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--- version:As Amended by the Senate
+++ version:Introduced
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-SB538-FN-ASAMENDEDBYTHESENATE
-03/12/2026 1001s
+SB538-FN-ASINTRODUCED
 2026 SESSION
 26-2118
 06/07
@@ -18,8 +17,8 @@
 Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
-SB538-FN-ASAMENDEDBYTHESENATE
-03/12/2026 1001s 26-2118
+SB538-FN-ASINTRODUCED
+26-2118
 06/07
 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
 In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
@@ -42,20 +41,19 @@
 following new paragraph:
 II-a. Each electric distribution utility shall make available alternative tariffs for net
 metering to eligible customer-generators in accordance with Order No. 26,029 dated June 23, 2017,
-and the net metering rules adopted by the commission. Any eligible customer-generator that has
-submitted an interconnection application to a distribution utility on or before December 31, 2031 and
-that is used to offset the electricity requirements of a group consisting exclusively of one or more
-customers who are political subdivisions that first receives compensation under an Order No. 26,029
-alternative tariff shall remain eligible to receive that tariff for the longer of 20 years from the first
-year in which compensation is received, or until January 1, 2040. If, during these terms, the
-commission adopts new net metering tariffs through an adjudicated proceeding, any eligible
-customer-generator that has submitted an interconnection application to a distribution utility on or
-before December 31, 2031 and that is used to offset the electricity requirements of a group consisting
-exclusively of one or more customers who are political subdivisions that elects to participate in a new
-net metering tariff shall be eligible to receive that tariff until the date that is 20 years from the first
-date on which the eligible customer-generator received net metering compensation. Eligible
-customer-generators on an Order No. 26,029 alternative tariff may opt to transition to a new net
-metering tariff established in such a proceeding, provided however, once a customer-generator
+and the net metering rules adopted by the commission. Any eligible customer-generator used to
+offset the electricity requirements of a group consisting exclusively of one or more customers who are
+political subdivisions that first receives compensation under an Order No. 26,029 alternative tariff
+shall remain eligible to receive that tariff for the longer of 20 years from the first year in which
+compensation is received, or until January 1, 2040. If, during these terms, the commission adopts
+new net metering tariffs through an adjudicated proceeding, any eligible customer-generator used to
+offset the electricity requirements of a group consisting exclusively of one or more customers who are
+political subdivisions that elects to participate in a new net metering tariff shall be eligible to receive
+that tariff for 20 years from the first year in which compensation was received under either an Order
+No. 26,029 alternative tariff or the new net metering tariff. Eligible customer-generators on an
+Order No. 26,029 alternative tariff may opt to transition to a new net metering tariff established in
+such a proceeding, provided however, once a customer-generator transitions to a new tariff, they may
+not revert to an Order No. 26,029 alternative tariff. Upon expiration of eligibility under an Order
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@@ -86,22 +84,19 @@
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-SB538-FN-ASAMENDEDBYTHESENATE
+SB538-FN-ASINTRODUCED
 -Page2-
-transitions to a new tariff, they may not revert to an Order No. 26,029 alternative tariff. Upon
-expiration of eligibility under an Order No. 26,029 alternative tariff, an eligible customer-generator
-may transition to the tariff available at that time.
+No. 26,029 alternative tariff, an eligible customer-generator may transition to the tariff available at
+that time.
 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
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-4
 LBA
 26-2118
-4/7/26
+Revised 12/4/25
 SB538-FN-FISCALNOTE
-AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1101s)
+AS INTRODUCED
 AN ACT extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
 FISCALIMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
 EstimatedStateImpact
@@ -113,19 +108,27 @@
 Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0
 Funding Source(s)
 *Expenditure=Costofbill *Appropriation=Authorizedfundingtocovercostofbill
+EstimatedPoliticalSubdivisionImpact
+FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029
+CountyRevenue $0 $0 $0 $0
+CountyExpenditures $0 $0 $0 $0
+LocalRevenue $0 $0 $0 $0
+LocalExpenditures $0 $0 $0 $0
 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.
+This bill extends eligibility for certain municipal group net-metering projects to receive
+compensation under the Public Utilities Commission’s alternative net-metering tariffs for the
+longer of 20 years or until January 1, 2040. The bill also allows eligible municipal customer-
+generators to transition to any new net-metering tariff established by the Commission and
+receive that tariff for a 20-year term.
 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.
+beginning in FY 2027. The bill is expected to increase the number of group net-metering and
+municipal net-metering 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). 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.
 AGENCIESCONTACTED: