New Hampshire SB 656: establishing a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.

Bill Text

SB 656-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3260

 04/05

SENATE BILL 656-FN

AN ACT establishing a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.

SPONSORS: Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Ward, Dist 8

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

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ANALYSIS

 This bill establishes a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3260

 04/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT establishing a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.

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

 1 Veterans Licensing Acceleration Program; Web-based Occupational License Application Portal. Amend RSA 110-B:91, IV to read as follows: 

 IV. The VLAP administrator shall: 

 (a) Provide veterans with comprehensive resources and support to assist them in navigating the licensing process, including, but not limited to, the requirements of this section, as well as educational materials and access to mentors or subject matter experts; 

 (b) Establish a web-based occupational license application portal to facilitate new occupational license applications and out of state occupational license transfers, and provide verified individual licensing applications to the OPLC;

 [(b)] (c) Collaborate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other appropriate agencies to provide employment counseling and assistance to participating veterans[.]; 

 [(c)] (d) Conduct an annual assessment of VLAP's impact on licensure and employment outcomes of participating veterans; [and] 

 [(d)] (e) Submit an annual report to the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs detailing program activities, participant outcomes, and recommendations for program improvements; and 

 [(e)] (f) Assist the OPLC in determining what military experience or training satisfies licensure requirements under RSA 310:16. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027. 

 LBA

 26-3260

 Revised 1/30/26

SB 656-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT establishing a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

 Revenue Fund(s)

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund

 Expenditures*

$0

Indeterminable Increase $10,000 to $100,000

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 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 establishes a web-based occupational license application portal to assist veterans and military spouses with obtaining occupational licenses in New Hampshire.

The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) states implementation of a web based application portal would require modifications to its existing licensing system. The OPLC states this work would likely require the use of a third party Salesforce system integrator to design and deploy the necessary system changes. The OPLC estimates the cost associated with these system modifications is indeterminable but likely between $10,000 and $100,000.

The OPLC further notes that operation of the portal could increase the number of occupational license applications submitted and processed by OPLC, which could result in additional licensing fee revenues. However, any change in revenues cannot be estimated and is indeterminable.

The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services states this bill would have no fiscal impact on the Department. The Department indicates there are no expenditures associated with this legislation and that existing staff and resources are sufficient to carry out the bill. 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services