NH
New Hampshire Senate Bill SB21

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB21

Introduced
12/30/24  
Refer
12/30/24  
Report Pass
2/13/25  

Caption

Relative to establishing a New Hampshire state trooper recruitment loan debt relief program and making an appropriation therefor.

Impact

The implementation of SB21 is expected to impact New Hampshire's law enforcement recruitment landscape significantly. By offering financial incentives in the form of loan repayment assistance, the state aims to attract a greater number of applicants to the trooper positions, which have been challenging to fill due to competitive job markets and the high costs of education. The bill is projected to benefit applicants who are hired on or after July 1, 2025, thus potentially increasing the number of qualified law enforcement professionals within the state, enhancing public safety.

Summary

Senate Bill 21 (SB21) aims to address the shortage of state troopers in New Hampshire by establishing a dedicated loan debt relief program for newly hired officers. This program would provide financial assistance to individuals who have taken on student loans to support their education in order to join the state police. Specifically, the bill proposes disbursement of up to $10,000 per year over a five-year period, totaling up to $40,000, to help alleviate the burden of student debt for eligible recruits.

Contention

However, there are notable points of contention regarding the fiscal implications of SB21. While the bill designates a nominal appropriation of $1 for the establishment of the program, the actual funding requirements are anticipated to be much higher, with estimates ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million in subsequent years depending on recruitment success rates. Critics may voice concerns about the sustainability of the program and whether it will sufficiently address the underlying issues of recruitment and retention within the state police force.

Latest SB21 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH SB456

Relative to the state loan repayment program for qualified nursing professionals, and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB153

Establishing a law enforcement officers, professional firefighters, and emergency medical technicians career development, recruitment, and retention program and making an appropriation therefor.

NH HB1385

Relative to establishing the veteran licensing acceleration program and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB237

Relative to the child care scholarship program and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB145

Relative to New Hampshire housing champion designation for municipalities and making appropriations therefor.

NH SB500

Establishing a primary care provider loan repayment program, and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB217

Establishing a rural and underserved area educator incentive program for higher education and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB384

Relative to a municipal loan and grant program for rental housing and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB217

Establishing a rural and underserved area educator incentive program for higher education and making an appropriation therefor.

NH SB499

Relative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Summer EBT program and making appropriations therefor and relative to providing disaster relief funding to municipalities after a natural disaster.

Similar Bills

MD HB350

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2025)

MD SB360

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2025)

MD HB200

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2024)

MD SB181

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2024)

PA HB611

To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

MD HB350

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026)

MD SB319

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026)

MD HB300

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2023)