“I've had this underlying need to go to a place and meet people who are on the other end of the portion of my tax money that goes to fund the U.S. and other militaries.” - Rachel Corrie
Greetings State House Watchers,
We hope you enjoyed a happy Maple Weekend and a great St. Patrick’s Day!
Many of you made time for Town Meeting last week. Residents such as those in Pembroke made difficult choices between fully funding their public schools and other infrastructure, and keeping tax rates affordable. We feel the pressures locally when our state budgets fail to adequately invest in schools and other essentials.
President Biden was in the state on Monday; he spent some time meeting with NH Representative Wendy Thomas to talk about accountability for PFAS pollution (read more here), and he made a speech about lowering healthcare costs. He was introduced by Rose Keller, daughter of NH Consumer Advocate Don Kreis, and AFSC-NH Support Committee member Jennifer Keller. Well done, Rose!
Over the weekend, the greater Manchester NAACP celebrated 60 years in New Hampshire. Read more in this interview with NAACP President James McKim.
A belated shout out to the Dartmouth College men’s basketball team for organizing a union! The National Labor Relations Board certified the union last week, making it the first ever labor union for college athletes. Read more here. Speaking of unions, we have another opportunity to speak against “Right to Work” this year, when the Senate Commerce Committee takes up SB 516 for a public hearing on Tuesday. See more in our Action Alerts section.
The House and Senate had full voting days on March 14, with several negative results. Unfortunately the House failed to pass HB 1162, which would have repealed the divisive concepts law (read more here). And they failed to pass (and then indefinitely postponed) HB 1512, which would have limited school vouchers to the budgeted amounts.
We’re alarmed and disappointed that the House passed, by a slim majority, HB 1569, which will eliminate affidavits for voter identification. Read more at NH Bulletin: “The bill would require identification in order to vote – with no exceptions. If passed, the bill would prevent voters who show up to vote without identification from signing an affidavit attesting to their identity and domicile in order to do so. Those voters would need to return with identification or be barred from voting. Opponents of the bill argued that it would disenfranchise people who live in the state but do not have documentation to prove their citizenship. More than 2,000 people used affidavits to vote in the 2022 midterms, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire. Opponents to the bill noted that obtaining a birth certificate or a passport can take weeks and cost hundreds of dollars, which could prevent people from voting.” We recommend this op-ed by the ACLU’s Henry Klementowicz.
Thankfully, there was also some good news, including that the House passed HB 1311, which will establish a bipartisan approach to handling book challenges on a district level. And the House also passed HB 1054, relative to the Northern Border Alliance Program fund. This bill lapses the northern border alliance fund and ends its continuous appropriation to the department of safety. We’ll be advocating that the Senate do the same.
We are moved and grateful for the dedicated labor of Representative Art Ellison, a fierce defender of public education who is currently in hospice care. He calls on his fellow legislators to “feed the kids,” by passing HB 1212 to expand the eligibility for free and reduced school lunches.
The NH Council of Churches is hiring! Are you, or do you know, a good candidate for interim Executive Director? Read more here.
NH Youth Movement is hiring too! Help them to find their next Field Director.
ACTION ALERTS
Track Hate Crimes in NH
SUPPORT SB 315-FN-L, relative to law enforcement agency reporting on information concerning bias crimes. This bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP-A. The full Senate will vote on this bill on March 21. Please contact your own Senator and encourage them to pass this bill. A similar bill in the House (HB 1462) has been referred to interim study.
Protect Tenants
OPPOSE HB 1115, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. This bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of ITL by a vote of 12-8. The full House will vote on this bill on March 21. Please urge your Representatives to defeat this bill.
Protect Workers
OPPOSE SB 516-FN, relative to prohibiting collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join a labor union. This anti-worker bill has a public hearing in Senate Commerce, Room 100, SH on Tuesday, March 19 at 9:15 AM. Join us for a visibility on Tuesday, March 19 from 8 AM to 9 AM in front of the State House (107 N Main Street, Concord, NH). Please also contact the committee, and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Protect Immigrant Communities
SUPPORT HB 1528, relative to reporting by the northern border alliance program. This bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP-A. The full House will vote on this bill on March 21. Please encourage your Representatives to pass this bill.
OPPOSE HB 1347, relative to administration of the New Hampshire refugee resettlement program. This misguided bill attempts to divert resources away from refugee resettlement. It comes out of committee with a recommendation for Interim Study. The full House will vote on this bill on March 21. Please urge your Representatives to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 358, relative to invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. This anti-immigrant bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP. The full Senate will vote on this bill on March 21. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
Support Public Education
SUPPORT HR 30, urging a robust climate education in schools including current environmental and economic information. This bill has come out of committee without recommendation. The full House will vote on this bill on March 21. Please encourage your Representatives to pass this bill.
Protect LGBTQIA+ Communities
OPPOSE HB 1205, relative to women’s school sports. This is an anti-trans bill, which will be voted on in the House on March 21. Please encourage your Representatives to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE HB 1664, relative to legal remedies for individuals who receive medical de-transitioning. This harmful bill would make it legally risky for providers to practice gender transition related healthcare by creating a separate cause of action that treats gender affirming care as medical malpractice. This bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of ITL. The full House will vote on this bill on March 21. Please encourage your Representatives to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 341, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This harmful forced outing bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP-A. The full Senate will vote on this bill on March 21. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
Protect Voting Rights
SUPPORT HB 463, relative to the establishment of an election information portal. The bill had a public hearing in Senate Election Law on March 12 but has not been exec’d yet. Please contact the committee and urge them to support this bill.
Protect Reproductive Rights
OPPOSE SB 573, relative to parental consent for medical care which would prohibit teenagers from accessing a broad range of health care – including contraception – without parental consent. New Hampshire law has long allowed for broad access to health care for young people without unnecessary barriers. Sign the action alert from PPNHA here and contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill when it comes to the full Senate.
Ceasefire Now
We are grateful to the 460+ rabbis, cantors and rabbinical students – including Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman from Portsmouth, Rabbi Beth Davidson from Manchester, and Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett from Nashua - who signed this letter urging President Biden to work for an end to the war in Gaza: “Our hearts are broken by the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza — the majority of whom are women and children who bear no responsibility for Hamas’s crimes. The IDF’s extensive bombing campaign has destroyed over 60% of Gaza’s buildings, hundreds of thousands of residents of Gaza are at risk of starvation, and disease runs rampant. Without an immediate influx of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and the restored operation of hospital and sanitation facilities, we fear the population could be decimated…. We look to you for the swift, courageous leadership required to pressure all parties to reach a ceasefire, before more innocent lives are lost.”
Immigration News
Lawmakers are currently debating a bipartisan border security bill that would give the President sweeping authority to shut down the border at any time a certain threshold is met. The measure would also include funding for additional border patrol agents, immigration judges, asylum officers and high-tech machines to detect fentanyl. With the March 22 federal funding deadline approaching quickly, negotiations also continue on a package of DHS spending bills that could see these national and border security measures added on. Read more here.
It is demoralizing that President Biden has abandoned his promises to immigrant communities and refuses to put forward or support meaningful pathways to protect entry or expand citizenship for undocumented people.
Ironically, projection data from the Congressional Budget Office has “flagged rising net immigration as mainly responsible for a forecast 5.2 million increase in the workforce over the next 10 years -- adding some $7 trillion to economic output and $1 trillion to tax revenue.” Read more here. Migrating people strengthen our communities and contribute positively to the social and economic fabric of our nation. The racist and xenophobic narratives that underpin enforcement and detention policy choices must be challenged by the fact that we are stronger together when life-giving programs are fully funded.
It is not too late to contact our Members of Congress to urge them to negotiate from a place of strength and compassion, with the backing of our communities who have been calling for policies that enable people to regularize their status and reunite with family and loved ones. Our leaders must decrease funding to ICE and CBP and support policies that create a humane and orderly immigration system.
Join us on March 26 at 7 PM for Stopping the Militarization of Border Communities to hear from Grace Kindeke with the New Hampshire Program and Pedro Rios with the US Mexico Border Program about AFSC's longstanding work to stop the militarization of border communities. We will offer information about conditions under militarized approaches, the dramatic differences between the Mexico and Canadian borderlands, and our vision to ensure that migrants and immigrants are treated with dignity and respect.
Save the date for these upcoming virtual events for AFSC’s “Protecting Immigrant Rights in an Election Year” webinar series to learn more about how our immigration system works and what we can do to protect and advance the rights of migrants.
April 23 – Detention & Deportation
May 28 – Employment & Worker Rights
June 25 – Hard Conversations
Last Week at the State House
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.
VV – Voice vote. Votes are not counted.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
DV – Division vote. Votes are counted but not attributed to individual legislators.
Last week in the House
The full House met in session on Thursday, March 14. Here are the outcomes for the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1012, exempting from criminal penalty certain parenting decisions intended to encourage a child's independence and freedom. This bill establishes an exemption from prosecution for child endangerment if the individual's actions were based on certain parenting decisions. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1021, relative to body-worn cameras and exculpatory evidence. This bill makes changes to which individuals are allowed access to police body-worn camera (BWC) footage by allowing criminal defendants greater access. This bill further repeals the requirements that officers only use BWCs while in uniform and that they not use the BWC to record communications with other police personnel. ITL by VV.
HB 1270, relative to protective custody statutes. This bill amends the procedures that peace officers are to follow when they encounter someone who is both intoxicated and incapacitated by either alcohol or drugs. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1319, relative to prohibiting the nonconsensual dissemination of synthetic sexual images. This bill amends the crime of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images to include certain synthetic sexual images. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1500, relative to prohibiting the unlawful distribution of misleading synthetic media. This bill establishes the crimes of unlawful distribution of misleading synthetic media and unlawful distribution of election-related misleading synthetic media. Referred to interim study.
ELECTION LAW
HB 1133, relative to enabling Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters to email back completed ballots. This bill enables UOCAVA votes to return completed ballots electronically. ITL by VV.
HB 1381, relative to required training on election procedures. This bill requires the secretary of state to provide training on election procedures. ITL by VV.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 1609, relative to the commission on the primary care workforce and the state office of rural health. This bill extends the commission on the primary care workforce. The bill also directs the office of professional licensure and certification to provide certain licensure information regarding the primary care workforce to the department of health and human services, state office of rural health. OTP-A by VV.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CHILDCARE
HB 1407, relative to child care staffing ratios. This bill establishes maximum class size and minimum staff levels for child day care programs. OTP-A by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1204, relative to government agent entries into secured premises. This bill establishes requirements for when a government agent may enter a secured premises without a warrant. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1276, relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors. This bill amends the prohibition against carrying or selling a blackjack, slingshot, or metallic knuckles to prohibit sale to or possession of the said items by those under 18 years of age. OTP by VV.
HB 1336, relative to employees' firearms in locked vehicles. This bill prohibits employers from inquiring into, searching for, or banning employee's storage of firearms or ammunition in their locked vehicles and provides civil immunity to employers for any economic loss, injury, or death that results from an employer's adherence to this law. Laid on table.
EDUCATION
HB 1108, relative to establishing a committee to study the role of colleges and universities in contributing to the student loan crisis. This bill establishes a committee to study the role of colleges and universities in contributing to the student loan crisis. ITL by DV (231-143).
HB 1162, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. This 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. The bill also repeals provisions of the law relating to the right to freedom from discrimination in public workplaces and education. Indefinitely postponed by RC (192-183).
HB 1305, relative to freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education. This bill establishes procedures governing freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education. OTP-A by RC (206-169).
HB 1311, relative to school district collection development and reconsideration policies. This bill requires school boards to adopt policies governing library media collections and the reconsideration of library materials. OTP-A by RC (194-180).
HB 1312, requiring parental notification of student health or well-being and certain curricula by school districts. This bill expands notice requirements by school districts to parents for certain curriculum course material and prohibits school districts from adopting policies that prohibit employees from notifying parents about students' well-being. Without recommendation from committee. OTP-A by RC (186-185).
HB 1512, limiting education freedom account funding to budgeted amounts. This bill limits the amounts of funds appropriated from the education trust fund to the education freedom account program to budgeted sums. Indefinitely postponed by RC (187-185).
HB 1594, establishing an annual review and qualification to determine eligibility to participate in the education freedom accounts program. Indefinitely postponed by RC (189-184).
HB 1671, relative to the complaint process for teaching discrimination and allowing educators and school officials a right of action for damages and costs for false accusations. This bill provides that complaints for teaching discrimination first be made to the local school board and are appealed to the state board of education. The bill also allows educators or other school employees falsely accused of teaching discrimination to initiate a civil action for legal or equitable relief. ITL by VV.
ELECTION LAW
CACR 19, establishing an independent redistricting commission to draw the boundaries for state and federal elections. OTP-A by DV (186-189).
HB 1146, relative to the removal of a voter from the checklist. This bill creates a procedure to remove a voter from the checklist upon the person's request. OTP by DV (186-183).
HB 1310, relative to meetings of supervisors of the checklist. This bill requires the supervisors of the checklist to meet every 90 days. OTP by DV (188-187).
HB 1364, relative to intimidation of election officers, improper influence over the electoral process, and tampering with electronic ballot counting devices. This bill makes it a crime to intimidate election officers, to improperly influence the electoral process, and to tamper with electronic ballot counting devices. Indefinitely postponed by RC (189-184).
HB 1369, relative to the verification of voter rolls every 4 years. This bill increases the verification of voter rolls by the supervisors of the checklist to every 4 years. OTP by RC (191-181).
HB 1557, requiring the secretary of state to enter into a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center. This bill requires the secretary of state to enter into a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center. Indefinitely postponed by RC (189-185).
HB 1569, relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions. This bill removes any exceptions for proving voter identification. This bill also removes the voter affidavits as proof of identification and repeals the procedures for affidavit ballots. OTP by DV (189-185).
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 1252, relative to establishing a committee to study the needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire. This bill establishes a committee to review the needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire and to review the duties, activities, and composition of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs. OTP by VV.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1231, permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. This bill permits qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. OTP-A by RC (294-66).
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT
HB 1326, relative to notification processes for large groundwater withdrawal applications. This bill requires notice of a public meeting requested during the consideration of an application for a large groundwater withdrawal. ITL by VV.
STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
HB 1156, relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty. This bill provides that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization shall have no jurisdiction in New Hampshire. Laid on table by DV (186-185).
HR 23, calling upon the New Hampshire congressional delegation to support a national, universal health insurance program. ITL by RC (192-179).
HR 26, urging Congress to adopt a constitutional amendment to distinguish between corporate and individual rights. This house resolution urges Congress to adopt a constitutional amendment to regulate political contributions. ITL by RC (194-179).
HR 27, 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. This bill calls for policymakers to fully consider all relevant information and factors pertaining to climate change as climate policy is developed. Laid on table by DV (187-185).
HCR 9, rescinding the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 40 passed on May 31, 2012 which is an application to the congress of the United States of America to call a convention pursuant to the terms of Article V of the United States Constitution. OTP by VV.
WAYS AND MEANS
CACR 15, providing that a 2/3 vote of the house of representatives and the senate shall be required to pass a new tax or license fee or to increase any tax or license fee that has been levied, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds. OTP by RC (183-185).
HB 1054, relative to the Northern Border Alliance Program fund. This bill lapses the northern border alliance fund and ends its continuous appropriation to the department of safety. OTP by DV (188-180).
HB 1536, relative to increasing the amount of the expense deduction allowed against the business profits tax. This bill increases the amount of the section 179 expense deduction permitted against the business profits tax. OTP by DV (272-89).
Last week in the Senate
The full Senate did not meet in session last week.
Next week in the House
The full House will meet in session on Thursday, March 21 starting at 10 AM. You can watch here.
On the Consent Calendar
CHILD AND FAMILY
HB 1269, relative to the use of child restraints in schools. This bill requires video and audio monitoring and recording of restraint and seclusion incidents if recording is included within a student's individualized education program and requires parental notification prior to the use of seclusion or restraints if practicable. Committee refers to interim study.
EDUCATION
HB 1418, relative to the use of education freedom account funds to purchase school uniforms. This bill prohibits the use of education freedom account funds to purchase school uniforms. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 19-1.
HB 1458, relative to authorizing parents to remove children from the English Language Learner Program. This bill allows parents to remove their children from the English language learner (ELL) program, automatically removes them if they have not received ELL services in the last 2 years, and puts the burden on the local school district to appeal removals. Committee refers to interim study.
HB 1610, relative to standardized assessment data for participants in education freedom accounts. This bill requires all students to participate in standardized statewide assessments. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1625, relative to school health services. This bill requires school nurses to be licensed by the board of nursing and removes the requirement that they be certified by the state board of education. Committee refers to interim study.
HB 1691, relative to the definition of an adequate public education. This bill revises the areas composing the substantive educational content of an adequate education. Committee refers to interim study.
ELECTION LAW
CACR 26, election reform and ballot reconciliation. This concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment provides for comprehensive election reform to include provisions and penalties in regard to ballot reconciliation, access, retention, polling location limits, poll workers, allowance of registered voters for post-election ballot viewing, ballot lot and voting documentation viewing, and scanning and recording photographically during citizen audits. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1085, relative to public inspection of absentee ballot lists. This bill requires that town and city clerks make absentee ballot voter lists available for public inspection and requires the secretary of state to report on absentee ballots information. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1010, relative to expanding maternity options and midwifery access. This bill provides that the midwifery council shall not adopt rules limiting care by a midwife based on the patient being pregnant with multiple fetuses, malpresentation of the fetus, the number of prior cesarean sections, or distance from a hospital. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 18-0/
HB 1028, relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of the New Hampshire mental health services system. This bill revises the definition of mental illness for purposes of the mental health services system to remove the exclusion of intellectual disability and provides that an individual shall not be deemed ineligible for mental health services due to a co-occurrence of mental illness and intellectual disability. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 20-0.
JUDICIARY
HB 1368, prohibiting termination of a tenancy based on a tenant's failure to pay rent that was increased by certain price fixing programs. This bill prohibits evictions based upon certain vertical price fixing programs used by landlords. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1432-FN, relative to prohibiting certain uses of artificial intelligence and creating a private claim of action. OTP-A by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1497, restricting trial courts in criminal matters from imposing certain sentences following a plea bargain. This bill requires trial courts in all criminal matters to impose a sentence that does not exceed a length of incarceration by more than 10 percent of the incarceration length contemplated in the most recent plea bargain accepted by the defendant. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 19-1.
HB 1602, relative to the authority of the housing appeals board. This bill expands the scope of the review of the housing appeals board. Committee refers to interim study.
HB 1640-FN, relative to qualified immunity standards. This bill establishes standards and procedures for claims against the state for alleged violations of constitutional rights by government employees. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
LABOR
HB 1110, relative to requiring certain employers to use the federal E-Verify system of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This bill requires employers with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify system of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION
HB 1080, relative to the legislative youth advisory council. This bill refines existing practices and procedures of the legislative youth advisory council. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 16-0.
HB 1388, relative to recusal by members of the general court for conflicts of interest. This bill defines "conflict of interest" and makes provisions for the recusal of members of the general court for conflicts of interest. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 16-0.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 1124, relative to limiting conflicts of interest and excessive concentration of power for municipal board and committee members. This bill limits conflicts of interest and excessive concentration of power for municipal board and committee members. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 20-0.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CHILDCARE
HB 1056, relative to administration of the child care scholarship program. This bill directs the department of health and human services to prioritize applications by child care employees for child care scholarships. The bill also provides that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and prohibits waiting periods for reapplication following an application denial. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 9-0.
HB 1567-FN, relative to zoning provisions concerning family and group family child care uses. This bill generally requires family and group family child care programs to be allowed as an accessory use to any primary residential use under local zoning and planning regulations. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 10-0.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 1193, relative to the establishment of a child care tax credit program. This bill provides employers with a child care tax credit against the business profits tax and the business enterprise tax. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1514, relative to excess funds paid to municipalities for the use of school districts. This bill requires municipalities to remit any excess statewide education property tax to the state for deposit in the general fund. Committee refers to interim study.
HB 1563, relative to the education property tax and the authority of political subdivisions. This bill replaces the statewide education property tax with a property tax contribution from political subdivisions based on the state education property tax warrant issued for the tax year beginning April 1, 2024. The bill also restores statutory authority for the determination of education grants for municipalities that tuition students to other institutions. Committee refers to interim study.
HB 1613, establishing a trust fund for money from soil and water environmental contamination court settlements. This bill establishes a trust fund for money from soil and water environmental contamination court settlements. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 18-0.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1528, relative to reporting by the northern border alliance program. This bill requires the semi-annual report issued by the northern border alliance program to include additional reporting statistics. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 19-1.
EDUCATION
HB 1205, relative to women's school sports. This bill requires schools to designate athletics by sex and prohibits biological males from participating in female athletics. This bill further creates various causes of action based on violations of the provisions in the bill. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1650, relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation. This bill requires all alternative learning programs for granting credit leading to graduation to comply with state and federal anti-discrimination laws and establishes a committee to evaluate applications for alternative programs. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1654, relative to review of education freedom account service providers. This bill requires the state board of education to annually review education freedom account service providers for continued compliance with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws. Without recommendation from committee.
HR 30, urging a robust climate education in schools including current environmental and economic information. Without recommendation from committee.
ELECTION LAW
HB 1074, relative to campaign contributions by limited liability companies. This bill requires that a political contribution by a limited liability company be allocated to members for purposes of determining whether a member has exceeded the contribution limits. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1099, relative to partisan school district elections. This bill enables school districts to adopt partisan elections. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1119, relative to absentee ballots. This bill makes provisions for procuring an absentee ballot during a weather emergency. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 19-1.
HB 1147, relative to permissible campaign contributions by business organizations and labor unions. This bill requires business organizations and labor unions to make political contributions through segregated funds. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1149, relative to domicile residency, voter registration, investigation of voter verification letters, and relative to the terms "resident," "inhabitant," "residence," and "residency." This bill modifies the definition of domicile for voting purposes, modifies forms and procedures used for voter registration, and removes the requirement that the secretary of state conduct post-election voter registration inquiries. This bill also amends the general statutory definitions of "resident or inhabitant" and "residence or residency" to include an intent to maintain a principal place of physical presence for the indefinite future. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1264, relative to the penalty for failure to file school expenditure reports, and relative to certain adequacy grants. This bill removes the requirement that public academies file financial reports with the department of education. The bill also inserts a provision for adequacy grants for school districts that tuition their students. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 20-0.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 1335, removing Columbus Day as a holiday. This bill removes Columbus Day as a holiday. Committee recommends ITL.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1347, relative to administration of the New Hampshire refugee resettlement program. This bill requires that department of health and human services funds under the refugee resettlement program shall first be fully expended to provide for the state's efforts to support the social determinants of health for United States citizens. Committee recommends interim study.
HB 1683, relative to coverage of circumcision under the state Medicaid plan. This bill provides that the state Medicaid plan shall not include circumcision unless the child has a specific diagnosis for which the procedure is determined to be medically necessary. Committee recommends OTP-A.
JUDICIARY
HB 1002, relative to fees for records under the right-to-know law. This bill establishes parameters for when a public body may charge a fee for records provided under RSA 91-A. Committee refers to interim study.
HB 1115, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. This bill adds the expiration of the term of the lease or tenancy if over 6 months as grounds for an eviction. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 12-8.
HB 1283, relative to end of life options. This bill establishes a procedure for an individual with terminal illness to receive medical assistance in dying through the self administration of medication. The bill establishes criteria for the prescription of such medication and establishes reporting requirements and penalties for misuse or noncompliance. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 13-7.
HB 1353, relative to authorizing the commissioner of the department of education to issue subpoenas. This bill authorizes the commissioner of the department of education to issue subpoenas. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1664 relative to legal remedies for individuals who receive medical detransitioning. This bill establishes standards for a cause of action to recover damages for injury caused by gender transition surgery, administration of puberty blocking drugs, and/or the administration of cross-sex hormones, and provides other related definitional changes. Committee recommends ITL by vote of 12-8.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL, AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
HB 1246, relative to allowing for payment of wages in gold or silver. This bill allows employers to pay the weekly or biweekly wages due to employees in gold or silver. Committee recommends ITL by vote of 11-9.
HB 1648 relative to electronic payments to employees debit cards. This bill clarifies the obligations of employers using employee debit cards for payment of wages. Committee recommends ITL by vote of 20-0.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 1210, relative to the election of Strafford county commissioners. This bill changes how county commissioners are elected in Strafford County and provides that all county commissioners shall be elected at large. Without recommendation from committee.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 1611, relative to establishing a child care workforce fund. Committee recommends ITL by vote of 10-8.
Next Week in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committees here.
Tuesday, March 19
ELECTION LAW Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM SB 489-FN, relative to election audits.
10:20 AM SB 535, relative to absentee ballot forms.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
9:30 AM SB 303-FN, relative to the use of renewable energy funds by the department of energy.
10:00 AM SB 388-FN, relative to administration of utilities by the department of energy.
Wednesday, March 20
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Room 202-204, LOB
11:00 AM SB 376, relative to establishing a corrections education and vocational planning group.
1 PM SB 248-FN, relative to bail for a defendant.
1:30 PM SB 414-FN, relative to establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.
2:00 PM SB 415-FN, relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses.
2:30 PM SB 316-FN, establishing a penalty for a person who transports fentanyl class drugs into New Hampshire with the intent to distribute.
Next week in the Senate
The full Senate will meet in session on Thursday, March 21 starting at 10 AM. You can watch here.
On the Consent Calendar
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SB 386, relative to establishing a committee to study power generation, transmission, distribution, and storage. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 309, relative to the vesting period for members of the state retirement system. This bill changes the vesting period for retirement system benefits from 10 years to 5 years. Committee recommends OTP by VV.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 403, relative to health care workforce investments. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
SB 407-FN, relative to direct pay for ambulance services. Committee recommends OTP-A.
JUDICIARY
SB 315, relative to law enforcement agency reporting on information concerning bias crimes. This bill requires a law enforcement agency operating within New Hampshire to collect and report information concerning bias crimes as prescribed by the division of state police. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
SB 416, relative to the penalties for certain driving offenses while released on bail for certain offenses. This bill allows for enhanced charges for certain driving offenses that were committed while released on bail or summons for certain offenses. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
SB 424, relative to reductions of maximum sentences while on parole. This bill requires the supervising probation/parole officer to conduct an annual review of his or her parole caseload to identify and present parolees to the adult parole board for reduction of the parolee's maximum sentence and provides additional factors for the parole board to consider when determining whether to grant a reduction of a parolee's maximum sentence. Committee recommends OTP by VV.
SB 501, relative to driver licenses for noncitizens residing in New Hampshire. This bill authorizes the department of motor vehicles to issue driver's licenses to noncitizens lawfully present in the United States. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 568, relative to licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire. This bill removes the requirement of proof of vehicle operation in a foreign country for a temporary alien's drivers' license. Committee recommends ITL by VV.
SB 578, relative to criminal pre-trial services and monitoring. This bill prohibits criminal defendants on pre-trial release from being required to pay for pre-trial services or monitoring, including electronic monitoring, with the cost instead to be paid by the court where the defendant is charged or through appropriations to the agency performing the pretrial services and monitoring. This bill further requires the agency performing the pretrial services and monitoring to use the least restrictive interventions that are necessary unless otherwise ordered by the court. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
SB 605, relative to ethical standards for members of the general court. This bill defines "organization" for the purpose of determining the ethical duties of members of the general court. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
COMMERCE
SB 308, relative to the state minimum hourly rate. This bill provides for increases in the minimum hourly rate. Committee recommends ITL by VV.
SB 517, relative to the employment status of university students working in educational programs. This bill adds university students working in educational programs to the definition of employee. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
EDUCATION
SB 341, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This bill requires all school employees to respond honestly and completely to written requests by parents regarding information relating to their children. Committee recommends OTP-A by VV.
SB 522, relative to establishing an early childhood education scholarship account and making an appropriation therefor. This bill requires rulemaking by the department of health and human services on child care early education and establishes an early childhood education account program to provide funds for an education freedom accounts scholarship organization to administer grants to eligible New Hampshire pre-kindergarten children for qualifying expenses. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 525, relative to administration of the education freedom accounts program. This bill changes income eligibility and reporting requirements for the education freedom account program and modifies the program's administration and oversight. Committee recommends ITL by VV.
ELECTION LAW
SB 383, relative to local tax caps. This bill creates an additional adjustment to local tax caps based on inflation and population changes. The bill also establishes procedures for adoption of a budget cap by school districts. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 384, relative to a municipal loan and grant program for rental housing and making an appropriation therefor. This bill directs the department of business and economic affairs to establish a median income rental housing program and makes an appropriation to the InvestNH fund for this purpose. Committee recommends interim study.
SB 536, enabling no-excuse absentee registration and voting. This bill allows for no-excuse absentee registration and voting. Committee recommends ITL by VV.
FINANCE
SB 321, relative to the release of a defendant pending trial. This bill revises the standard for release of a defendant pending trial following multiple failures to appear. Committee recommends OTP by VV.
SB 409-FN, relative to reimbursement for ambulance services under the state Medicaid plan. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 476, making a capital appropriation to the department of corrections toward the replacement of the New Hampshire state prison for men. This bill makes a bonded appropriation of funds for architectural, engineering, programming, and design and construction documents for the New Hampshire state prison for men. Committee recommends OTP by VV.
JUDICIARY
SB 358, relative to invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. Committee recommends OTP by VV.
Next Week in Senate Committees
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committees.
Tuesday, March 19
COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
9:15 AM SB 516-FN, relative to prohibiting collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join a labor union.
EDUCATION Room 101, LOB
9:45 AM HB 1048, relative to the commission on Holocaust and genocide education.
10:00 AM HB 1066, relative to the graduation requirement of filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS Room 103, LOB
9:50 AM HB 1105-FN-L, relative to application of a local tax cap.
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:00 PM SB 593, relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.
1:45 PM HB 314-FN, relative to the expectation of privacy in the collection and use of personal information.
2:00 PM HB 1260-FN, relative to the criminal penalty for violations of privacy involving minors.
2:15 PM HB 470-FN, relative to fentanyl test strips and other drug checking equipment.
Wednesday, March 20
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM HB 1451-FN, relative to mandatory overtime and the calculation of base rate of compensation.
9:15 AM HB 1292-FN, relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan
Upcoming Events & Actions
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire now! Humanitarian access to Gaza! No tax dollars for war crimes! – Join us from 2 PM to 3 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action, AFSC & interfaith partners.
March 20: Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Dover District Office, 340 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. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
Surveillance, Criminalization, and Punishment (Spring 2024 Speaker Series) - 4:30 PM. Hosted by Harvard Kennedy School. Will modern surveillance, AI, predictive policing, facial recognition, and more shrink the criminal legal system’s footprint or expand criminalization into new domains? On balance, will new technology improve our flawed systems or entrench existing and new harms? We’ll be joined by academics, practitioners, and impacted community members to unpack cutting-edge technological advancements in criminalization and punishment—exploring improvements to the administration of justice and the reproduction of hierarchies of control and domination.
April 10 - Digitally Mapping Social Networks: RICO, Electronic Monitoring, and Surveillance of Gangs and Protest Movements
April 17 - New Terrain for Surveillance in Prisons: Wearable Monitoring, Tablets, and Technological Limits on Human Contact
May 8 - Toward Data Justice: Countermobilization and Community Control
Tuesday, March 19
Introduction to Deep Canvassing: The Proven Method to Change Hearts & Minds - 6 PM. Hosted by People’s Action. Are you an organizer, community leader, or activist looking to engage with your community around deeply polarizing issues? Are you an individual hoping to understand how to have compassionate, non-judgmental conversations across lines of difference? Join The Deep Canvass Institute to learn more about deep canvassing; what it is, how it’s used and why it works.
State House 101 - 7 PM. Hosted by 603 Forward. Have you ever considered running for stat office? We'll take you through what to expect as a potential State Representative and why this role is so important. We'll also feature a panel of young elected leaders to talk about their experience serving as a State Representative.
Wednesday, March 20
Remaking the Economy: A Policy Vison from the Movement for Black Lives - 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Hosted by NPQ & M4BL. What are the economic policies the nation needs to build thriving communities in which Black Americans can thrive? As Amara Enyia wrote in the introduction to a recent NPQ series on The Vision for Black Lives: An Economic Policy Agenda, “the Black radical tradition has long been clear on the importance of economic justice. "This webinar conversation builds on the articles in that series, taking a deep look at what the elements of that agenda look like, from a range of contributors.
Town of Bedford Housing Forum - 6 PM to 8 PM. McAllaster Room, Bedford Public Library – 3 Meetinghouse Rd. Bedford. Hosted by Town of Bedford. Join us for a Housing Forum on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 6 - 8 pm in the McAllaster Room at the Bedford Public Library. Come hear what has been learned about housing needs in Bedford, and the regulatory changes being considered.
Film Showing: "Gaza the Killing Zone" & "A Child of Gaza" - 7 PM. Red River Theater, 11 S. Main St. Concord. Hosted by NH Palestine Education Network, NH Peace Action Education Fund and NH Peace Action. Join us for 2 short films: “Gaza, The Killing Zone”: Israel’s hard-line policy may be aimed only at Palestinian militants, but very often it’s innocent civilians who end up literally caught in the crossfire. This documentary reports on the violence in the Occupied Territories, focusing on the plight of children who are constantly threatened by Israeli snipers, military rockets, and army bulldozers. “A Child of Gaza: The War Through a Child's Eyes”: Under Israeli bombardment, nine-year-old Elaf and her family struggle to find safety in the Gaza Strip.
Finding Your Story in the Climate Movement – 10 AM to 12 PM. Hosted by 350 NH. In person, Concord, we will send you the address when you RSVP. We're calling this a training series but really what we want is to bring all of our community members together so we can make a greater impact on the climate justice issues we face. Join us for a community gathering to talk about how to find your place in the climate movement and how to tell your story to make change! Join us for a morning of conversation, learning, and community.
Monday, March 25
Peace & Justice Conversations: NHPA Update - 7 PM Hosted by NH Peace Action. NH Peace Action has gone through a major transition and is now entering a new phase. We'd love to talk with you about it and tell you what we think and hear from you. You’ll get the chance to meet NH Peace Action's new director, Tim and hear about our recent work and about our plans going forward. We're facing many critical issues and conflicts in our world. There will be extra time for conversation and Q&A in this program.
Tuesday, March 26
Stopping the Militarization of Border Communities - 7 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC to hear from our New Hampshire and US Mexico Border Programs about AFSC's longstanding work to stop the militarization of borders. We will offer information about conditions under militarized approaches, the dramatic differences between the Mexico and Canadian borderlands, and our vision to ensure that migrants and immigrants are treated with dignity and respect.
Wednesday, March 27
NH Listens: Advanced Facilitator Training - 12 PM to 2:30 PM. Hosted by NH Listens. Many of us are trained to remain neutral when we serve as facilitators. However, that doesn't mean we are passive in the face of bias and misunderstandings. This workshop helps enhance confidence to remain neutral, productively address issues, encourage, and constructively move the conversation.
Thursday, March 28 to Saturday, March 30
Stop the Stigma Conference - Hosted by Project Aim. Virtual and in person at Southern NH University. Stop the Stigma is a free conference brought to you by Project AIM, an initiative at SNHU with the mission to provide an educational pathway for incarcerated learners. Organized completely by current SNHU students, our goal is to spread awareness to the community at large on the challenges faced by justice impacted individuals. The conference provides a space to discuss issues related to transportation, employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
Monday, April 1
Manchester Housing Alliance Meeting - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by Rights & Democracy. Once Monthly, we meet to discuss local housing policies to make sure that Manchester is a place everybody can afford to live. Join to find out how to get involved at the local level to push Manchester elected officials to take action on the Housing crisis.
Friday, April 5
Advocacy Committee Meeting - 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Hosted by Stay Work Play. From the closure of maternity wards and threats to reproductive care to lack of access to mental health services, healthcare availability can significantly influence the decisions of young people when choosing where to live. Speaking to New Hampshire's healthcare landscape and the public policies that affect it, Dartmouth Health Senior Director of Government Relations Courtney Tanner will be the featured speaker.
Wednesday, April 10
NH Listens Local Lunch Box: Facilitating Through Conflict - 12 PM to 12:45 PM. Hosted by NH Listens. Join us for a 45-minute informative and interactive session aimed at sharing bite-sized tips and resources from our toolbox for community engagement and facilitation. The role of a facilitator in many spaces is to support the group in working with and moving through conflict.
Friday, April 12
A Conversation with Jose Antonio Vargas - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by AFSC. AFSC is delighted to host Jose Antonio Vargas as our keynote speaker for the 2024 Corporation Program. Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Tony-nominated theatrical producer, and a leading voice for the human rights of immigrants.
Saturday, April 13
“The Movement and the ‘Madman” Film Screening & Panel Discussion - 6 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Saturday, April 20
4th Annual BLM New Hampshire Excellence Awards - 5 PM to 8 PM. Currier Museum - 150 Ash St, Manchester. Hosted by BLM NH. Join us for our 4th Annual BLM New Hampshire Excellence Awards. We will be honoring Black, Indigenous and Person of Color community members older than 14 years old from all walks of life; artists, educators, activists, entrepreneurs, inventors, musicians, students, etc., that have made contributions to benefit New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts!
Sunday, April 21
Envisioning the Future Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks 2024: A New Deal for a Great Society - Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH in Portsmouth, Keene, Nashua. Registration is open for the 2024 annual Elinor William Hooker Tea Talks. This year's program will explore how two federal programs geared toward building a more just society -- Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" and Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" -- played out in New Hampshire. We will ask what impact these programs had on our state and what happens now when changing demographics meet programs designed during the New Deal and Great Society. February talks will be held in Portsmouth, the March talk in Keene, and the April talk in Nashua.
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. Subscribe today to receive State House Watch news every week!
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. Read our 2023 highlights here. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
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