On January 9, 2024, the New Hampshire Legislature introduced Senate Bill 21-FN, aimed at establishing a state trooper recruitment loan debt relief program. This initiative seeks to address the growing challenge of student loan debt among police employees, particularly as the state grapples with recruitment and retention issues in law enforcement.

The bill proposes a structured financial assistance program that would provide eligible police employees with disbursements of up to $10,000 annually for the first five years of their employment, totaling a maximum of $40,000. This assistance is contingent upon the employees maintaining student loan debt during this period. For those with less than $10,000 in student loan debt after their first year, disbursements would be prorated based on their remaining balance.

To facilitate this program, the bill establishes a dedicated fund known as the state trooper retention school loan debt relief fund, which will be supported by appropriations and potentially supplemented by public and private sector donations. The fund is designed to be nonlapsing, ensuring that the allocated resources remain available for ongoing program administration and disbursement of funds.

However, the bill has sparked notable discussions regarding its fiscal implications. The fiscal note accompanying the bill indicates that while it outlines potential expenditures ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 in the upcoming fiscal years, it does not provide specific funding mechanisms beyond a nominal appropriation of $1 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. This raises concerns among lawmakers about the sustainability and financial viability of the program, especially given the absence of guaranteed funding sources.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is expected to face scrutiny regarding its economic impact and the feasibility of its implementation. Proponents argue that the program could significantly enhance recruitment efforts and support the financial well-being of law enforcement personnel, while critics may question the lack of a robust funding strategy.

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, pending approval, and its future will depend on ongoing discussions and potential amendments as it moves through the legislative agenda. The outcome of this bill could have significant implications for New Hampshire's law enforcement landscape, particularly in addressing the dual challenges of student debt and workforce retention.