New Hampshire House Bill HB410

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/21
• Refer: 1/10/21
• Report Pass: 11/16/21
• Engrossed: 1/18/22
• Refer: 1/18/22
• Report Pass: 4/13/22
• Enrolled: 5/13/22
• Chaptered: 5/24/22
• Passed: 5/24/22

Caption

Establishing a commission to study the assessing of power generation and utility transmission

Impact

This bill may significantly affect state laws related to property taxation and the assessment of utility properties. Establishing a centralized commission to oversee and evaluate methodologies could lead to reform in how power generation facilities are taxed, potentially resulting in increased fairness and efficiency in the assessment process. The outcomes of this study could reshape current practices, ensuring that all municipalities adhere to standardized informational requirements from utilities, which would enhance transparency and predictability in property valuation.

Summary

House Bill 410 establishes a commission tasked with studying the assessment of power generation assets and utility transmission within New Hampshire. The aim of this commission is to determine effective methodologies for evaluating these assets for property tax purposes. The commission is expected to compare the current approaches used by the Department of Revenue Administration and municipalities, while also exploring how other states manage similar assessments. The ultimate goal is to recommend a unified strategy that can be adopted statewide, enhancing the consistency and accuracy of utility tax assessments.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 410 may arise from differing perspectives on local vs. state authority in tax assessments. Some local governments might express concern that a state-mandated approach could undermine their autonomy to manage assessments tailored to local needs. Additionally, discussions may also focus on the potential implications for utility companies in terms of compliance and reporting, particularly regarding data confidentiality and the operational impact of new assessment methodologies.