“The state can't give you freedom, and the state can't take it away. You're born with it, like your eyes, like your ears. Freedom is something you assume, then you wait for someone to try to take it away. The degree to which you resist is the degree to which you are free.” - Utah Phillips
Greetings, State House Watchers!
While it was a slower week at the State House, it was an eventful one everywhere else!
The week began on a high note, when US District Judge Theodore Chang issued a preliminary injunction blocking immigration enforcement actions in some houses of worship while a lawsuit by Quakers and other religious groups is under consideration. Read more here.
But on the whole, the news was bleak, as the Administration continued its campaign of mass layoffs of federal workers and the dismantling of federal agencies. Read more here. The effects of these reckless and extreme cuts have been immediate and will be long-lasting, but we’re cheered by the signs of mass noncompliance by workers at all levels of government. Please join us at the federal building, 55 Pleasant Street, Concord on Friday, March 7, 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM in solidarity with all federal workers. Bring your own sign.
The Republican majority in the US House of Representatives narrowly approved a budget proposal on Tuesday evening that will require trillions in cuts to essential programs while funding trillions in tax breaks for wealthy people and corporations, and for mass deportations. The House and Senate versions will need to be reconciled before the current funding deadline of March 14. Each of us can act now to urge our lawmakers to invest in human needs, not war and militarism, and to restore funding for foreign assistance.
The brutality of the Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda continued to be on full display, with migrants suffering in detention at Guantanamo, and the announcement this week of a registration requirement for all immigrants 14 years of age or older who entered the US without a visa, and that they carry proof of registration at all times. Read more here.
We learned last week that NH state police, as well as the Gorham police department and the Belknap County sheriff’s department have applied to enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE, which would give them authority to act as immigration enforcement agents. Read more in the Boston Globe.
Governor Ayotte expressed her support for the move, but advocates rallied on Friday to raise objections. Read more here: “Participating in the 287(g) program shifts law enforcement interactions away from community policing principles,” commented Christine Wellington of the NH Immigrant Rights Network. “It feeds into spurious stereotypes that depict noncitizens as dangerous and criminal. It will fundamentally change the dynamics of police interactions with people within immigrant communities, including those who are lawfully present and including U.S. citizens. People will be afraid to come forward to report crimes and interact with police in community settings. Police departments that are not engaging in 287(g) enforcement will also suffer the negative consequences of this program as overall fear of police interactions rise.”
In more bad news, plans appear to be underway to house as many as 500 immigrants in ICE custody at the federal prison in Berlin, NH according to a leaked memo. Read more here and here. ACLU-NH issued a statement: “’This proposal means that immigrants facing civil - not criminal - charges would be sent to a medium-security federal prison in one of the northernmost cities in the entire state, isolated from their family, advocates, and potential legal services,’ said Amanda Azad, policy director at the ACLU of New Hampshire. ‘We have strong concerns about the conditions that would exist for hundreds of these immigrants, how they would be treated in this prison, and we refuse to stand by and allow this cruelty in our state,’ said Azad. The ACLU of New Hampshire said it is seeking more information about the use of the facility, including policy memoranda, detention standards, and contracts through a Freedom of Information Act.”
We are grateful that peace activists met last week with Senator Shaheen’s staff in Dover to urge her renewed support for limits on US weapons delivery to Israel. Read more here. We’re hopeful that Shaheen will lead her NH Congressional colleagues to object to the human rights violations that have been committed by Israel with US weapons and funding.
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. We expect H.R. 32 to move in the House soon.
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
Monday, March 3
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 is scheduled for an executive session in House Judiciary, Room 206-208 LOB on Monday, March 3 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 support this bill.
Support HB 555-FN, relative to required holocaust and genocide study requirements for an adequate public education. This positive bill would expand instruction to include the United Nations as well as genocides in Armenia, Rwanda, Palestine and the United States. It has a hearing in the House Education Policy and Administration Committee on Monday, March 3 at 3:30 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.
Oppose HB 748, establishing a local education freedom account program. This alarming and sweeping bill would use local school budgets to pay for vouchers, adversely impacting local property taxes and funding for public school programs and staff. It has a hearing in the House Education Policy and Administration Committee on Monday, March 3 at 9:30 AM in Room 205-207 LOB. 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 377, which would ban puberty blockers, estrogen, and testosterone for teenagers who are seeking gender affirming health care. This harmful bill has a public hearing in the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on Monday, March 3 at 9:30 AM in Room 306-308 LOB. 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 148, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances. This terrible bill would authorize discrimination against transgender people. It is scheduled for an executive session in House Judiciary, Room 206-208 LOB on Monday, March 3 at 11 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 712, limiting breast surgeries for minors. This harmful bill would limit gender affirming care for individuals, a decision that should be made between the young person, their parents, and their medical professional, not politicians. It has a public hearing in the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on Monday, March 3 at 1 PM in Room 306-308 LOB. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Tuesday, March 4
Support SB 214, enabling no-excuse absentee registration and voting. This positive bill has a public hearing in Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee, Room 103 LOB on Tuesday, March 4 at 9:15 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony. Check out the SB 214 talking points from the NH Coalition for Voting Rights.
Support SB 218, relative to absentee ballot outer envelopes. This bill removes the requirement that absentee ballots be placed in outer envelopes unless such ballots are mailed to town or city clerks. This bill also allows clerks to open outer envelopes to allow applicants time to cure defects. The bill has a public hearing in Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee, Room 103 LOB on Tuesday, March 4 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony. Check out the SB 218 talking points from the NH Coalition for Voting Rights.
Oppose SB 96 relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This forced outing bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, March 4 at 9 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Oppose SB 211 relative to biological sex in student athletics. This harmful bill would expand the sports ban against trans students in colleges and universities. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, March 4 at 9:30 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Oppose HB 461, relative to department of safety and department of motor vehicle training and testing materials. This ridiculous bill would mandate that the DMV offer all information and materials only in English. It is scheduled for an executive session in the House Transportation committee, Room 203, LOB on Tuesday, March 4 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 oppose this bill.
Oppose HB 115-FN, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program. This harmful bill is scheduled for an executive session in House Education Funding committee, LOB Room 205-207 on Tuesday, March 4 at 11 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.
Wednesday, March 5
Support HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program. It is scheduled for an executive session in the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, LOB Room 202-204 on Wednesday, March 5 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 support this bill.
Oppose Nongermane amendment 2025-0595h to HB 50, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. Amendment 2025-0595h removes all the language that repeals the “divisive concepts” law. The NH “divisive concepts” law has already been found unconstitutional and is no longer in effect. HB 50 is a good bill which 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. This unnecessary amendment has a public hearing in House Education Policy committee on Wednesday, March 5 at 1 PM. You can use this link to copy and paste committee members’ emails and tell them to reject the amendment and pass HB 50 without it.
Oppose HB 324, relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools. This misguided book ban bill is being heard in the House Education Policy committee, Room 205-207, LOB on Wednesday, March 5 at 1 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Oppose HB 520, relative to authorizing hearing officers of the department of education to issue subpoenas. This unnecessary bill would circumvent the Department of Justice and give outsized power to the Department of Education to call for subpoenas during investigations. It has a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 5 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.
Thursday, March 6
Oppose SB 71, providing 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. Committee recommends OTP-A. The full Senate will vote on this bill on Thursday, March 6. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this anti-immigrant 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
The next House session is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 at 10 AM. Additional session days are planned for Thursday, March 13 and March 20.
On the Consent Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 162-FN, relative to informed consent for law enforcement searches of houses or other property. Committee recommends OTP.
EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 659, This bill establishes the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive program with the purpose of retaining graduates from New Hampshire higher education institutions and incentivizing businesses to hire local graduates. Committee recommends ITL.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 184, This bill establishes a committee to study changing school start times. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 222, repealing the requirement for a memorandum of understanding between a chartered public school and school district regarding how students with disabilities will receive special education services. Committee recommends OTP.
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. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 440, relative to educator licensing. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 532, relative to alternative dispute resolution and individualized education plan team meeting facilitation. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 571, including Constitution Day in patriotic exercises required of public schools. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 662-FN, requiring the discussion of abortion procedures and viewing of certain videos during health education in public schools. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 730-FN, requiring school districts to educate and provide information to students regarding adoption during health education for grades 9 through 12, and in college in certain circumstances. Committee recommends ITL.
HCR 6, calling for the removal of the superintendent of school administrative unit 67. Committee recommends ITL.
HR 9, urging the department of education to emphasize STEM education in public schools. Committee recommends OTP.
ELECTION LAW
HB 294, relative to the processing of absentee ballots. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 464, prohibiting candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 498-FN, relative to when a person may receive an absentee ballot. Committee recommends ITL.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
HB 215, requiring a landfill permit applicant to submit a report listing potential harms and benefits of the project. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 479, establishing a committee to study the use and problems associated with regulating the distribution and disposal of certain solid waste within landfills and transfer centers. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 566, requiring permit applications for new landfills to contain a detailed plan for leachate management. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HR 10, recognizing the fundamental right to have clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Committee recommends OTP.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 156, establishing a committee to review state procurement policies and make recommendations to encourage local food production and conservation. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 438-FN, relative to immigration detention facilities. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 622-FN, relative to the definition of “part-time” for purposes of employment of a retired member of the New Hampshire retirement system. Committee recommends ITL.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 73, relative to harm reduction, substance misuse, and the governor’s commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 743, This bill requires health care entities to provide an estimate of the price of health care services to be provided. The bill also requires health care entities to post notice of a patient's right to request this information and requires health insurance carriers to provide an insured patient with an advanced explanation of benefits within 3 business days of receiving a good faith estimate from a health care entity. The bill also requires hospitals to comply with federal price transparency requirements, directs the department of health and human services to adopt rules regarding the disclosure requirements, and provides for the assessment of fines for noncompliance. Committee recommends ITL.
HOUSING
HB 577, This bill expands accessory dwelling units by right to include detached units, adds definitions related to accessory dwelling units, and increases the maximum square footage. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 685, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing. Committee recommends OTP-A.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
HB 735-FN, relative to elections in collective bargaining. Committee recommends ITL.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 230-LOCAL, relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 766, enabling municipalities to adopt an exemption from the local education property tax for certain elderly residents. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 782-FN, expanding property tax exemptions for certain elderly and disabled persons; raising public awareness regarding tax credits and exemptions; and requiring an annual report regarding the efficacy of the low and moderate income homeowners property tax relief program. Committee recommends ITL.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 541, establishing a committee to study energy and telecommunications infrastructure survivability and resiliency. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 575, prohibiting offshore wind energy infrastructure. Committee recommends ITL.
On the Regular Calendar
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 503-FN, amending how revenues from taxes are allocated to the education trust fund. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 143, relative to the issuance of no trespass orders on municipal or school district property. Committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 640-FN, relative to the transparency of federal agency operations within New Hampshire. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 515, repealing the chartered public school eligibility for state school building aid. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 583-FN-LOCAL, relative to state participation in the Medicaid direct certification program for free and reduced price school meals. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP-A.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 208-FN, relative to certification requirements for school nurses. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 94-FN, relative to coverage of circumcision under the state Medicaid plan. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 524-FN, repealing the New Hampshire vaccine association. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 724, relative to lead paint poisoning prevention and remediation. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 756, relative to establishing a blood lead level testing requirement for children entering daycare and public schools. No committee recommendation.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
HB 378, This bill requires an employer to pay an employee for unused earned time. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP.
HB 542-FN, relative to weekly benefit amounts for unemployment compensation. Majority committee recommends ITL. Minority committee recommends OTP-A.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 224-FN, relative to rebates to ratepayers from the renewable energy fund. Majority committee recommends OTP-A. Minority committee recommends ITL.
STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
HCR 1, calling for policymakers locally and nationally to fully consider all relevant information and factors pertaining to climate change before pursuing courses of action that could adversely affect any economy or environment. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
Coming Up in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committee members here.
Monday, March 3
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION , Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM HB 748-FN, establishing a local education freedom account program.
10:15 AM HB 752, This bill adds to the procedures for the closing of a chartered public school and requires records to be kept either by a chartered public school, or in the event of its closure, by the department of education, for 60 years.
1:00 PM Executive session on HB 384-FN, prohibiting bullying in schools; HB 667-FN, relative to health education and requiring the viewing of certain videos demonstrating gestational development from embryo to fetus through birth by public school students and college or university students; HB 748-FN, establishing a local education freedom account program; HB 781-FN, requiring school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education, and making an appropriation therefor.
3:00 PM HB 231, prohibiting school district personnel from transporting students to medical procedures without parental consent.
3:30 PM HB 555-FN, relative to required holocaust and genocide study requirements for an adequate public education.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 306-308, LOB
9:30 AM HB 377-FN, relative to health care professionals administering hormone treatments and puberty blockers.
1:00 PM HB 712, This bill limits breast surgeries for minors and provides a private right of action against the surgeon for violation of the statute.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 611-FN, abolishing recoupment procedures regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants; HB 615-FN, relative to drug forfeiture proceedings; CACR 7, relating to the presumption of innocence. Providing that in all cases and suits of the state against one of the people, the defendant shall be innocent unless proven guilty; HB 88-FN, establishing community property trusts; HB 148, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances; HB 199, extending the statute of limitation on civil actions relative to damage caused by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); HB 232-FN, relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals; HB 254-FN, relative to options for end of life care.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
9:00 AM HB 266, relative to structural changes to the department of energy.
9:30 AM HR 15, urging New Hampshire's congressional representatives to advocate for a change in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's policy.
10:00 AM HB 599, establishing a committee to examine weatherization initiatives for homes in New Hampshire.
Tuesday, March 4
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206-208, LOB
10:00 AM HB 493, requiring education on child abuse and neglect for certain healthcare providers as a condition for licensure.
11:00 AM Executive session on HB 10-FN, establishing the parental bill of rights; HB 285-FN, relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities.
EDUCATION FUNDING , Room 205-207, LOB
11:00 AM Executive session on HB 115-FN, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program.
ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM HB 463, relative to the composition of the board of recount in elections for the select board and for the school board.
10:20 AM HB 420, defining security measures for the storage and transfer of ballots.
10:40 AM HB 492, allowing political parties to request recounts when no candidate is named on the ballot.
11:00 AM HB 574-FN, requiring background checks of the private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines.
11:20 AM HB 497, requiring the periodic evaluation of the forms and procedures related to performing voter checklist duties.
11:40 AM HB 514, allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.
1:00 PM Executive session on HB 365-FN, relative to proof of United States citizenship for indigent voters; HB 521-FN, authorizing online voter registration; HB 130-FN, relative to the arrangement of candidates on primary election ballots; HB 154, enabling voters to request to have their ballots hand-counted; HB 158, relative to public inspection of absentee ballot lists; HB 363, establishing redistricting criteria; HB 356, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections; HB 590, relative to cooperative school district school board elections; HB 367, changing the method for adopting partisan town elections to be the same as rescinding partisan town elections; HB 481, relative to moving the state primary date; HB 408, moving the date of the state primary to the fourth Tuesday in August; HB 333, requiring moderators to designate a space for electioneering at polling places and provide a schematic thereof; HB 409-FN, relative to fee structures for election recounts; HB 220-FN, closing the presidential or state primary of political parties.
Wednesday, March 5
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 185-FN, relative to reimbursement rates for ambulance service providers; HB 186-FN-A, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 102-FN, relative to oversight of federal law enforcement actions; HB 191-FN, providing criminal and civil penalties for the recruitment, harboring, or transporting of a pregnant, unemancipated minor in order to obtain an abortion without parental permission; HB 198-FN, relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public; HB 206-FN, relative to government agent entries into secured premises; HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 205-207, LOB
1:00 PM Nongermane amendment #2025-0595h to HB 50, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces.
1:30 PM HB 231, prohibiting school district personnel from transporting students to medical procedures without parental consent.
2:45 PM HB 324-FN, relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools.
3:30 PM HB 555-FN, relative to required holocaust and genocide study requirements for an adequate public education.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM HB 610-FN, relative to repealing the office of the consumer advocate.
11:00 AM CACR 1, relating to the governor. Providing that there be a lieutenant governor who shall assume the duties of the governor if the governor is incapacitated.
1:30 PM HB 161, changing the membership of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 201, LOB
11:30 AM HB 358, providing that a parent or legal guardian may claim an exemption from childhood immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief by providing a signed statement to that effect. The bill removes the statutory reference to a form used for such purpose.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9:00 AM HB 520, relative to authorizing hearing officers of the department of education to issue subpoenas.
9:30 AM HB 188, establishing criminal penalties and civil remedies for contempt of the general court.
10:15 AM HB 195, regulating the collection, retention, and use of personal information and establishes a cause of action for violations of an individual's expectation of privacy in personal information.
11:00 AM HB 522, establishing an expectation of privacy in personal information maintained by the state.
1:00 PM HCR 11, declaring the directives of the judicial branch in the Claremont cases that the legislative and executive branches define an “adequate education,” adopt “standards of accountability,” and “guarantee adequate funding” of a public education are not binding on the legislative and executive branches.
Coming up in the Senate
The full Senate will meet in session on Thursday, March 6 at 10 AM in the Senate Chamber.
On the Consent Calendar
ELECTION LAW
SB 105, enabling towns to adopt budget caps. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 223, providing for in-state tuition at any institution in the university system of New Hampshire or the community college system for any person who is registered to vote in this state. The bill also removes college or university identification cards from valid photo identification for obtaining a ballot. Re-referred to committee.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SB 226, suspending applications for new landfills and establishing a committee to study the feasibility of incinerating solid waste. Re-referred to committee.
SB 227, This bill requires certain tests and setbacks before the department of environmental services grants a landfill permit in New Hampshire. Re-referred to committee.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
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 OTP.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 36, requiring the collection and reporting of abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 123, requiring coverage of ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse under the state Medicaid plan. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 128, establishing the New Hampshire children's behavioral health association. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 129, relative to establishing an uncompensated health care fund to be administered by the department of insurance and assessed by a surcharge on commercial insurers, reinsurers, and trusts overseeing self-insured plans. Committee recommends ITL.
JUDICIARY
SB 289, adding procedures to govern the preservation of body-worn camera footage and its use in certain proceedings. Re-referred to committee.
On the Regular Calendar
CHILD AND FAMILY
SB 72, establishing a parents' bill of rights, what constitutes a violation of such rights, and a mechanism to notify parents of their rights. Committee recommends OTP-A.
EDUCATION
SB 100, repealing the provision of law classifying violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination as a violation of the educator code of conduct. Committee recommends OTP.
ELECTION LAW
SB 219, requiring the secretary of state to enter into a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center. Committee recommends ITL.
FINANCE
SB 71, providing 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. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 106, requiring large customer-generators participating in net energy metering to consume at least 20 percent of their own generation. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 114, making appropriations to the department of health and human services for the purpose of increasing community housing options for individuals suffering from mental illness. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 238, extending the ACEs pilot program for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 and making appropriations to the department of health and human services for this purpose. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 134, directing 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. 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 committee members here.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4
EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:15 AM SB 210, creating a study committee to study the issue of school bullying.
9:30 AM SB 211, requiring 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 creating a cause of action for athletes harmed as a result of violations of these requirements.
ELECTION LAW, Room 103, LOB
9:15 AM SB 214, allowing for no-excuse absentee registration and voting.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
9:30 AM SB 251, establishing a commission to study the delivery of public health services through regional public health networks and the continued development of coordinated responses to public health incidents and emergencies in New Hampshire
Recommendations
Are you a young person between the ages of 18-22? Join AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) 2025 cohort! This program is designed for young people from across the US who are engaged with AFSC’s programs and are interested in strengthening their social justice knowledge and organizing skills. Apply today!
Stay up to date on the NH state budget with the 2025 state budget webinar series hosted by the NH Fiscal Policy Institute. Watch the recording of their most recent overview of the Governor’s budget proposal here.
Share your experiences with the New Hampshire LGBTQ+ Coalition, supported by ACLU NH and New Hampshire Outright. This landscape assessment of the LGBTQ+ community in NH will help the coalition develop a deeper understanding of the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the state and to inform future actions and advocacy strategies. This anonymous survey is open to anyone who lives in New Hampshire and identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Find it here.
Upcoming Events
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The March 5 vigil will be at Pappas’ office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover. The March 12 vigil will be at Shaheen's office, 340 Central Avenue, 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 Visibility – 4 PM to 5 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main St. and Loudon Rd. 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!
Monday, March 3
An Update on the Fight to End Hunger with Rick Steves and Eugene Cho - 9 PM. Hosted by Bread for the World. Ten percent of humanity is hungry. That's much better than it used to be but not nearly good enough. Join us for updates on the fight to end world hunger: the good news, the bad news, and why this issue should matter and should be understood as a smart and practical investment for a stable world by American tax payers.
Tuesday, March 4
March FOURWARD - NH Call-In Event - 8 AM to 5 PM. Hosted by 50-50-1 NH. This is a call-in. The goal is to send an overwhelming message: We, The People, demand that our representatives fight for us, our country, and for democracy. We will be using 5calls.org where you can get the phone numbers and script for your messages. You are encouraged to call as many times in a row as possible and to get through to as many staff members as possible. We will have our voices heard and bolster our representatives courage to stand up for what is right!
Thursday, March 6
High School Voter Registration Workshop 2025 - 4 PM to 5:30 PM. Hosted by Open Democracy & The Civics Center. Join students, teachers, and volunteers across your state to help NH high school students register to vote before they graduate this spring! Across the country, The Civics Center consistently finds that when young people are registered to vote, they turn out at high rates. Open Democracy, in partnership with The Civics Center, has developed a program aimed at boosting NH high school voter registration. Learn how to encourage and empower students and educators to organize voter registration events for their schools!
From the American People: Why Foreign Aid Matters - 6:30 PM to 8 PM. Lake Sunapee United Methodist Church – 9 Lower Main St. Sunapee. Hosted by USAID Alumni Association. This forum will feature local retired senior Foreign Service officers—a former Ambassador and two former USAID country directors—who will share their perspectives based on years of service in countries worldwide.
Why I Don’t Have a Cellphone - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by the World Fellowship Center. Join a community conversation with NH Peace Action Board Chair and long-time activist Amy Antonucci exploring links between our personal choices and our broader activism. Amy came to activism through the UNH women’s studies program where she learned both that “the personal is political” and that real change comes when we work together and support each other. It’s been her goal to do both since then – walk her talk with her own individual choices while being involved in larger movements making systems change for us all.
Friday, March 7
March Advocacy Network Meeting - 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Hosted by Stay Work Play NH. Join a passionate group of volunteers who meet virtually from December through June. Each meeting features guest speakers, including policy experts and lawmakers, who provide valuable insights on the key issues impacting young people in New Hampshire. This month we’re diving into Momnibus 2.0 (SB 246)—a bipartisan bill introduced in the NH House and Senate to support moms and young families across the Granite State.
Advocacy 101 Full Day Training - 9 AM to 4 PM. 100 N Main St Fl 4, Concord. Hosted by New Futures. Join us for a full-day session in our office in Concord! Our in-person Advocacy 101 trainings provide an in-depth look into the NH state legislature and how a bill becomes a law followed by a tour of the state house! The day also includes a session on the power of a personal story and working sessions where you craft your advocacy message. Lunch is provided!
Detentions Facilitated by ICE Surveillance under the Trump Administration - 12:30 PM. Hosted by Community Justice Exchange. The number of arrests of individuals under some form of ICE surveillance (whether through formal ICE check-ins or through the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program/ISAP) has significantly increased since the start of the Trump Administration. Join us for a community conversation to: 1) share information about what we have learned from our conversations with dozens of groups about how these arrests have been carried out and what connections might exist between them. 2) Create space for groups to share what they are seeing on the ground and how they’re supporting community members under ICE surveillance. And 3) briefly go over the resource developed by CJE “When ICE is Watching: Know Your Fight, Protect Your People”.
Selma: A March to Remember - Community Film Screening - 7 PM. Hosted by Open Democracy. Join us for the showing of the 30-minute documentary Selma: A March to Remember and a discussion via Zoom as we honor this momentous event. The documentary focuses on personal accounts of the events of Bloody Sunday and the historic Selma-to-Montgomery March that followed. It features stories from those who were leaders in the movement and from every day people who witnessed an extraordinary time and place in history.
Sunday, March 9
Remembering Selma in NH: Past, Present & Future - 1 PM to 4 PM. St Raphael Parish – 103 Walker St. Manchester. Co-Hosted by Open Democracy, AFSC NH & additional partners. The events on the Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on "Bloody Sunday," March 7, 1965, were pivotal in the Civil Rights movement and in our nation’s history, galvanizing public opinion and mobilizing Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. Join us for a march and program to commemorate the 60th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday". Our keynote speaker will be Jason Green, Deputy Director of ACLU-NH. All are welcome!
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.
Wednesday, March 12
Lawsuits, Courts, and Executive Authority Webinar - 8 AM to 9 AM. Hosted by UNH Carsey School of Public Policy. Join UNH Constitutional Law Professor Daniel Pi to explore the judiciary’s evolving role in our constitutional framework and its power to check and constrain executive action. We'll discuss historical precedents illuminating how individuals’ and courts’ judicial philosophies may affect their opinions. Finally, we'll consider current lawsuits and how these cases fit into the broader story of checks and balances in American governance.
Community Advocacy Workshop- Behavioral Health - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by Capital Area Public Health Network. NHTI – 31 College Dr. Concord. Join us at the NHTI- Grappone 301 for an interactive workshop focused on learning about the legislative system and ways to advocate! Dinner will be provided and participants will receive a $40 Market Basket gift card and a copy of the New Futures Advocacy Handbook.
Solidarity 2025: Public School Strong Training Series - Winning Messages to Challenge the Billionaire Agenda - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by Heal Together. Solidarity 2025 is a training series equipping activist educators, school board members, students, parents, and allies to unite against attacks on public education outlined in Project 2025. This training series is part of the Public School Strong campaign and is designed to empower participants to advocate for students, schools, and communities at local school boards and beyond. Participants will gain critical insights into federal policy proposals, actionable strategies for mobilizing around shared values, and tools like model policies, school board resolutions, and organizing lessons.
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.
Tuesday, March 18
Understanding the NH Right-To-Know RSA 91a Law - 6 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by In Depth NH. Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2025, celebrates the importance of open government to citizens and journalists. On Tuesday, March 18, InDepthNH.org is holding an online seminar on the state’s Right-to-Know statute featuring a panel of experts. Gain an understanding of the statute and how it can be used to access government records. Learn how to file a written RTK request, what records are not subject to RTK, and pending legislation.
Wednesday, March 19
2025 Annual Disability Statistics Conference: Progress Ahead - 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Hosted by the Institute on Disability. Join this one-day hybrid event in Washington, DC and via Zoom we will be releasing the Annual Disability Statistics Collection, which fills critical gaps in national, state, and historic data related to people with disabilities by synthesizing complex data from numerous U.S. federal agencies into accessible formats. The Conference will also include two sessions addressing the latest in disability statistics, including survey methods and how disability statistics are used.
Saturday, March 22
Spring Into Summer Manchester School District - 9 AM to 1 PM. Beech Street School - 333 Beech St, Manchester. Hosted by Manchester Proud. Back for our second annual Spring into Summer resource fair! You and your family are invited to Spring into Summer, a resource fair connecting students and families to enriching summer activities and job opportunities.
NH Black & African Diaspora Community Gathering – 1 PM to 3 PM. Hosted by AFSC NH. Come together to share food, conversation, important information and critical resources. Connect with other Black and African people living in New Hampshire and share your projects, products and services with our community. Learn more about how to protect our rights and take effective action to advocate for ourselves and the people we love here in the US and in our home countries. Contact Grace Kindeke – gkindeke (at) afsc.org for more information.
Congolese Community of NH End the Genocide Presentation - 2 PM. Peterborough Town Library - 2 Concord Street, Peterborough. Hosted by Peterborough Town Library. Join F. Noel Sagna, Djems Kwembe, and Lois Numbi, as they shine a light on the genocide taking place in the Republic Democratic of Congo (DRC) and share ways we can raise our voices to end the violence.
Wednesday, March 26
Solidarity 2025: Public School Strong Training Series - Deep Canvassing to Build A Bigger We - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by Heal Together. Solidarity 2025 is a training series equipping activist educators, school board members, students, parents, and allies to unite against attacks on public education outlined in Project 2025. This training series is part of the Public School Strong campaign, and is designed to empower participants to advocate for students, schools, and communities at local school boards and beyond. Participants will gain critical insights into federal policy proposals, actionable strategies for mobilizing around shared values, and tools like model policies, school board resolutions, and organizing lessons.
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!