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1 New Section; Recruitment and Retention Program. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 21-P:4 the following new section:
21-P:4-a Recruitment and Retention Program.
I. The department is authorized to develop a recruitment and retention incentive program, as well as request that the joint fiscal committee transfer funds from the highway fund or other available funds for recruitment, selection, placement, and retention of qualified applicants. The program may include expenditures for recruitment and retention incentives including but not limited to:
(a) ?Bonuses for newly hired applicants who have not been employed by the state for a period of time to be determined by the commissioner, but no less than one year, immediately preceding the date of hire; and
(b) ?Referral fees for active employees of the state in good standing, excluding those employed in human resources jobs within their own agencies and hiring manager positions.
II. Any recruitment or retention incentives received by a state employee pursuant to paragraph I shall not be considered gifts under RSA 15-B.
III. Referral of applicants by current employees of the state for the purpose of receiving a referral fee pursuant to this paragraph shall not be considered a misuse of position.
IV. Any expenditure made for recruitment or retention incentives pursuant to this section shall be considered a matter of legislatively enacted public policy that is designed to benefit employees and the state, and that is confined exclusively to the public employee and shall not be subject to collective bargaining. Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate any portion of a collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.
V. Any requested expenditure for recruitment, retention incentives, or bonuses shall require the approval of the joint fiscal committee of the general court.
2 Appropriation; Department of Safety.
The sum of $900,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 is appropriated to the department of safety for the purpose of funding recruitment incentives in accordance with RSA 21-P:4-a. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Contingency. Section 2 shall take effect if it is determined that highway funds are not available to be transferred under RSA 21-P:4-a, I, as certified by the comptroller to the director of legislative services.
4 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 shall take effect as provided in section 3.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Recruitment and Retention Program. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 21-P:4 the following new section:
21-P:4-a Recruitment and Retention Program.
I. The department is authorized to develop a recruitment and retention incentive program, as well as request that the joint fiscal committee transfer funds from the highway fund or other available funds for recruitment, selection, placement, and retention of qualified applicants. The program may include expenditures for recruitment and retention incentives including but not limited to:
(a) ?Bonuses for newly hired applicants who have not been employed by the state for a period of time to be determined by the commissioner, but no less than one year, immediately preceding the date of hire; and
(b) ?Referral fees for active employees of the state in good standing, excluding those employed in human resources jobs within their own agencies and hiring manager positions.
II. Any recruitment or retention incentives received by a state employee pursuant to paragraph I shall not be considered gifts under RSA 15-B.
III. Referral of applicants by current employees of the state for the purpose of receiving a referral fee pursuant to this paragraph shall not be considered a misuse of position.
IV. Any expenditure made for recruitment or retention incentives pursuant to this section shall be considered a matter of legislatively enacted public policy that is designed to benefit employees and the state, and that is confined exclusively to the public employee and shall not be subject to collective bargaining. Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate any portion of a collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.
V. Any requested expenditure for recruitment, retention incentives, or bonuses shall require the approval of the joint fiscal committee of the general court.
2 Appropriation; Department of Safety.
The sum of $900,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 is appropriated to the department of safety for the purpose of funding recruitment incentives in accordance with RSA 21-P:4-a. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Contingency. Section 2 shall take effect if it is determined that highway funds are not available to be transferred under RSA 21-P:4-a, I, as certified by the comptroller to the director of legislative services.
4 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 shall take effect as provided in section 3.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.