SB456: (New Title) relative to the state loan repayment program for qualified nursing professionals, and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 456-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

03/07/2024 0826s

2024 SESSION

24-3007

05/10

SENATE BILL 456-FN

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

SPONSORS: Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. L. Walsh, Rock. 15

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services, state office of rural health, for the state loan repayment program to qualified nursing professionals, and directs the department of health and human services to provide a report to the legislature on a budget proposal for a student loan forgiveness program that would cover nurses who do not qualify for the state loan repayment program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/07/2024 0826s 24-3007

05/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

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

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Appropriation. For the biennium ending June 30, 2025, the sum of $300,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services, state office of rural health, established under RSA 126-A:5, XVIII, for deposit into the state loan repayment program, established pursuant to RSA 6:12, I(b)(330). These dedicated, non-lapsing funds shall be limited to qualified nursing professionals licensed under RSA 326-B, the nurse practice act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

2 Reporting. The department of health and human services shall provide a report to the president of the senate the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairpersons of the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over health and human services, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library. This report shall contain a budget proposal for a student loan forgiveness program that would cover nurses who do not qualify for the state loan repayment program, and shall be submitted on or before November 1, 2024.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBA

24-3007

Amended 4/9/24

SB 456-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2024-0826s)

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

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

None

Expenditures

$300,000

$0

$0

$0Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$300,000

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] Yes

• Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No

METHODOLOGY:

This bill appropriates $300,000 for the FY 24/25 biennium to the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of extending the state loan repayment program (SLRP) to qualified nursing professionals. In addition, the bill requires the Department to develop a budget proposal for a student loan forgiveness program that would cover nurses who do not qualify for the SLRP.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

None