State House Watch: February 14, 2025

“Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.” – Dr. Cornel West

Happy Valentine’s Day, State House Watchers!

It's always a good day to celebrate the power of love, and to commit to love as a guiding force in our lives, our movements, our policies, and even our budgets! 

Speaking of budgets, it’s that time again! Yesterday, Governor Ayotte addressed a joint meeting of the House and Senate, laying out her funding priorities for the next biennium. You can watch her address here, and read an executive summary here. We’re cheering some apparent good news – increased funding for special education, a significant investment in developmental disability services, and additional resources for mental health centers and child advocacy. We’re dismayed but not surprised, however, that she’s calling for universal eligibility for vouchers for public school students, and ongoing funding – although a lesser amount than in the current budget – for the unnecessary Northern Border Alliance. Read more here. 

Ayotte spent time with the House Finance Committee today, answering questions from committee members about current financial shortfalls and planned spending cuts (read more here), failing to mention an obvious contributor to the scarcity in the state’s coffers – years of tax cuts that benefit only the wealthiest Granite Staters and corporations. 

We appreciate this commentary from Dana Wormald who asks Is this really a budget for all of New Hampshire? – “If she truly wants more money in our pockets – trickle-up economics – as New Hampshire’s primary economic driver her budget would reverse the tax cuts and repeals that have further downshifted costs to the state’s individual homeowners and renters. Instead, she declared the opposite, which is the continuation and expansion of a system built to push already astronomical property taxes even higher. She and others call that downshifting the ‘New Hampshire Advantage’ – but they don’t like to talk about who benefits first and most from that advantage. But it’s not me, and it’s not you.”

The next phase of the budget process is with the House Finance Committee where members will work until April 3 to prepare their version for consideration by House members. To stay abreast of this important topic, we recommend the 2025 state budget webinar series hosted by the NH Fiscal Policy Institute. Register here for an overview of the Governor’s proposal on Friday, February 21 at 10:30 AM.

We were thrilled to see that the House of Representatives voted yesterday (200-180) to “indefinitely postpone” consideration of HB 238, this year’s “Right to Work (for less)” bill. Read more here. Twenty-five Republicans joined all of the Democrats to ensure that the anti-union proposal cannot not be brought forth again this year or next. Hooray! 

In other good news, the House Education Policy Committee has voted unanimously to recommend defeat of HB 283, a bill that would gut the requirements for an adequate education in New Hampshire, eliminating art, music, computer science, civics, world languages, financial literacy and other valuable subjects. Read more here. It seems that when more than 30,000 people sign in to oppose a ridiculous bill, legislators take notice! The ITL recommendation will be on the consent calendar on February 20.

We’re also glad to see that HB 415, which would have removed the requirement to provide menstrual products in schools, has also been recommended for defeat.

The House and Senate will take a bit of a break during school vacation week (February 24-28) but not before they hold another big week of public hearings, executive sessions and voting days. Scroll down for many Action Alerts; please do what you can to make your voices heard in opposition to a “parental bill of rights,” discrimination against transgender people, and anti-immigrant bills, and in support of raising the minimum wage, and teaching truthful history.

Note that our next issue of State House Watch will be sent out on Monday, February 24, summarizing the prior week and flagging what’s ahead when our legislators return from their winter break.

Beyond the Dome
The news from Washington, DC continues to be alarming and bleak, including mass firings of public servants, (and some principled resignations), DOGE access to payment systems, replacement of ICE leadership for not deporting enough people quickly enough, punishing the Associated Press, calls for support of hard right extremist parties in Europe, and the confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to key administrative posts. And that’s not even half of it.

We take heart from knowing that there are many legal challenges that have been raised against these authoritarian and reckless actions. You can keep track of them all at this handy site. We celebrate the important win this past week in the US District Court for New Hampshire where the judge granted a preliminary injunction halting Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship. Read more here.

The incessant assault on institutions, the rule of law, and systems of care and safety are giving rise to mass protests, decentralized and nationwide, including for “Not My President’s Day” on Monday, February 17. A New Hampshire rally will take place at the State House starting at 12 noon. 

There’s news of increased immigration enforcement actions here in New Hampshire, including at El Rodeo restaurant in Concord earlier this week. Read more here. Detention capacity has been increased in the state as well, not only at Strafford County jail which currently houses 130 immigrants in ICE custody, but also at the federal prison in Berlin, NH. Our tax dollars are being used to terrorize communities and separate families.

AFSC has posted some good resources for resisting detention and deportation.

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. 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!

Contact our Members of Congress
Oppose  H.R. 32, the so-called "No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act." The bill grants any president the broad authority to block federal funding from "sanctuary" jurisdictions for essential services that impact all members of our communities, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. To learn more, please read this explainer from the National Immigration Law Center.

Contact our Congressional delegation and encourage your state and local leaders to sign on to this opposition letter from the American Immigration Council to Congressional leadership, no later than Friday, February 21, 2025. We expect H.R. 32 to move in the House the week of February 24.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen  https://shaheen.senate.gov, (202) 224-2841
Sen. Maggie Hassan https://hassan.senate.gov, (202) 224-3324
Rep. Chris Pappas https://pappas.house.gov/contact, (202) 225-5456
Rep. Maggie Goodlander https://goodlander.house.gov/contact, (202) 225-5206

Contact our US Senators
From the Friends Committee on National Legislation: Stop the shipment of $8 Billion in Weapons to Israel. Please call Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office daily to encourage her to introduce a JRD (Joint Resolution of Disapproval) for the $8 Billion in weapons that President Trump plans to send to Israel. Please call Senator Maggie Hassan’s office to ask her to co-sponsor a JRD and support her colleague. And please join us for a vigil at Senator Shaheen’s Dover office on Wednesday, February 19 at 2 PM. 

Background: In 2024, Shaheen co-sponsored a JRD to prevent the Biden Administration from sending an additional $8 Billion in weapons to Israel. Shaheen put a hold on this request, and the request and the hold carried over into this Congress. President Trump now plans to send the $8 Billion in weapons to Israel thus continuing the humanitarian catastrophe and violating international and U.S. law. Shaheen also successfully helped to stop proposed U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court (HR 23) in the Senate. Many of us in the New Hampshire peace and justice community lobbied hard against this terrible bill. Senator Shaheen also lobbied other Senators to decline to advance the bill in the Senate. President Trump recently invalidated the Senate’s work to stop this bill by signing an executive order sanctioning the ICC. 

Phone Numbers for Senator Shaheen’s office:
Washington, DC – 202-224-2841
Dover, NH – 603-750-3004

Phone Numbers for Senator Hassan’s office:
Washington, DC – 202-224-3324
Manchester, NH:  603-622-2204

Tuesday, February 18
SUPPORT SB 208-FN, requiring local school boards and public libraries to adopt curation policies. This positive bill has a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, February 18 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony.

SUPPORT SB 176-FN, relative to the state minimum hourly rate. This positive bill would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Although far short of a living wage, it is a better place to start than the current unlivable wage of $7.25/hour. The bill has a public hearing in the Senate Commerce committee, Room 100, SH on Tuesday, February 18 at 10:15 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony.

SUPPORT SB 261-FN, requiring that custodial interrogations be recorded, establishing a fund to make grants to state law enforcement agencies to purchase equipment to enable such recordings, and making an appropriation therefor. This positive bill would increase transparency and has a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, February 18 at 1:30 PM in Room 100, SH. Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill. 

OPPOSE SB 177-FN, relative to requiring New Hampshire employers with over 25 employees use the E-Verify system. This unnecessary bill would require NH businesses to use the faulty E-Verify system, harming NH workers - non-citizens and citizens alike. It has a public hearing in the Senate Commerce committee, Room 100, SH on Tuesday, February 18 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.

OPPOSE SB 33-FN, relative to the regulation of public school materials. This unconstitutional bill would rely on a single designee to determine which materials would be removed. It has a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, February 18 at 10:30 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.

OPPOSEHB 452-FN, relative to the issuance of drivers’ licenses for aliens [sic] temporarily residing in New Hampshire. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Transportation committee, Room 203 LOB on Tuesday, February 18 at 11:10 AM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; sign in to oppose and share testimony. 

OPPOSE HB 285-FN, relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities. This shortsighted bill would require courts to consider mental health conditions of a parent in determining parenting plans. It has a public hearing in House Children & Family Law committee, Room 206-208 LOB/SH on Tuesday, February 18 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee members’ emails.[GK1] 

OPPOSE HB 458-FN, limiting local assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. This mean-spirited bill is scheduled for an executive session in the House Municipal & County Government Committee, Room 201 LOB on Tuesday, February 18 at 1 PM. Note that the time for signing in online has passed, but contacting the committee is worthwhile. You can use this link to copy and paste their emails.

Wednesday, February 19 
OPPOSE HB 148, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances. This terrible bill would authorize discrimination against transgender people. It has a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 19 at 9 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 517-FN, repealing the Granite State paid family leave plan. This negative bill has a public hearing in House Commerce & Consumer Affairs Committee, Room 302-304 LOB on Wednesday, February 19 at 11 AM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. And sign in to oppose and share testimony.

SUPPORT HCR 7, recognizing abortion as a critical component of comprehensive reproductive health care. The bill has a hearing in the House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee on Wednesday, February 19 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.

SUPPORT HB 50, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. This positive bill provides that no education law of this state shall be construed to bar any school employee from teaching the historical or current experiences of any group that is protected from discrimination. It has a hearing in the House Education Policy and Administration Committee on Wednesday, February 19 at 3:15 PM in Room 205-207 LOB. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; and sign in to support and share testimony.

SUPPORT HB 611-FN, abolishing recoupment procedures regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants. This bill would do away with the provision requiring people to reimburse the state for use of a public defender, a process that is more expensive to administer compared to what is collected. It has a public hearing in House Judiciary, Room 206-208 LOB on Wednesday, February 19 at 3:15 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; sign in to support and share testimony.

Friday, February 21
OPPOSE HB 59, relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer. No one deserves to be assaulted, including emergency personnel, but this bill has the potential to criminalize people experiencing a mental health episode. It is scheduled for an executive session in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, LOB Room 202-204, on Friday, February 21 at 10 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 recommend defeat for this bill. 

OPPOSE HB 592, relative to magistrates and the standards applicable to and the administration of bail. This bill has the potential to undo much of the thoughtful work that has gone into bail reform. It is scheduled for an executive session in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, LOB Room 202-204, on Friday, February 21 at 10 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 recommend defeat for this bill. 

OPPOSE HB 109, relative to false reports to law enforcement. This bill could discourage people from reporting police misconduct. It is scheduled for an executive session in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, LOB Room 202-204, on Friday, February 21 at 10 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 recommend defeat for 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 met in session on February 13. Here are the outcomes of bills we’re tracking.

On the Consent Calendar

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 57, relative to a person’s release from prison for the purpose of participating in certain post-secondary education programs in the community. OTP by VV.

ELECTION LAW
CACR 3, relating to recall elections. Providing that the general court may authorize recall elections. ITL by VV.
HB 261, relative to election audits. This bill moves the time of election audits to after the completion of recounts. OTP by VV.
HB 336, relative to the placement of political advertisements on public right-of-ways. ITL by VV.
HB 448, establishing a committee to study violations found by the April 25, 2023 ballot law commission. ITL by VV.
HB 626, directing the secretary of state to implement a vulnerability disclosure program for certain election systems. OTP-A by VV.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 58, establishing a committee to study legislative protections and accommodations for individuals with long COVID. ITL by VV.
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. OTP by VV.

JUDICIARY
HB 480, relative to restoration of competency to stand trial for criminal defendants. This bill directs the committee to study restoration of competency to submit any additional proposals on or before July 1, 2025 and requires, once adequate funding is received, the department of health and human services to establish a 2-year pilot program to create the position of one or more forensic liaisons, who will assist in competency proceedings of criminal defendants. OTP-A by VV.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 139-L, relative to the official designation of holidays by municipalities and educational institutions. This bill removes the requirement that municipalities, schools, colleges, and universities use official holiday designations. ITL by VV.
HB 165-FN, relative to the maximum amount of disaster relief funding provided to municipalities after a natural disaster. Referred to Finance by VV.

TRANSPORTATION 
HB 182,  prohibiting electric vehicles in commercial parking garages. ITL by VV.

On the Regular Calendar

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
HB 238, prohibiting collective bargaining agreements from requiring employees join or contribute to a labor union. Indefinitely postponed by RC, 200-180.

RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT
HB 332, allowing for the establishment of a village district to protect and remediate surface waters. This bill allows for consistent environmental policies for towns that share a body of water. ITL by RC, 196-171.
HB 334,  relative to the comprehensive state development plan. This bill adds provisions to the comprehensive state development plan concerning protecting natural resources and identifying environmental threats. ITL by RC, 199-171.
HB 422, increasing penalties for violations of the shoreland and water quality protection act. ITL by RC, 196-175.

STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
HB 55, repealing the Selective Service Compliance Act. This bill removes the state university's requirement to enforce selective service registration. OTP-A by VV.

Last week in the Senate 

The Senate met in session on February 13. Here are the outcomes for the bills we’re tracking.

On the Consent Calendar

CHILD AND FAMILY LAW
SB 23, expanding the crime of endangering the welfare of a child. OTP by VV.

ELECTION LAW
SB 11, relative to the allocation of electoral college votes. ITL by VV.
SB 16​​, requiring municipalities to post a copy of election return forms on their websites and in public locations. OTP-A by VV.
SB 43, removing articles of clothing from the definition of electioneering. OTP-A by VV.
SB 104, requiring the performance of a machine count at the request of 10 residents who have cast a ballot in the election. ITL by VV.

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SB 106, relative to the participation of customer generators in net energy metering. OTP-A by VV.

TRANSPORTATION
SB 39, relative to establishing an alternative driver education program. Rereferred to Committee by VV.

WAYS AND MEANS
SB 158, raising the funding cap for the New Hampshire community development finance authority. OTP by VV.

On the Regular Calendar

CHILD AND FAMILY LAW
SB 76, relative to the office of the child advocate. This bill is a request from the Office of the Child Advocate. ITL by VV.

FINANCE
SB 71, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This bill provides that unless expressly prohibited by state or federal law, local governmental entities may not prohibit or impede any state or federal law enforcement agency from complying with federal immigration laws, and provides for remedies for violations. Rereferred to Committee by VV.
SB 240, making an appropriation to the department of environmental services for eligible water projects. Laid on Table by VV.

Coming Up in the House
The House will meet in session on Thursday, February 20. Here are the bills we’re tracking that are scheduled for deliberation and voting.

On the Consent Calendar

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 103, relative to fugitives from justice. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 196-FN, relative to annulling, resentencing, or discontinuing prosecution of certain cannabis offenses. Committee recommends OTP-A. 
HB 338, relative to the authority of fish and game officers. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 506-FN, relative to background checks during motions to return firearms and ammunition. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 777, codifying the law enforcement accreditation commission. Committee recommends OTP.

EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 750-FN, relative to making incentive grants for school districts that improve in certain assessment scores. Committee recommends ITL. This bill would transfer $1 million from the Education Trust Fund to the Department of Education (DOE) for the Commissioner of Education to award to school districts that improve on mathematics test scores in statewide assessments. Committee recommends ITL.

EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

HB 283, relative to the list of subjects that comprise an adequate education. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 388, requiring local school boards to issue public reports on special education in their district. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 415-FN, removing requirements that schools provide menstrual products in restrooms. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 671-FN-A, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Committee recommends OTP.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 534-FN, relative to the calculation of average final compensation under the retirement system. Committee recommends ITL.

HOUSING
HB 309-FN, relative to making electronic rent payments optional. Committee recommends OTP-A.

JUDICIARY
HB 376, specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right-to-know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status. Committee recommends OTP.
HR 6, condemning the judicial doctrine of “disparate impact”. Committee recommends ITL.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 407, setting a minimum threshold for the adoption of town and school budgets and spending items for towns using a ballot to select such methods during town meeting.  Committee recommends ITL.

On the Regular Calendar

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 169-FN, relative to a quorum of the public utilities commission. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 504, relative to the state energy policy. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 682, This bill removes the office of offshore wind industry development from the office of energy innovation; repeals the offshore wind industry workforce training center committee and the offshore and port development commission, moves the grid modernization advisory council and the hydrogen advisory council to the office of energy innovation. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.

WAYS AND MEANS
HB 255-FN, increasing the percentage of revenue deposited in the education trust fund from the business profits tax. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 318-FN, relative to the percentage of revenue from the business enterprise tax deposited in the education trust fund. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 502, relative to complete corporate reporting for unitary businesses under the business profits tax and revenues from the state education property tax. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 56-FN, requiring a background check and mandatory waiting period during certain firearm transfers. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 75-FN, legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 207-FN, relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, sling shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 352-FN, prohibiting possession of a firearm at a polling place. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.

EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 494, relative to the math learning communities program, and making an appropriation therefor. Majority committee recommends OTP.
HB 716-FN, making an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Committee recommends OTP-A.

EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 76-FN, relative to tracking special education complaints. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.

ELECTION LAW
HB 107, relative to political advertising printed in newspapers, periodicals, or billboards. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 53, permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. Committee recommends OTP.

JUDICIARY
HB 66, relative to material subject to disclosure under the right to know law.  Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 80, allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable and providing that physical presence is necessary for voting. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 111-FN, extending the position of right-to-know ombudsman for 2 years. Committee recommends OTP-A.

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.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206-208, LOB
10:00 AM HB 285-FN, relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities. This bill adds to the list of factors for a court to consider in determining parental rights and responsibilities any known mental health conditions of the parent.
1:00 PM HB 10-FN, establishing the parental bill of rights. This bill establishes a parental bill of rights, a framework for notice of, and to report violations of such rights, and consequences for affirmative findings of violations.
2:30 PM HB 709-FN, allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes. 
3:15 PM HB 741-FN, allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose.

ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
10:40 AM HB 341-FN, requiring the secretary of state to check voter records prior to every election.
11:00 AM HB 281, requiring electronic voter checklists to be supplied in a sortable format.
11:20 AM HB 308-FN, requiring the election checklist to have a column to annotate if a non-New Hampshire issued form of identification is provided to vote.
11:40 AM HB 130-FN, relative to the arrangement of candidates on primary election ballots. 
1:00 PM HB 714-FN, creating a single primary ballot. 
1:40 PM HB 154, enabling voters to request to have their ballots hand-counted. 
2:30 PM HB 693-FN, relative to ballot counting procedures and permitting the hand counting of ballots. 
2:50 PM HB 274, relative to the verification of voter rolls annually. 
3:20 PM HB 317, preventing a supervisor of the checklist from verifying a person’s identity without identification, even if they personally know that person.

FINANCE, Room 210-211, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 519-FN-A, making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund and support the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter.

HOUSING , Room 305, LOB
10:30 AM HB 410-FN, relative to adding conditions to zoning boards of adjustment imposing restrictions on the building and development of residential properties.
2:00 PM HB 465, relative to the housing opportunity zone program.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 201, LOB
9:50 AM Non-germane amendment to HB 123, enabling municipalities to tax standing wood and timber on land used for carbon sequestration.
1:00 PM Executive session on, HB 458-FN, limiting local assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
2:00 PM HB 759, relative to community energy generators.

TRANSPORTATION, Room 203, LOB
11:10 AM HB 452-FN, relative to the issuance of drivers’ licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
11 AM HB 517-FN, repealing the Granite State paid family leave plan. 
1:15 PM HB 774, requiring Medicare supplemental policies to cover pre-existing conditions.

EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION , Room 205-207, LOB
HB 653-FN, establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students. 
HB 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. 
HB 360, prohibiting public schools from performing diagnostic tests or surgical procedures, or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs. 
HB 50, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces.

FINANCE - DIVISION I, Room 212, LOB 
10:00 AM Budget Work Session - NH Retirement System. 
10:30 AM Budget Work Session - Community Development Finance Authority. }
11:00 AM Budget Work Session - Liquor Commission. 
1:15 PM Budget Work Session - Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. 
1:45 PM Budget Work Session - Board of Tax and Land Appeals. 
2:15 PM Budget Work Session - Housing Appeals Board. 
2:45 PM Budget Work Session - Executive Council. 
3:15 PM Budget Work Session - Right-to-Know Ombudsman. 
3:45 PM Budget Work Session - Public Employees Labor Relations Board. 

FINANCE - DIVISION II, Room 209, LOB 
1:00 PM Budget Work Session with LBA - Process Overview and Review of Governor’s Recommended Budget. 

FINANCE - DIVISION III, Room 210-211, LOB 
10:00 AM Budget work session - Office of the Commissioner, Department of Health and Human Services.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 202-204, LOB
10:30 AM HB 731-FN, relative to supportive housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities.
1:00 PM HCR 7, recognizing abortion as a critical component of comprehensive reproductive health care. 

JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB 
9:00 AM HB 148, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances. 
9:45 AM HB 520, relative to authorizing hearing officers of the department of education to issue subpoenas. 
10:30 AM HB 584-FN, relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty. This bill provides that the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic

Forum shall have no jurisdiction in New Hampshire; removes a reference to medical schools recognized by the World Health Organization and replaces it with a reference to the World Directory of Medical Schools; and creates a cause of action against counties, cities, towns, precincts, water districts, school districts, school administrative units, or quasi-public entities who create and enforce policies based on the claims of the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum.
11:15 AM HB 580-FN, relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases. 
1:00 PM HB 641-FN, establishing a private right of action for civil rights violations. 
1:45 PM HB 620-FN, relative to the exercise of the freedom of religion. 
2:30 PM HB 633-FN, relative to housing investment trusts. 
3:15 PM HB 611-FN, abolishing recoupment procedures regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants.

LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION, Room 203, LOB
1:45 PM HB 605, relative to employment protections for members of the general court.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB 
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 59-FN, relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer; HB 592-FN, relative to magistrates and the standards applicable to and the administration of bail; HB 109-FN, relative to false reports to law enforcement; HB 146-FN, relative to the use of body-worn cameras; HB 162-FN, relative to informed consent for law enforcement searches of houses or other property; HB 640-FN, relative to the transparency of federal agency operations within New Hampshire.

FINANCE - DIVISION I, Room 212, LOB 
1:15 PM Budget Work Session - Insurance Department. 
2:15 PM Budget Work Session - Department of Employment Security. 
2:45 PM Budget Work Session - Judicial Council. 
3:15 PM Budget Work Session - Judicial Branch. 

FINANCE - DIVISION II, Room 209, LOB 
1:30 PM Budget Work Session - Lottery Commission. 
2:30 PM Budget Work Session - Police Standards and Training Council.

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 203, LOB 
10:00 AM Revenue estimates work session.

Coming up in the Senate
The Senate will not meet in session on February 20 or on February 27.

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.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
9:30 AM SB 169, requiring employers to provide certain information regarding cost sharing to employees receiving workers’ compensation benefits. 
9:45 AM SB 171, relative to required pay for remote work. 
10 AM SB 177-FN, relative to requiring New Hampshire employers with over 25 employees use the E-Verify system. 
10:15 AM SB 176-FN, relative to the state minimum hourly rate.

EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
10 AM SB 208-FN, requiring local school boards and public libraries to adopt curation policies. 10:30 AM SB 33-FN, relative to the regulation of public school materials.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:15 AM SB 105, enabling towns to adopt budget caps.
9:45 AM SB 221, relative to the verification of the checklist.

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9:40 AM SB 234-FN, relative to the electric assistance program. 

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:00 PM SB 142-FN, establishing the department of children’s services and juvenile justice.
1:40 PM SB 139-FN, creating a private right of action in civil rights cases.

RULES AND ENROLLED BILLS, Room 100, SH
8:30 AM Consideration of Late Bills

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 

EDUCATION FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:10 PM SB 292-FN-A, authorizing a warrant for the funding of state special education aid. 
1:20 PM SB 296, increasing the percentage of nonpublic school scholarships awarded to students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price meal program.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM SB 182, relative to the maternal mortality review committee. 
9:15 AM SB 189, relative to fetal death records.
9:45 AM SB 202, relative to Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia training for first responders.
10:00 AM 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.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 100, SH
9:00 AM SB 246-FN, providing maternal depression screening for new mothers, increasing access to health care services for new mothers, and relative to job protection within the employer-sponsored New Hampshire paid family and medical leave plan.
9:30 AM SB 243-FN, relative to the child care scholarship program.
9:45 AM SB 253-FN, relative to participation in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

10:15 AM Hearing on proposed non-germane Amendment #, 2025-0295s relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; and establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund, to SB 118-FN, relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes.
10:30 AM SB 249-FN, relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
9:30 AM SB 170, relative to residential property subject to housing covenants under the low income housing tax credit program.
9:45 AM SB 173, relative to residential property subject to housing covenants under the low income housing tax credit program.
10:15 AM SB 284, relative to the required maximum number of residential parking spaces.

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:45 PM SB 144-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.

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 19 vigil will be at Shaheen's office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover. We gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park. The February 26 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 ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us. 

Saturday, February 15
Peace Rally for Congo – 1 PM. 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH. Hosted by the Congolese Community of NH. Join us for a peaceful rally to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian and political crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The event aims to amplify the voices of those affected by decades of conflict and promote the global call for justice, peace, and sustainable development in the region.

Rally for LGBTQIA+ & Immigrant Rights – 4 PM to 5 PM. Central Square, Main Street, Keene. Hosted by Trans Liberation Movement. Join us to work together to show NH and Governor Ayotte how to support its citizens. Bring protest signs, warm clothes and hope for building an equitable future. Contact for more information: TransLiberationMovement@gmail.com.

Monday, February 17
Not My President’s Day Protest – 12 PM to 6 PM. State House, 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by NH 50501. Join us to denounce the Trump Administration’s actions against our communities. NH Peacekeepers will be present for this event.

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 visibility on Monday, February 17 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 
NH Resistance Team Virtual Meeting - 6 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by Rights & Democracy. Join the NH Resistance team to help build grassroots power for democracy and justice in New Hampshire! Be part of the movement to protect our rights and create positive change in our communities.

Conoce tus derechos/Know your rights -  Immigration 101 – 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by Eva Castillo & Jason Bonilla. Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a student on a visa, or undocumented, you have legal rights. This presentation will give resources for advocates, service providers and allies who want to help ensure that immigrants know their rights in different contexts.

Know Your Rights Training– 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by No Coal, No Gas. 

Community In Conversation Monthly Series - 7 PM – 8 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 Street, 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.

Organizing for Change: Strategies to Mobilize Communities During Political Turmoil - 5 PM to 6:30 PM. Hosted by We Are All America. Join us for the next session of We Are All America's Leadership Development Program, a bimonthly workshop series designed to empower refugee and immigrant organizers across the United States. Led by immigrants and refugees for immigrants and refugees, this program offers valuable opportunities to learn advocacy tactics, shift narratives, and connect with resources and networks to create more welcoming and inclusive communities. Through these workshops, participants gain the skills and knowledge needed to advance pro-refugee and pro-immigrant policies at both state and national levels.

Collective Courage Book Study Watch Party #2 - Intentional Communities  - 6 PM to 8 PM. Nashua Public Library, 2 Court Street, 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.

Know Your Rights – Immigration 101 – Free Community Training – 6 PM to 9 PM. The Loading Dock, 35 Mill Street #Suite D, Littleton. Hosted by NH Alliance for Immigrants and, Refugees & ACLU NH. Our goal is to empower you with the tools and knowledge to navigate interactions with law enforcement, immigration officers, and other authorities. We'll discuss your rights regardless of your immigration status, what to do if you're approached by ICE, and how to prepare in case of an emergency.

Housing Huddle – 6:30 PM. Brother Cortado, 3 Bicentennial Square, Concord. Hosted by NH Youth Movement & 603 Forward. Join our community conversation on how we tackle the housing shortage in NH together. 

Friday, February 21
NHFPI 2025 State Budget Webinar Series: Exploring the Governor's Proposal - 10:30 AM. Hosted by NH Fiscal Policy Institute. This webinar will examine what we know about the Governor’s budget proposal for State Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. An audience Q&A will follow the NHFPI staff led presentation.

Black Lives Matter NH: Open Mic & Dance Fundraiser - 7 PM to 9 PM. 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth. Hosted by BLM NH. Enjoy an evening of powerful performances, great music, and lively dancing while contributing to a meaningful cause during Black History Month.

Monday, February 24
Peace & Justice Conversations: Community Peacemaker Teams - 7 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action. Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) mission is "Building partnerships to transform violence and oppression." CPT acts in solidarity with people impacted by war by accompanying them, advocating with them, and amplifying their voices at home and around the world. Weldon Nisly will share CPT history and stories of their local partners committed to peacebuilding and human rights while confronting war and oppression.

Tuesday, February 25
Lessons from Anti-Apartheid Struggles: Past and Present - 12 PM to 1 PM. Hosted by AFSC. From the United States to South Africa to Palestine, anti-apartheid movements have mobilized communities to rise up against legal systems of racial injustice and oppression. Join us for a conversation with anti-apartheid activists and liberation theologians Rev. Wendell Griffen, Rev. Dr. Allan Boesak, and Palestinian activist Ms. Shadia Qubti about the contours of apartheid across countries, how anti-apartheid movements can learn from one another, and how we can continue to build international solidarity to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes against the Palestinian people like we do other apartheid regimes.

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.

Wednesday, February 26
Know Your Rights & Rapid Response Training – 6:30 PM. Hosted by the Party for Socialism & Liberation & AFSC NH. Join us for a training (in English & Spanish) from longtime NH immigrant rights activist Eva Castillo about how we can defend ourselves and our communities against ICE. Registration required. 

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.

Sunday, March 16
Countering Christian Nationalism – 4 PM to 6 PM. This hybrid event, the first 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 NH Council of Churches, Manchester-NAACP, NH Outright, Engage, NH Peace Action, 603 Equality, and American Friends Service Committee. To attend via Zoom, one must register here. 

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!