New HampshireEnergy department automatically joins state utility commission proceedings
Anyone starting a utility commission proceeding must send a copy to New Hampshire's energy department, which may appeal the commission's decisions.
What it does
New Hampshire's energy department is automatically part of every utility commission proceeding and may appeal. Anyone starting a proceeding must give the department a copy when they file.
The energy department may require utilities and other entities it oversees to provide documents and answer specific questions when it needs information. The department sets the deadline.
State and local governments, including schools, may record as part of required standardized tests or during school events open to the public without parents' written consent.
A final conviction for someone's murder settles who killed them when handling their inheritance, insurance, and shared property. A final civil ruling can also settle that question.
Argument forSchools could record required tests and public events more easily because they need not collect written consent from every parent.
Argument againstParents may have less control over recordings of their children during required tests or public school events because written consent is not needed.
More detail
The energy department is automatically a full party to utility commission proceedings and may appeal. This covers both cases that decide disputes and other proceedings before New Hampshire's Public Utilities Commission. Anyone starting a proceeding must send the department a copy when filing. Filers must also give it confidential information in proceedings where it may appear. These rules took effect May 2, 2026.
The energy department may require documents and answers by a deadline it sets. This applies to public utilities and other entities under the department's authority. The request must concern information the department needs. This rule took effect May 2, 2026.
State and local governments may make certain recordings without first getting parents' written consent. The recording must be part of administering a required standardized test or made during a school-sponsored event open to the public. A test must be required by state or federal law. A school event must be generally open to the community, even if entry requires registration, a ticket, or an invitation. These exceptions took effect March 3, 2026.
A final murder conviction establishes who killed the person for these property rules. This applies to inheritance, shared property, life insurance, and named beneficiaries after a person's murder. The conviction is final after New Hampshire Supreme Court review ends or the time to seek that review expires. A final civil judgment finding responsibility is another way to settle the question. These rules took effect March 3, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 03/03/2026; Chapter 4; eff. I. Sec 5-8 eff 3/3/2026 II. Rem eff 5/2/2026Became Law
- Feb 25Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 02/19/2026); SJ 5To Governor
- Feb 25Enrolled (in recess of) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 124
- Feb 19House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0719s and 2026-0720s (Rep. Vose): MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 89
- Feb 19Without Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19Read a Third Time; and Final Passage in the early session; MA; VV, 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-0719s and #2026-0720s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4Passed Senate
- Feb 19Sen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-0720s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19Without Objection, Rule 3-17 is Suspended to Allow Non-Germane Amendment # 2026-0720s; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19Chair Ruled Sections of Amendment # 2026-0720s Non-Germane, 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19Sen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-0720s; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19Sen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-0719s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 11Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 3-0; SC 6Minor
- Feb 5Hearing: 02/11/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 5
- Jan 30Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 3Minor
- Jan 7Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2998h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 78Passed House
- Jan 7Amendment # 2025-2998h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 78
- 2025
- Nov 4Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2998h 10/14/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 51 P. 17Minor
- Sep 25Executive Session: 10/14/2025 01:00 pm GP 229
- Sep 25Full Committee Work Session: 10/14/2025 10:00 am GP 229
- Mar 11Retained in Committee
- Mar 6Full Committee Work Session: 03/10/2025 09:00 am LOB 302-304
- Mar 6Executive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
- Feb 25Public Hearing: 03/03/2025 09:00 am LOB 302-304
- Jan 30Vacated and Referred to Science, Technology and Energy (Rep. C. McGuire): MA VV (in recess of) 01/09/2025 HJ 3 P. 28Minor
- Jan 7Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 13Introduced
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