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Bill

HB 1152

designating the funds account for donations and bequests received by the department of military affairs and veterans services to be non-lapsing funds.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Donovan Fenton and 8 co-sponsors

New Hampshire bill makes donations to veterans department non-lapsing, allowing unspent funds to carry forward annually instead of reverting to the state treasury.

Signed by Governor Ayotte 03/27/2026; Chapter 12; eff. 07/01/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1152

Legislative bill overview

HB 1152 designates donations and bequests received by New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services as "non-lapsing funds," meaning unspent money carries forward to the next fiscal year instead of returning to the state's general treasury. This allows the department to accumulate and retain donated resources for veterans programs without annual budget pressure to spend them immediately.

Why is this important

Veterans organizations and departments often receive irregular donations and bequests that don't align with annual budget cycles. Non-lapsing status ensures these gifts can be strategically deployed for veterans services without artificial time constraints, potentially enabling better program planning and larger capital projects. It also incentivizes future donations by demonstrating the funds will be preserved for their intended purpose.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal oversight concerns: Non-lapsing funds are less visible to annual legislative review; some may worry this reduces accountability for how donated money is spent
  • Equity across departments: Other state departments may question why military affairs receives this privilege while their programs do not, potentially sparking broader requests for similar treatment
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language around what constitutes eligible "donations and bequests" could create disputes over whether certain transfers or conditional gifts qualify for non-lapsing status

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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