Advocates for humane immigration policy urge lawmakers to defeat HB 452 and HB 461. Dennis Jakubowski
“Because whatever has happened to humanity, whatever is currently happening to humanity, it is happening to all of us. No matter how hidden the cruelty, no matter how far off the screams of pain and terror, we live in one world. We are one people." - Alice Walker, Overcoming Speechlessness: A Poet Encounters the Horror in Rwanda, Eastern Congo, and Palestine/Israel
Greetings, State House Watchers,
Best wishes for all who have begun the celebration of Passover; may your remembrances and prayers be nourishment for the ongoing work of liberation in these times.
It was a rough week for all of us; we hope you’re finding time to rest and renew yourselves, perhaps by attending yesterday’s Rally for Peace and the Planet in Concord!
If you’d like some insightful and encouraging weekend reading, we recommend this piece from Mark and Paul Engler in Waging Nonviolence: “Could we be entering a ‘movement moment’ against Trump?“
Cheers to all who joined a massive national Hands Off! mobilization last Saturday, including in many towns and cities in New Hampshire. Read more at IndepthNH (Concord Crowd Demands End to Trump Agenda), including a segment of Grace’s compelling message about the assault on immigrant rights and safety: “It’s not just Trump,” [said] Kindeke, speaking without notes. “It is our own legislators. It is our own governor who continues to put our communities on the chopping block. Immigrants are not our enemies. No. Fascism is our enemy. Injustice is our enemy, and we will not stand for it. We will not allow our communities to be weaponized. We will not allow our communities to be terrorized, to be taken from us, to be kidnapped off the street and disappear into a system that dehumanizes us, that treats us like aliens, as if every single person here hasn’t been born on this planet earth. No human being is illegal.”
Read more from Grace and longtime immigrant rights leader Eva Castillo in yesterday’s Union Leader, about the wrong-headed move by some NH law enforcement agencies to take part in the federal 287(g) program which deputizes law enforcement to act as immigration agents.
Administration actions against immigrants continue at an astonishing pace, with the latest including a move to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from Afghanistan and Cameroon, the initiation of mandatory registration for noncitizens, an agreement to use private tax information to round up immigrants, the cancellation of hundreds of student visas, and escalating militarization of the southern border zone.
We take heart from the ongoing push back, including a positive decision from the US Supreme Court regarding the government’s responsibility to Abrego Garcia, the ACLU-NH winning a temporary restoration of a student visa for a Dartmouth graduate student, and Los Angeles school administrators denying entry to DHS officials who showed up to target young students. Closer to home, we are also pleased to see that six school districts in New Hampshire and Vermont have joined a lawsuit to challenge the Trump administration’s attempts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Many thanks to all who showed up, spoke up, and signed in to oppose two anti-immigrant bills last week, when HB 452 and HB 461 were heard in the Senate Transportation Committee. You can watch some excellent testimony here, starting at about 50:00.
We also want to express our appreciation for Representative David Meuse, who took to the House floor on Thursday to oppose HB 511 – one of this year’s three so-called anti-sanctuary cities bills – and to highlight the violations of due process, rule of law, and freedom of speech that characterize the Trump administration’s immigration policies. You can listen to Rep. Meuse’s speech here, starting at 2:05:30. We want to add that it is our firm believe that no one – including immigrants who have been impacted by the criminal legal system – deserves to be expelled to a foreign mega-prison, or incarcerated for immigration status violations.
The biggest news on House “crossover day” - the deadline by which all bills that originated in the House chamber must be acted upon - was the House vote to approve, along party lines, their version of the state budget. You can read more here and here.
We’re pleased to see that a proposed budget amendment to require school budget caps was not included (although an identical bill – HB 675 – was passed by the House and retained, so we’ll need to watch for a reappearance.) But the approved budget contains many bad ideas, including the elimination of the Office of the Child Advocate, permission to discriminate against transgender persons, prohibition of state funding for “DEI activities,” elimination of important tenant protections, expansion of costly and unaccountable school vouchers, premiums for Medicaid coverage, cuts to college and university funding, and elimination of hundreds of staff positions. Now is the time to let your own senator and Governor Ayotte know your budget priorities. And mark your calendars for a Hands Off Medicaid rally in Concord on April 24 at 2 PM.
ACTION ALERTS
Note that the following Action Alerts are not all the same. Please read each one carefully as the instructions are different depending on where the bill is in the process.
When a public hearing is scheduled, members of the public have the opportunity sign in online to register their opposition or support for a bill. After a public hearing has passed and the committee is ready to vote on a bill, they will hold an executive session. There is no sign-in or public testimony at executive sessions, but you can still contact members of that committee by email or phone to let them know how you’d like them to vote.
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. House committees don’t have that handy feature, but thanks to Katy Cutshall, here’s a list of members for each House committee, which makes it easy to cut and paste.
Monday, April 14 – PUBLIC HEARING
1 PM - House Science, Technology, and Energy, LOB 302-304
SUPPORT SB 106-FN, relative to the participation of customer generators in net energy metering. From the NH Network: “This positive bill would extend Net Energy Metering (NEM) for 20 years. In this time of uncertainty, businesses and municipalities and individuals need this certainty for the financing for renewable energy projects. This will benefit taxpayers and businesses. Four counties made it clear they need this 20 year period for their projects. Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill. You can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
Tuesday, April 15 – PUBLIC HEARINGS
9 AM - Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Room 103, SH
SUPPORT HB 171, establishing a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new landfills. From NH Network: “This year’s most important landfill bill. The Governor and House have been clear they are worried about the current landfill siting requirements and plethora of out-of-state waste. Now is the time to take a pause and make sure we get it right. A 3-year moratorium will give ample time for the Governor's landfill site evaluation committee to be formed, create its duties and be prepared to hear any applications. DES Solid Waste report from 2022 stated that the state has ample capacity though 2034. This is a prudent step to ensure any future landfill development is informed by updated regulations, data, technologies, and policies that reflect modern best practices in waste management and environmental protection. Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill.
9:15 AM - Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Room 103, SH
SUPPORT HB 707, requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills. From NH Network: “This bipartisan bill mandates a site-specific setback distance for new landfills in NH to protect the state's water bodies from contamination. The setback distance would be based on maximum seepage velocity of groundwater, ensuring contaminated groundwater does not reach any perennial river, lake, or coastal water within five years. The bill also includes provisions aimed at enhancing landfill safety and environmental protection, requiring subsurface investigations to assess geological conditions of proposed landfill sites and mandates 24-hour on-site personnel. The bill includes stricter regulations regarding the history of applicants, disallowing permits for those with past violations of environmental laws.” Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill.
9:30 AM - House Education Funding, Room 205-207, LOB
SUPPORT SB 292-FN-A, authorizing a warrant for the funding of state special education aid. This positive bill would allow the Governor to request more funding from the general fund if enough money was not budgeted to reimburse school districts for extraordinary costs to support students with disabilities so they can access their public education. Please contact the committee, and sign in to support and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
9:45 AM - Senate Education, Room 101, LOB
OPPOSE HB 235, relative to amending the educator code of ethics and code of conduct to include responsibility to parents. This bill would allow the State Board of Education to write a ”Parental Bill of Rights,” including forced outing language, into the Educator Code of Ethics. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
10:15 AM - House Education Funding, Room 205-207, LOB
OPPOSE SB 99, relative to regional career and technical education agreements. The original purpose of this bill was to allow public school students attending a CTE center that is not their resident public school to be able to take core academic courses at the public school in order to lose less learning time. The newly amended version of this bill will now allow resident students to be crowded out of academic courses, and public school students wanting to take CTE classes to be crowded out by charter school, private school and voucher students. Please contact the committee, and sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
1:40 PM – Senate Judiciary, Room 100, SH
SUPPORT HB 198-FN, relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public. This positive bill would legalize personal possession of cannabis for people 21 years of age or older. Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill.
1:45 PM – House Education Funding, Room 205-207, LOB
OPPOSE SB 295-FN, relative to education freedom accounts. This harmful bill would allow school vouchers be made available with no family income limit for up to 10,000 students. If during a fiscal year the number of applications exceeds 90% of the limit, the total number of vouchers available will be increased by 25% the following year. Please contact the committee, and sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
Tuesday, April 15 – EXECUTIVE SESSION
10 AM – House Children & Family Law, Room 206-208, LOB
OPPOSE SB 72, establishing a parents' bill of rights in education. This unnecessary parental rights bill pits parents and educators against each other, ignoring the mechanisms currently in place to ensure open lines of communication between school staff, students and families. As amended and passed by the Senate, the bill contains language that would require that a teacher would need “clear and convincing evidence” of harm to the student to withhold disclosure rather than a reasonable suspicion that disclosure could cause harm. Note that the online sign-in period has passed, but please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails and urge them to oppose this bill.
Wednesday, April 16 – PUBLIC HEARINGS
10:30 AM – House Judiciary, Room 206-208, LOB
OPPOSE SB 268, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. This is yet another bill that would legalize discrimination against transgender people in bathrooms, athletics and incarceration, rolling back current nondiscrimination provisions that were passed into law in 2018. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.
1 PM - House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs, Room 205-207, LOB
OPPOSE SB 134-FN, relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program. This bill would mandate “one size fits all” work requirements that would make it more difficult for people to access the healthcare they need. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Thursday, April 17 – PUBLIC HEARING
1:20 PM – Senate Education Finance, Room 103, SH
OPPOSE HB 771-FN, relative to funding for open enrollment schools. This seemingly technical bill is part of a larger push to create a state mandate for open enrollment in local public schools. All decisions about participating in open enrollment should be based on agreements between local school boards and residents due to the burden open enrollment will have on local taxpayers. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
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
Last week in the House
The full House met on Thursday, April 10, which was “Crossover Day” for the House, the deadline by which all bills that originated in the House must be acted upon. Here are the outcomes for the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
FINANCE
HB 67-FN-A, relative to agreements with the secretary of state for the use of accessible voting systems. OTP-A by VV.
HB 552-FN, relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan. OTP by VV.
On the Regular Calendar - Part One
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 493, requiring education on child abuse and neglect for certain healthcare providers as a condition for licensure. ITL by DV, 193-177.
FINANCE
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. OTP-A by RC, 209-162.
HB 115-FN, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program. OTP by RC, 188-181.
HB 511-FN, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities. OTP by RC, 211-161.
On the Regular Calendar - Part Two
FINANCE
HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027. OTP-A by RC, 192-183.
HB 2-FN-A-LOCAL, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures. OTP-A by RC, 192-183.
Last week in the Senate
The full Senate did not meet in session last week. There are no votes to report.
Coming Up in the House
There will be no House Session next week. Members are asked toe hold Thursday April 24 and Thursday May 1 as possible session days.
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 committees here and by using this committee email list here.
Monday, April 14
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
1:00 PM SB 106-FN, relative to the participation of customer generators in net energy metering. 2:00 PM SB 228-FN, relative to the limitations on community customer generators.
Tuesday, April 15
EDUCATION FUNDING, Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM SB 292-FN-A, authorizing a warrant for the funding of state special education aid.
12:45 PM SB 204-FN-A, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.
1:45 PM SB 295-FN, relative to education freedom accounts.
HOUSING, Room 305, LOB
10:00 AM SB 84-FN, relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing.
11:00 AM SB 166, relative to notice required prior to sale of manufactured housing unit located in a resident-owned community.
11:30 AM SB 163, prohibiting local moratoria and limitations on building permits.
2:00 PM Continued public hearing on SB 170, relative to development and related requirements in cities, towns, and municipalities.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB
11:00 AM SB 83-FN, establishing an elderly, disabled, blind, and deaf property tax exemption reimbursement fund, authorizing video lottery terminals, renaming the lottery commission, and creating a voluntary statewide self-exclusion database.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
3:15 PM SB 89, enabling non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the United States to deliver alcohol.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205-207, LOB
1:00 PM SB 134-FN, relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program
2:00 PM SB 243-FN, relative to the child care scholarship program.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
10:30 AM SB 268, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305, LOB
11:30 AM SB 299, relative to penalties for contractors violating water pollution and waste disposal regulations.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
10:45 AM SB 182, relative to the maternal mortality review committee.
11:15 AM SB 29, relative to membership, jurisdiction, and reports of the health care workplace safety commission and relative to health care facility reporting requirements under the workplace violence prevention program.
1:00 PM SB 68, adding a member to the governor’s commission on disability.
1:30 PM SB 179-FN, relative to the state council on housing stability.
2:00 PM SB 192, establishing a committee to study enhanced coordination between county correctional facilities, the department of corrections, and the department of health and human services.
2:30 PM SB 190, relative to the state health assessment and state health improvement plan advisory council and the commission on the interdisciplinary primary care workforce. Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day, time permitting, from the time the committee is initially convened.
Coming Up in the Senate
The Senate will meet in full session on Thursday, April 17. You can watch it here. Here are the bills we’re tracking which are up for consideration.
On the Consent Calendar
EDUCATION
HB 193, relative to the maximum number of credits per course eligible for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 222, repealing the requirement for a memorandum of understanding between a chartered public school and school district regarding how students with disabilities will receive special education services. Re-referred to committee.
ELECTION LAW
HB 269, relative to the date for correction of the voter checklist. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 294, relative to the processing of absentee ballots. Committee recommends OTP.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 167-FN, prohibiting the sale of ski, boat, and board waxes that contain intentionally added per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. Committee recommends OTP.
FINANCE
HB 165-FN, relative to the maximum amount of disaster relief funding provided to municipalities after a natural disaster. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 517-FN, repealing certain outreach and marketing requirements under the Granite State paid family leave plan. Committee recommends OTP.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 73, relative to harm reduction, substance misuse, and the governor’s commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 370, reestablishing the commission to study the delivery of behavioral crisis services to individuals with mental illness with an impairment primarily due to intellectual disability. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 597, establishing a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system. Committee recommends OTP.
On the Regular Calendar
EDUCATION
HB 231, prohibiting school district personnel from transporting students to medical or mental health appointments, visits, or procedures without parental consent. Committee recommends OTP.
JUDICIARY
HB 75-FN, legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older. Committee recommends ITL.
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 committees here.
MONDAY, APRIL 14
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1:00 PM House Finance Committee Chair Ken Weyler and committee members present to the Senate Finance Committee HB 1-A and HB 2-FN-A-L as passed by the House.
2:00 PM Legislative Budget Assistant presents Surplus Statement to the Senate Finance Committee.
2:30 PM Break
2:45 PM Pease Development Authority
2:55 PM Banking Department
3:05 PM Department of Labor
3:15 PM Employment Security
3:25 PM Insurance Department
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:15 AM HB 68, making best interest placements within the same school district mandatory in the absence of a valid reason to deny the placement.
9:30 AM HB 108, relative to bullying and cyberbullying across multiple school districts.
9:45 AM HB 235, relative to amending the educator code of ethics and code of conduct to include responsibility to parents.
10:00 AM HB 292, establishing a commission to study school administrative unit consolidation.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:15 AM HB 288, limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested.
9:30 AM HB 340-FN, relative to electioneering by public employees.
9:45 AM HB 464, prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.
10:00 AM HB 474, requiring a second witness at the counting of write-in votes.
10:15 AM HB 569, relative to the establishment of county-wide communication districts.
10:30 AM HB 626, directing the secretary of state to implement a vulnerability disclosure program for certain election systems.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM HB 171, establishing a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new landfills.
9:15 AM HB 707, requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1:00 PM Board of Tax and Land Appeals
1:10 PM Governor’s Commission on Disability
1:20 PM Council on Developmental Disabilities
1:30 PM Executive Council
1:40 PM Treasury Department
1:55 PM LCHIP
2:00 PM Community Development Finance Authority
2:10 PM Department of State
2:30 PM Right-to-Know Ombudsman
2:35 PM Department of Revenue Administration
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:10 PM HB 301, relative to cultivation locations for alternative treatment centers.
1:30 PM HB 380-FN, relative to penalties for criminal violations of the therapeutic use of cannabis.
1:40 PM HB 198-FN, relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public.
1:50 PM HB 528-FN, amending the penalties for the possession and use of psilocybin for persons 18 years of age or older.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:40 AM HB 428-L, prohibiting municipal amendments to the state building code.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
9:45 AM HB 316-FN, relative to reimbursement for ground ambulance services.
10:00 AM HB 559, relative to staffing requirements in emergency medical transport vehicles.
10:30 AM HB 705, relative to health care cost transparency.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 100, SH
9:30 AM HB 658-FN, raising the cap on certain reimbursements from the oil discharge and disposal cleanup fund.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
EDUCATION FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM HB 557, relative to the information that appears on the school budget ballot.
1:10 PM 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.
1:20 PM HB 771-FN, relative to funding for open enrollment schools.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1:30 PM Department of Energy
1:45 PM Public Utilities Commission
1:55 PM Office of the Consumer Advocate
2:00 PM Department of Environmental Services
2:25 PM Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food
2:40 PM Judicial Branch
3:00 PM Judicial Council
Recommendations
Are you a young person aged 18-25 who has or is currently experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire? Join an in person focus group hosted by the Youth Success Project and Salem State University on Thursday, April 24, 2pm-3:30pm, to share your opinions about what the laws and policies around homelessness should be in New Hampshire. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Each participant will receive a $50 visa gift card. Sign up here.
The Black Womxn in NH Collective is conducting an anonymous survey to understand the housing needs and challenges faced by Black communities in New Hampshire and nearby states. Your voice is crucial in helping them gather the data needed to support plans for a Black-led housing cooperative that prioritizes affordability, community sustainability, and long-term stability. Fill out the survey here.
Help the Disability Rights Center of NH choose their 2025-2026 priorities by filling out their survey here.
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 April 16 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover. We gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park. The April 23 vigil will be at Pappas' new district office location, 15 Third Street, 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 ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
Stronger Together Weekly Visibility – 4 PM to 5 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main Street and Loudon Road, Concord. Join us for a weekly visibility to stand against the war being raged against our communities. Our immigrant loved ones and neighbors are being targeted and kidnapped off the streets. Our public dollars are being funneled into a violent, bloated deportation and detention machine while local police are being weaponized against the communities they are supposed to serve, and life-giving programs are being defunded. Stand with us to protect our communities. All are welcome!
Sunday, April 13
BLM NH Black Maternal Health: Communal Gathering - 12 PM to 2 PM. Boards and Brews, 941 Elm Street, Manchester. Hosted by BLM NH. Join us as we nurture and nourish the community. This gathering is dedicated to supporting Black and POC and their families by providing essential maternal health resources. Featuring many vendors, here we will be collecting baby item donations for a community baby shower, and fostering conversations to develop real solutions for maternal health disparities.
Civil Rights Sundays, - 4 PM to 5 PM. Market Square, Portsmouth. Hosted by Occupy NH Seacoast. Everyone is welcome to bring their own signs, We also have signs and flags to share. We started in November of 2016 after Trump won the first time, and we were in the square every Sunday until Covid shut us down. We are back to push back against this administration’s terrible executive orders, to call for a continued ceasefire in Gaza and for an end to our administration using our tax dollars to support a genocide!
Monday, April 14
Boots on the Ground Community Challenge – 6 PM. 72 Concord Street, Manchester. Hosted by NH Center for Justice & Equity, Black Heritage Trail NH, YWCA, and more. Learn Soul Line Dancing during this free, fun and inclusive class!
Tuesday, April 15
Tax Day Actions - 2:30 PM. Brookside Church - 2013 Elm Street, Manchester. Hosted by NH Peace Action and Not In My Name, NH. Gather at Brookside Church for Tax Day Actions at Congressional Offices. We'll march to each office and have short speeches and then end at the Manchester Post Office at 1000 Elm Street for a Penny Poll and flyering.
Maternal Health Week: Community in Conversation - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. Join this monthly zoom series as we uplift the stories of Black mothers and birth workers, fostering a community of support and advocating for transformative change in maternal healthcare.
Open Democracy Book Club: 100% Democracy - 7 PM. Hosted by Open Democracy. Join us for a discussion of the book 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting. Author Miles Rapoport will be joining us for the first half hour for discussion and Q&A. In 100% Democracy, E.J. Dionne and Miles Rapoport argue that universal participation in our elections should be a cornerstone of our system. It would be the surest way to protect against voter suppression and the active disenfranchisement of a large share of our citizens. And it would create a system true to the Declaration of Independence’s aspirations by calling for a government based on the consent of all of the governed.
Fair Housing Tester Training – 5 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by NH Legal Assistance. The Fair Housing Project (FHP) of NH Legal Assistance, a statewide non-profit law firm providing civil legal services to low-income New Hampshire residents, will be holding a virtual training for area people to become involved in this work as fair housing testers. Testers are individuals who are trained to act as prospective tenants seeking rental housing and to gather information on possible housing discrimination. Successful testers are committed to justice, are detailed observers, good writers/typists, and punctual. Testers receive a flat fee of $150 for the training once a practice test is completed, and $18/hr. afterwards. Testers are independent contractors, participate in 2-4 tests a year and are critical to ending housing discrimination. Contact Liliana Neumann at 603-261-2851 or lneumann@nhla.org to register for the training.
Wednesday, April 16
Vigil for Peace: Ask Senator Shaheen to Stand Up to Trump & Netanyahu! - 2 PM to 3 PM. 2 Washington Street, Dover. Hosted by NH Peace Action, AFSC NH, 350 NH, NHYM, and others. We continue to vigil and speak to our representatives for a just peace in Palestine and Israel and the region. We stand with all who are suffering of any nationality or religion and will deliver a letter to the Congressman asking him to work to stop the violence. We act on our responsibility to end the U.S. supported human and environmental devastation this violence is causing. We will deliver a letter to her office while others display our CEASEFIRE Banner and related signs across from her office.
Active Bystander training – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in Dover. Venue is shared when you register. Join the Dover Democrats and American Friends Service Committee on Wednesday, April 16 for an in-person Active Bystander Training session conducted by the Granite State Organizing Project. We are in a time when people are quicker to express anger and more likely to be rude to people “not like them.” Many of us are seeking tools to respond effectively to such biased anger. This highly interactive Active Bystander Training session will provide tools and insights to use in such situations and help make it easier to navigate these moments with confidence. Participants will learn about the importance of being an active bystander in various situations, the roles we all play, how to recognize when someone needs help and how to safely respond, what discourages us from acting when we see harm occurring, how to move through this resistance, tools to use when we are ready, and basic principles to guide our actions in becoming more aware and proactive bystanders in our community. This session is free and is open to everyone ages 18 and up. Space is limited. While this is a free event however donations to Granite State Organizing Project to continue their good work would be much appreciated.
Wednesday April 16 – Thursday, April 17
SOS 5th Annual Recovery, Inclusion, Community & Harm Reduction (RICH) Conference 2025 - 7:15 AM to 4:30 PM. Hosted by SOS Recovery Community Organization. Join us for the Northeast’s premier peer-recovery & harm reduction conference. The conference will include nationally recognized keynotes who will present innovations in peer-based recovery supports and harm reduction with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. This conference will attract leaders and advocates within the prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction communities across New England as well as health care providers, clinical staffs, licensed professionals, mental health professionals, agency staff, social service providers, educators, first-responders and local, state and federal policy makers and legislators. Individuals and family members impacted by substance use disorder, people who use drugs, people who identify as sex workers, and allies of the recovery and harm reduction community are all welcome!
Thursday, April 17
BLM NH Community Book Talk: My Black Motherhood - 6 PM to 8 PM. Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth. Hosted by BLM NH. Community Book Talk on Sandra Igwe's, My Black Motherhood. A raw and honest account of Black motherhood, mental health, and breaking stereotypes. Purchase the book at Water St Bookstore - Mention BLM NH and receive a discount. Also borrow the book from the Portsmouth library. Together we will reflect and discuss on learnings from this read.
Friday, April 18
Boots on the Ground Community Challenge – 6 PM. 72 Concord Street, Manchester. Hosted by NH Center for Justice & Equity, Black Heritage Trail NH, YWCA, and more. Learn Soul Line Dancing during this free, fun and inclusive class!
Roots of Resilence: Navigating Change Together (Session 2) - 8 PM. Hosted by BWINC & MCAC. Join us for the next session in our Roots of Resilience series as we dive deeper into how we navigate conflict as individuals and in community. This session will focus on conflict styles and self-awareness, exploring how culture, identity, and lived experiences shape the way we respond to conflict—and how we can build more intentional, culturally grounded ways of engaging with one another.
Saturday, April 19
Advanced Facilitator Training – 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Manchester Community College. Hosted by NH Listens. This Advanced Facilitator Training is focused on those difficult moments where people are in dialogue across significant differences. Many people are often trained to remain “neutral” when serving as facilitators. However, that doesn't mean facilitators should remain passive in the face of misunderstandings and harmful dynamics. This in-person session is designed to take a deeper dive into the tough moments that facilitators face, including self-reflection on identity as a facilitator, centering equity, and building confidence in productively addressing issues and facilitating constructive conversation among community members using a multi-partial approach. Facilitators for this training will be: Mikayla Townsend, Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez, and Michele Holt-Shannon.
Tuesday, April 22
Take Back the Night - 5:30 PM. NH State House – 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by Thrive Survivor Support Center. Take Back the Night is a movement for survivors to celebrate their resilience and share their story. Join us for a march, candlelight vigil, and speaking portion of the evening. We look forward to having you there.
Wednesday, April 23
“No Other Land” Film Screening – 6:30 PM doors open, 7 PM film starts. 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth. Hosted by Not in My Name NH; cosponsored by AFSC-NH.
Thursday, April 24
Hands Off Medicaid Rally - 2 PM to 4 PM. NH State House, 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by Jules Good & Lisa Beaudoin with support from Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and Strategies for Disability Equity. Join us for a rally to tell Governor Ayotte "Hands Off Medicaid." No Medicaid premiums, no work requirements, no rate cuts - NO cuts to Medicaid. Speakers to be determined, contact us if you want to speak. Governor Ayotte is NH's chief executive, let's make it clear - NO cuts to Medicaid while cutting taxes for the rich! Want to table? Contact Lisa. Co-hosts welcome!
By Me - A Collection of Stories by Waypoint Youth - 5 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by Positive Street Art, Waypoint & Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Join us for an evening of community building and casual festivity, the night will include speeches from program staff and participants, exciting snacks and finger foods, music, and opportunities to support the youth directly by purchasing their works for your personal collection. Through the course of 2025, twenty young adults utilized analog photographic methodologies and hybrid creative writing techniques to create works wholly expressing their who-ness. Each relic installed at the chamber will unveil to the viewer extraordinary perspectives from artists around the state of New Hampshire who have been impacted by the circumstances of being un-housed. Their work seeks to demystify the life of housing insecure youth in the city and our state, sparking agency within themselves and stimulating a public dialogue toward the stories and experiences which shape them.
Youth Division Information Session - 6 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. We will be recruiting for our Youth Division, a space where young voices unite to fight for justice, equality, and social change. Not only are we looking for middle and high school students to join as members and leaders but College advisors as well to work with our team. Join us to learn more about the goals/mission and foundational details of the Youth Division. Here we’re creating a community where we amplify each other’s voices, push for meaningful change, and advocate for the marginalized and underserved. Whether you’re passionate about racial justice, environmental sustainability, economic equity, or human rights, there’s a place for you here.
Saturday, April 26
Granite State Democracy Tour - Concord - 10 AM to 12 PM at the NH Historical Society, 30 Park Street, Concord. Hosted by Open Democracy. Whether you’re a seasoned adult or a school-age future voter, you’ll learn something when the Granite State Democracy Tour stops in Concord. See the knitted New Hampshire State House created by many NH citizens. Hear presentations about the electoral process and its impact on legislation. Listen to authors read from their books about school children who visit city hall and the U.S. Congress. Take your knowledge of civics to a new level with presentations that address questions like: What makes New Hampshire’s form of government unique? What’s involved in running a town or city? How are decisions made in the community?
Courage to Resist: Commemorating 50 Years Since Vietnam - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join us for an evening of stories, connection, resistance, and inspiration for a more just, peaceful future. With opportunities to join in person or online, we will highlight the efforts of AFSC staff, volunteers, conscientious objectors, and other war resisters in the struggle for peace.
Wednesdays, April 30
“There Is Another Way” Film Screening – 6:30 PM doors open, 7 PM film starts. 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth. Hosted by Not in My Name NH; cosponsored by AFSC-NH.
Thursday, May 1
May Day! International Workers Day Celebration - 5 PM to 7 PM. NH State House. 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by Welcoming NH, AFSC NH, NH Council of Churches, NH Sierra Club. Join us at the Arches at the NH State House on International Workers Day to commemorate the immigrant workers in this country and across the world who make this state, country and world work. As we honor immigrant workers this May Day, it's imperative to recognize their unwavering commitment and the challenges they often face. Let's advocate for fair labor practices, equitable policies, and inclusive communities that uphold the dignity and rights of all workers, regardless of their origin. Today, we celebrate the strength and resilience of immigrant workers. Tomorrow, we continue our collective journey toward justice and equality for all.
Thursday, May 15
#2 Countering Christian Nationalism Community Conversation - 6 PM to 8 PM. In person (location TBD) and Zoom. Hosted by NH Council of Churches, Manchester-NAACP, American Friends Service Committee, Engage, Outright New Hampshire, Open Democracy, & more. This HYBRID event, the SECOND in a three-part series, seeks to explain the origins, tenets, and impacts of Christian nationalism, particularly in the context of New Hampshire. Co-hosted by the Countering Christian Nationalism Coalition, the event will provide attendees with knowledge to understand and address this issue in NH.
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!