CONCORD - New Hampshire veterans will no longer have to pay an additional fee for special veteran plates under legislation signed today by Gov. John Lynch.

The bill eliminates a $25 fee for special veterans plates. The fee is in addition to state vehicle registration fees.

“I believe strongly we must do all we can to show our gratitude to the brave men and women who sacrificed for our country. It is one thing to say thank you, and it is another to show our thanks,” Gov. Lynch said. “To me, it does not make sense to charge our veterans an extra fee when all they want to do is display the pride they have in their service. Our veterans have sacrificed for us, and if they choose to show the pride they have in their service, we should not be charging them extra to do so.”

The legislation also clarifies exemptions from state registration fees for disabled veterans, and adds an exemption for former Prisoners of War.

Senate Bill 490 was sponsored by Sens. Kathy Sgambati, Jack Barnes, Peter Burling, Maggie Hassan, Harold Janeway, and Deb Reynolds; and Reps. Eleanor Kjellman, Jane Wood, Kris Roberts and Al Baldasaro.