State board oversees utility advocate's work for home customers

The board oversees the consumer advocate, who must focus on home utility customers. This covers New Hampshire's state consumer advocate and residential utility customers. The advocate must seek safe, reliable service at the lowest possible cost while giving customers as much freedom and control as possible. These rules took effect on August 6, 2026.

The House speaker, Senate president, and governor with the Executive Council each appoint three public board members. The nine seats include people representing home customers, older adults, and people with disabilities, along with other interests. The board membership rules took effect on August 6, 2026.

The board recommends whether to reappoint the consumer advocate and may recommend that the governor seek removal. These recommendations concern the state consumer advocate and go to the governor and Executive Council. If the board does not recommend reappointment or the governor and Executive Council reject that recommendation, the board must suggest three candidates. Before recommending removal, the board must give notice and a chance for a hearing, then obtain a two-thirds vote. A removal recommendation must rest on failure to carry out the advocate's legal duties. The reappointment recommendation comes before the advocate's term ends. These rules took effect on August 6, 2026.