Bill > HB535

This bill clarifies and refines the role of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by shifting certain regulatory and investigative functions to the Department of Energy (DOE), reducing potential conflicts of interest and overlapping responsibilities. Specifically, the bill defines the PUC's primary authority as conducting contested adjudicative proceedings related to utility rates, charges, tariffs, and services, while empowering the DOE to handle broader supervisory and investigative functions. The bill requires the PUC to approve settlement agreements in contested cases involving the DOE and Consumer Advocate, unless a settlement provision is found to be contrary to law. Key changes include removing the PUC's general supervisory powers over public utilities, transferring inspection and investigation rights to the DOE, and establishing a more focused role for the PUC as a neutral arbiter in utility regulation. The legislation aims to reduce regulatory complexity, promote timely resolution of utility proceedings, and ensure continued provision of utility services at reasonable rates and with reliable service. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, with the PUC maintaining its three-commissioner structure, including requirements that one commissioner be an attorney and another have expertise in engineering, economics, accounting, or finance.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=873&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB535