Rep. Mike Harrington

Maddy summaryHB 1773 would direct New Hampshire to seek federal approval to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing sweetened drinks (with 5g+ added sugar) and candy. The bill requires the state health department to submit a waiver to the USDA by January 2027, defining prohibited items like soda and candy bars while excluding milk, juice blends, and certain non-refrigerated sweets. It mandates implementation plans for retailers and annual reports on purchasing patterns and health outcomes. This would directly affect SNAP recipients in New Hampshire who currently use benefits for these restricted items.

Maddy summaryHB 1475 requires New Hampshire's Department of Energy to study how electricity distribution costs are split between fixed fees (charged to all customers regardless of usage) and usage-based fees (based on kilowatt-hour consumption). The study must examine specific cost categories like storm recovery, infrastructure replacement (e.g., poles), and capacity upgrades tied to demand. The Department must report findings and recommendations to the legislature and governor by November 2026, with costs recovered through existing utility assessments that would have minimal impact on individual customer bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to conduct a study on the benefits and risks of supporting clean or non-carbon emitting power generation. The investigation must examine topics such as customer costs, grid reliability, cybersecurity, and how other states handle clean energy standards. After consulting with utilities and other stakeholders, the department is required to submit a report to the legislature within one year offering recommendations on financial and regulatory support. The bill aims to balance economic growth, energy security, and electricity rates for existing customers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks policymakers at all levels to carefully review all available data and viewpoints before creating climate change rules. It highlights concerns about biased research, misleading reports, and past inaccurate climate predictions that could lead to poor policy decisions. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement urging caution and balanced consideration in future climate legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the Department of Energy's authority to enforce compliance orders against public utilities and their agents by establishing a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for violations, with funds directed toward ratepayer credits or low-income assistance programs. It expands community solar opportunities by allowing developers to designate projects for low- and moderate-income households, subject to a 6-megawatt annual capacity limit, while also updating reporting requirements for the state's renewable energy fund and net metering data. The legislation clarifies definitions for useful thermal energy in renewable portfolio standards and streamlines the process for municipalities to receive information regarding personal wireless service facility applications. Additionally, it exempts small utilities with less than $10,000 in annual revenue from certain assessments and repeals older statutes related to wireless tower mapping and departmental guidance.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to conduct ongoing studies on nuclear energy technologies, including advanced reactors, and to evaluate how these developments might impact state laws, infrastructure, and public safety. It requires the department to publish a report on these findings at least once every three years, starting in December 2025, and to consult with various state agencies on issues such as health, transportation, and environmental protection. Additionally, the bill officially renames the Office of Offshore Wind Industry Development to better reflect its broader role in coordinating state activities related to both nuclear and offshore wind energy. The legislation establishes the Commissioner of Energy as the primary state adviser to the Governor on matters concerning the industrial and commercial use of nuclear energy.

Maddy summaryThis law requires electricity generators in New Hampshire to notify the Department of Energy within 30 days if an outside regulatory agency threatens to force their plant to close. In response, the state's energy department must investigate how the closure would impact power reliability and costs, and it may take legal steps to challenge the external order. The bill also states that state agencies cannot be sued for actions taken to protect in-state power generation under these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have changed how the state evaluates the cost-effectiveness of utility energy programs by updating the specific tests used for review. It directs regulators to use the Granite State Test as the primary method and the Total Resource Cost test as a secondary method for programs running through 2026. Additionally, the bill required that planned energy savings from electric utilities must be at least 65 percent of their overall annual savings goals. The legislation was ultimately killed by the legislature and did not become law.