Eligible groups could seek grants for New Hampshire veterans

The authority would provide grants, block grants, and loans to eligible applicants for veteran support. Funding may support veterans, service members, and their families with housing, jobs, health care, suicide prevention, substance use treatment, military skills, and education. Eligible applicants would include municipalities, other state subdivisions, and publicly supported tax-exempt nonprofits; other parties could participate through an eligible applicant. Applicants must show the asset owner is committed to the proposed action. Up to half of the financial assistance each year may be loans.

The authority would oversee program spending and use designated funds for program and administrative costs. The authority would be a nonprofit public entity governed by a 22-member board. The administrative fund would receive revenue from vehicle plate fees, up to $200,000 each fiscal year; excess would go to the veterans trust fund. State agency money could not go into the trust fund without authorization from the legislature. Federal money accepted for similar purposes could be deposited there. The measure would take effect 60 days after passage.

The authority would file an annual report and arrange an independent audit of its accounts. These reporting and audit duties would apply to the authority. The report would cover program activities, administrative costs, and finances for both funds, and a copy would be available to the public. The authority would file its annual report by December 1.