HB 1287 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2802
06/07
HOUSE BILL 1287
AN ACT adopting the federal definition of "veteran."
SPONSORS: Rep. Corcoran, Hills. 28
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill revises the statutory definition of “veteran” to align with Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations and updates cross-references.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2802
06/07
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT adopting the federal definition of "veteran."
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Veteran; Armed Forces; Active Duty; Service-Connected Injury, Illness, or Disability. RSA 21:50, I is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
I. "Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
2 Proof of Eligibility. Amend RSA 99-F:6, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) A copy of a qualifying document [as outlined in RSA 21:50, I(b)] establishing the individual's status as a veteran with the application for employment; and
3 Special Number Plates for Veterans. Amend RSA 261:87-b, I to read as follows:
I. The director is hereby authorized to issue special number plates to be used on motor vehicles owned by veterans of the United States armed services, in lieu of other number plates. The design of these special plates shall be determined by the commissioner, and shall be distinct from the design or designs of those plates issued under RSA 261:86. Such plates shall be issued to veterans as defined in RSA 21:50, I[(a)] and veterans discharged or released from duty in the United States armed forces with a general discharge under honorable conditions upon application, proof of veteran status [in a form authorized by RSA 21:50, I(b)], and payment of the regular motor vehicle registration fee and the $4 per plate fees under RSA 261:75. The director shall also issue such plates to any person providing proof of honorable discharge from the armed services of any nation allied with the United States during World War II and proof of such person's service during World War II. Renewals of such special number plates shall be charged the fee assessed for standard motor vehicles as prescribed under RSA 261:141. The plates furnished pursuant to this section are non-transferable, except that the surviving spouse may use the plates indefinitely after the death of the veteran until the date that the surviving spouse remarries.
4 Eligibility. Amend RSA 261-C:3 to read as follows:
261-C:3 Eligibility. Multi-use veterans decal plates shall be issued only to those veterans defined in RSA 21:50, I[(a)]. Additionally, an individual shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the director of the division of veteran's services that he or she was a member of a specific branch of service or was awarded the medal represented on the requested decal. The plates furnished pursuant to this section are non-transferable except that the surviving spouse may use the plates indefinitely after the death of the veteran until the date that the surviving spouse remarries.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 16, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 16, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 6, 2026 | House | Hearing |
Jan. 29, 2026: ==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 02/06/2026 09:00 am GP 228
Jan. 8, 2026: ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/16/2026 02:00 pm GP 228
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/16/2026 10:30 am GP 228
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs