HB 282 · 2025 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee
First responder and retirement benefits
AI-generated(New Title) increasing the maximum benefits for first responders critically injured in the line of duty, relative to the determination of education adequacy grants and calculation of certain group II benefits within the retirement system.
Revises the calculation of education adequacy grants based on average daily membership in residence beginning in fiscal year 2028, modifies retirement system benefit calculations for certain public employees, and increases maximum first responder critical injury benefits to $1,000,000 per biennium.AI-generated
Status
Signed into law · June 30, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- ✓Governor
- ✓Law
Analysis
This bill: I. Revises the calculation of adequacy grants based on average daily membership in residence (ADMR) beginning in fiscal year 2028. II. Makes significant changes to the NH retirement system, including modifying the maximum retirement benefits for certain public employees, adjusting the dates and percentages related to the calculation of retirement benefit, and adjusting the definition of "earnable compensation." III. Increases the maximum total compensation paid to all claimants for first responder's critical injury benefits from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per biennium.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, for members who commenced service before July 1, 2009, or have attained vested status prior to January 1, 2012, a member's initial calculation of the retirement benefit granted under the provisions of RSA 100-A:5 or RSA 100-A:6 shall not exceed 100 percent of the member's highest year of earnable compensation.”
“Notwithstanding any other provisions of RSA 100-A to the contrary, any retiree who returns to active service shall only retain eligibility for the benefits applicable to their initial retirement and the calculation of average final compensation.”
“For members who commenced service on or after July 1, 2009, and have not attained vested status prior to January 1, 2012, a member's maximum retirement benefit granted under the provisions of RSA 100-A:5 or RSA 100-A:6 shall not exceed the lesser of 85 percent of the member's average final compensation or $120,000.”
“Nothing in this section shall affect the ability of a member to receive disability benefits pursuant to RSA 100-A:6, II(b) and (c) or RSA 100-A:6, II(e) and (f).”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Timothy SoucyDDeputy Ranking Member· Labor
- Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
- Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
Also: Rep. Mike BordesR, Rep. Fred DoucetteR, Rep. Stephen PearsonR, Rep. Mark ProulxR
Public testimony
60 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony
97% support3% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I want to apologize to the chair and members of this committee. As the Prime Sponsor, there was a mix up on the hearing date of this bill. I was informed this bill was taking of the calendar for today and was just informed it was being conducted today.…”
“Seems as thought this number is dated and should be adjusted to keep up with the times.”
“It is extremely important that we recognize the contributions our public schools make to our community and show that support by increasing the per pupil cost from $4100 to $7356. This is long overdue.”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–9Overall55% yea
- Overall47% yeaParty-line voteRepublicans172–3284% yeaDemocrats3–1632% yea
- Feb 20, 2025HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted202–169Overall54% yea
- Mar 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass25–0Overall100% yea
- Overall80% yeaRepublicans131–7564% yeaDemocrats164–199% yeaOther1–0100% yea
- May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0Overall100% yea
- May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to PassadoptedResulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass8–0Overall100% yea
- May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to PassadoptedResulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Overall61% yeaParty-line voteRepublicans14–193% yeaDemocrats0–80% yea
- Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Moved to Remove From Tableadopted
- Overall100% yeaRepublicans16–0100% yeaDemocrats8–0100% yea
- Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Jun 26, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Birdsell Moved to suspend all rules necessary to permit the consideration of HB282 at the present time; 2/3 necessaryAdopted24–0How they votedOverall100% yeaRepublicans16–0100% yeaDemocrats8–0100% yea
- Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Reconsider the Vote on Third Reading and Final Passage, Rescind Third Reading and Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with AmendmentadoptedResulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved to suspend all rules necessary to permit the consideration of HB 282; 2/3 necessaryadopted
- Jun 26, 2025HouseRoll callHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2895s and 2025-2898s (Rep. D. McGuire)Adopted322–41How they votedResulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambersOverall89% yeaRepublicans160–4180% yeaDemocrats162–0100% yea
- Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services1:00:17–1:01:471m 30slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services5:42–7:041m 22slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
- Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor4:28:05–4:38:1910m 14slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — failed, roll call 175-195; Ought to Pass — adopted, division 202-169; Referred to Finance
- Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I4:18:57–4:21:062m 9slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
- Mar 17, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance30:57–34:013m 4slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
- Apr 10, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 296-76
- Apr 23, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration47:00–48:501m 50slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
- May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor3:37:03–3:41:574m 54slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Gray Moved Laid on Table — adopted, roll call 14-9
- Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floor40:27–53:4613m 19slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2895s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Birdsell Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Reconsider the Vote on Third Reading and Final Passage, Rescind Third Reading and Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment — adopted, voice vote; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2025-2895s and #2025-2898s — adopted, voice vote
- Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor4:19:14–4:20:351m 21slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2895s and 2025-2898s (Rep. D. McGuire) — adopted, roll call 322-41; Enrolled (in recess)
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 2 P. 13
- Jan 28, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2025 11:00 am LOB 307
- Feb 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
- Feb 4, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2025 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 12 P. 19
- Feb 5, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
- Feb 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MF RC 175-195 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 49
- Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 202-169 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 51
- Feb 20, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 51
- Mar 5, 2025HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/05/2025 01:00 pm LOB 212
- Mar 17, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2025 01:15 pm LOB 210-211 HC 19 P. 16
- Mar 28, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/28/2025 (Vote 25-0; RC)
- Apr 10, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 296-76 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 33
- Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 10
- Apr 23, 2025SenHearing: 04/23/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:40 am; SC 19
- May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 19
- May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
- May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025, Vote 8-0; SC 21A
- May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
- May 15, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Laid on Table, RC 14Y-9N, MA; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
- May 15, 2025SenPending Motion OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
- Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-2895s, RC 24Y-0N, AA; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2895s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; Read a Third Time and Final Passage in the Early Session; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenWithout Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to suspend all rules necessary to permit the consideration of HB282 at the present time; 2/3 necessary, RC 24Y-0N, MA; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Reconsider the Vote on Third Reading and Final Passage, Rescind Third Reading and Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment, MA VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-2898s, AA, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2025-2895s and #2025-2898s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to suspend all rules necessary to permit the consideration of HB 282; 2/3 necessary, MA, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
- Jun 26, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2895s and 2025-2898s (Rep. D. McGuire): MA RC 322-41 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 27
- Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18
- Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
- Jun 27, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/27/2025; Chapter 142; I. Sec 4 8 9 & 43 eff 1/1/26. II. Sec 2 10 18 & 44 eff 7/1/26. III. Sec 3 11 19 40 & 45 eff 7/1/27. IV. Sec 12 20 & 46 eff 7/1/28. V. Sec 13 21 & 47 eff 7/1/29. VI. Sec 14 22 & 48 eff 7/1/30. VII. Sec 15 23 & 49 eff 7/1/31. VIII. Sec 16 24 & 50 eff 7/1/32. IX. Sec 17 25 27 & 51 eff 7/1/33. X. Sec 26 27 - 33 35 - 38 & 52 eff 7/1/34. XI. Sec 1 eff 8/26/25. XII. Rem eff 7/1/25.
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
- New Hampshire’s effort to overturn the Claremont school funding rulings, explainedExplainer — NH context
New Hampshire Bulletin — How Claremont, ConVal and Rand fit together, and what overturning them would require.AI-generated
NH School Funding Fairness Project — The ConVal holding as the districts that sued read it, including the $7,356 base figure.AI-generated
- New Hampshire Supreme Court rules state violated constitution by underfunding public schoolsLegal analysis
Education Law Center — A national school-finance litigation group's summary of the decision.AI-generated
- Formella’s school funding fix: kill ClaremontConservative
NH Journal — The argument for returning funding decisions to the legislature.AI-generated
- Reaction mixed on ConVal education rulingReaction round-up
InDepthNH — Both sides on the day of the ruling, before the legislative response took shape.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- As Amended by the Senateversion
- Adopted by both chambersversion
- Chaptered (final law)version
- Amendment 2025-2895samendment
- Amendment 2025-2898samendment
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.