The proposed bill establishes the New Hampshire First for Veterans Program and the New Hampshire First for Veterans Authority, which will oversee various initiatives aimed at supporting veterans in the state. The program's objectives include maintaining New Hampshire's reputation as a veteran-friendly state, addressing resource demands, and improving veteran well-being through services focused on ending homelessness, enhancing healthcare access, facilitating military skills transfer, and expanding educational opportunities. The authority will be governed by a board of directors with 22 members, including representatives from the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Veterans Council, and will have the power to adopt bylaws, oversee fund expenditures, and prepare annual reports.

Additionally, the bill creates two dedicated funds: the New Hampshire First for Veterans Trust Fund and the First for Veterans Administrative Fund, which will receive revenue from specific state laws, capped at $200,000 annually. The authority will have the ability to conduct independent audits, hire staff without adhering to state personnel laws, and provide financial assistance through grants and loans, with repayments redirected to the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Administrative Fund. The bill also amends RSA 6:12 to include these new funds in the state's financial records, and it will take effect 60 days after passage. Overall, the bill aims to enhance support for veterans while potentially increasing state expenditures and impacting local funding dynamics.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12
HB1753 text: 6:12