate legislative action. This affects low-income households eligible for Lifeline, which helps cover phone and internet costs, by expanding their choices for service providers. The key provision streamlines the process: the PUC can now review and approve new providers based on established criteria, rather than needing a new bill for each addition. The bill became law on July 7, 2025, and takes effect September 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 13 prohibits the renewal or issuance of driver's licenses in New Hampshire to individuals with pending asylum claims, regardless of any temporary work authorization they may hold. It also invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses held by undocumented immigrants. The bill specifically blocks license renewals for people with pending asylum cases and prevents the issuance of new licenses to asylees until they receive permanent residency status, even if they have work permits. These changes directly affect undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers in the state who currently hold or seek driver's licenses.

Maddy summarySB 54 mandates annual firearms safety education for all K-12 students in New Hampshire public schools, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The bill requires age-appropriate curriculum focused on safe handling, storage, and legal responsibilities - avoidance for grades K-5 and expanded topics including mechanics for grades 6-12 - delivered through health, PE, or civics classes without live firearms. Parents may opt their child out via existing procedures under RSA 186:11, IX-c. The Department of Education must develop the free curriculum by January 2026, with school districts reporting compliance annually.

Maddy summarySB 230 proposes updates to the legal definitions related to electric utility restructuring and distributed energy resources. The bill establishes a new definition for "Small modular reactors" (SMRs), specifying them as advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 megawatts. It then modifies the definition of "Distributed energy resources" to explicitly include these newly defined SMRs. This change would allow SMRs to be considered among the resources used for strategies like reducing line losses or supporting voltage regulation within the electric distribution system.