HB 1753-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2986
07/06
HOUSE BILL 1753-FN
AN ACT establishing the New Hampshire first for veterans program and authority.
SPONSORS: Rep. Creighton, Hills. 30; Rep. Gagne, Hills. 16; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Rollins, Sull. 3; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Sen. Innis, Dist 7
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes the first for veterans program, a program designed to attract, retain, and support veterans in the state.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2986
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT establishing the New Hampshire first for veterans program and authority.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; First for Veterans Program. Amend RSA 110-B by inserting after section 91 the following new subdivision:
First for Veterans Program
110-B:92 Declaration of Purpose. The general court declares it to be the purpose of this subdivision to:
I. Maintain the state’s ability to attract and retain veterans to New Hampshire and attain and maintain a position as the most veteran-friendly state.
II. Acknowledge and address demand signals for critical resources, service, and support.
III. Recognize the gaps and the importance of public and private partnerships to identify, develop, and resource solutions to facilitate overcoming barriers to veterans, service members and their families.
IV. Learn, adapt, seek, and resource new and more transformational concepts that raise awareness of the state’s veteran-friendly advocacy, policy, and laws.
V. Develop veteran employment support and improve focus on veteran well-being.
VI. Provide strategic messaging and transition assistance programs and reinforce critical gaps, including mental healthcare access, suicide prevention, substance use disorder, physical well being, employment, and housing stability.
110-B:93 Definitions. In this subdivision:
I. "Authority" means the New Hampshire first for veterans authority.
II. "Board" means the board of directors of the New Hampshire first for veterans authority.
III. "Grant obligations" means the legal obligation arising from the use of program funds.
110-B:94 New Hampshire First for Veterans Program Established.
I. There is hereby established the New Hampshire first for veterans program. The program shall provide funding to promote the general welfare of the state’s veterans, service members and their families by providing quality services.
II. The program will prioritize efforts that:
(a) Contribute to ending veteran homelessness in New Hampshire;
(b) Attract and retain veterans to New Hampshire and match their unique skills with veteran-friendly businesses and organizations and provide them with employment support;
(c) Improve access to physical and mental healthcare, suicide prevention measures, oral healthcare options, and substance use disorder treatment;
(d) Support military skills transfer, training, and certification; and
(e) Address a broad range of educational opportunities, including institutions of higher learning, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships and initiatives focused on the trades.
110-B-95 New Hampshire First For Veterans Authority.
I. There is hereby established the New Hampshire first for veterans authority, which shall act as a both a public and private entity. The authority shall be constituted as a public instrumentality of the state. The authority and power conferred by this subdivision shall be deemed and held to be the performance of public and essential governmental functions. The authority shall be a nonprofit corporation organized under RSA 292.
II. The authority shall be governed by a board of directors composed of 22 members. Voting members shall not appoint designees to act in their places. A chairperson shall be elected from among the members.
III. Board members with voting powers shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) Five members of the veterans council, appointed by the governor.
(d) The commissioner of the department of military affairs and veteran services, or designee.
IV. Board members without voting powers shall be as follows:
(a) A representative from the New Hampshire first for veteran board, or designee.
(b) The commissioner of the employment security, or designee.
(c) The commissioner of the department of safety, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(e) Persons belonging to the state veterans advisory committee or the military leadership team, appointed by the governor, with each having expertise, knowledge of, or experience in one of the following areas:
(1) Housing stability.
(2) Physical healthcare.
(3) Mental healthcare and suicide prevention.
(4) Military skills transfer, licensing, and certifications.
(5) Veteran-friendly businesses or organizations.
(6) Oral healthcare professions.
(7) Substance use disorder programs.
(8) Educational institutions.
(9) Apprenticeships, on the job training, or the trades.
V.(a) The terms of state agency members, member of the senate, and members of the house of representatives shall be coterminous with their respective terms in office.
(b) Members appointed by the governor may be removed from office for cause by the governor. Cause for removal shall include incapacity or failure to perform a member's duties. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of the office in the same manner as the original appointment. Legislative members shall be entitled to mileage reimbursement at the legislative rate.
VI. Seven voting members shall constitute a quorum. Decisions shall be made by a majority of those present and voting. The board shall meet quarterly and at such other times as may be deemed necessary by the chairperson.
VII. Board members shall not be subject to civil liability for acts performed in accordance with their duties under this subdivision.
110-B:96 Powers and Duties of the Authority. The authority shall have all the powers necessary and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this subdivision and shall:
I. Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.
II. Adopt criteria and guidelines for:
(a) The acquisition of resource assets;
(b) The restoration or rehabilitation of cultural and historical buildings or structures; and
(c) The stewardship and monitoring of resource assets on which program funds are expended.
III. Adopt policies deemed important or necessary to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
IV. Oversee and direct the expenditure of funds deposited in the New Hampshire first for veterans fund in accordance with the purposes of this subdivision, which shall include the authority to draw upon funds for program purposes and for administrative costs of the program.
V. Make and execute contracts for services necessary to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
VI. Enforce grant obligations through contract, acceptance of rights to enforcement, or other legal actions as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
VII. Prepare an annual report to be presented and filed, by no later than December 1, to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the governor, and the state library. The report shall detail the activities and administrative costs of the authority, as well as a complete financial accounting of the funds established under RSA 110-B:99 and 110-B:100. The report shall also include a historical summary of the program’s activities to date. A copy of the report shall be made available by the authority to any interested person.
VIII. Conduct an independent audit by an certified public accountant of its books and accounts each fiscal year.
IX. Should the authority deem it appropriate:
(a) Adopt an official seal.
(b) Maintain an office and hire staff.
(c) Apply for, or accept from any source, gifts and donations of:
(1) Money, including money from appropriate fundraising activities;
(2) Labor, equipment, and supplies;
(3) Federal, local, private, and other matching funds and incentives; and
(4) Other assets to be deposited in the fund that may aid the authority in the conduct of its affairs.
(d) Employ or retain, as independent contractors attorneys, accountants, and other advisors, consultants, or agents as may be necessary without regard to any personnel or civil service law of the state to prescribe their duties and qualifications, and to fix and pay their compensation, if any.
(e) Appoint qualified individuals to serve as unpaid volunteers under such terms and conditions as deemed necessary. Said volunteers or advisors may be paid a stipend and/or reimbursed for any incidental expenses determined by the authority to be necessary and incurred while performing the business of the authority.
110-B:97 Executive Director. The board of directors shall nominate one for appointment by the governor to serve as an executive director. The executive director shall serve a term of 5 years, with reappointment or a vacancy to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. At the request of the board, the governor may remove the executive director for cause. The chairperson of the authority shall not serve concurrently as the executive director. The executive director shall:
I. Coordinate the activities of state agencies directly involved with the administration of the program in accordance with this subdivision.
II. Evaluate the eligible resources proposed for protection or restoration under this program, and determine if these resources meet the criteria of the program, subsequent to instruction by the board.
III. At the direction of the board, administer the affairs of the program and be directly responsible for executing all policies of the board.
110-B:98 Status of Employees.
I. The authority may hire, fix, and pay compensation, prescribe duties and qualifications, and establish personnel policies without regard to any personnel or civil service law or personnel or civil service rule of the state. The employees of the authority shall not be classified employees of the state within the meaning of RSA 21-I:49. Any individual employed by the authority shall be deemed an employee at will and shall serve at the pleasure of the authority.
II. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, any individual employed by the authority whose employment calls for 30 hours or more work in a normal calendar week, and whose position is anticipated to have a duration of 6 months or more, shall be entitled to elect to receive such health, dental, life insurance, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits as are afforded to classified employees of the state provided, however, that the election is made in writing within 30 days of the start of employment. Upon election by such individual, the authority shall pay from its revenues the state’s share of such benefits. Any remaining costs of health, dental, life insurance, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits which an individual elects to receive pursuant to this section, shall be withheld from such individual's salary as a payroll deduction. Written notice of the availability of these benefit options shall be provided to each individual upon employment by the authority.
110-B:99 Trust Fund Established; Administration.
I. There is established in the office of the state treasurer the New Hampshire first for veterans trust fund. Moneys in the fund and any interest earned on the fund shall only be used for the purpose of this subdivision. The trust fund shall be non-lapsing interest bearing funds and shall be continually appropriated to the department of military affairs and veterans services.
II. The state treasurer shall invest the sums deposited in the fund in a prudent manner consistent with the purposes of this subdivision. Interest earned on moneys in the fund shall accrue to the fund to the extent allowed under law.
III. No funds of any state agency shall be transferred to the trust fund without authorization from the general court. Federal funds accepted by the joint fiscal committee or governor for purposes similar to those of this subdivision may be deposited in the trust fund.
110-B:100 Administrative Fund.
I. There is established in the authority a separate fund to be known as the first for veterans administrative fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner of the department of safety shall credit any revenue generated pursuant to RSA 261:75 through 261:97 into this fund. The total revenues generated to the administrative fund from this source shall not exceed $200,000 for each fiscal year. Any revenue generated from this source in excess of the $200,000 maximum per year shall be credited by the New Hampshire first for veterans trust fund in RSA 110-B:99. In its annual report, the authority shall include the amount of revenues exceeding the maximum which are credited to the New Hampshire first for veterans trust fund.
II. All sums so credited shall be appropriated to the authority for the following purposes:
(a) To pay the costs of administering and operating the authority, including all wages, salaries, benefits, and other expenses authorized by the board or the executive director. The authority may enter into a contract or agreement for provision of services to withhold on a monthly basis all payroll and benefit costs for employees.
(b) For the payment of all expenses incident to the management and operation of the authority consistent with its statutory purpose and as the board or the executive director may determine.
III. This fund shall constitute a continuing appropriation for the benefit of the authority. Any amount remaining to the credit of the authority at the close of any fiscal year, and any interest accrued, shall be nonlapsing and shall be carried over and credited to the fund for the succeeding year.
110-B:101 Program Administration; Matching Funds.
I. The authority shall distribute funds to further the purposes of this subdivision only to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants shall include:
(a) Municipalities or other political subdivisions of the state; and
(b) Publicly-supported nonprofit corporations exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
II. Other parties wishing to participate in the program may partner with one or more eligible applicants. At the option of eligible applicants and with the approval of the board, state agencies may hold rights in resource assets acquired through the program by eligible applicants. The applicant must demonstrate the commitment of the owner of the assets to participate in the proposed action.
III. Financial assistance to eligible applicants shall be provided through grants, block grants, and loans. Up to 50 percent of financial assistance provided each year may be provided through loans. Principal and interest paid on such loans shall be deposited in the land and community heritage investment program administrative fund established in RSA 227-M:7. Financial assistance may only be expended on eligible resources for the following purposes:
(a) Ending veteran homelessness in New Hampshire;
(b) Attracting and retaining veterans to New Hampshire;
(c) Matching veteran skills with workforce development needs;
(d) Businesses and organizations that honor and positively impact veterans, service members, and their families;
(e) Employment support;
(f) Improving access to physical and mental healthcare;
(g) Suicide prevention measures;
(h) Providing oral healthcare options;
(i) Substance use disorder treatment;
(j) Support military skills transfer, training, and certification; or
(k) Addressing a range of educational opportunities including institutes of higher learning, on the job training, apprenticeships and initiatives focused on the trades.
2 New Subparagraph; The State and Its Government; State Treasurer; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (410) the following new subparagraph:
(411) Moneys deposited into the New Hampshire first for veterans trust fund established in RSA 110-B:99.
(412) Moneys deposited into the first for veterans administrative fund established in RSA 110-B:110.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2986
12/15/25
HB 1753-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT establishing the New Hampshire first for veterans program and authority.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide full funding for start up administrative costs.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | Various Safety Dedicated Funds (RSA 261:75-97), Highway Fund, Land and Community Heritage Investment (LCHIP) Administrative Fund, NH First for Veterans Trust Fund (FVTF), and First for Veterans Administrative Fund (FVAF) | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Indeterminable Increase (more than $105,000) | Indeterminable Increase (more than $107,000) | Indeterminable Increase (more than $112,000) | ||
Funding Source(s) | NH First for Veterans Trust Fund and First for Veterans Administrative Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 |
County Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
County Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Local Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to provide a complete fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, as it is awaiting information from the Department of Safety. The Department was originally contacted on 12/9/25 for a fiscal note worksheet. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.
METHODOLOGY:
This bill establishes the New Hampshire First for Veterans Program and creates the New Hampshire First for Veterans Authority as a new public instrumentality authorized to hire staff, retain consultants, incur administrative expenses, and administer a broad set of veteran-support programs. The bill creates two new nonlapsing dedicated funds: the First for Veterans Administrative Fund and the New Hampshire First for Veterans Trust Fund. The authority may provide financial assistance in the form of grants, block grants, and loans, and the bill specifies that up to 50 percent of the financial assistance it awards each year may be issued as loans. Principal and interest repaid on those loans must be deposited into the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Administrative Fund under RSA 227-M:7, rather than remaining with the authority. This redirection of loan repayment revenue creates an additional indeterminable increase in revenue to the LCHIP Administrative Fund.
The bill redirects all revenue collected under RSA 261:75–97 into these newly established funds. These statutory sections cover a range of motor vehicle–related specialty fees and surcharges, including motorcycle fees, certain training program fees, disability and other specialty plate fees, and various additional MV-related charges. These revenues do not include the core passenger vehicle registration fees imposed under RSA 261:1–74, title fees under RSA 261:20–31, or driver licensing fees under RSA 263. Under the bill, the first $200,000 per year of RSA 261:75–97 revenue is deposited into the Administrative Fund, and all remaining revenue is deposited into the Veterans Trust Fund, together with any gifts, donations, grants, federal funds, loan repayments, or investment earnings received by the authority.
Because the bill redirects the entire RSA 261:75–97 revenue stream, state revenues to the two new funds will increase by an indeterminable amount, and state revenues currently credited to the funds that now receive these RSA 261:75–97 proceeds will decrease by a corresponding amount. The precise impact is indeterminable because current RSA 261:75–97 revenues are distributed across multiple existing accounts, including the Highway Fund and various dedicated funds, and the bill does not specify replacement funding.
The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS) anticipates an increase in general fund expenditures due to the need for a new permanent full-time position to manage the program, with projected costs of $105,000 in FY 2027, $107,000 in FY 2028, and $112,000 in FY 2029. However, because the legislation does not define staffing levels, administrative structure, program scope, or grant funding amounts, the full cost of operating the authority cannot be determined.
Local expenditures and revenues may change only if municipalities or counties voluntarily apply for and accept grants or loans from the authority. Because local participation is optional, and the scope of available grant funding is unknown, the local impact is indeterminable.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services and Department of Safety
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 16, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 16, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
Jan. 8, 2026: Executive Session: 01/16/2026 02:00 pm GP 228
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/16/2026 10:50 am GP 228
Dec. 17, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs HJ 1