New Hampshire SB 566: relative to recruiting incentive programs for the national guard.

Bill Text

SB 566-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2165

 06/08

SENATE BILL 566-FN

AN ACT relative to recruiting incentive programs for the national guard.

SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. McConkey, Dist 3; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

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ANALYSIS

 This bill expands the list of eligible national guard service members who refer citizens for enlistment in the national guard, increases the state cash incentive for those who re-enlist or reclassify into a critical unfilled vacancy, and expands the incentive program to include additional recipients for reimbursement for achieving or recertification of credentials and fees associated with their military job specialty.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2165

 06/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to recruiting incentive programs for the national guard.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Hampshire National Guard Enlistment and Reenlistment Incentive Program Established. Amend RSA 110-B:60 to read as follows:

 110-B:60 New Hampshire National Guard Enlistment and Reenlistment Incentive Program Established. For the purpose of encouraging enlistment and reenlistment in the national guard there is hereby established a New Hampshire national guard enlistment incentive program. This program authorizes a cash incentive up to $1000 to any current or former members of the New Hampshire national guard [in the pay grades of E-1 to O-3 or any former member of the New Hampshire national guard] or any currently serving service member for each new or prior service recruit that they bring into the New Hampshire national guard. The program also authorizes a cash incentive up to [$6,000] $8,000 to current members of the New Hampshire national guard who are not eligible for a federal reenlistment bonus and who reenlist for service in the New Hampshire national guard, or who reclassify into a critical, unfilled vacancy. The program authorizes reimbursement of expenses and fees up to $4,000 associated with achieving or recertification of credentials applicable with their military job specialty for members of the New Hampshire national guard who are not authorized federal reimbursement for such expenses.

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 LBA

 26-2165

 10/21/25

SB 566-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to recruiting incentive programs for the national guard.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

Up to $125,000

Up to $125,000

Up to $125,000

 Funding Source(s)

General Fund

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill expands eligibility for the recruiting incentive to include any current or former National Guard member and any currently serving service member, increases the reenlistment or reclassification incentive from $6,000 to $8,000, and adds a new reimbursement of up to $4,000 for credentialing or recertification expenses related to a member’s military job specialty when federal reimbursement is not available.

The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services states this program has only been in effect for one year so the exact fiscal impact is indeterminable. However, the Department states the current operating budget for this program is $75,000 for FY 2026 and $115,000 for FY 2027 with these new changes the Department anticipates needing an additional appropriation of $125,000 in FY 2027 and forward to accommodate the expansion of the program.

It is assumed the fiscal impact of this bill will not occur until FY 2027.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services