Revision: March 8, 2023, 11:28 a.m.
Senate Transportation
March 7, 2023
2023-0818s
07/08
Amendment to SB 52-FN
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 1 with the following:
2 Highway Regulation, Protection and Control Regulations; Electric Vehicle Charging Stations; Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations; Signage. Amend RSA 236:133 to read as follows:
236:133 Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations; Signage.
I. [The department of transportation shall coordinate with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to ensure sufficient and up-to-date coverage of uniform signage on federal highways using the "Alternative Electric Vehicle Charging Symbol Sign."
II.] The department of transportation shall develop and install uniform signage consistent with [FWHA's] Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)'s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for use on state roadways to direct drivers to electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling stations.
[III.] II. All publicly funded chargers, including those funded by the New Hampshire Volkswagen Mitigation Trust [Settlement] or by federal or other competitively awarded funds, installed after the effective date of this paragraph that are accessible to the public shall be equipped to enable universal access.
[IV.] III. An owner of an electric vehicle charging station shall not be deemed to be a "utility," "public utility," or "public service company" solely by virtue of [the fact that such an owner is an owner] ownership of an electric vehicle charging station. [All electricity distribution companies shall make available in tariffs terms and rates for electronic vehicle charging stations and offer such information to the public.]
[V.] IV. The public utilities commission shall:
(a) Within 2 years, consider and determine whether it is appropriate to implement any of the following rate design standards for electric companies and public service companies:
(1) Cost of service;
(2) Prohibition of declining block rates;
(3) Time of day rates;
(4) Seasonal rates;
(5) Interruptible rates;
(6) Load management techniques; and
(7) Demand charges.
(b) Consider and determine whether it is appropriate to implement electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers. The standards for determination of such implementation shall include consideration whether such implementation would encourage energy conservation, optimal and efficient use of facilities and resources by an electric company, and equitable rates for electric consumers.
[VI.] V. The owner or operator of a public electric vehicle charging station that requires payment of a fee shall provide multiple payment options [that allow access by the public].
[VII.] VI. The owner or operator of a public electric vehicle charging station shall disclose the location and characteristics of each such public electric vehicle charging station, including, but not limited to, the address, voltage, and timing restrictions, to the federal database operated by the United States Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center and provide updates to this information as needed.
3 Study Committee Established; Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.
I. There is established a committee to study funding mechanisms for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
II. Membership and Compensation.
(a) The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(1) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(2) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
III. Duties. The committee shall:
(a) Review currently available funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including for electric vehicle utility make-ready investments and front of the meter investments, including:
(1) Existing state and federal funding sources; and
(2) Existing ratepayer funding.
(b) Identify additional, and determine the feasibility of, non-ratepayer sources of funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including for electric vehicle utility make-ready investments and front-of-the-meter investments. Potential sources of funding may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Meals and rooms tax revenue;
(2) Electric vehicle registration surcharges;
(3) Surcharges on electricity purchased through public electric vehicle charging stations;
(4) Expanding eligible use of the municipal portion of motor vehicle registration fees; and
(5) Incentivizing private capital through:
(A) Business profits tax and business enterprise tax credits.
(B) State utility property tax credits or exemptions.
(C) Enabling local property tax exemptions.
(c) Review non-ratepayer funding mechanisms utilized in other states; and
(d) Receive input from the public, relevant state agencies, and other entities it sees fit.
IV. Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
V. Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2024.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2023-0818s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill modernizes the electric vehicle charging station statutes for electric vehicle infrastructure construction projects and establishes a committee to study electric vehicle charging infrastructure funding.