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SB 448 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Expanding the definition of veteran

AI-generated

(New Title) modifying the definition of veteran.

Changes the definition of veteran to expand eligibility for state benefits and programs, ensuring individuals discharged under honorable conditions, including general discharges under honorable conditions, are not excluded.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill changes the definition of veteran and expands eligibility for state benefits and programs that depend on veteran status, ensuring that individuals discharged under honorable conditions, including those with a general discharge under honorable conditions, are not excluded from eligibility.

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

“A veteran as defined by RSA 21:50 shall have preference for employment in the home if qualified by the New Hampshire division of personnel. 252:2 Preference of Resident Laborers and Veterans;”
RSA 119:6
“"Veteran" [means a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable] shall have the same meaning as in RSA 21:50. 252:6 Honorable Discharge;”
RSA 97:1
“Where such employment is obtained from relief rolls or for persons in need, in cases of equal or greater need preference shall be given to such veterans. 252:3 Property Taxes;”
RSA 119:6
“The change in terminology made under sections 6 and 7 of this act shall apply to municipal rules in effect on the effective date of this act without amendment or readoption by the municipality. 252:9 Effective Date.”
RSA 97:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daniel InnisRPrimeChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Bill GannonRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader

Also: Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. Alvin SeeR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

5 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:06:47–1:08:151m 28slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0061s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0061s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0061s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1209s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1209s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1209s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 10, 2026Public hearingHouse State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs2:48:23–2:53:144m 51slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1444h — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:27:41–5:28:491m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1444h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1444h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor18:24–19:0541slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2018e — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2018e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 46
  3. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0061s, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0061s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0061s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  6. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1209s, 03/26/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 11
  7. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1209s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  8. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1209s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  9. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs HJ 9 P. 54
  10. Apr 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/10/2026 10:45 am GP 228
  11. Apr 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/10/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
  12. Apr 10, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1444h 04/10/2026 (Vote 13-0; RC)
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1444h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 75
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1444h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 75
  15. May 7, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  16. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2018e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 36
  17. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2018e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  18. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  20. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 252; Effective 08/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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