“History has a long-range perspective. It ultimately passes stern judgment on tyrants and vindicates those who fought, suffered, were imprisoned, and died for human freedom, against political oppression and economic slavery.” – Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
Greetings State House Watchers!
The American Friends Service Committee turned 106 years old last week! Formed during World War I to give young pacifists opportunities for nonviolent service, AFSC staff and volunteers have worked for more than a century through a variety of social movements for justice and peace. Read about our history here. It is a joy and an honor to be part of that continuing story.
A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Sudan. As fighting continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), thousands have been trapped in the war zone. Many are attempting to evacuate. AFSC is responding to help families displaced by the war. Donations are urgently needed to meet immediate needs and support advocacy for cessation of hostilities and lasting peace. Your financial support to AFSC will fund food, kitchen kits, bed sheets and blankets, clothing for children and adults, immigration and travel expenses, medicine and hygiene supplies.
We celebrated May Day last week, with a rally at the State House for the rights of immigrants and workers, including calls for the defeat of SB 132, the anti-sanctuary cities bill, and in support of fair wages and good retirement for state workers. Read about it here and here.
A historical marker for the birthplace of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was unveiled earlier that day, the result of two years of organizing work by Arnie Alpert, Mary Lee Sargent and others. The inspiring program included stories of Flynn’s life and leadership, labor songs, and calls to action in support of multiple union campaigns currently underway at NHPR, Dartmouth, and Starbucks in Rochester, NH. By the next day, angry lawmakers were calling for the sign’s removal because of Flynn’s association with the US Communist Party. Read more here, and here, and a good article by Arnie for InDepthNH. We hope the marker remains, and that all this attention to Flynn will inform Granite Staters about the many sacrifices made to defend the dignity of workers.
ACTION ALERTS
OPPOSE HB 281, relative to least cost integrated resource plan of utilities. Our colleagues at the Sierra Club explain that this bill will end a planning tool used in the Public Utilities Committee that protects ratepayers from price gouging and protects the environment. Learn more here. The bill has a hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, May 9 at 9:30 AM in Room 103, SH. Please sign in to oppose this bill.
OPPOSE SB 272, the so-called parental bill of rights that would require school staff to ‘out’ trans kids to their parents (if asked) and automatically notify parents of students’ participation in LGBTQ+ support groups and clubs. Parents could sue school staff for noncompliance. The full House vote hasn’t been scheduled yet but is expected to take place on May 18. Now is the time to let your own Representatives know that you want them to defeat this dangerous bill.
OPPOSE SB 132, the anti-sanctuary cities bill. The House Municipal and County Government will vote on this bill during an executive session on May 10. Please contact the committee before Wednesday and urge them to recommend ITL, and please let your own Representatives know that you want them to defeat the bill when it gets to the full House. You can also help by gathering signatures from your own town/city/county on two important letters of opposition, from municipal officials and law enforcement, which we will send to the full House in time for the floor vote in a few weeks. To add names, contact us at afscnh@afsc.org.
SUPPORT SB 263, which would permanently reauthorize the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, also known as expanded Medicaid. This bill passed the full Senate by a voice vote in March. The House Health and Human Services Committee will vote on the bill on May 10. Please contact the committee and urge them to pass this important bill.
SUPPORT the Starbucks workers in Rochester, NH who have formed a union affiliated with Starbucks Workers United. Since the company has not given voluntary recognition, there will be an election on Tuesday, May 23, for workers to vote on whether they want to be represented by the union. The election will be conducted by the National Labor Relations Board and held at the store between 1 and 5 pm. If a majority of those voting support the union, the company will have to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with them. Between now and then, we encourage as many folks as possible to stop by this Starbucks location and show your support for the union. The Rochester Starbucks is in the Granite Ridge Marketplace, at 92 Farmington Road (Route 11); they are open from 5 AM to 8 PM.
From Rev. Gail Kinney from NH Faith & Labor, here’s what we can do from now to May 22: Purchase something, either in the store or at the drive-up window. Be friendly and appreciative in your interactions with the barista. Be creative when you give your name, something like “Union Yes,” or “Worker Solidarity.” (Imagine what it will mean to everyone in the store when someone calls out, “We have a mocha latte for Vote Union.”) If you pre-order via your phone, you may get an auto-reply asking for your comments on the service. Be sure to respond expressing support for the union. These comments go right to the regional management. After receiving your order, express your hope that the workers will soon be formally unionized.
State Budget
The Senate Finance Committee held their public hearing on the state budget on Tuesday, which included many hours of testimony from community members and advocates calling for increased investments in childcare, housing, retirement benefits and more. The NH Campaign for a People’s Budget submitted testimony from faith leaders and progressive advocates outlining our priorities for a budget that strengthens communities, protects the environment, and meets the needs of our most vulnerable residents.
From the Union Leader: “The People's Budget Coalition supporters signed a letter that requested many other changes, including $75 million for school building aid and increased support for renewable energy projects and state assistance to homeowners who are dealing with high-energy costs. ‘While HB 1 and HB 2 include many important provisions, they also include numerous provisions that would harm NH residents and fail to address other vital issues.’”
Read more about the hearing here. There’s still time to let committee members hear from you as they prepare their version for consideration in the full Senate by early June.
Join the NH Campaign for a People’s Budget for a six-part series of Community Conversations on Monday evenings at 6 PM to 7:30 PM. The series began on Monday, April 17 and will run through May 22. We gather in person at the Arlington Street Community Center in Nashua, and remotely via Zoom. Register here and share the Facebook event with your friends and networks. Last week’s conversation with Carisa Corrow included a broad overview of the state-wide challenges to public education and the ongoing struggle to support educators and maintain a minimum education standard for all students regardless of their background or zip code. Check out our community conversation jamboard for notes and highlights. This coming Monday, we’ll focus on health care issues in the state budget in a conversation led by Deborah Opramolla, a disability justice advocate. All are welcome!
Immigration News
In preparation for the end of Title 42 – the public health order that was used by the Trump and then Biden administrations to turn asylum seekers away at the US southern border – President Biden has ordered 1,500 troops to the border region. The deployment is for 90 days and is intended to supplement the 2,500 National Guard troops who are already there. Read more here.
In addition to increased military presence at the border, more bureaucratic barriers are going up as well, in the form of new rules from the Department of Homeland Security that will further restrict access to asylum in the US. We recommend this factsheet from Alianza Americas.
We strongly believe that the needs of migrants at our southern border merit a humanitarian response, not military action or policies that expel desperate people or deny migrants their right to seek peace and safety. For a thoughtful vision of a more humane system at the border, check out this new report from the American Immigration Council: Beyond A Border Solution - How to Build a Humanitarian Protection System That Won’t Break.
“Creating and funding a flexible, orderly, and safe asylum system will reduce both irregular entries and unjust outcomes. Investment in dedicated humanitarian processing infrastructure at the border and in receiving communities will reduce unexpected fiscal burdens, limit strain on law enforcement resources, and improve human rights. Moreover, a humanitarian protection system that is purged of arbitrary delays and inconsistent outcomes will produce fairer and more expeditious results. Asylum seekers with meritorious claims will be more likely to prevail when provided with a meaningful opportunity to present them.”
We urge the Biden administration to designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the Democratic Republic of Congo, where armed conflict has a killed thousands and displaced millions. Read more here.
Recommended Reading
The first boat to protest nuclear weapons is back to inspire a new generation – article by Arnie Alpert for Waging Nonviolence, about nonviolent activism and the Golden Rule, which will visit Portsmouth, June 21 – 25, 2023.
New Hampshire’s housing crisis is a human rights issue – blog post for the NH Center for Justice and Equity, with Elissa Margolin of Housing Action NH.
Last Week at the State House
Moms Demand Action held a day of action last week in Concord to support advocacy for commonsense gun violence prevention. Read more here. 100+ participants received training and legislative updates and visited lawmakers’ offices.
Governor Sununu signed 16 bills into law last week. You can read the list here, which includes a new requirement for the teaching of cursive and memorization of multiplication tables in public schools.
The full House passed SB 166-FN, relative to grid modernization. Senator David Watters expressed his support: “Electric rates in the Granite State have hit record highs, and many of our residents are facing significant economic hardship as a result. In order to address this immediate issue, we must develop long term solutions. Through the development of a pathway to modernize our electrical grid via the advisory group established by SB 166, we will put New Hampshire on the way to rate stabilization and lower energy costs overall - building a stronger, cleaner energy economy and future for us all.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee has recommended OTP on HB 46, establishing a committee to study replacement of bail commissioners with court magistrates. The full Senate will take up the measure next week. If passed, the bill, which has been a priority of the ACLU of NH, would help to gather much-needed data regarding the impacts of the 2018 bail reform. Read more here.
Key:
LOB – Legislative Office Building (33 N. State St. Concord)
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
TABLED – Laid on the table. A vote to put the bill ‘on the table’ means that no further action will be taken until the bill comes off the table. A 2/3 vote may be required to remove the bill from the table. After Crossover, tabled bills cannot be acted on for the remainder of the legislative year.
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.
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. Occurs when the speaker listens for whether yay or nay is louder (no votes are counted).
DV – Division vote. Votes are counted but names aren't recorded.
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.
Last week in the House
The full House met in session on Thursday, May 4. Here are outcomes for some of the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW
SB 43, relative to a needs assessment for juvenile minors who are residents of New Hampshire. This bill will ensure that the existing programs would be used for resident minors of New Hampshire and not young people arrested in New Hampshire who reside elsewhere. OTP by VV.
SB 172-FN, allowing court-appointed guardians to receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits. In the past, only biological relatives and adoptive parents were eligible to receive federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds to assist with caring for children in their custody. This bill allows such families to become eligible to receive federal TANF funds without adding any costs to the state budget. OTP by VV. Re-referred to Finance.
SB 179, relative to eliminating the use of seclusion as a form of punishment or discipline on children in schools and treatment facilities. This bill eliminates seclusion, the involuntary solitary confinement of a child, making it strictly prohibited in all schools and treatment facilities, and helps to clarify language related to the definition of seclusion. OTP by VV.
SB 206, prohibiting corporal punishment in child day care agencies. This bill would establish that children, while under the supervision of child care agencies, must not be subject to corporal punishment, and that individuals and facilities that do exercise corporal punishment shall be subject to criminal penalties and maybe enjoined from the future care of children. OTP by VV.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 29, relative to repealing the statute relating to police matrons. This bill seeks to remove police matrons from statute on the grounds that the term and role of police matron is antiquated and is no longer relevant. Currently in New Hampshire there is no one filling the role of police matron nor is there a police matron position. OTP by VV.
SB 38-FN, amending the procedure for issuing a summons instead of an arrest. OTP by VV.
SB 244-FN, relative to false public alarms. This bill makes false reports of a shooting or bomb threat a felony. OTP by VV.
SB 251, establishing a committee to study the long-term impact of the New Hampshire adult parole system. OTP by VV.
EDUCATION
SB 39-FN, relative to criminal history checks for school transportation monitors. OTP by VV.
SB 109, relative to school safety and coordination with law enforcement. OTP by VV.
SB 216, (New Title) making changes to the requirements for civics education in schools. As amended, this bill establishes requirements for the teaching of civics in schools and defines a civics education. OTP-A by VV.
ELECTION LAW
SB 157-FN, relative to election audits. This bill extends and expands the existing provisions relating to the audit of election voting devices and includes hand count towns in the audit process. The audits are open to the public. The House amendment amends the Senate bill as follows: makes the audit mandatory; expands the audit to include all election voting devices and not just AccuVote devices; includes the presidential primary in the races to be audited; increases the number of audits from four to eight; and requires that 100 ballots be compared to the digital images, rather than four percent. The committee feels that this bill increases the security and transparency in the election process. OTP-A by VV.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 45, relative to national guard educational benefits. OTP by VV.
SB 108-FN, relative to participation of the NH public defender program in the state employee health insurance plan. The New Hampshire public defender office contracts to provide statutory legal representation to indigent citizens. Employee turnover is high because caseloads are high, salaries are moderate, the private health insurance is costly and coverage is limited. OTP by VV.
SB 203, relative to the composition and jurisdiction of the manufactured housing board. OTP-A by VV.
SB 208, relative to online access to state information on economic relief disbursements. This bill brings transparency regarding federal funds in that both the Department of Administrative Services and the governor’s office for emergency relief and recovery must report separately on these disbursements on public websites. OTP by VV.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
SB 35, relative to RSV vaccine administration. The committee finds the bill expands public access to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to address a growing concern for the safety of adults against the RSV. For several years, pharmacists have been safely providing adults with over 12 vaccines and the bill adds this vaccine to that list. OTP by VV.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
SB 40, relative to participation in net energy metering by small hydroelectric generators. OTP/A by VV.
SB 161, relative to low-moderate income community solar projects. This bill modifies existing law that allows certain public housing authority projects to qualify for low-moderate income community solar projects. The committee amendment clarified that the Department of Energy could issue rules or orders to determine eligibility for such projects as described in referenced state statutes that in turn reference federal statutes. OTP/A by VV.
SB 166-FN, relative to electric grid modernization. This bill establishes a grid modernization advisory group to help review the many aspects of grid modernization that the state will need to address through regulation or legislation. OTP-A by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 209, relative to providing menstrual hygiene products at no cost to individuals who biologically menstruate in state and county correctional facilities. This bill is similar to HB 421, which has already passed in the House. It would support basic human dignity for women by requiring all county and state correctional facilities to provide menstruation hygiene products to all female inmates that menstruate, at no cost to the inmate. Unlike the House bill, this bill would also include juvenile detention facilities and defines sufficiency, at minimum, as 20 standard issue menstrual hygiene products per individual’s menstrual cycle. Tabled by DV, 357-9.
EDUCATION
SB 77, relative to changes in school placement for students. This bill changes the state’s relatively new manifest education hardship program, which allows a parent or guardian to request a change of school assignment when a student is experiencing an educational hardship in their local public school. OTP by RC, 187-183.
ELECTION LAW
SCR 1, affirming the general court’s support for New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary. This concurrent resolution supports New Hampshire maintaining its position as first in the nation when holding its Presidential primary. OTP by RC, 356-6.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
SB 52-FN, relative to the regulation and operation of electric vehicle charging stations. This bill creates a study committee to determine how to fund the necessary electrical infrastructure to support electric vehicle (EV) chargers. OTP by DV, 187-184.
SB 69-FN, relative to allowing certain nonprofits to participate as a customer-generator group hosts under net energy metering. This bill seeks to allow NH non-profit businesses to participate in net energy metering to lower their energy costs and protect them from succumbing under the very tight margins under which so many of them operate. Tabled by DV, 190-181.
SB 167-FN-LOCAL, relative to green hydrogen energy and infrastructure. This bill is intended to incentivize the construction and implementation of facilities for green hydrogen produced from zero-carbon energy, a strategic and crucial component of the energy mix for our state in coming years, especially important in energy intensive industries and in heavy transportation. ITL by DV, 187-186.
Coming Up in the House
The next House session will be on Thursday, May 18. Sessions are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 25 and Thursdays in the month of June including June 15 and June 29. All committee hearings will be livestreamed on the NH House's YouTube channel.
Coming Up in House Committees
Tuesday, May 9
ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
9:45 AM CACR 9, relating to the New Hampshire presidential primary. Providing that the New Hampshire presidential primary will be the first presidential primary of a presidential election cycle.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE, Room 301-303, LOB
1 PM Executive Session on SB 211-FN, relative to background investigations of solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants; SB 159-FN-L, establishing a committee to study unlimited service area permits for landfills and out of state waste coming into New Hampshire; SB 267-FN, requiring the commissioner of the department of environmental services to consider “cumulative impacts analysis” in rules and statutes; SB 61, relative to surface water setbacks for landfills.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE FAMILY DIVISION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, Room 206-208, LOB 9:30 AM Presentations from the Office of Child Advocate, Bureau of Child Support and testimony from the public.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB
10 AM Executive Session on SB 189-FN, relative to the definition of gross business profits in determining taxable business profits.
Wednesday, May 10
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
10 AM Executive Session on SB 64, establishing a study committee on resident-owned manufactured housing park disputes and oversight of resident-owned manufactured housing parks; SB 102, relative to the Jones Act’s effect on New Hampshire’s heating and energy fuel market; SB 235-FN, relative to services provided through a primary care behavioral health model; SB 243, establishing a committee to study implementing a state-based health insurance exchange; SB 198, directing the insurance department to conduct a cost study of providing coverage for certain reproductive health care;
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205-207, LOB
11 AM Executive Session on SB 239-FN, relative to the use of harm reduction services to treat alcohol and other substance misuse; SB 240, relative to conditions for genetic testing; SB 263-FN, extending the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program and reestablishing the commission to evaluate the effectiveness and future of the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9 AM Public hearing on proposed non-germane Amendment #2023-1482h to SB 128-FN, relative to payment for legal services for persons involuntarily admitted for mental health services. The amendment establishes the payment of legal services for indigent and nonindigent individuals involuntarily committed for mental health services, as well as the process to determine such indigency and repayment of such services.
9:30 AM Executive Session on SB 128-FN, relative to payment for legal services for persons involuntarily admitted for mental health services.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301-303, LOB
10:30 AM Executive Session on SB 47, establishing a commission to study barriers to increased density of residential development in New Hampshire; SB 132-FN, prohibiting cities and towns from adopting sanctuary policies.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305-307, LOB
9:10 AM Executive Session on SB 11, relative to African American burial grounds.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CHILDCARE, Room 104, LOB
10 AM SB 94, relative to residential child care licensing of child care institutions and agencies.
11 AM SB 221, establishing a study committee to examine day care access and affordability.
Tuesday, May 16
TRANSPORTATION, Room 201-203, LOB
10 AM Executive Session on SB 187-FN, relative to driver’s licenses for certain visa holders.
Coming Up in the Senate
The full Senate will meet in session on Thursday, May 11 at 10 AM. You can watch it here.
On the Consent Calendar
EDUCATION
HB 275-L, relative to schools approved for a school tuition program by a school board. This bill would modify school tuition programs by allowing students to transfer to an approved recipient school, despite the tuition rate exceeding what the sending district is able to accommodate. Will enable parents to cover the cost differential between the districts to enroll their student, so long as the district had at least one public anchor school which would result in no additional expense. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 5-0.
HB 364-FN, relative to transportation for students attending career and technical education centers. This bill authorizes the Department of Education to reimburse transportation costs for Career and Technical Education students and at-risk students attending alternative educational programs. The formula utilized to calculate reimbursement will be established by the State Board of Education pursuant to RSA 541-A, and shall account for vehicle type, mileage, and number of trips made. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
HB 492-FN, requiring the department of education to provide the house and senate standing committees responsible for education with copies of the laws and rules relative to education. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 5-0.
HB 530-L, relative to withdrawal from a cooperative school district. Under HB 530, a district may now depart a cooperative unilaterally with a 3/5 supermajority vote at their town meeting, which may only be contested with a complementary 3/5 supermajority vote against withdrawal from the original cooperative district. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
HB 572-FN, relative to eligibility for free school meals. This bill would expand the eligibility for free and reduced school meals by increasing the income threshold from 185% of the federal poverty line, to 300% of the federal poverty line. This would effectively eliminate the reduced meals category, and as proposed, the program would be supported by the Education Trust Fund. Re-refer to Committee by a vote of 5-0.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 154, relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities. This bill will change the process of how regulations proposed by town health officials are approved and take effect. The goal of this legislation is to include the residents of the town in the decision-making process needed to approve health ordinances that will affect everyone. Re-refer to Committee by a vote of 5-0.
HB 195, relative to the definition of political advocacy organization. This bill will reduce the threshold for Political Advocacy Organizations to disclose expenditures, from $5,000 to $2,500. In a small state like New Hampshire, $2,500 can have a significant impact on the outcome of an election. This modification will result in greater transparency for voters as they consider contributions and support for a particular candidate. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
HB 244, relative to the printing of the election day checklist. This bill, as amended, modifies the latest date and time that an absentee ballot may be requested by mail or in person at the clerk’s office. The clerk shall mail absentee ballots for verified ballot requests. The modifications allow enough time for the ballot to be received by the voter. Committee recommends OTP/A by a vote of 5-0.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 228, relative to repealing the commission on demographic trends. This bill would repeal the recently created commission to study demographic trends in New Hampshire. The information from this commission can be used to assist in better policy making in the future. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 5-0.
HB 238, relative to the role of quality control and the developmental disability service system. As amended, this bill will allow the developmental quality control council to provide feedback to DHHS on the quality of services provided to the developmentally disabled community in New Hampshire in a systematic way, and provide for DHHS feedback on a quarterly basis. As amended, the bill also creates dialogue between the department and the council on issues of concern. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 5-0.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 342-FN, relative to lead testing in children. This bill establishes a blood lead level testing documentation requirement for children entering day care and public schools. This is not a new testing requirement for children; it only requires that blood lead level test results be documented on the health records form that is already required to enter day care or public schools. Lead poisoning is a significant problem and the compliance rate with the existing blood lead level testing requirement is declining. The Committee believes that requiring documentation and providing an opportunity for educational engagement with parents and guardians will improve the compliance rate, improving the health of children and saving schools money by addressing learning difficulties caused by lead poisoning at an earlier stage. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
JUDICIARY
HB 46-FN, establishing a committee to study replacement of bail commissioners with court magistrates. This bill would establish a committee to study the use of court magistrates throughout the state court system to supplement or replace the current bail commissioner positions. The committee will be tasked with examining the benefits and problems with the current bail commissioner system, the potential structure of a court magistrate system, and the replacement and supplementation of bail commissioners with court magistrates. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
HB 107-FN, relative to employment restrictions for registered sex offenders. This bill would prohibit a person convicted of certain sexual assault offenses from hiring or otherwise engaging in any employment or volunteer service which provides direct services to a minor, or supervision or oversight of a minor. Re-refer to Committee by a vote of 5-0.
HB 266, relative to notice and public access requirements for hybrid and virtual agency public comment hearings for rulemaking. This bill would amend the Administrative Procedure Act to insert notice and public access requirements for hybrid and virtual agency public comment hearings. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
HB 308, relative to a quorum for meetings open to the public to include remote presence. This bill would allow for certain state boards to vote to allow one or more members to participate in a meeting remotely when physical attendance at the meeting site is not reasonably practicable. The Committee Amendment would allow members of the public to participate remotely in remotely held state board meetings. This bill will allow for remote participation only if one-third of a state board is physically present at the meeting location. Remote participation is needed so these boards can achieve quorum and vote on key items. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 5-0.
HB 491, relative to prohibiting the use of the prone restraint for minors. This bill would prohibit the use of prone restraint on a child in a school or treatment facility. Prone restraint, a serious and dangerous restraint technique, is already illegal in New Hampshire through the prohibition of dangerous restraint techniques as described in RSA 126-U. Despite this, prone restraints are still employed on children in facilities in New Hampshire. There is a significant increase in the risk of death when restraints are performed with a child in the prone position, therefore this practice should not be used on children. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 5-0.
On the Regular Calendar
COMMERCE
HB 42-FN, relative to the operation of certain homeowners’ associations. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 4-0.
HB 261, authorizing residential tenants to terminate their lease in instances of domestic violence or following a disabling illness or accident. Re-refer to Committee by a vote of 4-0.
EDUCATION
HB 129-FN-L, relative to menstrual hygiene products in schools. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 4-1.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 534-FN-A, relative to water assistance for natural disasters. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 3-0.
FINANCE
HB 377-FN, relative to screening and intervention in public schools and public charter schools for dyslexia and related disorders, and establishing an addition to adequate education grants for certain pupils screened for dyslexia and related disorders. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 7-0.
JUDICIARY
HB 31-FN, repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 4-1.
HB 89, relative to posthumous exonerations. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 3-2.
HB 97-FN, establishing an additional penalty for a violation of privacy. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 5-0.
HB 135-FN, prohibiting no-knock warrants. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 3-2.
HB 156, relative to misconduct by a law enforcement officer. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 3-2.
HB 201-FN, relative to changing the penalties for driving without a license. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 3-2.
HB 588-FN, relative to the criteria for applying for parole. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 3-2.
HB 624-FN, relative to federal immigration checkpoints. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 3-2.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 440-FN, relative to the uses of education trust fund. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 3-2.
Coming Up in Senate Committees
Monday, May 8
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1 PM EXECUTIVE SESSION (Tentative List of Agencies):
Department of State Police Standards and Training Council
Office of the Child Advocate
Judicial Branch Department of Justice
Human Rights Commission
Department of Energy
Liquor Commission
Department of Corrections
Upcoming Events
NH People's Budget Community Conversations - Mondays, April 17 to May 22 - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Via Zoom and at Arlington Street Community Center, 36 Arlington St. Nashua. Hosted by the NH Coalition for a People’s Budget. Learn more about the NH People’s Budget and how our voices can impact how state resources can be allocated to better serve our communities!
Phonebank With Us Against SB 272 (Forced Outing Bill) – Hosted by 603 Equality, Granite State Progress, and New Hampshire Youth Movement (NHYM). Join us for a phone bank series against SB 272, the Parental Bill of Rights, which is being voted on by the NH House of Representatives in the near future! It is important that state representatives hear from their constituents about why they must oppose this legislation. A zoom link will be sent out after signing up and we will provide a script and brief training before beginning.
Refugee Leadership Development Program provides monthly workshops to refugee and immigrant organizers across the United States. Led by refugees for refugees, this training series is an opportunity to learn more about advocacy tactics being used to advance pro-refugee/ pro-immigrant policy on the state and national level, story-telling and narrative shifting, and connecting with resources and local networks to build more welcoming and inclusive communities. Participants who attend a minimum of 3 workshops will receive a Certificate of Participation by We Are All America. Similarly, those who attend every training will be gifted a Certificate of Completion, where the alum of our program will be invited to co-facilitate or propose future workshops.
Save the date: Juneteenth Celebration 2023 - Reading the Bones: Celebrating the African Diaspora – Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH. A weeklong Juneteenth celebration to honor these early African settlers and their descendants for their extraordinary contributions to the growth of this region. We honor the African traders who interacted with the Indigenous tribal nations long before European settlers landed on these shores. We honor the Africans who survived the Middle Passage and the successive generations of the African diaspora who continue to contribute to the development, wealth, and well-being of New England. The celebration includes a tour, a panel discussion (featuring AFSC staff members, Grace and Fisto!), a Reggae festival, a gospel choir concert, African drumming, and more!
Monday, May 8
NH People's Budget Community Conversations - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Zoom and Arlington Street Community Center, 36 Arlington St. Nashua. Hosted by the NH Coalition for a People’s Budget. Learn more about the NH People’s Budget and how our voices can impact how state resources are allocated to better serve our communities!
Manchester Housing Alliance: May Meeting - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by Manchester Housing Alliance and Rights & Democracy. Join us for our May meeting, we will be discussing housing policy, local boards related to housing, and other city-based housing programs.
Tuesday, May 9
Reauthorize MedEx Press Conference – 9:30 AM to 10:10 AM. LOB Lobby, 33 N. State St. Concord. Ahead of this month’s vote in the N.H. House of Representatives, business and health care leaders from across New Hampshire will join together for a press conference stressing the need for reauthorization of Medicaid Expansion without a sunset and discuss the economic hazards of short-term extension.
NH Zoning Atlas Launch - 8 AM to 10:15 AM. Zoom & NH Institute of Politics, St. Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Dr. Manchester. Hosted by the Center for Ethics in Society, NH Housing & the NH Office of Planning and Development. The NH Zoning Atlas has been a collaborative project to research, catalog, digitize, and graphically display all of New Hampshire’s zoning regulations, community-by-community, district-by-district. The NH Zoning Atlas has the potential to be a valuable tool for researchers, policy-makers, planners, community leaders, builders and developers, advocates, and others to understand NH’s zoning, as well as to stimulate a statewide discourse about the ways in which zoning in our communities - both individually & collectively - affects housing supply & affordability. The launch will include a presentation that details the work that went into the Atlas and a walkthrough of the interactive map. This will be followed by a panel discussion with leaders in the housing space about how the Atlas might be useful or significant for New Hampshire communities.
Thursday, May 11
Think Twice Before Calling the Police - 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Many people have an understanding that police violence targets certain communities and want to avoid calling the police but don’t know what to do in case of an emergency. Join us for a 4-part series that will leave you with concrete skills and strategies to avoid calling law enforcement unless it is absolutely necessary. Register for all 4 sessions in this webinar series: May 4, 11, 18, and 25, and attend as many as you can. Recordings of all sessions will be available on our website.
Saturday, May 13
Double Film Screening: “Protecting Human Rights in Occupied Palestine” & “Boycott”. 5 PM. Community Church of Durham, Chapel. 17 Main Street, Durham. Join us for a showing of two films and community conversation about solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli friends advocating for human rights in Palestine, and an end to the occupation itself. We continue to hear (from these advocates in Palestine) that U.S. communities must step up and raise this issue in public and political life. Without our voices, U.S. policy continues to validate and extend an occupation that is brutally violent, unjust and antithetical to our democratic and human rights ideals.
Tuesday, May 16
Trinity Grantee Briefing: Diversion Not Incarceration - 2 PM. Hosted by Trinity Church Racial Justice initiative & the Urban Justice Center’s Mental Health Project. Join us for a virtual presentation & discussion on its newly released policy brief, Diversion Not Incarceration: Recommendations to Reduce Incarceration of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with Mental Health Challenges. This brief analyzes the disproportionate incarceration of BIPOC individuals who have mental health issues. Join MHP staff and its panel of experts representing advocates, people with lived experience, community organizations, government agencies, law enforcement, and mental health practitioners in this facilitated discussion. Read the policy brief here.
Thursday, May 18
How Long is Long Enough? - 12 PM to 1 PM. Hosted by the Council on Criminal Justice. Join us to discuss the final report of the Task Force on Long Sentences. Task Force Director John Maki will moderate a discussion of the panel’s key findings and recommendations with four Task Force members. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the event.
Thursday, May 23
NH Renews Grassroots Lobby Training - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by NH Renews Coalition. In preparation for our 2023 Climate & Energy Lobby Days we are offering a virtual grassroots lobby training. During the training, we'll offer support with developing and delivering a powerful testimony, and guidance on speaking to legislators about the climate and energy issues that matter most to you. After the training, you’ll have what you need to join us on one or both of our Lobby Days on May 25 and May 30, where we will target legislative committees that focus on the climate and energy policies that impact us all. We strongly encourage anyone planning to attend Lobby Day to join this training. You are welcome to join this training even if you cannot come to Lobby Day.
Wednesday, May 24
Tenant Rights Information Session – 6 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by 603 Legal Aid. Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St. Manchester. When you rent housing, there are many laws that affect your relationship as a tenant with your landlord. Renters are invited to attend an informational session about tenant rights on Wednesday, May 24 at 6 PM at the Manchester City Library in the Winchell Room. Marta Hurgin, Legal Director for 603 Legal Aid, will present on the topic of Tenant Rights and go over some of the fundamental laws that all renters should know, followed by a Q&A. Following the presentation, renters who need legal assistance can complete an intake with a 603 Legal Aid staff member.
Thursday, May 25 & Tuesday, May 30
NH Renews Climate & Energy Lobby Days – 9 AM to 5 PM. Hosted by NH Renews Coalition. Join the NH Renews coalition as we make our voices heard and show our collective power! We will target legislative committees that have influence on bills that impact our utility costs, the energy sources we rely on, and how we cut carbon emissions while ensuring that everyone benefits. Together, we will speak about the climate and energy issues that matter most to us, and urge our elected leaders to take bold action for a future in which we can all thrive. No prior experience is needed, just your willingness to speak up for the changes that will impact you and New Hampshire's working families. The coalition will set up the meetings with legislative committees and offer support in preparing for Lobby Day, including a training.
Job/Volunteer Opportunities
Marine and Community Conservation Remote Externship - Summer 2023 Remote Externship, part time (10 hours/week, $500 stipend). Jointly hosted by The Nature Conservancy and National Geographic Society. Seeking young people ages 18-25 from around the globe with an interest in learning about approaches to conservation, particularly as it relates to marine conservation and community engagement. Applications are due by May 1, 2023, and the fall cohort will begin on May 29, 2023.
Be well,
Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke
AFSC’s New Hampshire "State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord which relate to racial, social, and economic justice. Bookmark: https://afsc.org/state-house-watch to read current and past newsletters.
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. You can support our work by donating to the NH Program online or by sending a check payable to: AFSC-NH, 4 Park Street #304, Concord NH 03301. Thank you!