New Hampshire authorizes special license plates to fund veterans’ services

New Hampshire authorizes optional First for Veterans license plates. The plates may be used on passenger vehicles and recreational vehicles. A person who qualifies for these plates may also receive a motorcycle plate. Personalized plates also carry the usual personalized plate fees. The state retains renewal money needed for production and administration costs approved by the legislature’s fiscal committee. The rest goes to the veterans plate fund. The plate rules took effect September 8, 2026, and require annual renewal.

The First for Veterans program funds services supporting veterans, service members, and their families. Supported services include housing, health care, and job support. Financial assistance goes only to eligible applicants for the program’s listed purposes. Direct applicants must be local governments, other state political subdivisions, or publicly supported nonprofits exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c). Other participants must partner with an eligible applicant. Assistance takes the form of grants or loans. Up to 50 percent of assistance provided each year may be loans. The governor and state veterans council prioritize programs supported by plate proceeds. This money must add to agencies’ regular funding rather than replace it. From plate fund receipts, $1 per new registration, renewal, or transfer, up to $50,000, goes to promoting the plate program. The rest supports veterans programs. The program rules took effect September 8, 2026. Plate fund money is distributed annually on August 1.

The First for Veterans Authority manages program money, contracts, and financial oversight. An 11-member board governs the nonprofit authority, which carries out public duties. Its annual report covers activities, administrative costs, and a full accounting of both funds. The administrative fund has a $200,000 annual revenue limit, but the law does not identify which revenue source it covers. Revenue above that limit goes to the veterans trust fund. State agencies need legislative authorization to transfer their money into the trust fund. Unspent trust and administrative fund money carries forward to later years. These rules took effect September 8, 2026. The authority’s report is due by December 1 each year, and an independent audit is required each fiscal year.

The First for Veterans Authority may hire staff outside the state’s usual hiring and employment rules. Authority employees serve at its pleasure, without regular state civil service protections. Eligible workers can choose benefits such as health insurance and retirement benefits. Eligible employees must choose benefits in writing within 30 days of starting work. The authority pays the employer’s share from its revenue. Employees pay remaining benefit costs through payroll deductions. The authority must tell employees about these benefit options when they start work. The employee rules took effect September 8, 2026.