“We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent coannihilation. We must move past indecision to action….If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.” — The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, Beyond Vietnam, 1967
Welcome to a new year, State House Watchers.
It’s good to be back with you. We’re rested and ready to bring you the news – the alarming, the interesting, and the inspiring – and opportunities to take action for humane policies at our NH state legislature.
State House Watch is a publication of the American Friends Service Committee’s New Hampshire program. Since 2011, we’ve been sending weekly messages during the state legislative session to share a recap of the prior week, a calendar of upcoming hearings and votes on key bills related to economic justice, immigrant rights, civil liberties, LGBTQ+ rights, and more, and action alerts from partners (and our own team) that enable us to engage effectively in the legislative process.
We’re sending this first issue of 2026 to a wider audience, but in order to continue to receive it – once a week from January through June – you’ll need to subscribe. (It’s free!) If you were subscribed last year, there’s no need to do anything more, except to invite your friends and colleagues to sign up as well.
Welcome Maille!
This year, we’re delighted to welcome Maille Wooten as our State House Watch researcher and data manager. Maille (pronounced Molly) is a student at UMass Lowell and daughter of returning team member Kathleen Wooten. We couldn’t do this without them!
Hope and Horror
Our hearts are full as we watch the journey of the Buddhist monks of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center on their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace, from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC “to raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world.”
“Rooted in both spiritual devotion and civic purpose, the Walk for Peace seeks to remind Americans that peace is not a destination—it is a practice. As the nation faces challenges of division, mental health crises, and conflict both at home and abroad, this pilgrimage offers a simple yet profound message: peace begins within the heart of each person and extends outward to families, communities, and the nation as a whole.“ — The Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara
We are horrified to learn that in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Trump administration bombed Caracas, abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and announced that the US will “run the country.” These acts of war follow weeks of extrajudicial killings by US forces and the seizure of oil tankers. From AFSC:
“Venezuela posed no threat to the U.S. But the U.S. wants Venezuela’s oil. This attack was an act of war that is illegal under both U.S. and international law. While information is limited about the impacts, it is extremely likely that civilians were killed when the U.S. dropped bombs on the highly populated capital city. Congress should immediately act to condemn this aggression and should block further military actions….
The Trump administration doesn’t care about human rights and democracy. President Trump has actively intervened in recent elections in Argentina and Honduras, attempted to interfere in the Brazilian judicial system, and rewarded the blatant human rights violations of allies with lucrative contracts. There is no doubt that Nicolás Maduro is responsible for serious human rights violations against the Venezuelan people, and he should be held accountable for those violations. Being unilaterally kidnapped by the U.S. military will prevent that accountability rather than facilitating it.”
Read AFSC’s full statement here.
Please take a few minutes today to call our NH Congressional delegation to insist that they work to deescalate these acts of war, withhold all funding for military action, and hold the Trump administration accountable. You’ll find their contact information at the NH Peace Action website.
And please join one of these protests today:
3 PM at Market Square, Portsmouth NH
3:30 PM at Conway Four Corners (Routes 113 & 16), Conway NH
4 PM at City Hall, Manchester NH
New Session Begins – January 7 & 8
The House and Senate will kick off the 2026 session – the 2nd year of the 2-year term - on Wednesday, January 7. House members will return on January 8 for a second day of voting. Both bodies will take up retained bills, which were held over from the 2025 session and which required additional committee action. Scroll down for the list of bills we’re tracking as well as the committee recommendations. Sadly there are some terrible proposals on the list that received recommendations of “ought to pass” including anti-transgender bills, a proposal to lower – once again – the business enterprise tax, a proposal to establish hard labor as a sentencing option for certain types of crimes, and bills that would further restrict voting rights.
The following week, legislators will start to consider the new bills for 2026. You can read the full list of 1,147 legislative proposals here. We’ll share our own (shorter) tracking list next week, which includes many bills related to housing, gender, public education and more.
Multiple bills aim to reinstate the death penalty in New Hampshire, and one would expand the list of crimes that would qualify for the death penalty. For a compelling message about why we should protect the hard-won repeal that was secured in 2019, we recommend this op-ed from Lisa Beaudoin, executive director of the NH Council of Churches. Stay informed about this campaign by connecting to the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty at their website and on Facebook.
Once again, there are multiple bills related to immigration. Two of the most egregious would deny rental housing to a (poorly-defined) group of immigrants. Another would eliminate the refugee resettlement program in NH. There are also some positive bills that would bring greater transparency and accountability for ICE-related activity in the state. Here’s the NH Immigrant Rights Network’s tracking list.
We’re grateful for the work of many partners whose advocacy resources help us all to engage effectively in the process. Check these out: NH League of Women Voters, New Futures, and the Kent Street Coalition.
Immigration News
On January 1, 2026, two “anti-sanctuary cities” laws passed in 2025 went into effect. In recent months, a statewide network of Sanctuary Communities has been activated - a meaningful counterpoint to these new restrictions on municipalities and other governmental entities. At their press conference on October 28 and their delivery of a petition to Governor Ayotte and the Executive Council on December 17, the grassroots network sent an important message to our elected officials that regular people are not stymied by these misguided laws, and will organize to keep our communities safe. Please sign and share the petition, and look for a sanctuary community near you. Get connected, get trained, and take action in solidarity with immigrants who call New Hampshire ‘home.’ One important next step is to urge Merrimack town officials to oppose any ‘processing center’ or ‘human warehouse’ in their community. Read more here and here, and join us at the Merrimack town meeting on Thursday, January 8 starting at 5:30 PM. (See details in the ‘Events’ section below.)
You can also review and share these new “Know your rights” resources from AFSC.
ACTION ALERTS!
From Open Democracy: Urge Your Representatives to Vote NO on these Retained Bills (related to election law and finance)
From 603 Equality: Urge Your Senator to Reject these Anti-Transgender and Pro-Censorship Bills
From AFSC: Contact your Representatives and urge them to reject SB 15 which would add hard labor as a sentencing option for certain kinds of crimes. Read more here.
From AFSC: Contact your Representatives and urge them to reject HB 392-FN, directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services’ office of health equity, department of environmental services’ functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor’s council on diversity and inclusion.
Key:
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
SL – State Library
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Coming Up in the House
The full House will meet in session on Wednesday, January 7 starting at 10 AM, and Thursday, January 8 starting at 9 AM. You can watch it here. On the agenda is a list of bills that were retained during the 2025 legislative session. Committees were required to meet before the end of last year in order to make a recommendation. On their first days in session, the full House will vote on these recommendations. Here are the ones we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 71-FN, 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. This bill further authorizes county corrections facilities to hold individuals subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for up to 48 hours following the resolution of their state charges, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, in order to permit assumption of custody by federal authorities, and requires any agency refusing to honor an immigration detainer for an inmate to report each such refusal to the attorney general. Committee recommends ITL. (Note that key provisions of this bill were already signed into law and went into effect on January 1, 2026.)
EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 742-FN-A, requiring catastrophic special education state aid funding to be drawn from the education trust fund. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 211, relative to biological sex in student athletics. This bill requires school sports teams to be expressly designated as male, female, or coed, prohibits biologically male students from participating in female designated sports or entering female locker rooms, and creates a cause of action for athletes harmed as a result of violations of these requirements. Committee recommends ITL.
ELECTION LAW
HB 289, regarding domicile qualifications for voting. This bill prevents a person from claiming domicile if that person is a legal dependent of a person who does not live in New Hampshire; and clarifies that obtaining a driver's license or registering a motor vehicle is intent of maintaining continuous presence within New Hampshire. Committee recommends ITL.
FINANCE
HB 129-FN, relative to the definition of the term “evidence-based” within public education. This bill defines "evidence-based" as applied to pedagogical methods and requires the department of education and all local school districts to conform with such definition in all communications. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 216-FN, relative to workers’ compensation and creditable service towards retirement. This bill removes the one year cap of creditable service towards retirement benefits for workers' compensation. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 773-FN, relative to aid to school districts for the cost of special education. This bill removes the requirement that catastrophic special education funds be prorated among the school districts entitled to such aid and requires that disbursements for special education to a school district shall be at least 80 percent of the district’s entitlement for catastrophic aid costs in the fiscal year. Committee recommends ITL.
HOUSING
HB 65, directing landlords to offer tenants the option of reporting rental payments to consumer reporting agencies. This bill would require landlords operating fifteen or more rental units to offer tenants the option of having their on-time rental payments reported to a consumer reporting agency, at the landlord’s expense. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
HB 465, relative to the housing opportunity zone program. This bill provides income verification requirements for housing opportunity zones. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 604-FN, relative to a loan forgiveness program for low-income homeowners to build new accessory dwelling units or renovate existing structures into accessory dwelling units. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 458-FN, limiting local assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Committee recommends ITL.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 635-FN, relative to taxing non-profit entities who settle illegal immigrants as for-profit entities. This bill allows taxing non-profit entities who settle illegal immigrants as for-profit entities; and allows the department of revenue administration to award bounties to persons who report instances of non-profits settling illegal immigrants to the department. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 15-FN, relative to establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting. Note that committee members approved an amendment that would establish hard labor as a penalty for certain crimes. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
EDUCATION FUNDING
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. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 748-FN, establishing a local education freedom account program. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
SB 33-FN, relative to the regulation of public school materials. This bill requires local school districts to adopt and publicly post policies describing materials authorized for use by students in the district and outlining procedures to address complaints alleging that material is harmful or age-inappropriate for use in the district's schools. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
FINANCE
HB 572-FN, (New Title) establishing the “partners in housing” program, an initiative under the housing champions fund to assist municipalities, counties, and developers in building workforce housing, and making an appropriation therefor. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP-A.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 392-FN, directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services’ office of health equity, department of environmental services’ functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor’s council on diversity and inclusion. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
SB 36, relative to the collection and reporting of abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities. This bill requires the collection and reporting of certain abortion statistics by health care providers, medical facilities, and the department of health and human services. The reporting requirement replaces a provision in the fetal life protection act stating that nothing in the subdivision shall be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
SB 134-FN, relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program. This bill directs the department of health and human services to resubmit the 1115 demonstration waiver to CMS regarding community engagement and work requirements under the state Medicaid program. The bill also directs the department to provide an annual report to the legislature regarding the status of implementation. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
JUDICIARY
SB 268, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. This bill provides a definition for "biological sex" and provides that certain designations by biological sex do not constitute unlawful discrimination. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 348, relative to eligibility for local assistance. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 155-FN, reducing the rate of the business enterprise tax. This bill reduces the rate of the business enterprise tax for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2026. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
Coming Up in the Senate
The full Senate will meet in session on Wednesday, January 7 starting at 10 AM. You can watch it here. On their agenda are the retained bills from 2025. Committees were required to meet before the end of 2025 to make a recommendation on each one. Senators will vote on these recommendations. Here are the ones we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
EDUCATION
SB 101-FN, authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 208-FN, relative to certification requirements for school nurses. This bill allows a superintendent and school board to nominate and appoint a school nurse, who must be licensed and registered with the board of nursing. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 431, establishing a commission to study the costs of special education. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 741-FN, allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose. Committee recommends interim study.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 171, establishing a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new landfills. Committee recommends ITL.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 233, requiring meetings of the New Hampshire vaccine association to be audio and video recorded and published on its website within 48 hours. Committee recommends ITL.
FINANCE
SB 123-FN, requiring coverage of ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse under the state Medicaid plan. Committee recommends ITL.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 705, relative to health care cost transparency. This bill requires health plans to disclose specific pricing information regarding covered items and services. The bill is contingent upon finalization of federal guidance under Presidential Executive Order 14221. Committee recommends OTP.
JUDICIARY
SB 289-FN, relative to use and preservation of body-worn camera recordings in certain matters. This bill adds procedures to govern the preservation of body-worn camera footage and its use in certain proceedings. Committee recommends interim study.
HB 480, relative to restoration of competency to stand trial for criminal defendants. Committee recommends OTP.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 105-FN, creating a new conservation license plate and directing the additional fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. Committee recommends interim study.
HB 321-FN, requiring the division of motor vehicles to extend a fine payment period for certain motor vehicle violations from 30 days to 90 days if the driver requests the extension. Committee recommends interim study.
HB 452-FN, relative to the issuance of driver licenses for aliens [sic] temporarily residing in New Hampshire. Committee recommends interim study.
On the Regular Calendar
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 340-FN, relative to electioneering by public employees. This bill defines electioneering in relation to public employees. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 481, relative to moving the state primary date. This bill moves the state primary date to June. Committee recommends OTP-A.
JUDICIARY
HB 59-FN, relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer. This bill establishes felony-level offenses for assaults on firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and law enforcement and for assaults specifically targeting law enforcement officers. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 109-FN, relative to false reports to law enforcement. This bill makes it a crime to knowingly falsely allege misconduct or criminal conduct against a police officer acting in the performance of his or her official duty. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 191-FN, providing criminal and civil penalties for the transporting of an unemancipated minor in order to obtain a surgical procedure without parental permission. Committee recommends OTP-A.
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.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM SB 539-FN, relative to eligible biomass technology in the renewable portfolio standards.
1:15 PM SB 592, enabling regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors.
1:30 PM SB 540-FN, relative to portable solar generation devices. This bill: I. Defines “portable solar generation device,” exempts them from interconnection requirements and net metering, and establishes safety standards. II. Limits electric distribution utility liability. III. Directs the public utilities commission to adopt rules as necessary to implement these provisions.
1:45 PM SB 599-FN, relative to the renewable energy fund. This bill requires that remaining moneys from certain electricity provider payments made to the renewable energy fund shall first be used by the department of energy for administrative costs up to $1,000,000, with the remainder to be used to support thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives. The bill also prohibits any remaining moneys from being used to support individual residential solar initiatives.
2:00 PM SB 447, enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 100, SH
9:00 AM SB 543-FN, relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor. This bill establishes provisional eligibility for Medicaid nursing facility services as part of the long-term care application process and makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services for this purpose.
9:45 AM SB 611-FN, relative to rate setting parity for Medicaid state plan case management services. This bill directs the department of health and human services to annually establish rates for Medicaid state plan case management services to create rate parity for such services within the program.
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:15 PM SB 521-FN, relative to unauthorized camping on private property. This bill prohibits camping without permission on another's private property and adds penalties for such violations.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9:10 AM SB 449-FN, relative to the participation of customer generators in net energy meeting. 9:20 AM SB 538-FN, extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:20 PM SB 481-FN-A, relative to the sale of the Sununu youth services center property and making an appropriation to the youth development center settlement fund.
1:30 PM SB 483-FN-A, making a contingent appropriation to the department of health and human services for recruitment and benefit grants for child care employers.
1:40 PM SB 484-FN, prohibiting Medicaid premiums and limiting Medicaid expansion cost sharing.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 100, SH
9:00 AM SB 545-FN, relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program. This bill removes the resource limit for the Medicare savings program and, subject to CMS approval, makes the low income subsidy for Medicare Part D available to residents to assist with prescription drug costs.
1:15 PM SB 645-FN, relative to income eligibility for the New Hampshire child care scholarship program and reallocating certain revenue to fund the program. This bill directs the department of health and human services to amend its policy to increase eligibility for the child care scholarship program and directs revenues to fund the eligibility increase.
1:30 PM SB 608-FN, relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers. This bill directs the department of health and human services to seek approval from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cover family caregiver support services as an allowable service under specified waiver programs. The bill also eliminates the child care scholarship cost share for children in kinship care.
1:45 PM SB 615-FN, relative to the use and regulation of EBT cards and SNAP eligibility. This bill: I. Directs the department of health and human services to submit a waiver to the US Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with SNAP benefits. II. Strengthens work requirements for SNAP eligibility. III. Directs the department of health and human services to enter into data-sharing agreements with other state agencies to verify SNAP benefit eligibility. IV. Directs the department to verify eligibility of enrollees that make exclusively out-of-state purchases. V. Prohibits the department from using their discretion to set more lenient standards for SNAP eligibility or exemptions than those outlined in federal law.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
EDUCATION, Map Room, SL
9:15 AM SB 429-FN-A, relative to the placement of trauma kits in public schools and making an appropriation therefor.
10:15 AM SB 578, extending recess for students from kindergarten to eighth grade and prohibiting the deprivation of recess time as punishment in schools.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
CAPITAL BUDGET, Room 122-123, SH
1:00 PM SB 497, removing references to contracts and projects concerning capital appropriations for the community college system of New Hampshire.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
EDUCATION FINANCE, Room 103, SH
10:00 AM SB 584-FN, increasing the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.
10:20 AM SB 491-FN, enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding.
10:40 AM SB 582-FN, modifying the base cost of an adequate education.
11:10 AM SB 583-FN, directing the department of education to create an education funding transparency data and reporting system.
11:25 AM SB 581-FN, modifying education freedom account (EFA) eligibility and removing priority guidelines and the enrollment cap relative to EFA eligibility.
Upcoming Events
Want us to list your peace and justice-related event? Contact us at afscnh@afsc.org.
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 January 7 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 2 Washington Street, Dover; we gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park. The January 14 vigil will be at Pappas' district office, 15 Third Street, Dover.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 7:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Every week, AFSC's Quaker Engagement team hosts Meeting for Worship virtually for Friends from across the globe. Embracing the practice of Quaker unprogrammed worship, we gather to bring our attention to witnessing injustice in our world and bolstering our solidarity with people facing oppression. Join us to explore and experience the spiritual dimensions of activism and social justice.
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 to hear updates on what's happening in Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact Congress and call for a permanent cease-fire, arms embargo on Israel, and humanitarian access for Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us!
Stronger Together: Protect Our Neighbors Weekly Visibility – 3 PM to 4 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!
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
NH Voices of Faith at the State House – 9 AM, Hall of Flags, NH State House, Concord. Join us for visibility on the opening day of the 2026 state legislative session. Following the visibility, all are welcome at the AFSC offices (4 Park Street, #304, Concord) for refreshments and fellowship. Contact April Richer for more information (aricher@afsc.org).
Thursday, January 8, 2026
ICE Out of Merrimack – 5:30 PM visibility, 7 PM town meeting, at the Matthew Thornton Room, Merrimack Town Hall, 6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack NH. As the Trump Administration further expands its detention and deportation capacity, Merrimack has been named as a location for a new “processing center” for detained immigrants. Join us for a peaceful protest and to urge Merrimack town officials to reject the Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. Multiple co-sponsors, including NH Sanctuary Communities, NH Peace Action, and AFSC-NH.
NH Peace Action Winter Book Study - 7 PM to 8:30 PM, on Zoom, hosted by NH Peace Action. Join us to discuss an inspiring and important book - "This is An Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-First Century" by Mark Engler and Paul Engler. We'll meet on Zoom for six sessions, Thursdays January 8 & 22, February 5 & 19, March 5 & 19. There is a minimal $10 charge to join this group, which will be limited in size to 12 participants. As with all NH Peace Action Events, if cost is a barrier, please email doreen@nhpeaceaction.org. Once you have purchased your ticket, you will receive the Zoom registration link. If you do not receive the Zoom link in a email, please email Doreen.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
TRANSform Your Mind – 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at The Loading Dock, Littleton NH. Using her own life and scientific facts, Rachael Booth dispels the mis- and dis-information campaign about transgender people, especially trans kids. You will learn the difference between sex, gender, and gender identity, and why a child is born transgender. Rachael Booth is a retired Senior Computer Scientist from Landaff, NH. This event is free.
Monday, January 12, 2026
Peace & Justice Conversations: NH Peace Action Update – 7 PM, on Zoom. Join NH Peace Action Organizers for a discussion of our work in 2025 and our plans for 2026. This will include reports about our main organizational work from NHPA related projects: The NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East, Palestine Education Network, NH Peacekeeper Project & Back From the Brink. We have experienced internal and external changes, challenges and successes we are glad to talk about with our members and friends. We can share our legislative and policy priorities for the upcoming year. We'll consider: How can we build peace in our world? How can we continue to grow our organization and the larger anti-authoritarian movement in New Hampshire and beyond?
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The Settlers (film presentation) – 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM at 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth. Hosted by Not In My Name - NH, "The Settlers", describes Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and plans for settlements in Gaza. There will also be remarks by Faisal Khan, founder of Carolina Peace Center, about Israel-Palestine and a facilitated discussion after the film. The event will include a marketplace of Palestinian art and crafts, olive oil from the West Bank, books and information.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
Watch this space for a growing list of NH events honoring Dr. King.
Saturday, January 17 – Out of the Darkness, Into the Marvelous Light, 6 PM at First Baptist Church of Nashua, 121 Manchester Street, Nashua NH. Once again, FBC will host NH’s oldest annual tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The first Martin Luther King celebration was sponsored at the church in 1982 at the request of The Council for Civil Rights of New Hampshire. At that time, First Baptist Church of Nashua was the only church in the state willing to host this event.
Monday, January 19 – Annual Seacoast NAACP MLK Breakfast, 8:30 AM at South Church, 292 State Street, Portsmouth NH. Program starts at 10 AM. Join us for a morning of food, gospel music, and an inspirational talk by Rev. Jerrell Riggins of New Hope Baptist Church, and a tour of the African Burying Ground at 12 noon.
Monday, January 19 – Uplifting Resistance Through Community, 11 AM to 4 PM, Memorial High School 1 Crusader Way, Manchester NH. Hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition. More information at their website. This year’s MLK award winner is the Honorable Melanie Levesque.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Seacoast Unity Hub – 6 PM to 8 PM, at South Church, Portsmouth NH. Seacoast Unity Hub convenes people across the Seacoast who are committed to democracy, justice and courageous love. Through connection, reflection and shared learning, we support local efforts to resist authoritarianism and build a more resilient inclusive community. You don't need to be an expert or already involved. Just curious, caring, and willing to show up. All are welcome. Light refreshments provided.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Peace & Justice Conversations: State-Sponsored Violence In and By the US – 7 PM, on Zoom. NH Peace Action focuses on questioning and ending our country's violent foreign policy. We have always noted the ways in which this treatment of those outside our country is reflected in violence at home as well. We are currently seeing an upsurge in the use of militarized force against people within our borders through an increase in the purview, funding, and impunity given to ICE. There is also a strong and inspiring wave of resistance. Come learn more about the work in NH to disrupt ICE activities and how you can help. Presenters are Maggie Fogarty, AFSC-NH, and Megan Chapman, World Fellowship Center.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
“A House of Dynamite” film discussion – 7 PM, on Zoom. Hosted by NH Peace Action and Back from the Brink. The current administration's plans to renew nuclear weapons testing is one alarming reminder that the threat of nuclear war is still a very real concern. “A House of Dynamite” is an apocalyptic political thriller that gives us a view of the devastating anticipation of a nuclear attack. Get drawn into the nerve-wracking decision rooms as this unsettling picture shows us what could become our future if the right choices are not made today. Watch the film (on Netflix) and then join us on zoom for a discussion about this film and what actions we can take now. Jeremy Love of Back from the Brink will lead the discussion to help us find a sense of purpose instead of hopelessness. Before watching the movie, we recommend you take a look at Back from the Brink's Beginner's Guide to Nuclear Weapons. Accessing the film: If you are not able to access this movie on your own, but would like to be a part of this discussion, let us know (info@nhpeaceaction.org). If there are enough people who need access to the movie, we will attempt to connect people to watch the movie together. As you watch the movie, think about how you feel about the threat of nuclear war, what you think is realistic considering the actions of current world leaders, and how you feel life would change after a nuclear attack.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
The Work That Reconnects – 1 PM to 5:30 PM at South Church, Portsmouth NH. In these challenging times we invite you into an afternoon of rejuvenation with The Work That Reconnects. This is a set of practices developed by Joanna Macy to support and re-energize folks who are working to create change in the world. There are four stages, beginning in gratitude, then moving through honoring our pain, seeing with new eyes, and going forth. The practices help make space for grief, anger and uncertainty while also cultivating possibility and joy. The workshop will be led by Kendra Ford and Amy Antonucci. If you can support the organizations who are offering this, you are welcome to make a sliding scale donation of $1-$50.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, and Maille & 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 is the NH Director for AFSC which publishes this newsletter. Maille Wooten, in partnership with Kathleen Wooten, is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible with your financial support. 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!