NH Lakes
“If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected — those, precisely, who need the law’s protection most! — and listens to their testimony.” — James Baldwin
Hello State House Watchers,
It seems apt that this week began with an earthquake! Thankfully, the geological event caused no damage, but we can’t say the same about the metaphorical earthquakes of reckless governance delivered via memos, tweets, and executive declarations all week long.
The Office of Management and Budget sent a memo on Tuesday morning announcing a funding freeze for nearly 2,600 programs, including essential programs which support health, housing, safety, the environment, and economic security. A lawsuit by Democracy Forward led to court action halting the plan, and the memo was rescinded on Wednesday (read more here and here.) Dramatic funding cuts for foreign aid and DEI programs remain in place, however, and uncertainty, confusion, and fear linger.
President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law this week as well, celebrating that a bipartisan roster of representatives and senators – including the entire NH Congressional delegation – added to his toolkit for mass expulsions of vulnerable people. During the ceremony he announced that the Guantanamo Bay prison camp would be prepared to house as many as 30,000 migrants. Read more here and here.
In New Hampshire, advocates for a good state budget are warning us of the pending impacts of federal actions on state programs, including reductions in eligibility for SNAP benefits, and proposed changes to Medicaid funding that could cost New Hampshire up to $493 million per year. We recommend this study from the NH Fiscal Policy Institute: Potential Federal Medicaid Policy Changes Could Shift Substantial Costs to States. You’ll find a summary here. We also recommend NHFPI’s January 2025 overview of the economy, the state budget and federal policy here, and this report of how significant reductions in business taxes have contributed to revenue scarcity: Business Enterprise Tax Rate Decreases Have Reduced State Revenue Over Time. Budget and fiscal policy watchers should sign up here for NHFPI’s newsletter.
Alongside the dire news are some positive signs. Five Quaker regional bodies filed a lawsuit last week to oppose the Trump Administration’s plans to enact immigration raids in houses of worship: Quakers Sue DHS over Immigration Enforcement and Religious Freedom (Friends Journal, January 27, 2025). The lawsuit, filed by Democracy Forward, asserts that these actions would violate Constitutional rights. A statement from New England Yearly Meeting: “As the first formal association of Quakers (Friends) in the world, founded in 1661, we know from the persecution of our spiritual ancestors the terrible cost that occurs when religious freedom is violated. Throughout our history, we have sought to live our faith in ways bearing the fruits of justice, compassion, and religious liberty. Friends believe that every human being has the right to come together to worship with those who share their sacred commitments. The policy adopted by the federal government that we are challenging in this case runs counter to this truth and our congregations’ calling to be welcoming to all who seek to worship with us, and violates the Constitution. We are compelled by our faith to be part of this effort to protect religious liberty and freedom of association in religious and worship settings, and therefore to join in this effort.”
In another promising sign, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan voted ‘no’ on a bill that would have sanctioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) for holding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable. From our friends at NH Peace Action: “Senator Shaheen took the lead and Senator Hassan joined her to vote ‘no’ on the motion to vote on HR 23, the ‘Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,’ so it will not proceed in the US Senate in its current form. It will likely be back, however. Meanwhile, please thank our Senators and stress why you care about this.”
These times require that we remember what we are capable of, which has us thinking about our September 2024 celebration of the solidarity economy. Our facilitators – AFSC’s Rick Wilson and Emily Kawano, co-director of the Wellspring Cooperative – inspired us with many examples in NH and throughout the world of how communities are caring for each other and the planet. You can see their slideshow here. Let’s focus on the local work and stay connected to our communities. We need each other.
And let’s share stories of our movements and connect to the creative power of active nonviolence. We’re grateful for Eric Wolfe’s recently-released documentary, “Acres of Clams” about the Clamshell Alliance, which gathered thousands of people in the 70’s and 80’s to occupy the Seabrook nuclear plant while calling for safer, cleaner, renewable power.
Last Week at the State House
House and Senate committees held public hearings and executive sessions last week on bills related to abortion, worker rights, housing, immigration enforcement, and more.
We’re delighted that the House Labor Committee voted unanimously to recommend defeat for HB 69, the E-Verify bill, which will be on the consent calendar on Thursday.
Unfortunately HB 60, which would end just cause eviction, heads to the full House with an “ought to pass” recommendation. HB 238, the so-called “Right to Work” bill, was also recommended “ought to pass” in committee. Read more here. It isn’t on the House calendar for next week, however, which means we have more time to urge our representatives to vote it down. Please review these key messages, and contact your legislators this coming week.
The House Criminal Justice Committee amended and unanimously approved HB 511, one of three so-called anti-sanctuary cities bills being considered this year which would require local and state law enforcement to engage in immigration enforcement. The amendment significantly reduces the scope of the bill to apply only to situations of immigrants already in the custody of the criminal legal system. As such, pro-immigrant committee members were engaging in a harm reduction strategy, which is an important approach to their work as long as anti-immigrant legislators have such a commanding majority in the House and Senate. We need to make clear, however, that despite what was erroneously reported, the NH Immigrant Rights Network (NHIRN) did not and would not endorse HB 511 in its amended form. The work of the NHIRN is to advocate for humane policies, and to maintain our commitment to the rights and dignity of all immigrants, including those who have been accused of, charged with, and even convicted of crimes. We are grateful for those who labor to make bad policies less harmful, and we remain clear that our own role is to call for policies that are truly just and humane.
Meanwhile, on party-line votes, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended passage of two anti-immigrant bills last week – SB 71, which would mandate cooperation with immigration enforcement, and SB 13, which purports to invalidate driver licenses from other states that were (lawfully) issued to undocumented immigrants. In addition, the House Education Policy Committee approved, also on a party-line vote, HB 71, which would prevent the use of schools to house migrants. Read more here and here.
Lawmakers heard powerful testimony last week about the issue of physician-assisted suicide, from supporters advocating for bodily autonomy, and opponents stressing the threats to the rights of people with disabilities. Read more here.
We are happy to see that the full Senate approved SB 113, which allocates $12 million for shelter and services for unhoused people. Read more here.
Next week’s calendar includes public hearings on wages and unions, more anti-immigrant bills, a proposal to eliminate the Office of Health Equity, lead poisoning, and many proposals related to absentee ballots and electric rates. Here’s our spreadsheet of everything we’re tracking this year.
ACTION ALERTS
Please take action to support/oppose these key bills that are coming up soon.
A note about contacting committees: The Senate committee pages provide a link to “contact entire committee,” which will open your email app and populate it with the email addresses of all committee members. The House committee pages do not have this feature, and they no longer share an email that would deliver your message to all committee members. Because of this, it can be tedious to email House committees. Many thanks to Katy Cutshall for creating a comprehensive spreadsheet with all committee emails to make it easier for you to copy and paste the addresses. Find it here.
Upcoming votes in the full House on February 6
Oppose HB 71-FN, prohibiting the use of the facilities of a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education to provide shelter for aliens (sic) who have not been admitted into the United States. The full House will vote on this bill on Thursday, February 6 at 10 AM. Please urge your Representatives to oppose this bill. Read the testimony from the NH Immigrant Rights Network here.
Oppose HB 60, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. This forced eviction bill would harm tenants and increase homelessness in a state already experiencing high housing costs and low housing availability. The full House will vote on this bill on Thursday, February 6 at 10 AM. Please urge your Representatives to oppose this misguided bill.
Upcoming public hearings
Tuesday, February 4
Support HB 442, relative to prohibiting payment of subminimum wages. This positive bill would increase the sub-minimum wage to match the current minimum wage of $7.25. We must keep pushing for a living wage, but this bill is a good start. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Labor, Industrial & Rehabilitative Services Committee, LOB Room 210-211 on Tuesday, February 4 at 1 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to support and share testimony. Join advocates for a visibility at the hearing room doors at 12:30 PM.
Support HB 726, relative to the state minimum hourly rate. This positive bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Labor, Industrial & Rehabilitative Services Committee, LOB Room 210-211 on Tuesday, February 4 at 2 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to support and share testimony. Join advocates for a visibility at the hearing room doors starting at 12:30 PM.
Oppose HB 458-FN, limiting local assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. This mean-spirited bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Municipal & County Government Committee, LOB Room 307 on Tuesday, February 4 at 2:40 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Wednesday, February 5
Oppose HB 392-FN, directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services’ office of health equity, department of environmental services’ functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor’s council on diversity and inclusion. This bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee, LOB Room 210-211 on Wednesday, February 5 at 9:30 AM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Oppose HB 400, requiring a public body's collective bargaining negotiations to be deemed public meetings and requiring that arguments made and information generated during the meetings be made available to the public under the right-to-know law. This unworkable, disruptive, and unnecessary bill will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee, LOB Room 206-208 on Wednesday, February 5 at 1:45 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Oppose HB 635, relative to taxing non-profit entities who settle illegal immigrants as for-profit entities. This sweeping bill has the potential to endanger the status of non-profit organizations across the state who have directly or indirectly come into contact with undocumented people. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Ways & Means Committee, LOB Room 203, on Wednesday, February 5 at 2 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Support HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program. This positive bill would add expand reporting requirements to this wasteful program, giving us more data on how the program is working and who is being impacted by it. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, LOB Room 202-204 on Wednesday, February 5 at 3:45 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to support and share testimony.
Thursday, February 6
Support SB 255, establishing and developing crisis stabilization services. This positive bill would expand mental health crisis services in the state. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, LOB Room 101, on Thursday, February 6 at 11 AM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to support and share testimony.
Friday, February 7
Support HB 638-FN, allowing an older prisoner serving a sentence of life without parole to be eligible for parole upon meeting certain criteria. This positive bill has a public hearing in the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety committee, LOB Room 202-204 on Friday, February 7 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to support and share testimony.
Next Week at the State House
Key:
LOB – Legislative Office Building (33 N. State St. Concord)
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Coming Up in the House
House members will meet in full session on Thursday, February 6; they also plan to meet on February 13 and 20.
On the Consent Calendar
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
HB 69, requiring businesses to use the federal E-Verify system of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 105-FN, creating a new conservation license plate and directing the additional fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund.
HB 258, establishing a study commission to determine the readiness of the New Hampshire Seacoast Emergency Evacuation Plan.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 511-FN, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 71-FN, prohibiting the use of the facilities of a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education to provide shelter for aliens who have not been admitted into the United States.
HB 129-FN, relative to the definition of the term “evidence-based” within public education.
ELECTION LAW
HB 340-FN, relative to electioneering by public employees.
HOUSING
HB 60, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term.
HB 444, relative to a tenant’s right to notification prior to the sale of a multi-family home.
HB 623-FN, relative to prohibiting corporations from purchasing single-family homes for a certain amount of time.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 106, establishing a commission to determine the monetary costs of climate damage to the state of New Hampshire and the best means of recouping such costs.
HB 189, defining “clean energy” and the department of energy’s 10-year state energy strategy to include new technology small-scale nuclear energy, renewable energy, and fuel diversity; and, removing references to the energy efficiency and sustainable energy board.
HB 306, establishing a commission to study the short and long-term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms on New Hampshire’s citizens, businesses, institutions, and environment.
Coming Up in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committee members here.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9:30 AM CACR 7, relating to the presumption of innocence. Providing that in all cases and suits of the state against one of the people, the defendant shall be innocent unless proven guilty.
10:00 AM HB 666-FN, relative to adding restitution payment for violations of the confidentiality of the library use records and adding library cards and membership status to the list of confidential matters.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
9:00 AM HB 682, relative to the office of offshore wind industry, the offshore and port development commission, and the office of energy innovation.
9:30 AM HB 575-FN, prohibiting offshore wind energy infrastructure.
10:30 AM HCR 4, relative to rejecting all offshore wind energy projects in the waters off the coast of New Hampshire and the Gulf of Maine.
1:00 PM HB 219-FN, relative to the phasing out of the minimum electric renewable portfolio standard.
2:00 PM HB 567-FN, relative to the elimination of useful thermal energy from renewable energy classes.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
EDUCATION FUNDING, Room 205-207, LOB
11:00 AM HB 769-FN, relative to the base annual cost per pupil of providing the opportunity for an adequate education and statewide education property tax rate.
11:30 AM HB 773-FN, relative to aid to school districts for the cost of special education.
1:00 PM HB 747-FN, establishing a program for enrichment scholarships for gifted students and making an appropriation therefor.
1:45 PM HB 750-FN, relative to making incentive grants for school districts that improve in certain assessment scores.
2:15 PM HB 772-FN, establishing a foundation opportunity budget program for funding public education.
ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM CACR 5, relating to absentee ballots. Providing that no excuse shall be needed by the voter to receive an absentee ballot.
10:20 AM HB 418, relative to eligibility for absentee voting.
10:40 AM HB 136, extending the time period for delivery of an absentee ballot from 5:00 p.m. to the close of the polls.
11:00 AM HB 158, relative to public inspection of absentee ballot lists.
11:20 a.m. HB 217, relative to absentee ballots.
11:40 AM HB 464, prohibiting candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.
1:00 PM HB 288, requires that absentee ballots be requested at least 6 months prior to any election for which the absentee ballot is requested.
1:20 PM HB 498-FN, relative to when a person may receive an absentee ballot.
1:40 PM HB 403, relative to weather conditions which enable absentee voting.
2:00 PM HB 294, relative to the processing of absentee ballots.
2:30 PM HB 686-FN, requiring a voter to provide identification when requesting an absentee ballot.
3:00 PM HB 344, enables the processing of absentee ballots before election day.
3:20 PM HB 608-FN, requiring moderators to inspect absentee ballot affidavits for full execution including use of a notary, election officer, or any person authorized by law to administer oaths.
3:40 PM HB 269, relative to the date for correction of the voter checklist.
4:00 PM HB 345, enabling selectmen to add additional polling places and requiring selectmen to give notice to voters 30 days before providing such additional polling places.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE, Room 301-303, LOB
1:00 PM HB 479, establishing a committee to study the use and problems associated with regulating the distribution and disposal of certain solid waste within landfills and transfer centers.
1:30 PM HB 658-FN, raising the cap on certain reimbursements from the oil discharge and disposal cleanup fund.
2:00 PM HB 707, requiring the department of environmental services to establish a site-specific setback distance for proposed new landfills.
3:30 PM HR 10, recognizing the fundamental right to have clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment.
HOUSING, Room 305, LOB
10:00 AM HB 577, relative to modifying the definition of ADUs.
11:00 AM HB 685, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing.
1:00 PM HB 459-FN, relative to acreage requirements and zoning regarding sewer infrastructure and single-family residential uses.
1:30 PM HB 631-FN, permitting residential building in commercial zoning by right.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 735-FN, relative to elections in collective bargaining.
11:30 AM HB 542-FN, relative to weekly benefit amounts for unemployment compensation.
1:00 PM HB 442, relative to prohibiting payment of subminimum wages.
2:00 PM HB 726-FN, relative to the state minimum hourly rate.
4:00 PM HB 378-FN, relative to an employee’s unused earned time.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 307, LOB
10:00 AM HB 766, enabling municipalities to adopt an exemption from the local education property tax for certain elderly residents.
10:30 AM HB 625, relative to enabling municipalities to levy payments against non-profits at a percentage of their assessed property values.
2:10 PM HB 782-FN, expanding property tax exemptions for certain elderly and disabled persons; raising public awareness regarding tax credits and exemptions; and requiring an annual report regarding the efficacy of the low and moderate income homeowners property tax relief program.
2:40 PM HB 458-FN, limiting local assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
9:00 AM HB 537, relative to electric rates approved by the public utilities commission for residential condominium property.
9:30 AM HB 539, requiring electric utilities to use residential electric rates for certain types of residential condominiums.
10:00 AM HB 680-FN, relative to standardizing homeowners associations’ electricity billing for shared meter usage.
1:00 PM HB 654-FN, relative to allowing small customer-generators the ability to participate in group net metering.
1:30 PM HB 541, establishing a committee to study energy and telecommunications infrastructure survivability and resiliency.
2:00 PM SB 4, relative to commercial property assessed clean energy and resiliency (C-PACER).
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM HB 530-FN, increasing the amount of revenue transferred from the real estate transfer tax to the affordable housing fund.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
2:45 PM HB 705, relative to health care cost transparency.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
11:15 AM HB 102-FN, relative to oversight of federal law enforcement actions.
1:30 PM HB 206-FN, relative to government agent entries into secured premises.
3:45 PM HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM HB 662-FN, requiring the discussion of abortion procedures and viewing of certain videos during health education in public schools.
10:00 AM HB 667-FN, relative to health education and requiring the viewing of certain videos demonstrating gestational development from embryo to fetus through birth by public school students and college or university students.
10:30 AM HB 730-FN, requiring school districts to educate and provide information to students regarding adoption during health education for grades 9 through 12, and in college in certain circumstances.
2:30 PM HB 108, relative to bullying and cyberbullying across multiple school districts.
3:30 PM HB 673-FN, relative to school bullying and discrimination plans.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
10:30 AM HB 438-FN, relative to immigration detention facilities.
1:45 PM HB 727-FN, relative to the New Hampshire retirement system.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 210-211, LOB
9:30 AM HB 392-FN, directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services’ office of health equity, department of environmental services’ functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor’s council on diversity and inclusion.
1:00 PM HB 724-FN, relative to lead paint poisoning prevention and remediation.
2:30 PM HB 756-FN, relative to establishing a blood lead level testing requirement for children entering daycare and public schools.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9:30 AM HB 232-FN, relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals.
1:00 PM HB 391-FN, relative to preventing strategic lawsuits against public participation.
1:45 PM HB 400, requiring a public body’s collective bargaining negotiations to be deemed public meetings and requiring that arguments made and information generated during the meetings be made available to the public under the right-to-know law.
2:30 PM HB 601-FN, relative to causes of action against companies that misstate the impacts of their business on the environment.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 203, LOB
10:30 AM HB 585, relative to the property tax exemption for religious organizations.
2:00 PM HB 635-FN, relative to taxing non-profit entities who settle illegal immigrants as for-profit entities.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM HB 638-FN, allowing an older prisoner serving a sentence of life without parole to be eligible for parole upon meeting certain criteria.
2:00 PM HB 767-FN, expanding requirements for reports to law enforcement by the department of health and human services.
3:15 PM HB 159-FN, authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.
EDUCATION FUNDING, Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM HB 659-FN, establishing the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive program.
10:15 AM HB 770-FN, relative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.
11:30 AM HB 718, requiring the state board of education to report the unfunded financial impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards.
1:00 PM HB 771-FN, relative to funding for open enrollment schools.
1:45 PM HB 665-FN-A, relative to eligibility for free school meals.
2:30 PM HB 491, establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.
STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, Room 206-208, LOB
1:00 PM HCR 1, calling for policymakers locally and nationally to fully consider all relevant information and factors pertaining to climate change before pursuing courses of action that could adversely affect any economy or environment.
Coming Up in the Senate
The Senate will be in session next on February 13, starting at 10 AM.
Coming Up in Senate Committees
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committee members here.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 3
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 103, SH
10:00 AM SB 72-FN, establishing a parents’ bill of rights in education.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4
EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:15 AM SB 100-FN, relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.
9:45 AM SB 206-FN, requiring public schools to adopt policies to limit the use of cell phones by students.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:15 AM SB 103-FN-L, relative to the number of polling stations that are available for certain towns.
9:30 AM SB 104-FN, requiring the performance of a machine count at the request of 10 residents who have cast a ballot in the election.
10:00 AM SB 213-FN, relative to absentee voting.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:15 PM SB 115-FN, making an appropriation for regional drinking water infrastructure.
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:15 PM SB 48-FN, relative to competency to stand trial for certain offenses.
1:45 PM SB 289-FN, relative to use and preservation of body-worn camera recordings in certain matters.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM SB 178, relative to the department of health and human services laboratory services for testing of water supplies.
9:15 AM SB 179-FN, to administratively attach the state council on housing stability to the department of health and human services.
9:30 AM SB 180-FN, designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
9:15 AM SB 122-FN, relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.
9:30 AM SB 244-FN-A, relative to expanding access to primary health care services, increasing the number of direct health care providers, increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, and making an appropriation therefor.
9:45 AM SB 137-FN, relative to hospital stays covered under the state Medicaid plan.
1:00 PM SB 134-FN, relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 100, SH
9:45 AM SB 275, providing property tax relief for some child care agencies.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
11:00 AM SB 255-FN, establishing and developing crisis stabilization services.
Upcoming Events
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The February 5 vigil will be at Shaheen's office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover. We gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park. The February 12 vigil will be at Pappas’ office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 5:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
Monday, February 3
Manchester Housing Alliance General Meeting - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by Manchester Housing Alliance. Join us once a month to discuss local housing policies to make sure that Manchester is a place everybody can afford to live. Find out how to get involved at the local level to push Manchester elected officials to take action on the Housing crisis.
Tuesday, February 4
Trans Social - 7 PM. 1000 Elm St. Manchester. Hosted by Hop Knot Restaurant. The Trans Social is a laid back monthly meetup for Trans, Non-Binary, other LGBTQ+ folks, and allies to meet and build community! We host this event every first Tuesday of the month from 7pm to 9pm. This event is 18+ with no cover.
Wednesday, February 5
Immigration Briefings 2025 - 1 PM to 2 PM. Hosted by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Join us for 1-hour briefings every other week during the first six months of 2025 to provide legal service providers and advocates updates about changes to immigration policy and practice. These Immigration Briefings will provide overviews of new announcements and policies to keep everyone working in the field updated and informed. Please note that these sessions will not be legal trainings or case rounds, but a space to learn more about critical developments.
Thursday, February 6
Webinar: Immigration Changes & Their Impact on Asylum Seekers - 6 PM. Hosted by African Communities Together. as we debrief the latest Immigration changes and their impact on Asylum seekers. The webinar will provide an overview of the current trends in the asylum application process and address ways asylum seekers can prepare for the changes in immigration policy we are beginning to see. The Webinar will be presented in the following language: French, Amharic, Arabic, Bambara, and English.
Peter Beinart: Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action; co-sponsored by AFSC-NH. Join us for a conversation with author Peter Beinart who brings us an alternate narrative which draws on other nations’ efforts at moral reconstruction and a different reading of Jewish tradition. A story in which Israeli Jews have the right to equality, not supremacy, and in which Jewish and Palestinian safety are not mutually exclusive but intertwined. One that recognizes the danger of venerating states at the expense of human life.
Squad Up & Protect Your Rights Orientation Call - 7 PM to 9 PM. Hosted by United We Dream. We are calling on YOU, our Squad, to mobilize volunteers across the country to host Know Your Rights Trainings during the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, to support communities in being prepared for any efforts against Trump’s mass deportation & detention plans.
Grassroots Briefing on Voting Rights Priorities for 2025 – 6:30 PM. Hosted by the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights (NHCVR) & the Kent Street Coalition. This briefing will be an opportunity to learn about voting rights priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Together, we’ll explore how to advocate for pro-voter legislation and counter anti-voter efforts.
Saturday, February 8
Maternal Health Conference - 9 AM to 2 PM. Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester. Hosted by BLM NH. Maternal health is a vital and evolving area of focus, as communities across the country work to improve the care and support available to women and birthing people. This conference will be a unique opportunity to bring everyone together to exchange ideas, share research, and learn from diverse experiences in maternal health.
Justice Fair – 12 PM to 3 PM. 211 N. Main St. Concord. Hosted by Concordia Lutheran Church. Come and learn about all the great organizations that are doing justice work in Concord and throughout New Hampshire!
Monday, February 10
Peace & Justice Conversations: Dynamic Community Resistance in West Africa - 7 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action. In West African cities, urban poor families and communities must struggle every day to survive -- not just to live on meager day-to-day incomes, but to tenaciously resist and mitigate the dynamics that threaten their very shelter and livelihoods. This conversation looks broadly at over a decade of work supporting multi-pronged community resistance to mass forced evictions, and dives deep into the struggle of the Otodo Gbame community in Lagos, Nigeria.
Thursday, February 13
Love from Beyond the Walls: #FreeThemAll Valentine's Visibility - 3 PM. Hosted by AFSC NH. Dear friends, we believe that love transcends walls, bars and cages. Please join us for “Love from Beyond The Walls” a community gathering visibility on Thursday, February 13 at 3 PM at Valley Street Jail (aka Hillsborough County Department of Corrections) in Manchester. We’ll celebrate Valentine's Day and those behind the walls as part of our Free Them All campaign, calling for a future without incarceration, a future supported by systems that promote healing, not punitive, justice. Learn more at: www.AFSC.org/FreeThemAll
Tuesday, February 18
Community In Conversation Monthly Series - 7 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. Join us for a dynamic and empowering series of virtual conversations! Our organization is hosting monthly Zoom events every 3rd Tuesday from January through May, featuring a rotating panel of expert speakers addressing critical issues affecting the Black & POC communities.
Wednesday, February 19
Active Bystander Training - 5 PM to 7 PM. First Church Nashua Congregational UCC, 1 Concord St, Nashua. Hosted by Granite State Organizing Project. Join us for an interactive training session, led by experienced trainers from GSOP. This training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to become proactive and effective bystanders in various situations. The goal is to foster a culture of safety, respect, and support within communities by empowering individuals to intervene and prevent harmful behaviors.
Thursday, February 20
Community Conversations with CSH 2025 - 1 PM. Hosted by Community Sponsorship Hub. Join us to learn from resettlement professionals, and private sponsors, hear firsthand accounts of community impact, and become part of a growing movement that's creating welcoming communities through private sponsorship.
Collective Courage Book Study Watch Party #2 - Intentional Communities - 6 PM to 8 PM. Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. Nashua. Hosted by the Black Womxn in NH Social Club. Join us for a series of gatherings centered around Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice by Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard. This groundbreaking book explores the rich history of Black American cooperatives and their role in fostering community solidarity and economic resilience.
Tuesday, February 25
Deep Canvass Institute 101: How to Have a Deep Canvass Conversation - 6 PM. Hosted by People’s Action. The Deep Canvass Institute is offering this 101 training where you will be trained in the core skills needed to have deep canvass conversations. Deep canvassing is about working to create mutual understanding grounded in stories and lived experience, instead of in debate or talking points.
Sunday, March 9-16
2025 Witness Response - Hosted by Witness at the Border. Join us for our second Workshop for Justice and a short ‘Journey’ to be held March 9-16, 2025. The Journey will begin in San Antonio on March 9th, we will travel to Eagle Pass (2 nights), El Paso (2 nights) and to Ajo. The Workshop will be held in Ajo, AZ, on March 14-16. We are still forming the agenda specifics and leaving ourselves flexible to respond to anticipated changes in immigration policy.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Grace Kindeke and Kathleen Wooten
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more.
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke staff the New Hampshire Program which publishes this newsletter. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible in part by a grant from the Anne Slade Frey Charitable Trust. Your donations make our work possible. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!