Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

SB 66, the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act," regulates third-party advisors helping veterans navigate benefits claims. It prohibits paid referrals to benefits advisors, requires written agreements for paid services (capping fees at 5x monthly benefit increases), and mandates clear disclosures about free government alternatives. The bill directly affects veterans seeking benefits assistance and third-party advisors, requiring them to disclose no affiliation with VA or state veterans' agencies and avoid guaranteeing outcomes. Violations face civil penalties enforced by the state attorney general, with fines returned to harmed veterans.

HB 1287 updates New Hampshire's definition of "veteran" to match the federal standard, requiring active military service (including naval, air, or space forces) and a non-dishonorable discharge. This affects veterans seeking state benefits like special license plates and employment preferences by aligning state eligibility with federal criteria. The bill amends multiple statutes - including those governing proof of veteran status, special license plates (RSA 261:87-b), and veterans' decals (RSA 261-C:3) - to replace outdated references with the federal definition. It ensures consistency between state and federal veteran eligibility without creating new benefits or altering existing programs.

HB 1415 creates a special veterans license plate for New Hampshire residents, requiring a $60 initial fee (in addition to standard registration costs) and $30 annual renewal fees. Revenue from these plates funds a dedicated veterans' support program, with up to $50,000 annually allocated to promote the plate program through the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services. The remaining funds are distributed to initiatives prioritized by the governor and state veterans council to support veterans, service members, and their families. The fund is nonlapsing, meaning it carries over year to year without needing annual reauthorization.

SB 448 modifies New Hampshire's definition of "veteran" to include individuals discharged under honorable conditions (including those with a general discharge under honorable conditions), ensuring they qualify for state benefits. It establishes a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for state-resident veterans meeting this definition, with a one-time fee adjusted based on the veteran's service-connected disability rating. This replaces annual license fees with a single payment, directly benefiting disabled veterans who previously faced eligibility barriers. The bill also updates multiple state statutes to align with the revised veteran definition, ensuring consistency across programs like employment preferences and tax exemptions.

HB 1659 creates a new optional property tax credit for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Cities or towns can choose to adopt this credit, which would provide a tax credit ranging from $701 to $5,000 annually for qualifying veterans' primary homes (up to 10 acres). The credit replaces existing veteran tax exemptions and continues to a surviving spouse (if unmarried) or dependent children after the veteran's death. This applies only to veterans who own their homestead, excluding other property tax exemptions for military service.