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HB 1078 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Gold Star family license plates

AI-generated

creating a gold star family and gold star father license plate.

Creates gold star mother, gold star father, and gold star family license plates for immediate family members of service members killed on duty, issued upon proof of eligibility with no additional plate fee.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill creates a gold star family and gold star father license plate.

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

“"Gold star mother"?means the mother or stepmother of a person killed while on duty in the United States armed forces.”
RSA 261:87-c
“"Gold star family" means an immediate family member, who is not a gold star mother or father, of a person killed while on duty in the United States armed forces.”
RSA 261:87-c
“The department shall furnish one set of special number plates, designed by the director with the approval of the commissioner, for one motor vehicle owned by a qualifying individual as follows: a gold star mother, gold star father, or gold star family of a person killed while on duty in the United States armed forces.”
RSA 261:87-c
“The plates shall be distinguished solely by wording on the plate, specifying "Gold Star Mother," "Gold Star Father," or "Gold Star Family." IV.”
RSA 261:87-c

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael MurphyRPrime
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services

Also: Rep. Arnold DavisR, Rep. Lori KorzenR

Public testimony

158 signed in online · 66 wrote testimony

65% support35% oppose0% neutral

ForPlate honors fallen service members and their families

AgainstPrefer one unified Gold Star plate over separate designs

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Tanner Grone was an exemplary member of our community, both as a student & soldier. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his family & his community, & his family deserves this honor along with many others.”
— Jackie Tetreault, Gorhamsupports
“Honor him!! As a veteran and currently married to a soldier that’s serving 24 years in the army, honor him??”
— Latemia Mclaughlin, Enterprisesupports
“My name is Lisa Cartisano, I have the privilege of knowing the Grone family personally. The lost of a child is something no parent should have to bare.…”
— Lisa Cartisano, Milansupports
“This is a foolish waste of congress member’s time as it is expensive for the individual but useless in regard to the overall budget and requires difficult enforcement mechanisms. Stop wasting time and pass useful bills”
— Caleb Ball, Londonderryopposes
“To clarify, I am not opposed to the bill intent but am Opposed to the bill as proposed. I believe there should be one gold star plate with no distinction between father, mother, family. This would address costs of unused plates based on relationship.”
— Scott Tacker, Manchesteropposes
“This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. If you support this and think you're helping your country, state, town, and neighbors you're an idiot.”
— Samuel Conley, Conwayopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. T. Walsh)adopted
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1620s4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1620sadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1620sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1620s (Rep. T. Walsh)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation6:06:56–6:15:348m 38slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; ==ROOM CHANGE== Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor34:33–41:547m 21slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Special Order to next order of business (Rep. T. Walsh) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation44:00–47:163m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1620s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1620s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1620s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor15:38–16:581m 20slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1620s (Rep. T. Walsh) — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 5
  2. Jan 27, 2026House==ROOM CHANGE== Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 10:20 am GP 232
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:20 am GP 232
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 9 P. 46
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. T. Walsh): MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 44
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 44
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 6
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1620s, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1620s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1620s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1620s (Rep. T. Walsh): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 1
  13. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  14. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  15. May 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/19/2026; Chapter 78; eff. 07/18/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.