State House Watch: May 11, 2025

“The systems responsible for our oppression cannot be the same systems responsible for our liberation.” – Derecka Purnell, Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom

Greetings, State House Watchers, 

On this Mother’s Day, we’re thankful for all who nurture and protect others so that they can grow and thrive. We send love and strength to the mothers in Palestine, the mothers of hostages and political prisoners, immigrant mothers, incarcerated mothers, the mothers of transgender children, mothers whose labor keeps the lights on and the family fed, and all mothers in the struggle for justice and peace. Our hearts break for RowVaughn Wells, mother of Tyre Nichols who was murdered by police, and who saw justice denied last week as three of the officers were acquitted by the state of Tennessee. Read more here, and here.

We appreciate the early signs that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will continue his predecessor’s commitment to the people of Gaza, to migrants, and to the cause of peace throughout the world. And that he has chosen a papal name with a legacy of commitment to the dignity of workers. 

We honor the passing of former Supreme Court Justice and NH native David Souter who died last week. Read more here.

We celebrate that Mosab Abu Toha received the Pulitzer Prize last week for his New Yorker essays about life, loss, and carnage in Gaza, including “Requiem for a Refugee Camp” and “Under the Rubble.”

We also rejoice that Juan Francisco Mendez, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Fabian Schmidt were released from detention last week; their arrests were outrageous violations of due process and acts of reckless arrogance by immigration authorities. We continue to be grateful for the relentless campaigns of lawyers and activists, and the commitment of judges to the core principles of our US Constitution and our democracy.

But examples abound of escalating lawlessness and violence by so-called law enforcement officers – many of them masked and without identification – abducting people in broad daylight, targeting union organizers and activists, and terrorizing children and other witnesses. Their overreach includes the arrest on Friday of Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka who was accompanying Members of Congress as they visited the Delaney Hall private prison in Newark.

The case for abolishing ICE could not be clearer. And opposition to 287g agreements is stronger every day. But House and Senate Republicans believe we need more of this brutality. The House passed a horrible bill last week – SB 62 – that will prohibit NH municipalities from enacting policies that promote safety for immigrant community members. Read more here and here.

We are delighted to report that the Senate Transportation Committee has responded favorably to compelling testimony from NH advocates for immigrant rights by voting to re-refer HB 452, which would deny driver licenses to many groups of lawfully present immigrants who currently receive them; and they’ve recommended ITL for HB 461 which would require that all driver license manuals and tests be English only. Both bills are on the Consent Calendar for the May 15 session.

The Senate Finance Committee heard hours of testimony from NH residents on Tuesday at their only public hearing on the state budget. Overwhelmingly, the messages were urgent and anxious, focused on the impact of cuts to essential programs, the high cost of school vouchers, the harm of anti-DEI language, the cuts to Medicaid reimbursements, and the elimination of the Office of the Child Advocate. Read more here. Before hundreds of people gathered to give testimony inside Representatives Hall, a large crowd rallied outside to demand a better budget. Read more here. And Voices of Faith delivered Mother’s Day cards to Governor Ayotte last week, with messages from faith leaders about the importance of caring for all New Hampshire people. While Senate budget writers made some important improvements to the House-passed version later in the week, there is still much more to be done if our state budget is going to be true to taxpayers’ needs and priorities. Scroll down to see the schedule for the upcoming deliberative sessions in Senate Finance, and watch for multiple budget-related decisions this coming week.

In other news from last week at the State House, senators approved liability protections for gunmakers, and the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee recommended OTP on SB 54, a bill that would require that NH public school students take a firearms training course. Representative David Meuse (D-Portsmouth) posted a report to Facebook.

The full House approved SB 295, which removes income eligibility for school vouchers. Read more here. 

There was some good news from the Senate where two bills passed with bipartisan support that will help to address the state’s housing affordability crisis. Read more here: “[Housing Action NH] Executive Director Nick Taylor said ... ‘House Bill 631 makes common sense—it allows homes to be built near jobs and commercial areas, reducing commuting costs, easing pressure on open space, and supporting vibrant main streets. House Bill 685 expands access to modern manufactured homes, which are an affordable, high-quality option for families who will now have a path to homeownership. Together, these bills represent practical, popular steps forward in addressing our housing shortage and expanding the range of home choices our communities need.’”

ACTION ALERTS
Note that the following Action Alerts are not all the same. Please read each one carefully as the instructions are different depending on where the bill is in the process.

When a public hearing is scheduled, members of the public have the opportunity sign in online to register their opposition or support for a bill. After a public hearing has passed and the committee is ready to vote on a bill, they will hold an executive session. There is no sign-in or public testimony at executive sessions, but you can still contact members of that committee by email or phone to let them know how you’d like them to vote. 

The Senate committee pages provide a link to “contact entire committee,” which will open your email app and populate it with the email addresses of all committee members. House committees don’t have that handy feature, but thanks to Katy Cutshall, here’s a list of members for each House committee, which makes it easy to cut and paste. 

CONCORD RESIDENTS – SUPPORT LIGHTS 4 KEACH PARK – CALLS NEEDED TODAY
Do you work, live or go to school in Concord? Change 4 Concord invites all city residents to contact city councilors and urge them to ensure that the campaign for lights at Keach Park crosses the finish line after almost 10 years of campaigning. City councilors need to hear from YOU by Monday, May 12 so please take a moment to send them messages to encourage their continued support. You can find their contact information here. For background information and some talking points click here. Please plan to attend the City Council meeting in person as well, on Monday, May 12, starting at 7 PM in City Council chambers. You can read the meeting agenda here.

TUESDAY, MAY 13 – PUBLIC HEARINGS 
SUPPORT HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program. From Rep. Alissandra Murray: “This bill expands the existing reporting requirements for the Northern Border Alliance to ensure that sufficient data is collected and shared with the legislature. Specifically, the bill codifies certain information that is already being reported, and it requires further reporting on the distribution of program funds, as well as on the nature of Customs and Border Protection related incidents.” It has a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, May 13 at 2:20 PM in Room 100, SH. Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill. 

OPPOSE HB 60, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. This forced eviction bill would harm tenants and increase homelessness in a state already experiencing high housing costs and low housing availability. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Commerce committee, SH Room 100, on Tuesday, May 13 at 9:30 AM. Please contact the committee, and sign in to oppose. Join advocates outside the hearing room doors at 9 AM to make clear our opposition to this dangerous bill. Find some additional information and helpful talking points from NH Legal Assistance here and here. 

THURSDAY, MAY 15 – PUBLIC HEARING
SUPPORT HB 57, relative to a person’s release from prison for the purpose of participating in certain post-secondary education programs in the community. This positive bill would expand eligibility for certain incarcerated people to finish the remainder of their sentence at home if they are pursuing a post-secondary education. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Judiciary, Room 100, SH on Thursday, May 15 at 1 PM. Please contact the committee and sign in to support this bill. 

THURSDAY, MAY 15 – SENATE VOTES
OPPOSE HB 71-FN, prohibiting the use of the facilities of a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education to provide shelter for aliens [sic] who have not been admitted into the United States. This unnecessary and hostile bill would burden NH schools and target immigrants in our communities. It is headed to the Senate floor on Thursday, May 15 with an OTP recommendation. Please contact your own senators and urge them to defeat this harmful bill. You can find their phone number, address and email here.

OPPOSE HB 217, relative to absentee ballots. This bill requires absentee ballot voters to submit information demonstrating citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote. This would place an undue burden on those who already struggle the most to cast their vote, is unwarranted given the minimal levels of voter fraud, and would ultimately decrease voter turnout. It is headed to the Senate floor on Thursday, May 15 with an ITL recommendation. Please contact your own senators and urge them to defeat this harmful bill. You can find their phone number, address and email here. You can also use this link here, with pre-drafted language to email your Senator.

OPPOSE HB 712-FN, limiting breast surgeries for minors. This is one of many bills in the current session targeting transgender young people. It is headed to the Senate floor on Thursday, May 15 with an OTP-A recommendation from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Please contact your own senators and urge them to defeat this harmful bill. You can find their phone number, address and email here.

OPPOSE amendment 2025-1632s to HB 731, relative to supportive housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities. This harmful amendment would remove the current exemption for all housing programs that are certified by DHHS to comply with local zoning ordinances.  A precedent set by the NH Supreme Court exempts from local zoning ordinances housing opportunities that DHHS or its contractors develop for people with disabilities. Undoing this would make it harder to create housing for people who experience disabilities. It is headed to the Senate floor on Thursday, May 15 with an “OTP-A” recommendation. Please contact your own senators and urge them to defeat this harmful bill. You can find their phone number, address and email here.

Key:
LOB – Legislative Office Building (33 N. State St. Concord)
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment. 
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP.  During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action. 
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote

Last week in the House 
The House met in session on Thursday, May 8. Below are the outcomes for the bills we are tracking. 

On the Consent Calendar

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 179-FN, (New Title) relative to the state council on housing stability. This bill provides that the council on housing stability shall be attached to the department of health and human services. The bill also revises members and duties of the council, and repeals the requirement that the housing finance authority submit a biennial housing plan. OTP by VV.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
SB 92-FN, relative to the collection of birth worksheet information. OTP by VV.
SB 118-FN, (New Title) relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; and establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund. OTP-A by VV.

HOUSING 
SB 173, relative to residential property subject to housing covenants under the low income housing tax credit program. OTP by VV. 

On the Regular Calendar

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 58-FN, (New Title) relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled 
drug with death resulting. OTP-A by DV, 212-150. 
SB 62, relative to law enforcement participation in a federal immigration program. This bill provides that neither the state nor any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall prohibit or impede any state, county, or local law enforcement agency from applying for entry or entering into an agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in a federal 287(g) program pursuant to 8 U.S.C. section 1357(g). This bill also provides that unless expressly prohibited by state or federal law, local governmental entities may not prohibit or impede any state or federal law enforcement agency from complying with federal immigration laws, and provides for remedies for violations. This bill further authorizes county corrections facilities to hold individuals subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for up to 48 hours following the resolution of their state charges, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, in order to permit assumption of custody by federal authorities, and requires any agency refusing to honor an immigration detainer for an inmate to report each such refusal to the attorney general. OTP-A by RC, 200-162.

EDUCATION FUNDING 
SB 292-FN-A, authorizing a warrant for the funding of state special education aid. OTP-A by VV.
SB 295-FN, (New Title) relative to education freedom accounts. This bill increases the number of students eligible for education freedom accounts by removing household income thresholds, and removes certain conditions tied to education freedom account funds. OTP-A by RC, 188-176.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 190, relative to the state health assessment and state health improvement plan advisory council and the commission on the interdisciplinary primary care workforce. OTP by VV. 

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
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. ITL by DV, 202-157. 

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
SB 105, enabling towns to adopt budget caps. OTP-A by RC, 193-168.

Last week in the Senate
The full Senate met in session on Thursday, May 8. Here are the results for the bills we’re tracking.

On the Consent Calendar

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW
HB 473-FN, criminalizing multiple forms of exposing children to controlled substances and allowing law enforcement to take a child into protective custody for screening and testing in an instance of suspected or actual criminal exposure to controlled substances. OTP by VV.

COMMERCE
HB 309-FN, relative to making electronic rent payments optional. OTP-A by VV.
HB 382, relative to authority for municipalities to regulate mandatory on-site parking requirements. OTP-A by VV.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 154, enabling voters to request to have their ballots hand-counted. OTP-A by VV.
HB 200, relative to the procedure for overriding a local tax cap. This bill requires a supermajority vote of the legislative body to override a local tax cap. OTP-A by VV.
HB 284-FN, requiring tax impact statements on municipal warrant articles. ITL by VV.

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 504, relative to the state energy policy. OTP-A by VV.
HB 672-FN, to allow for off-grid electricity providers in New Hampshire. OTP-A by VV.
HB 682, relative to the office of offshore wind industry, the offshore and port development 
commission, and the office of energy innovation. OTP-A by VV. 
HB 690-FN, directing the department of energy to investigate the state’s withdrawal from ISO-New England and other strategy decisions that impact ratepayers in relation to New England’s environmental policy. OTP-A by VV.
HB 707-FN, requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills. Re-referred to Committee.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 126, relative to prescriptions for certain controlled drugs. Re-referred to committee.
HB 358, relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief. This bill provides 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. OTP-A by VV.

JUDICIARY
HB 514-FN, allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws. ITL by VV.
HB 522-FN, relative to the expectation of privacy in personal information maintained by the state. ITL by VV.
HB 584-FN, relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty. ITL by VV.

On the Regular Calendar

COMMERCE

HB 631-FN, permitting residential building in commercial zoning. OTP by VV.
HB 685, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing. OTP-A by VV.

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

HB 566-FN, requiring permit applications for new landfills to contain a detailed plan for leachate management. Re-referred to committee. 

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS 
HB 107, relative to political advertising printed in newspapers, periodicals, or billboards. Laid on table.

JUDICIARY 
HB 190-FN, relative to therapeutic cannabis possession limits. Laid on table.
HB 207-FN, relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors. Laid on table.
HB 380-FN, relative to penalties for criminal violations of the therapeutic use of cannabis. Laid on table.
HB 551-FN, repealing the license to sell pistols and revolvers. OTP-A by RC, 16Y-8N.

Coming Up in the House 
The House will not meet in session this week.

Coming Up in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committees here and using this committee email list here.

There are no public hearings this coming week for bills we are tracking.

Coming Up in the Senate 
The full Senate will meet in session on Thursday, May 15 starting at 10 AM. Watch it here. Here are the bills we’re tracking which will be deliberated and voted on. 

On the Consent Calendar

EDUCATION 
HB 235, relative to amending the educator code of ethics and code of conduct to include responsibility to parents. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 324-FN, relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 781-FN, requiring school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education. Committee recommends OTP. 

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS 
HB 67-FN-A, relative to agreements with the secretary of state for the use of accessible voting systems. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 274, relative to the verification of voter rolls annually. Committee recommends ITL.
HB 340-FN, relative to electioneering by public employees. Committee recommends to re-refer to committee.
HB 481, relative to moving the state primary date. This bill would move the state primary date from September to June. The Committee wishes to hold onto this bill in order to observe the progress of similar legislation currently making its way through the legislature. Committee recommends to re-refer to committee.
HB 546-FN, relative to financial disclosures and the public reporting of those disclosures by the secretary of state. Committee recommends ITL.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION 
HB 233, requiring meetings of the New Hampshire vaccine association to be audio and video recorded and published on its website within 48 hours. Committee recommends to re-refer to committee.

JUDICIARY
HB 433-FN, making 17 the age of consent for marriage if either party is active duty military and removing language regarding age waivers for marriage registration records, since age waivers are no longer issued in New Hampshire. Committee recommends ITL.

TRANSPORTATION 
HB 105-FN, creating a new conservation license plate and directing the additional fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. Committee recommends to re-refer to committee.
HB 321-FN, requiring the division of motor vehicles to extend a fine payment period for certain motor vehicle violations from 30 days to 90 days if the driver requests the extension. Committee recommends to re-refer to committee.
HB 452-FN, relative to the issuance of drivers’ licenses for aliens [sic] temporarily residing in New Hampshire. This bill would deny driver licenses to many groups of legally present immigrants who can currently receive them. Committee recommends to re-refer to committee.
HB 461, relative to department of safety and department of motor vehicle training and testing materials. Committee recommends ITL.

On the Regular Calendar

EDUCATION 
HB 90-FN, relative to the definition of part-time teachers. Committee recommends OTP-A. 

EDUCATION FINANCE 
HB 557, relative to the information that appears on the school budget ballot. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 718, requiring the state board of education to report the unfunded financial impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards. Committee recommends OTP-A.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS 
HB 217, relative to absentee ballots. This bill requires absentee ballot voters to submit information demonstrating citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote. Committee recommends ITL.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 712-FN, limiting breast surgeries for minors. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 731-FN, relative to supportive housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities. Committee recommends OTP-A.

JUDICIARY 
HB 71-FN, prohibiting the use of the facilities of a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education to provide shelter for aliens [sic] who have not been admitted into the United States and relative to department of health and human services contracts. Committee recommends OTP.

Coming Up in Senate Committees 
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committees here.

MONDAY, MAY 12

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM DELIBERATIVE/EXECUTIVE SESSION
Tentative List of Agencies
Governor’s Commission on Disability
Legislative Branch
Executive Department
Executive Council
Conservation Land Stewardship Program
Treasury Department
Community Development Finance Authority
Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP)
Council on Developmental Disabilities
Military Affairs and Veterans Services Department
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW
Please Note: The agency listing is subject to change without notice.

TUESDAY, MAY 13

COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
9:30 AM HB 60, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:25 AM HB 356, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections.

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM DELIBERATIVE/EXECUTIVE SESSION
Tentative List of Agencies
Insurance Department
Labor Department
Employment Security
Adult Parole Board
Office of the Consumer Advocate
Public Utilities Commission
Banking Department
Pease Development Authority
Department of Transportation
Police Standards and Training Council
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW
Please Note: The agency listing is subject to change without notice.

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
2:20 PM HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program.
2:30 PM Hearing on proposed Amendment #, 2025-1875s, to HB 369-FN, relative to misdemeanor sexual assault prosecutions.

THURSDAY, MAY 15

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:00 PM HB 57, relative to a person’s release from prison for the purpose of participating in certain post-secondary education programs in the community.
1:20 PM HB 143, relative to the issuance of no trespass orders on municipal or school district property.
1:30 PM HB 520, relative to authorizing hearing officers of the department of education to issue subpoenas.
1:40 PM HB 376, specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right-to-know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status.

FRIDAY, MAY 16

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM DELIBERATIVE/EXECUTIVE SESSION
Tentative List of Agencies:
Department of Information Technology
Department of Administrative Services
Personnel Appeals Board
New Hampshire Housing Appeals Board
Board of Tax and Land Appeals
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW
Please Note: The agency listing is subject to change without notice

Recommendations
The YOCOP (Youth Organizing Community of Practice) 2025 Mutual Aid Fund is open and accepting applications. Find more information here: YOCOP Mutual Aid Fund Application and the YOCOP Mutual Aid Fund Policy.

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

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

Job Postings
The Resource Organizing Project (ROP) is hiring two positions to focus on donor and funder organizing across New England. The first position is a Donor Organizer who will be working to recruit and engage cross-class individual movement donors. The second position is an Associate Director for Resource Mobilization who will co-lead our overall strategy for expanding the pie of movement resources through collective fundraising projects. Learn more about both positions and apply here.

The NH School Funding Fairness Project is seeking a Communications Director. This is a full-time, hybrid position with a starting salary range of $60,000-$75,000. This person will play a key role in broadening our reach, enhancing our digital strategies, and driving the conversation around school funding and equity statewide. Apply here. 

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

Much gratitude to Occupy Seacoast for this comprehensive calendar of actions across the state. Find it here. 

Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.

Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The May 14 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover; we gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park. The May 21 vigil will be at Pappas' new district office location, 15 Third Street, Dover. 

Every Thursday 
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 5:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC.

Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.

Every Friday 
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us. 

Stronger Together: Protect Our Neighbors Weekly Visibility – 4 PM to 5 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main Street and Loudon Road, Concord. Join us for a weekly visibility to stand against the war being raged against our communities. Our immigrant loved ones and neighbors are being targeted and kidnapped off the streets. Our public dollars are being funneled into a violent, bloated deportation and detention machine while local police are being weaponized against the communities they are supposed to serve, and life-giving programs are being defunded. Stand with us to protect our communities. All are welcome! 

Monday, May 12
Fair School Funding - Book Talk - 10 AM. Frankling NH Public Library, 316 Central Street, Franklin. Hosted by Open Democracy. Join us for this free event discussing “The Last Bake Sale” by Andru Volinsky. 

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

Thursday, May 15 
#2 Countering Christian Nationalism Community Conversation  - 6 PM to 8 PM. In person (in Manchester) and on Zoom. Registrants will receive location information and Zoom link. Hosted by NH Council of Churches, Manchester-NAACP, American Friends Service Committee, Engage, Outright New Hampshire, Open Democracy, & more. This hybrid event, the second in a three-part series, seeks to explain the origins, tenets, and impacts of Christian nationalism, particularly in the context of New Hampshire. Co-hosted by the Countering Christian Nationalism Coalition, the event will provide attendees with knowledge to understand and address this issue in NH.

Sunday, May 18 
Town Hall Meeting – 12:30 PM to 3 PM. SEE Science Center – 200 Bedford Street, 2nd Floor, Manchester. Hosted by Manchester Community Action Coalition. Please join us for a conversation about health and what we can do to help each other through these difficult times. Featuring guest speaker: Dr. Arin Whitman, Western New England University. 

Storytelling for Change Summit - 1 PM to 3:30 PM. Spotlight Room, 96 Hanover Street, Manchester. Hosted by Queerlective. Join us for an inspiring afternoon of collaborative storytelling and community art. At this free conference, we’ll dive into the power of art to foster social change. Hear from leading storytellers, artists, and community leaders about how they use their craft to create change, elevate voices, and tell impactful stories that shape our world. 

No Voice Too Small - 2 PM to 6 PM. State House, 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by 50501 NH. Come celebrate our kids. Let’s lift them up and show them how many people believe in them and want the best for them. Let’s listen to them speak. They see more than we could know, and they know more than we think. It’s time to hand them the mic.

Wednesday, May 21
"There Is Another Way" Film Screening & Discussion – 6:30 PM. Red River Theater – Concord. Hosted by Not in My Name NH. Join us for a viewing of this new film by Combatants for Peace. A community discussion will follow. 

Thursday, May 22
Congregational Care in a Time of Urgency - 7 PM to 9 PM. Hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The world outside our congregational doors is chaotic, noisy, and frightening. Congregations can be a powerful source of resilience in times like these. We will give you concrete practices and skills to care for your community so you can move from reactivity to faithful responsiveness and do what is yours to do in the world.

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!