“Every minute of every hour of every day you are making the world, just as you are making yourself, and you might as well do it with generosity and kindness and style.” — Rebecca Solnit
May 17, 2026
Greetings, State House Watchers,
First of all, please mark your calendars for the AFSC-NH annual celebration! We’ll gather on Saturday, September 26, from 12 noon to 4 PM at the Concord Unitarian Universalist Church for an afternoon of community, delicious food, and inspiring conversation led by our keynote speaker Kelly Hayes, author, organizer, educator, and movement leader. All are welcome! Registration link coming soon.
Vigils of grief and solidarity
We are heartbroken to learn about the killing of Juniper Blessing, a 19 year old transgender student and a human being who dared to live the beautiful truth of her/their identity. Read more here and here: “Juniper was simply the most amazing human being we have ever known — highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others,” the family wrote via the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance. “Juniper’s loss not only devastates us but diminishes the world.” There is a candlelight vigil of remembrance at the NH State House this evening at 6 PM.
Nearly 60 people gathered in Manchester last week at the Norris Cotton Federal Building to show support and love for Sugrat M and his family as they attended an appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), another stressful moment in the endless uncertainty of their life as a family at the mercy of a cruel and senseless system. Read more here. Thankfully, Sugrat was given a reprieve, and some time to prepare for yet another appointment in six months. We admire their love for each other and their tremendous courage; and we continue to work for a world where families can stay together and live in peace.
Join the family and friends of Nickenely Turenne for a vigil on Tuesday, May 19 at 5 PM in City Hall Plaza, Manchester, as we demand Justice for Nick in the form of transparency and accountability for his death at the hands of Manchester police on December 6, 2025. Nick’s life mattered. We call for equal justice under the law.
Under the Dome
The House and Senate took lots of votes last week on the final day to act on all bills during the regular session. There was good news and bad news.
First, from the House:
On the plus side, SB 416 was referred for interim study, protecting the rights of tipped workers to have a voice in whether their hard-earned tips will be pooled or not. Many thanks to NH Faith & Labor for leading this advocacy and for engaging tipped workers in the process.
The House voted to table SB 431, relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination, which would re-enact the ban on teaching so-called “divisive concepts. This is good news, but the matter isn’t concluded yet due to the ongoing viability of HB 1792-FN which passed the Senate on May 14. We’ll be watching to see if the House concurs or not with the amended Senate version of this extremist proposal.
In more positive news, the House defeated CACR 12, a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine in the state constitution a permanent ban on an income tax. The measure failed to meet the required 3/5 majority to move onto the ballot for statewide voting. Read more here. We’re relieved that the effort to codify a significant structural problem has failed. Our state will do better with a genuine exploration of who wins and loses in our current tax system, including the hidden and not-so-hidden consequences of living within artificial scarcity.
House members voted to refer for interim study SB 498, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger, intending to defeat a bill that would implement and generate funding for wraparound services to connect complex care systems, such as mental healthcare, child protective services, and special education to support young people in a mental health crisis. By the end of the day, however, Senators had added SB 498 to an unrelated bill – HB 1323 – thereby keeping the proposal alive! Read more here and then here for the latest news.
Unfortunately, there is bad news to share from the House session as well. Representatives passed an amended version of SB 430, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents and legal guardians, which now returns to the Senate for approval. They also approved SB 434, relative to regulation of public school materials, thereby creating easy mechanisms for censorship. Because of a floor amendment in the House, it also returns to the Senate for approval.
There has been no House vote yet on the Legislative Affairs Committee recommendation of censure for Rep. Travis Corcoran. Here’s an excerpt from the committee report (on page 8 of the May 15 House calendar): “The majority of the committee recommends a formal censure of Representative Travis Corcoran by the entire House of Representatives in light of the seriousness of the transgressions and the lack of anything approaching remorse for the harmful effects his posts had to the reputation of the House of Representatives as a whole, and certainly to his targets.”
In the Senate, last week was also a mixed bag.
We’re glad to see that the Senate concurred with the House version of SB 670, establishing a developmental services oversight commission; relative to reporting requirements regarding the death of a child in residential care; and relative to the registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. Disability rights advocates describe this bill as a good first step to address abuse in the system.
And they also approved HB 661, relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care. This bill would protect the federal benefits owed to children in foster care. Hopefully, the House will concur with the Senate changes.
Senators also passed HB 1598, relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes. This bill as introduced would have established an expedited eviction process, but it was amended in the Senate to restore due process protections for tenants. It returns to the House for approval.
In horrible news, Senators approved HB 1709, prohibiting certain unlawfully present [immigrants] with prior felony convictions from occupying or renting real property and authorizes sheriffs to arrest such individuals during service of a writ of possession. They amended the bill to address the sale of pets and cruelty to livestock, but left the cruelty to immigrants section intact. The bill goes back to the House next week for approval.
Senators also approved HB 1499, relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute. On Thursday, the bill was amended to include SB 204, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor. It had also been amended previously to remove several offensive provisions, but the bill retains the harmful provision of denying rental housing to people who arrived to the US in the last 3 years without proper inspection. This applies to many who have valid pathways for immigration relief in the US. State legislators – and landlords – who seek to insert themselves into immigration enforcement cause more harm than good.
Thanks to Housing Action NH for this helpful slide deck with legislative updates on bills related to housing stability and housing supply.
There was a lot of activity last week on HB 1793-FN, prohibiting public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons on campus. The original bill prohibits public institutions of higher education from enacting rules or policies restricting the possession, carry, storage, or lawful use of non-lethal weapons on campus and establishes a committee to study the feasibility of allowing guns on campuses of public institutions of higher education. The Senate turned it into a study committee and then added permission for faculty – but not students – to carry concealed weapons on campus. Read more here.
Senators approved HB 1300, establishing a biennial school district local tax cap question, requiring all cities and towns to vote this coming November to decide whether to impose a property tax cap on their school budgets. Budget caps infringe on the ability of communities to meet the needs of their students and respond to increases in costs for health care, transportation and special education. The bill was amended in the Senate so it returns to the House for approval.
Sadly, Senators also approved two anti-transgender bills: HB 1356, relative to the statute of limitations for bringing a private right of action for violation of the statute prohibiting medical procedures and treatments intended to alter a minor's gender; and HB 1376, relative to a parent's ability to raise their child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex. This bill provides legal justification for parents to raise their trans children against the child's intended gender.
From here on out, the legislature’s remaining business will be to deal with any bills that have passed both bodies but with differences due to amendments. You can see lists of these bills here: House bills amended by the Senate; and Senate bills amended by the House.
The legislators in the body where the bill originated have three choices: to concur with the other body’s changes, in which case the bill passes and goes on to the governor; to nonconcur, in which case the bill is defeated; or to nonconcur and request a committee of conference. Committees of conference are then formed and are tasked with seeking a compromise. If they are successful, these compromises will go to both bodies for a final vote no later than June 4, the last day of the session. If the proposal is voted down in either body, it is defeated for the year.
Note that several bills have already been through this process. You can see a current list of all Committees of Conference here; it will be updated regularly over the coming weeks.
COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE PROCEDURES
The official procedures for Committees of Conference (CoCs) were published in the House Calendar last week:
The Chairs of the policy committees will receive bills amended by the Senate and should check with their committees to determine whether to recommend that the House concur, non-concur, or non-concur and request a Committee of Conference. When a committee requests that the bill be sent to a Committee of Conference, the Chair will recommend members for appointment. If the bill has gone to more than one committee, the members may come from the different committees as determined by the Speaker. Chairs should recommend only those members from their policy committees. The Speaker shall make the final decision of Conference committee members, and the committee choices are generally limited to those who support the House position. The first named House member shall serve as Chair of the House Conferees.
For House bills in Committee of Conference, the House Conferee Chair shall set the time and place of the first meeting with the Clerk’s Office and shall chair each meeting of the Committee of Conference. The first meeting shall be posted in the Clerk’s Office, and on the General Court website at least 24 hours in advance. If a Committee of Conference meeting recesses, the reconvening time shall be posted in the Clerk’s office, and on the General Court website with at least 12 hours’ notice. [House Rule 50 (c)]. The House and Senate Conferees on a bill shall meet jointly but vote separately while in conference.
The Committee of Conference may not change the title of the bill. The Committee also may not add amendments that are not germane to the subject matter of the bill or contain subject matter that has been indefinitely postponed. A non-germane amendment is one in which the subject matter is not contained in either the House or Senate version of the bill. [House Rule 50 (h)] Further, the House shall not receive any committee of conference report that amends any bill with a tax or fee increased, or creates a new tax or fee, which tax or fee has not received a public hearing and an affirmative vote of the House. [House Rule 50 (k)]
The sponsor of a bill that is in Committee of Conference shall, upon request, be provided an opportunity to be heard. A unanimous vote of both the House and Senate Conferees, voting separately, is necessary for an agreed upon report to be sent to the House and Senate. Reports of all Committees of Conference must be filed with the Office of Legislative Services by the May 28, 2026 deadline adopted by the House. All Committee of Conference members must sign their reports in the Office of Legislative Services by May 28, 2026 by 4:00 p.m.
The first-named House member on all bills in Committee of Conference must prepare an analysis of the report. This report should contain a complete explanation of all changes made to the bill since it was passed by the House and must be submitted to the Clerk of the House for printing in the calendar. House conferees may agree to put a report on the consent calendar; this must be noted by the first-named member. All Committee of Conference reports shall be distributed electronically to members and available in seats at the House session. [House Rule 50 (g)].
ACTION ALERTS!
Our action alerts this week are focused on the governor. In the next week or two, we’ll ask for actions related to CoC reports.
Today – Contact the Governor. Protect financial assistance for people in need.
VETO HB 348, relative to eligibility for local assistance. From New Futures: “Local welfare is the last-resort safety net for New Hampshire residents facing crisis, helping provide emergency shelter, food, and medicine when all other options are exhausted. HB 348 would create a harmful barrier to assistance by adding a [lengthier] residency requirement to local welfare. This would make it nearly impossible for some of our residents to get help during a crisis—not because they aren't residents, but because they cannot pull together the paperwork to prove it.” The House and Senate have passed this bill; it is on its way to the governor’s desk. Please contact the governor and urge her to veto this bill.
Today – Contact the governor – Defeat discriminatory bathroom and locker room bans.
VETO anti-transgender bills – SB 552 and HB 1442, both of which permit classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. From 603 Equality: “These bills seek to legalize discrimination for bathrooms, locker rooms, sports, and prisons on the basis of "biological sex" as defined as only "male" and "female,” completely erasing the scientific reality of intersex individuals. These discriminatory policies have no place in NH and create real world privacy and safety concerns for all Granite Staters.” Read more here. Please contact the governor and urge her to veto all anti-transgender bills that may arrive to her desk.
Key:
GP – Granite Place. More information here.
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
SL – State Library
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Last week in the House
The House met in session last week on Thursday, May 14. You can watch it here. Here are the bills we’re tracking which were voted on.
On the Consent calendar
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
SB 661-FN, relative to pooled risk management programs. OTP by VV.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 617, (New Title) relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement, relative to the regulation and appeal of motor vehicle towing from public highways, and prohibiting the division of motor vehicles from suspending a license on the basis of debt owed to a private entity related to the towing or storing of a motor vehicle. OTP-A by VV.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 507, (New Title) establishing a committee to study violence in schools directed at staff members and the obstacles to disciplining or expelling students in such circumstances. OTP by VV.
SB 575, establishing a study committee to study the issue of school bullying. OTP-A by VV.
ELECTION LAW
SB 438, (New Title) relative to the sharing of data between the department of safety and the secretary of state for the purposes of verifying the accuracy of information in the centralized voter registration database. OTP-A by VV.
SB 660, relative to photo identification cards issued solely for the purpose of voting. OTP by VV.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
SB 418, prohibiting municipalities from requiring licenses for the production and sale of homestead food products. OTP-A by VV.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 640-FN, relative to the use of artificial intelligence to provide services requiring a professional license. ITL by VV.
FINANCE
SB 541-FN-A, (New Title) relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure. OTP by VV.
SB 657-FN, (Second New Title) relative to the use of information technology and artificial intelligence systems by state agencies. OTP by VV.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
SB 440, relative to the adoption of energy efficient and clean energy districts by municipalities. OTP by VV.
On the Regular calendar
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
SB 498-FN, relative to children’s mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger. Referred for interim study.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 667-FN, relative to the assault of emergency room personnel. OTP by DV, 179-173.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 430, (New Title) relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents and legal guardians. OTP-A by RC, 193-163.
SB 431, relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination. Laid on table.
SB 434, relative to regulation of public school materials. OTP-A by RC, 188-161.
ELECTION LAW
SB 223-FN, (New Title) prohibiting student identification cards from being used as photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot. OTP-A by RC, 187-157.
JUDICIARY
SB 552, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. OTP by RC, 179-159.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
SB 416, relative to the pooling and sharing of tips among tipped employees. Referred for interim study.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
SB 643-FN, (New Title) requiring municipalities to hold a public hearing and conduct a roll call vote when seeking to override a tax or spending cap. OTP-A by RC, 164-150.
WAYS AND MEANS
CACR 12, relating to voting on broad-based taxes. Providing that a supermajority vote of the general court shall be required to enact any broad-bases taxes. OTP-A by RC, 193-148.
SB 627-FN, (New Title) relative to toll rate adjustments and periodic inflation-based toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan. OTP by VV.
Last week in the Senate
The Senate met in session last week on Thursday, May 14. You can watch it here. Here are the bills we’re tracking which were voted on.
On the Consent calendar
FINANCE
HB 155-FN, relative to business enterprise tax returns and appropriating funds to the department of health and human services for licensed nursing facilities. OTP by VV.
HB 661-FN, relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1598, relative to the scheduling of hearings on certain motions to modify or revoke bail. OTP-A by VV.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1022, relative to religious exemption from immunization requirements. The form for a religious exemption shall simply state: "I, [insert parent or legal guardian's name], hereby attest that I sincerely hold religious beliefs and/or engage in religious practices or observances that dictate the refusal to accept the required vaccinations for [insert child’s name], born [insert child’s date of birth]. [Insert parent or legal guardian's signature and date.]" ITL by VV.
HB 1071, repealing immunity afforded health care facilities when following directives adopted in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency. ITL by VV.
HB 1335, requiring health care providers to disclose to patients indirect financial incentives received by the provider. ITL by VV.
JUDICIARY
HB 1279, relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person. Removed from consent calendar.
HB 1637, relative to the scheduling of hearings on certain motions to modify or revoke bail. OTP-A by VV.
On the Regular calendar
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW
HB 1376, relative to a parent’s ability to raise their child in a manner consistent with the child’s biological sex. OTP-A by VV.
COMMERCE
HB 1010, relative to multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land. OTP-A by VV.
EDUCATION
HB 1792-FN, prohibiting school districts and personnel from the instruction of critical race theory and LGBTQ+ ideologies in schools as well as establishing a private right of action for violations. OTP-A by VV.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 1300, establishing a biennial school district local tax cap question and related limitations on central office administrative expenses in school districts. OTP-A by VV.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 1738-FN, relative to ratepayer benefits from the regional greenhouse gas initiative. OTP-A by VV.
FINANCE
HB 1433-FN, creating a child care tax credit for qualifying businesses. OTP by VV.
HB 1499-FN, relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost and making an appropriation therefor. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1574-FN, relative to the extension of free and reduced price breakfast and lunch for students under the age of 22 and making an appropriation therefor. OTP-A by VV.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 232-FN, relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals. OTP-A by VV.
HB 360, prohibiting public schools from performing surgical procedures or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1219, relative to immunization requirements in foster family homes. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1584-FN, directing the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and relative to the form of such exemption. OTP-A by VV.
JUDICIARY
HB 609-FN, relative to the general court's authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, and other matter pertaining to firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self-defense tools. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1356-FN, relative to the statute of limitations for bringing a private right of action for violation of the statute prohibiting medical procedures and treatments intended to alter a minor’s gender. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1416, establishing a committee to study what legal protections currently exist for the freedom of expression of pregnancy resource centers and whether further First Amendment protections are needed. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1709-FN, prohibiting certain unlawfully present felons from occupying or renting real property. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1793-FN, prohibiting public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons on campus. OTP-A by RC, 14Y-8N.
Coming Up in the House
House will meet in session at 10 AM on Thursday, May 21, which is the deadline to form Committees of Conference (CoC). You can watch it here. See above for an explanation of the process and a list of the bills that may require a CoC.
Coming Up in House Committees
There are no House committee hearings next week.
Coming Up in the Senate
The Senate will meet in session at 10 AM on Thursday, May 21, which is the deadline to form Committees of Conference. You can watch it here. See above for an explanation of the process and a list of the bills that may require a CoC.
Coming Up in Senate Committees
There are no Senate committee hearings next week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The May 20 vigil will be at the corner of Central Ave & Third St, down the street from Pappas' district office, 15 Third Street, Dover. The May 27 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 2 Washington Street, Dover; we gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park.
Every First Wednesday
Mindful Meditation with Aryaloka Buddhist Center of Newmarket – 6 PM to 7 PM, Waysmeet, 15 Mill Road, Durham. Join us for a monthly, volunteer-led guided meditation. We have some cushions and yoga mats to share; you’re invited to bring whatever you may need to feel comfortable for 30 minutes of meditation. Free and open to all. For more information: waysmeetcenter.org/calendar.
Every Third Wednesday
Countering Christian Nationalism conversation – 7 PM, hosted by the NH Council of Churches, every third Wednesday of the month. Zoom link here.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace – 7:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Every week, AFSC’s Quaker Engagement team hosts Meeting for Worship virtually for Friends from across the globe. Embracing the practice of Quaker unprogrammed worship, we gather to bring our attention to witnessing injustice in our world and bolstering our solidarity with people facing oppression. Join us to explore and experience the spiritual dimensions of activism and social justice.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday to hear updates on what’s happening in Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact Congress and call for a permanent cease-fire, arms embargo on Israel, and humanitarian access for Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us!
Stronger Together: Protect Our Neighbors Weekly Visibility – 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!
Every Second Saturday
Nashua Immigrant Solidarity Vigil – 12 PM to 1 PM, hosted by Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP), at United Methodist Church, 154 Main Street, Nashua. Lately, the loudest voices have been those of hate and division. This is our opportunity to show our community that there are people here who welcome immigrants. Bring signs with positive messages.
Every Fourth Friday
Sacred Circle Dance for Spring Equinox – 6 PM to 7:30 PM, at the Community Church of Durham UCC, 15 Main Street Durham. Join us to celebrate the Spring Equinox with dance! People in all cultures, throughout history and across the world, dance. We join in this tradition with dances from a multi-cultural folk dance background. The dances are accessible to many ages, body types and experience levels. Steps taught at all dance sessions. No experience or partner needed. We gather to dance on the fourth Friday of every month in Seacoast NH. Cost: sliding scale of $5-25, pay at the door, cash or check please.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Peace & Justice Conversation: Resist to Live: Truth and Justice in Guatemala- 7 PM via Zoom. Recent developments and intervention by the Trump Administration have brought our attention back to Latin America. There is a long history of U.S. invasions, coups and other interventions in the region which are important to know as we try to understand the news and the people whose lives and land our government is again disrupting. For many years, Jonathan Moller has photographed communities uprooted by war in Guatemala. His work tells stories of their struggles for survival, respect, and honesty. He will share his photographs and words to help us get to know the land and its history, and the humanity and dignity of the people there.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Justice for Nickenely Turenne – 5 PM to 7 PM, at City Hall Plaza, Manchester. Join the family and friends of Nickenely Turenne to demand transparency and accountability for his death at the hands of Manchester police on December 6, 2025. Nick’s life mattered. We call for equal justice under the law.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The State Budget: What You Need to Know – 5:45 PM, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main Street, Laconia. These presentations are focused on the State Budget and what it means for you and your community. Our research team will break down the State Budget, share insights from our research, and answer attendees’ questions. These sessions are designed to make complex policy decisions easier to understand and introduce our work to neighbors across the state.
NH Coalition for Just Peace in the Middle East -6:30 PM, online. NHCJPME will convene a quarterly online meeting on Zoom for members of our supporting organizations to catch up with us. We invite you to come learn about our present initiatives, and to hear about what campaigns our organizations are involved in to promote building peace, justice and liberation for Palestine and the region at this critical time.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Ona Judge Day Tour – 2 PM, at 222 Court Street, Portsmouth at the BHTNH Headquarters. On this special Ona Judge Day Tour, you will hear the true story of a young woman's quest for freedom. See the waterfront where Ona landed and visit the Portsmouth properties of some of America's most famous families - the Langdons, Warners, and Lears - whose stories are also bound to her incredible journey.
Saturday, May 24, 2026
Ona Judge Staines Mural Unveiling – 2 PM, 222 Court Street, Portsmouth. After years of lifting up her story, we invite you to a powerful moment of truth, remembrance, and celebration—the unveiling of the Ona Judge mural in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. At a time when her marker in Philadelphia was removed, only to be rightfully reinstalled by law, we are reminded how fragile history can be. Here in New Hampshire, we are ensuring Ona Judge’s courageous journey to freedom is seen, honored, and never erased. Join us as we bring her story into full view, bold, permanent, and undeniable. Stay with us immediately following the unveiling for a special reception to meet author Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the nationally recognized expert on the history of Ona Judge and NH’s own award-winning public mural artist Manny Ramirez, as we honor a woman whose bravery still echoes today.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Countering Christian Nationalism; Faith, Freedom, and Democracy For All – 7PM to 8 PM, online. Christian nationalism in this country and state blurs the lines between faith and government. It distorts faith into a tool of political power, threatens religious freedom, and undermines the inclusive democracy that protects all Granite Staters. Join us as we welcome Lisa Beaudoin, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Council of Churches, who will speak about countering Christian/White Nationalism here in New Hampshire.
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The State Budget: What You Need to Know – 6 PM, Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage Street, Portsmouth. These presentations are focused on the State Budget and what it means for you and your community. Our research team will break down the State Budget, share insights from our research, and answer attendees’ questions. These sessions are designed to make complex policy decisions easier to understand and introduce our work to neighbors across the state.
Un-Masking Christian Nationalism: Impacts on Education & Business – 6:30 PM to 8 PM, online. Zandra Rice Hawkins will explore how Christian nationalist ideology is working to undermine public education, including efforts to reshape curricula, restrict inclusive teaching, and redirect public resources, and why these strategies are central to advancing a broader ideological agenda. James McKim will examine how Christian nationalist ideology is impacting business, including its influence on workplace policies, corporate decision-making, and broader economic practices, with particular attention to how these shifts affect equity, inclusion, and the integrity of diverse marketplaces. Attendees will be provided with practical tools and the names of organizations already engaging in resisting this version of white supremacy in NH.
Friday, May 29, 2026
New Hampshire Women’s Foundation 9th Annual GALA – 6 PM to 11 PM, DoubleTree Hotel, 700 Elm Street, Manchester. The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation invites you to a celebration of New Hampshire’s trailblazing women at our ninth annual GALA with dinner, dancing and honoring this year’s AmplifiHER awardee.
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Queer Waterfall Hike with the Reproductive Freedom Fund of NH – 10 AM to 1 PM, White Mountains NH. Have you ever wanted to hike to an 80-foot waterfall? Join Volunteer Jess and the Reproductive Freedom Fund of NH for a relaxing afternoon day hike in the forest. The ReproFund works to alleviate financial burdens to reproductive and gender affirming healthcare for those living and seeking it in NH. This event will be part of the Repro Fund's Spring Reprolympics series to help raise funds for their queer care program! All event proceeds will go to the Repro Fund!
Art for Climate Action- 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, NH State House Lawn, 107 North Main Street, Concord. Join us for a protest at the State House lawn to call out these legislators and advocate for increased environmental regulation in NH! Have fun with chalk, interactive activities, and most importantly, your voice! Email pat @ 350NH.org for more information.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Tales From Trans+ Lives- Manchester -5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Address shared at registration. Join us for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
PFAS 101! – 5:45 PM Levenson Room at Portsmouth Library, 175 Parrott Avenue. The 350NH Youth Team will present on the impacts of PFAS over the years and the many negative effects of it when exposed into our water and land. Contact www.350nh.org/youth-team or pat @ 350nh.org
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
The State Budget: What You Need to Know – 6 PM, Newport Community Center, 15 Meadow Road, Newport. These presentations are focused on the State Budget and what it means for you and your community. Our research team will break down the State Budget, share insights from our research, and answer attendees’ questions. These sessions are designed to make complex policy decisions easier to understand and introduce our work to neighbors across the state.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Windham Pride Festival – 12 PM to 4 PM, at Windham High School. Hosted by Windham Citizens for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This community favorite event is free and family friendly. Come experience incredible live entertainment, delicious food trucks, and fun activities guaranteed to keep everyone entertained and engaged all day long. All this, while supporting our local LGBTQ+ community!
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Concord Pride 5K Run/Walk – 9 AM, at the NH State House, Concord. The Concord Pride 5K is back for year three! Registration is open! The Concord Pride 5K is back and we’re so excited to bring the race magic back for another year! Join us for a fun, welcoming race-day atmosphere filled with music, Pride energy, and community celebration from start to finish. Some will run for time, some will walk with friends, some will dance across the finish line — all ages, all abilities, and all paces are welcome.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The State Budget: What You Need to Know – 6 PM, Medallion Opera House, 20 Park Street, Gorham. These presentations are focused on the State Budget and what it means for you and your community. Our research team will break down the State Budget, share insights from our research, and answer attendees’ questions. These sessions are designed to make complex policy decisions easier to understand and introduce our work to neighbors across the state.
Friday, June 12, 2026
Pride Event – Lebanon – 6 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Lebanon Opera House, 51 North Park Street, Lebanon. For our 5th annual salute to the LGTBQIA+ community, we’re turning up the volume! Our popular resource and artisan fair will be held in Colburn Park followed by a loud and proud dance party inside the theater with guest DJs.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Juneteenth Freedom Walk – 9 AM, John Paul Jones Memorial Park, Kittery. Celebrate Juneteenth side-by-side with others of goodwill by walking from Kittery, Maine, to the African Burying Ground in Portsmouth, NH. Meet at John Paul Jones Memorial Park on the Kittery side of Route 1 Memorial Bridge. Walkers will gather at 9 AM and begin the walk at 9:30 AM to the Burying Ground at 386 State Street, Portsmouth, led by The Leftist Marching Band.
The Healing Rhythm of the Drums – 11 AM, at the African Burying Ground, 386 State Street, Portsmouth. Join us for a sacred Juneteenth gathering honoring the lives and legacies of those excluded from America’s founding promises – Native Americans, Africans and African Americans, immigrants, Latinos, and other marginalized communities. This cross-cultural commemorative event includes a Native American blessing. The reading of Portsmouth’s enslaved Africans’ names, and African drumming and dance. Together, we will remember, reflect, and celebrate resilience, culture, and community. The gathering invites us to honor the past while envisioning the America we can become – one that truly lives up to its ideals of liberty, justice, and inclusion for all. All are welcome.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Portsmouth Pride – 12:30 PM to 5 PM, at the Strawberry Banke Museum, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Meet New Hampshire’s 5 to Know – 10 AM, at the Black Heritage Trail of NH, 222 Court Street, Portsmouth. This Juneteenth, step into history and celebrate five extraordinary African Americans whose courage, brilliance, and resolve shaped the nation. Firsts in Freedom honors Black pioneers who broke barriers, claimed their humanity, and helped define what freedom means in America. Through dynamic living history interpreters, these historic figures will come to life – sharing their stories in their own voices and inviting you into the moments that changed history. This is a family-friendly celebration and will also feature hands-on activities for children, interactive learning stations, and opportunities to engage directly with interpreters. Young visitors can explore history through crafts, storytelling, and creative play designed to spark curiosity and pride.
Tales from Trans+ Lives Portsmouth – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Address shared at registration. Join 603 Equality for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
2026 Frederick Douglass Readings – 12 noon, at locations statewide (see below). On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist and heroic orator for liberty, delivered on of his most famous speeches in which he asked, “What to the slave is your Fourth of July?” For the past several years, the BHTNH has collaborated with community leaders around the Granite State to bring people together to read Douglass’s historic protest speech and to reflect on its meaning. This event happens on the Saturday before the 4th of July at 12 noon. While reading Frederick Douglass’ work is a powerful experience for many, it is only one piece of the long-overdue conversations that our communities need to have. We hope that these readings will be a starting point for these difficult dialogues and that they will provide an opportunity for us to engage in deeper conversations that will lead to actions to help build more inclusive and just communities today.
Portsmouth, NH – Hosted by Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire at Strawberry Banke, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth
Amherst, NH – Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church Street, Amherst
Andover, NH – Andover Historical Society, Potter Place, 105 Depot Street, Andover
Canterbury, NH – Canterbury Shaker Village in Partnership with Canterbury’s Elkins Public Library, Location TBD
Saturday, July 12, 2026
De-Escalation/Self- Defense Manchester – 10 AM to 5 PM. Address shared at registration. 603 Equality is offering a de-escalation and self-defense training led by Impact Boston. This is a scenario-based training to develop verbal deescalation and basic physical self-defense skills specifically for the trans/queer/gender non-conforming community. This will include responses to bullying, harassment and bathroom enforcement scenarios. This training is centered in a trauma-informed, disability-aware, queer-positive, feminist approach, and your feelings are welcomed.
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Tales from Trans+ Lives Conway – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Address shared at registration.Join 603 Equality for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Tales from Trans+ Lives Lebanon – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Address shared at registration. Join 603 Equality for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
SAVE THE DATE – AFSC-NH annual celebration, 12 noon to 4 PM at Concord UU Church, with keynote speaker Kelly Hayes, author, organizer, educator, and movement leader. All are welcome! Registration link coming soon.
Sunday, September 30, 2026
Tales from Trans+ Lives Concord – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Address shared at registration. Join 603 Equality for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Black Lives Matter New Hampshire Gala – 6 PM to 10 PM, at Rivermill at Dover Landing, Dover. Save the date!
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Tales from Trans+ Lives Littleton – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Address shared at registration. Join us for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Maille & Kathleen Wooten, and April Richer
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more.
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty is the NH Director for AFSC which publishes this newsletter; April Richer is the NH Interfaith Organizer. Maille Wooten, in partnership with Kathleen Wooten, is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible with your financial support. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!