This bill amends the definition of "veteran" in New Hampshire law to expand eligibility for state benefits and programs that rely on veteran status. The new definition replaces the requirement of an "honorable discharge" with "any discharge under honorable conditions," thereby including individuals with a general discharge under honorable conditions. This change is reflected in multiple statutes, including RSA 21:50, RSA 119:6, RSA 283:4, RSA 72:36-a, and RSA 97:1, among others. The bill also updates references throughout various laws to ensure consistency with the new definition.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions related to lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for veterans with disabilities. Starting January 1, 2027, the Fish and Game Department will issue lifetime combination licenses to veterans under the new definition and establish a sliding scale discount on license fees based on disability ratings from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes discounts ranging from 75% for those with a 0-29% disability rating to no fee for those rated at 100% disability. The bill anticipates an indeterminable decrease in revenue from discounted sales and an increase in expenditures due to required refunds for previously purchased licenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21:50, 119:6, 283:4, 97:1, 110-D:3
As Amended by the Senate: 21:50, 119:6, 283:4, 97:1, 110-D:3
As Amended by the Senate (2nd): 21:50, 119:6, 283:4, 97:1, 110-D:3
SB448 text: 21:50, 119:6, 283:4, 97:1, 110-D:3