This bill proposes a significant transfer of regulatory and adjudicative responsibilities from the public utilities commission to the department of energy. Key provisions include the prohibition of unauthorized telecommunications service provision, the protection of ratepayer communication preferences, and adjustments to complaint, investigation, and aggregation procedures related to net energy metering. The bill amends various sections of the law by replacing references to the "commission" with the "department of energy," thereby shifting authority and responsibilities. The department is now tasked with initiating proceedings to develop rules for customer communication preferences and managing complaints against entities under its jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new procedures for handling complaints, allowing individuals to file formal complaints with the department of energy after exhausting remedies through its consumer services division. It also clarifies that the department may investigate and resolve complaints using non-adjudicative procedures and can issue orders or commence adjudicative proceedings if complaints are not resolved voluntarily. The legislation also establishes new regulations for municipal and county aggregators, mandates the creation of rules for aggregation services, and removes the previous requirement for the department to forward complaints to involved parties. Additionally, it repeals RSA 362-A:9, XVIII, which pertains to net metering caps, thus eliminating limitations on net metering. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, anticipated to be September 30, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 374:28-a, 374-F:4-b, 362-A:9, 363-A:3, 365:1, 365:1-a, 365:3, 53-E:7
As Amended by the Senate: 374-F:4-b, 362-A:9, 363-A:3, 365:1, 365:1-a, 365:3, 53-E:7
As Amended by the House: 374-F:4-b, 363-A:3, 365:1, 365:1-a, 365:3, 53-E:7, 362-A:9
Version adopted by both bodies: 374-F:4-b, 363-A:3, 365:1, 365:1-a, 365:3, 53-E:7, 362-A:9
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 374-F:4-b, 363-A:3, 365:1, 365:1-a, 365:3, 53-E:7, 362-A:9