State House Watch: April 26, 2025

“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.” ― James Baldwin

Greetings, State House Watchers, 

We acknowledge with gratitude the servant leadership of Pope Francis, who passed away this week. His compassionate commitment to migrants, to the suffering people of Gaza, and to the cause of peace everywhere were an inspiring counterpoint to the barbarity of empire.

It's been a week of chilling developments, some meaningful ‘wins,’ and not a single dull moment.

On the uplifting end of things, we’re delighted to see some important court rulings on the side of justice and freedom:

The US Department of Justice reactivated the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records of thousands of international students whose statuses were terminated without justification (read more here.) Sadly, some students returned to their home countries after DOJ’s original action rather than face the detention and deportation process. And the chaos and fear are likely to have lasting effects on students’ well-being.

US District Judge Paul Friedman blocked a Trump executive order that would have cancelled collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal workers (read more here and here.) 

And three federal judges issued rulings against the US Department of Education’s prohibition of programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (read more here.) Five NH school districts are party to the NH lawsuit. Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, “The court's ruling today is a victory for academic freedom, the free speech rights of educators, and for New Hampshire students who have a right to an inclusive education free from censorship. Every student, both in the Granite State and across the country, deserves to feel seen, heard, and connected in school - and that can't happen when classroom censorship laws and policies are allowed to stand."

We are grateful for the heroic labor of our friends at the ACLU of New Hampshire and the many attorney partners, advocates and plaintiffs who are challenging egregious policies that threaten our well-being, our freedom, and our democracy, including our state’s extremely restrictive new voting law that requires citizenship documentation for voter registration and photo IDs at polling places (read more here), and President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship (read more here.)

We were also cheered last week by the powerful messages delivered at the Hands Off Medicaid rally at the State House on Thursday (read more here), and advocates being granted a face to face meeting with Governor Ayotte next week to urge her opposition to Medicaid premiums, work requirements, and rate reductions. 

The week also had its horrors, including the arrest yesterday morning of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan after she denied federal agents access to her courtroom because they lacked a judicial warrant for the person they sought to arrest (read more here.)

We saw the gruesome effects of the federal 287g program on display in Florida, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in partnership with Florida law enforcement, arrested nearly 800 immigrants over a 4-day period (read more here.) And closer to home, Rockingham County joined the shameful list of NH counties and local police who have applied for 287g authority to be deputized as immigration agents (read more here.)

Are you finding it hard to keep up with all of the harms being enacted by the current administration? Here’s a helpful but daunting report: Documenting the Damage - 100 Harmful Policies from the First 100 Days of the Second Trump Administration.

Let’s stay informed, stay connected, encourage new leaders, rest when we can, and discern together the next phases of our resistance and activism. We appreciate this thoughtful reflection from Lefty Morrill, Organizing Director at NH Peace Action: Rallies are not enough.

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. 

Tuesday, April 29 – PUBLIC HEARINGS

OPPOSE HB 217, relative to absentee ballots. This unnecessary bill would require additional hurdles for absentee ballot voters by requiring them to provide copies of citizenship, age, domicile, and identity documents. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee, Room 103 LOB on Tuesday, April 29 at 9:45 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.

OPPOSE HB 50, relative to intentional or knowing violation of the prohibition on teaching discrimination. This previously positive bill has been amended to remove all the language that repeals the “divisive concepts” law which has already been found unconstitutional and is no longer in effect. Instead, this bill allows a person aggrieved by the law to initiate civil action against the offending school or district. It has a public hearing in Senate Education, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, April 29 at 10:15 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.

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 and relative to department of health and human services contracts. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Judiciary, Room 100 SH, on Tuesday, April 29 at 1:30 PM. Please contact the committee and sign in to oppose this bill. 
 
OPPOSE HB 511-FN, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This terrible, so-called “anti-sanctuary cities” bill would require local law enforcement to comply with immigration detainers, and undermines local control by prohibiting municipalities from adopting community policing policies or welcoming ordinances that limit local police from acting as federal immigration enforcement. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Judiciary, Room 100 SH, on Tuesday, April 29 at 1:30 PM. Please contact the committee and sign in to oppose this bill. 

Friday, May 2 – EXECUTIVE SESSIONS 

SUPPORT 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. This positive bill is scheduled for an executive session in House Education Funding, Room 205-207 LOB, on Friday, May 2 at 9:30 AM. 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 support this bill. 

OPPOSE SB 295, expanding the number of students eligible for education freedom accounts. This bill would eliminate all income eligibility guidelines for the school voucher program. This bill has an executive session in the House Education Funding, Room 205-207 LOB, on Friday, May 2 at 9:30 AM. 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. 

Tuesday, May 6 – EXECUTIVE SESSION 

OPPOSE SB 13-FN, invalidating out-of-state driver licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. This harmful bill would misuse public funds to target immigrant drivers from out of state who are driving with valid licenses. It will promote racial profiling, and create a hostile and unwelcoming environment. It is scheduled for an executive session in House Transportation, Room 103 LOB, on Tuesday, May 6 at 1 PM. 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. 

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 House did not meet in session last week.

Last week in the Senate
The Senate did not meet in session last week.

Coming Up in the House 
There will be a House Session on Thursday, May 1 starting at 10 AM. Below is a list of the bills we are tracking that are scheduled for deliberation and votes. Additional session dates are scheduled for Thursday, May 8 and May 15. 

On the Consent Calendar

ELECTION LAW 
SB 16, requiring municipalities to post a copy of election return forms on their websites and in public locations. Committee recommends OTP.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION 
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. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 68, adding a member to the governor’s commission on disability. Committee recommends OTP.
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. Committee recommends ITL.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS 
SB 18, permitting the commissioner of health and human services to authorize additional beds for a pediatric intermediate care facility under certain circumstances. Committee recommends OTP-A.

RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT
SB 299, relative to penalties for contractors violating water pollution and waste disposal regulations. Committee recommends OTP.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
SB 108-FN, relative to the department of energy. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 236, relative to transferring control of the Electric Assistance Program to the department of energy. Committee recommends OTP.

On the Regular Calendar

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
SB 171, relative to required pay for remote work. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY 
SB 228-FN, relative to the limitations on community customer generators. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.

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 using this committee email list here.

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB 
10:00 AM SB 291, relative to the religious use of land property tax exemption. 
10:20 AM SB 249-FN, relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205-207, LOB 
9:30 AM Executive session on SB 36, relative to the collection and reporting of abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities; SB 92-FN, relative to the collection of birth worksheet information; SB 243-FN, relative to the child care scholarship program; SB 119-FN, relative to Medicaid pharmaceutical services; SB 134-FN, relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program.

FRIDAY, MAY 2 

EDUCATION FUNDING, Room 205-207, LOB 
9:30 AM Executive session on 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; SB 295-FN, relative to education freedom accounts; SB 292-FN-A, authorizing a warrant for the funding of state special education aid.

TUESDAY, MAY 6

TRANSPORTATION, Room 203, LOB
1:00 PM Executive session SB 13-FN, invalidating out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants.

Coming Up in the Senate 
The full Senate will be in session on Thursday, May 1 at 10 AM. Watch it here. Below are the bills we are tracking which are scheduled for deliberation and votes.

On the Consent Calendar

EDUCATION
HB 68, making best interest placements within the same school district mandatory in the absence of a valid reason to deny the placement. Re-referred to committee.
HB 108, relative to bullying and cyberbullying across multiple school districts. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 653-FN, establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 741-FN, allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose. Re-referred to committee.
HB 753-FN, relative to expedited due process hearings to enforce special education rights. Committee recommends OTP.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 107, relative to political advertising printed in newspapers, periodicals, or billboards. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 288, limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested. Committee recommends OTP. 
HB 474, requiring a second witness at the counting of write-in votes. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 626, directing the secretary of state to implement a vulnerability disclosure program for certain election systems. Committee recommends OTP-A.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION 
HB 55, relative to the Selective Service Compliance Act. Committee recommends ITL. 
HB 552-FN, relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan. Committee recommends OTP.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
HB 357, relative to the department of health and human services’ rulemaking authority regarding immunization requirements. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 679, relative to immunization requirements. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 705, relative to health care cost transparency. Re-referred to committee.
HB 731-FN, relative to supportive housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities. Committee recommends OTP-A.

JUDICIARY
HB 59-FN, relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer.
HB 62-FN, relative to protection of persons from domestic violence and military protective orders. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 109-FN, relative to false reports to law enforcement. Re-referred to committee.
HB 146-FN, relative to the use of body-worn cameras. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 195-FN, relative to the expectation of privacy in the collection and use of personal information. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 218-FN, relative to providing victims of crime with a free police report of the investigation. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 602, requiring certain offenders to participate in a victim impact program. Committee recommends OTP.

On the Regular Calendar

EDUCATION 
HB 76-FN, relative to tracking special education complaints. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 90-FN, relative to the definition of part-time teachers. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 319-FN, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide transportation for pupils in kindergarten. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 440, relative to educator licensing. Committee recommends OTP.
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. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 749-FN, requiring instruction on communism in public high schools. Committee recommends ITL.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 230-L, relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities. Committee recommends OTP.

JUDICIARY 
HB 198-FN, relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 207-FN, relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 380-FN, relative to penalties for criminal violations of the therapeutic use of cannabis. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 551-FN, repealing the license to sell pistols and revolvers. Committee recommends OTP.

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 28

CAPITAL BUDGET, Room 100, SH 
9:00 AM Agency Presentations 
Treasury Department 
Department of Administrative Services 
Department of Health and Human Services 
Department of Education 
Fish and Game Department 
Department of Environmental Services 
Department of Transportation 
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

FINANCE, Room 103, SH 
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS 
1:00 PM Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services 
1:15 PM Veterans Home 
1:35 PM University System of New Hampshire 
2:05 PM Community College System of New Hampshire 
2:25 PM Department of Information Technology 
2:45 PM Break 
3:00 PM Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 
3:20 PM Department of Justice 
3:40 PM Lottery Commission

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:15 AM HB 394, relative to the powers and duties of cooperative school district budget committees and the role of cooperative school district board member representatives on such committees.
9:30 AM HB 431, establishing a commission to study the costs of special education.
10:00 AM HB 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools.
10:15 AM HB 50, relative to intentional or knowing violation of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:30 AM HB 154, enabling voters to request to have their ballots hand-counted.
9:45 AM HB 217, relative to absentee ballots.
10:15 AM HB 274, relative to the verification of voter rolls annually.
10:30 AM HB 481, relative to moving the state primary date.

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:00 PM HB 514-FN, allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.
1:20 PM HB 584-FN, relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty.
1:30 PM 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 and relative to department of health and human services contracts.
1:40 PM HB 511-FN, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Recommendations
Check out this resource from the NH Fiscal Policy Institute that compares the House-passed version of the state budget with what the governor originally proposed. And here’s a summary of which legislative proposals were included in HB 2, the budget trailer bill. 

Do you live, work, attend school or do business in Concord? The City of Concord’s Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging (DEIJB) Committee is seeking to understand the lived experiences of Concord’s diverse community groups regarding access to city services, programs, and opportunities, and feelings of belonging and inclusion. Sign up now for a focus group interview here. 

Upcoming Events 
Many thanks to Mike Franklin for creating this list of weekly vigils for peace and justice across the state. Find it here. 

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 30 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover. The May 7 vigil will be at Pappas' new district office location, 15 Third Street, Dover. We gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park.

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: Protect Our Neighbors 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! 

Saturday, April 26
Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary - 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord - 274 Pleasant St. Hosted by UU Church of Concord, UU Church of Nashua, 603 Equality & PFLAG NH. a collaborative, multi-site, justice-making event: a day of creating community with transgender & nonbinary folx, their families and allies. This conference is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ folx in our local communities to gather, laugh, create joy, and find partnerships in our local communities, AND for folks not in the LGBTQIA+ community to learn effective, appropriate allyship and build connections. There will be workshops, opportunities to connect with local LGBTQIA+ organizations, and time to build community. The keynote speaker, Spencer Bergstedt, is a consultant, public speaker, educator, and author specializing in LGBTQ workplace, health care, and educational inclusion issues. The keynote address will be livestreamed at 1pm.

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?

Unseen: Disability and Immigration in NH - Movie and Panel Discussion - 1 PM to 3:15 PM. Red River Theatres Inc. 11 South Main St. Concord. Hosted by the Disability Rights Center & others. Most people dream of a better future. Pedro, an aspiring social worker, is no different. But as a blind, undocumented immigrant, Pedro faces political restrictions to obtain his college degree, secure a job as a healthcare provider, and support his family. As he finally graduates, uncertainty looms over Pedro. What starts as a journey to provide mental health for his community ultimately transforms into Pedro’s path towards his own healing. Through experimental cinematography and sound, unseen reimagines a cinema accessible for blind/low vision audiences, while exploring the intersections of immigration, disability, and mental health. Join us for a showing of the movie and panel discussion moderated by Devon Chaffee, featuring: Daniel Frye, Clement Kigugu, Angela Mercado. 

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.

Monday, May 5
Peace & Justice Conversations: Clean Shelter for Gaza - 7 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action & Veteran’s for Peace. Join UNH graduate students Kaylie Efstratiou, Eadie Pitino, and Devin Wilson for an in-depth overview of Clean Shelter’s achievements and impact on the Gaza Strip.

Tuesday, May 6
2025 Annual Meeting - 2 PM to 6 PM. 781 Union Ave, Laconia. Hosted by NH Center for Justice & Equity. Join us for our annual meeting to learn more about the NHCJE’s work, be in conversation about solutions that reflect New Hampshire's realities and values and hear from keynote speaker, Dr. Daniel Black. 

Strong Civics, Strong Business Panel Discussion  - 4 PM. Currier Museum of Art, Manchester. Hosted by NH Civics. Join us for a discussion on how strong civics education can help NH businesses. 

NH Advocacy 101 - 6 PM to 8 PM. Nesmith Library, Windham. Join State Representative Paige Beauchemin to learn more about the basics of NH government, how to stay in the know, and how you can take action.

Thursday, May 8
Welcoming NH May Table Meeting – 9 AM to 11 AM. Hosted by Welcoming NH. Join us to build relationships and hear updates from members who provide services (or are) immigrants in NH. The Welcoming NH table works to make NH more welcoming for everyone with a focused attention on immigrants. Please email WelcomingNH@MIRACoalition.org to join. 

Values-Based Financial Planning - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Do you want to make sure your values are incorporated into your retirement and other financial planning? Join us to learn about ways you can support AFSC and other organizations that are important to you. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend this webinar.

Friday, May 9
Capital Area Public Health Network Regional Convening - 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Concord Parks & Recreation Department – 14 Canterbury Rd. Concord. Hosted by Capital Area Public Health Network. Deepen understanding of CAPHN’s role and the Community Health Improvement Plan. Explore key public health priority areas through organization-led presentations. Participate in focused breakout sessions on Healthy Aging, Early Childhood, Behavioral Health, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness. Learn how policy and advocacy serve as powerful public health strategies, network with community organizations and partners who are engaged in public health.

Tuesday, May 13
Palestinian Women & the Nakba Webinar - 12 PM to 1 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC for a virtual gathering on the role of Palestinian women during the 1948 Nakba and learn how it has shaped modern Palestinian society. We will hear from Palestinian women who have kept their families’ legacies alive through storytelling, stitching, cooking, and resisting occupation and settler colonialism. Speakers will dissect how the struggle for a more feminist society and the struggle for liberation from colonialism are inherently intertwined.

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!