HB 1415 — establishing a special veterans license plate and creating a fund and administrative programs from the proceeds of the sale of such plates and establishing the New Hampshire first for veterans program and authority.

6304:6 Effective Date.

LBAApproved: 26-3143 05/12/2026 HB 1415-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1644s) AN ACT establishing a special veterans license plate and creating a fund and administrative programs from the proceeds of the sale of such plates and establishing the New Hampshire first for veterans program and authority.

FISCALJuly IMPACT:10, 2026 Effective Date:

EstimatedSeptember State08, Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 Revenue Fund(s) New Hampshire First for Veterans Number Plate Fund Expenditures* $0 Indeterminable Increase General Fund, Various Agency Funds, and Restricted - Highway Fund Cost of Collections - Per the state constitution, costs associated with the Funding Source(s) collection/administration of highway fund revenue by the Department of Safety is deducted prior to funds being credited as unrestricted highway fund revenue Appropriations* $0 Establishes Continually Appropriated Dedicated Funds Conservation Number Plate Fund and New Hampshire First for Veterans Funding Source(s) Number Plate Fund *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:

This bill authorizes a special veterans license plate and establishes new entities, programs, and dedicated funds.

Sections of this bill will be discussed separately below, with fiscal impact information at the end:

Sections 1 and 2 These sections add “continually appropriated” in two areas, related to the Conservation Number Plate Fund.

This would permit available funds to be expended, without necessitating spending authority in the state operating budget (or any other legislation.

These sections have no direct fiscal impact.

Section 3 This section establishes the New Hampshire First for Veterans specialty license plate program and creates the New Hampshire First for Veterans Number Plate Fund.

The Department of Safety is authorized to issue specialty plates, including vanity plates and additional motorcycle plates, and to retain sufficient revenue from plate fees to recover production and administrative costs, subject to Fiscal Committee approval.

Remaining revenues, including those generated from plate sales, renewals, replacements, and any royalties from commercial use of the plate design, are to be deposited into the newly established fund.

The fund is designated as nonlapsing, and continually appropriated, and is to be distributed annually to support programs benefiting veterans, service members, and their families.

This bill identifies multiple state agencies (Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, Department of Administrative Services, Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, and New Hampshire Employment Security) eligible to receive funding for specified initiatives, including veteran employment support, health and wellness programs, workforce training, and program administration.

The bill also establishes an advisory commission to oversee plate design, monitor funded initiatives, and coordinate reporting requirements.

It is unknown if the participating agencies will be able to administer these responsibilities within existing operational structures.

The amount of revenue generated will depend on demand for specialty plates.

Section 4 This section establishes the New Hampshire First for Veterans Program and creates the New Hampshire First for Veterans Authority as a public instrumentality of the state organized as a nonprofit corporation.

The authority is governed by a board of directors and is granted broad powers to administer program funds, enter into contracts, award grants and loans, hire staff, and accept public and private funding.

The program is intended to support initiatives related to veteran housing stability, employment, workforce training, health care access, education, and other services designed to attract and retain veterans in the state.

The section also establishes a dedicated fund, as well as a separate administrative fund, to support operating expenses of the authority, subject to an annual revenue cap.

Financial assistance may be provided to municipalities and qualifying nonprofit organizations, with up to percent of assistance authorized in the form of loans.

The authority is required to conduct annual independent audits and submit detailed reports on program activities and expenditures.

Since the program funding is expected to be derived from specialty plate revenues, donations, federal funds, and other non-general fund sources, any fiscal impact to the state will depend on the level of participation and revenue generation.

Additional administrative costs may be incurred if the authority hires staff or expands program operations;

however, these costs are intended to be supported by dedicated program revenues rather than general fund appropriations.

Section 5 This section added the dedicated funds discussed above to RSA 6:12.

Potential Fiscal Impacts To implement the new plate type, the Division of Motor Vehicles states it would incur annual costs of approximately $50,000 beginning in FY 2027, based on a $5 per plate cost and an estimated 5,000 plate sets (10,000 plates) distributed per year.

At a fee of $30 per set, the Department estimates revenue of $150,000 per year.

The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services states it would need one accountant/auditor position to implement this bill, at a cost of $105,000 in FY 2027, $106,000 in FY 2028, and $112,000 in FY 2029.

The Department assumes the position would be funded with general funds.

This bill may also have an indeterminable impact on the Department of Administrative Services, Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and New Hampshire Employment Security, to the extent program funds are available and allocated to each respective agency.

The bill does not impose any mandates or direct costs on county or local governments.

However, municipalities and other political subdivisions could experience an indeterminable increase in revenue or expenditures, to the extent they apply for and receive grants or loans under the New Hampshire First for Veterans Program.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Safety and Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services