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Committee approves increase in veterans cemetery dependent fees; department seeks July 2026 implementation
Summary
The committee voted to raise fees for non‑veteran dependent burials at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery and to begin the new rate in calendar 2026 after required G&C and rule steps. Department officials outlined burial capacity, recent federal grants and a proposed timing to allow administrative steps.
The House Finance Division heard from Nicole Desillet Bixler, deputy adjutant general for the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, and Judy Chen, the department’s chief financial officer, on a proposed fee increase for non‑veteran dependent burials at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery.
Desillet Bixler told the committee the cemetery charges $350 today for non‑veteran dependent burials and that other states vary widely. She said the department had discussed raising the rate to $450 on the recommendation of the adjutant general; the department estimated about 370 non‑veteran burials annually and projected the increase would raise about $37,000 per year. She also updated members on a federal VA award of about $5.3 million to expand cemetery capacity by roughly seven acres and create additional gravesites and niches.
The department explained that the military department is exempt from administrative rulemaking but must work with the governor and council (G&C) for fee changes. The department requested an implementation date in calendar year 2026 (they later clarified they preferred fiscal year 2027 but would accept calendar 2026) to allow time for G&C review.
Representative Ron moved the committee motion to increase the two related fees — eligible dependents and selected‑reserve dependents who are New Hampshire residents — from $350 to $450. Representative Ambrose moved, and another member seconded (recorded in the transcript as Representative Ambrose seconding), and the committee approved the motion, with one member asking to study the issue further but the motion still passing.
Ending: The committee approved the fee change and recorded the motion; staff noted the department will pursue required administrative steps (G&C and related notices) and recommended the new rate take effect in calendar 2026 to allow time for those steps.
Sources: Testimony by Nicole Desillet Bixler and Judy Chen during the committee meeting, and the committee’s recorded motion and vote.
