SB 448-FN (2026): modifying the definition of veteran.

SB 448-FN (2026)

modifying the definition of veteran.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Military & Veterans' Affairs
• Chapter law: 252

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0061s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0061s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1209s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1209s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 10, 2026, with 5 people signed in online: 5 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 10, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1444h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1444h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 23, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Howard Pearl. An enrolled bill amendment (2026-2018e) was adopted on a voice vote on May 21, 2026. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2018e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 252 of the session laws. It took effect on August 31, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia (R - Belk 3)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)
• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Rep. Alvin See (R - Merr 26)
• Rep. John Sellers (R - Graf 10)
• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 8, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 10, 2026, 10:45 AM: public hearing, House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs, GP 228
• April 10, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs, GP 228
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0061s — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1209s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1444h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 119:6
• RSA 283:4
• RSA 72:36-a
• RSA 97:1
• RSA 110-D:3
• RSA 21:50

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HJ 11, page 75
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 36
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report