Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Plate topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears bill to create veterans specialty plate to fund veteran services
Summary
HB1415 would create an optional veterans specialty plate with proceeds to a new fund supporting veteran services and recruitment; military leaders and veteran advisers endorsed the concept while outlining a small oversight commission and initial setup costs.
The committee heard HB1415 FN to establish an optional "First for Veterans" license plate whose proceeds would seed a fund for veteran programs, recruitment and services.
Representative Ghieson introduced the bill; Nicole Desillet Bixler (Deputy Adjutant General) and Major General David Michalaitis (Adjutant General) described the policy goal of attracting and supporting veterans in New Hampshire and cited demographic data (the state has roughly 85,000 veterans, many age 55 or older). The plate would be opt‑in, not restricted to veterans, and initial implementation would require setup costs (witnesses noted an initial $45,000 figure for establishing the plate program).
Supporters described governance and oversight: a small commission and a companion bill (HB1753) would stand up the organizational infrastructure for the fund and simplify administration. Witnesses told members the plate follows the moose‑plate model: visual recognition for supporters and a steady funding stream to recruit, retrain and support veterans’ services such as housing and suicide prevention programs.
Committee members asked about design responsibilities, commission membership, and how funds would be used; witnesses said DMV and the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services would coordinate design and that the proposed commission would be small and advisory. The committee closed the hearing after testimony and referred some implementation details to the companion bill's committee.
