Thank Mr. Chair, members of the committee. For the record, my name is Tom Mannion, representing Hillsborough 1, Pelham. I’m a United State Marine Corps infantry combat veteran with two deployments to Iraq.

Current RSA precludes individuals from being employed by, or achieving higher education in this state without first registering for selective service with the Federal government. I have not found any information suggesting we are financially compensated for enforcing this, unlike most other federal laws/programs that the states cooperate with the feds in enforcing. It should be noted there is no fiscal note. In addition, with regards to higher education, as of 2025, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has removed its own requirement that applicants be registered with the draft to apply for federal school loans.

As with many private sector industries, the state is having trouble filling many roles. We have a bill right now to form a study committee to look into the problems with hiring law enforcement. The Selective Service Compliance Act is a hindrance in this process. We limit the talent pool, unnecessarily, by putting hurdles in our own way.

The Federal government already has steep penalties should someone fail to comply with the draft, should it be started up again, it doesn’t make sense to me that we, as a State, put ourselves and our citizens at a disadvantage when the draft has not been active for 50 years.

I ask that you vote OTP on HB55 and with that I’m happy to take any questions.