Bill > HB282

This bill makes several significant changes to New Hampshire's retirement system and workers' compensation benefits for first responders. It increases the maximum total compensation for first responders critically injured in the line of duty from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per biennium, providing additional financial support for those who suffer serious injuries while on duty. The bill also modifies the calculation of education adequacy grants by introducing new factors such as fiscal capacity disparity aid and limiting additional targeted aid for larger municipalities. In terms of retirement benefits, the bill makes extensive revisions to the New Hampshire Retirement System, particularly for Group II members (which typically include public safety workers like police and firefighters). These changes include adjusting the definition of "earnable compensation," modifying retirement age and service requirements, and altering the calculation of retirement benefits for different groups of employees based on their start date and vested status. The bill includes a complex series of date-based transitions, gradually implementing these changes between 2026 and 2034, and appropriates $14.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $27.5 million annually thereafter to fund these benefit modifications. The legislation aims to provide more comprehensive and equitable retirement and injury benefits for public employees, with a particular focus on first responders.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Labor and Employment

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0585&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB282