This bill proposes the transfer of the Electric Assistance Program from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Energy. It aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of low-income assistance programs by allowing the Department of Energy to have full authority over the program. Key amendments include changing the language in RSA 369-B:1, XIII to specify that both the commission and the department shall design low-income programs, and defining the "Department" in RSA 369-B:2. Additionally, the bill establishes that the system benefits charge will include 1.5 mills per kilowatt-hour to fund the electricity assistance program for low-income customers, with the Department of Energy responsible for its administration.

The bill also outlines the Department's authority to manage the program, including setting eligibility tiers, benefit levels, and administrative budgets through a non-adjudicative hearing process. It allows the Department to suspend the collection of the system benefits charge if the low-income program fund exceeds $1,000,000 and is unlikely to decrease significantly within the next year. The previous authority of the Public Utilities Commission over the low-income assistance program will be transferred to the Department of Energy, which will ensure that the program aligns with its intended purposes. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 369-B:1, 369-B:2, 374-F:4
As Amended by the Senate: 369-B:1, 369-B:2, 374-F:4
Version adopted by both bodies: 369-B:1, 369-B:2, 374-F:4