This bill seeks to repeal the refugee resettlement program currently administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and prohibits any state expenditure on refugee resettlement. Specifically, it defines the "refugee resettlement program" to include the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and any related federal or nonprofit initiatives aimed at assisting refugees or asylees. Upon the bill's effective date, the Department is required to terminate any existing contracts related to the program and is barred from accepting or spending any funds for refugee resettlement, either directly or indirectly.

The bill also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still stand. Additionally, it repeals RSA 161:2, XVIII, which pertains to the New Hampshire refugee resettlement program. The fiscal impact of the bill indicates that it will not generate any revenue or authorize new positions, but it is expected to result in a significant reduction in expenditures, estimated at approximately $4.5 million annually, as the refugee resettlement program is entirely federally funded.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 161:2