State House Watch: June 9, 2024

“If we choose, we can live in a world made by love.” – Noam Chomsky

“Resistance is feasible even for those who are not heroes by nature, and it is an obligation.” – Noam Chomsky

“If they cannot love and resist at the same time, they probably will not survive.” ― Audre Lorde

Dear State House Watchers, 

We are rapidly approaching the end of the 2024 state legislative session! The session will formally end this coming week, on Thursday, June 13, when Representatives and Senators meet to vote up or down on the Committee of Conference (CoC) reports. Read on for more information about the decisions made by the CoCs.

We’ll send our final issue of State House Watch next weekend, and then take a little break as we prepare our “Summary of the 2024 Session” which we hope to send to you in July.

Bills that have already passed the House and Senate are on their way to the governor’s desk. In fact, he has been signing bills since April, and has already vetoed a few as well. You can track all of this via the press releases posted by his office which announce the signings and the vetoes. We hope the governor chooses to sign HB 596, a bill which prohibits racial profiling in law enforcement and sentencing. You can read more here.

Advocates are calling on all of us to contact Governor Sununu to urge him to veto the four anti-trans bills that were passed by the legislature this year. You can call (603-271-2121), or share your comments here. For a sobering view of the nationwide attacks on the rights and well-being of transgender people, see this Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Assessment Map: June 2024 Edition. 

As we review the outcomes of last week’s Committee of Conference (CoC) meetings, we’re seeing both positive and negative news.

After much bipartisan negotiation, a good version of HB 318 is headed for a vote in both bodies on Thursday. This bill protects the progress made in recent years with regard to bail reform, and implements some positive measures.

HB 1127, which, as amended by the Senate, would have prohibited immigrants with valid driver licenses issued in other states from driving in New Hampshire, was restored by the conferees to its original, benign form, and the ridiculous amendment was removed. Hooray!  

Sadly, however, conferees accepted a harmful amendment to HB 1292, requiring local law enforcement to engage in federal immigration enforcement. The CoC agreed to the same problematic proposal that had been defeated in the House several weeks ago (SB 563). Read our testimony in opposition to SB 563. We will be urging House members to defeat HB 1292 because the amended language is dangerous and unnecessary. Read more here. 

Returning to the good news, we’re delighted to see that conferees could not agree on HB 1298, a bill that would have dramatically lowered standards for part-time teachers. Since they could not reach agreement, the bill has been defeated for this year.

But sadly, conferees did reach agreement on HB 1665, a bill which, as amended, will increase eligibility for the already costly school voucher program to households earning 425% of the federal poverty guidelines. You can read more here.

In more bad news, HB 1370, a bill that would eliminate voter affidavits, was agreed to in the CoC and will be voted up or down on Thursday. If passed, this bill will join HB 1569, another voter suppression bill that has already passed both bodies and is heading to the governor. Read more here. We strongly urge our Representatives and Senators to defeat HB 1370.

We’re intrigued to see that HB 1633, a bill that would legalize and regulate cannabis, has survived the CoC process. A version amended by the conferees will be voted on this week. Read more here.

And here’s a little more good news:

SB 499, a bill that would appropriate funds for a summer EBT program through the NH Department of Health and Human Services, came out of the CoC with the positive House amendment intact. We hope that it passes both bodies on Thursday.

And conferees reached a compromise on HB 1400, relative to residential parking spaces, landlord-tenant law, unauthorized occupant evictions, and zoning procedures concerning residential housing. They agreed to a position of 1.5 spaces for studio and 1 BR apartments, and 1.5 spaces for every unit in multi-family developments over 10 units. Housing advocates support the compromise version of HB 1400 as a positive proposal that will support increased production of affordable housing.

ACTION ALERTS

The House and Senate will meet on Thursday, June 13 to vote up or down on the Committee of Conference report. Before Thursday, please contact your Representatives and your Senators and urge them to do the following:

Oppose HB 1292-FN, relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan and relative to federal immigration enforcement. This is an anti-immigrant bill that will force local law enforcement to engage in federal immigration enforcement and deny due process.

Oppose HB 1370, relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions. From the NH Campaign for Voting Rights, “this bill denies eligible voters the right to register to vote unless they have documents proving identity, age, domicile (address) and citizenship. To prove citizenship, voters would have to provide either a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers. This voter suppression law could cost any voter their right to register and vote in an election simply for lacking a passport, birth certificate, or documents showing their address if those documents aren’t able to be found in state databases.” Read more here.

Oppose HB 1665, which expands eligibility for the school voucher program to 425% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Oppose HB 1018-FN, relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses and relative to land in current use. This bill was amended to give law enforcement a tool for arresting immigrants, or people suspected of being immigrants.

Support HB 318-FN-A, relative to bail commissioners, the standards applicable to and the administration of bail, and making an appropriation.

Support Nonviolent Protest for Peace
Jon us on Monday morning, June 10, at the Dover District Court, 25 St. Thomas Street, Dover to support the arraignment of the “Mother's Day 5” who were arrested at Congressman Pappas’ Dover district office following a peaceful protest to end the war in Gaza. We will gather for an interfaith vigil starting at 8 AM, and then host a press conference at 9 AM following the arraignment, offering another chance to communicate our wish for Congressman Pappas and our elected representatives to act for real and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel and an end to the US funded violence.

Immigration News
The Biden Administration announced last week that the US/Mexico border will be closed when migrant encounters by border patrol surpass a weekly threshold. Read more here, here, and here. 

AFSC and other Immigrant advocates object strenuously to the Administration’s action, which denies the rights of asylum seekers. Read our statement here: Quaker org says Biden border order is cruel and ineffective: “Closing the border to people seeking safety is immoral, counterproductive, and a violation of international law,” said Amy Gottlieb, U.S. Migration Director for AFSC. “What we need is to create a fair and welcoming immigration system that processes immigration claims quickly, connects people to supportive services, and provides avenues for residency and citizenship. Instead, President Biden is doubling down on Trump’s cruel and ineffective efforts to punish migrants for failures of U.S. policy.” 

We will be submitting public comment expressing our opposition to these measures, and we encourage others to do the same. You can also sign this action alert: Tell the Biden administration: Welcome immigrants with dignity – do not limit access to asylum. 

We recommend these recent news stories:

On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum (NH Bulletin, June 7, 2024): Aimée Santillán, a policy analyst at the Hope Border Institute, which advocates for solidarity and justice across the borderlands, said that the order will require many migrants to wait in Mexico, and “right now, Mexico is a very dangerous place for migrants to be in. We think that this might exacerbate the situation, or push people to … find other routes of entering the country that are less controlled, have less services, have less people receiving them and giving them assistance,” she said.

Leaders should finally tell us the truth about migration: it’s here for good (Gaia Vince, for The Guardian, June 7, 2024): “How have so many leaders backed themselves into a position where, left and right, they agree that immigration numbers must fall? Simply put, politicians have allowed foreigners to be blamed for the economic anxieties their policy failures have caused. During a period of little economic growth, as we emerge from the trauma of a pandemic to expensive food and energy prices, massive housing shortages and an influx of refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere, people who feel poor, ignored or left behind by their governments are easy prey for radical parties with a nationalist agenda that purports to prioritize them. These leaders promise to return the country to a mythical pre-immigration state when life for ordinary citizens was idyllic.”

Committees of Conference (CoC) Outcomes
62 Committees of Conference (CoCs) were formed last week. All of them met at least once over the past week. Most were able to reach agreement about how to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of their bill, although some were not able to agree and the bill died. 

For the CoCs who reached agreement, these bills will be voted on when the House and Senate meet this coming Thursday, June 13, the final day of the state legislative session. These will be ‘up or down’ votes on the CoC outcome; there is no longer an opportunity for amendments. Some CoC reports are on the Consent Calendar, which means they will be voted on all together. Others will be on the Regular Calendar, which means they will be debated one by one on the floor. 

The House bills will be voted on first in the Senate; if they are approved, they will pass to the House for a final vote. Senate bills will be voted on first in the House; if they are approved, they will pass to the Senate for a final vote. A vote to defeat a CoC in either chamber will mean that the bill is defeated for this year. 

You can watch the House session here, and the Senate session here. Both the House and Senate will begin proceedings at 10 AM.

Here are the CoC report summaries for the bills we’re tracking. You can click on each bill to see the official report:

HB 318-FN-A, (Third New Title) relative to bail commissioners, the standards applicable to and the administration of bail, and making an appropriation. “The conferees met and came to the following agreements on the amended bill: As the intent of cash bail is to ensure the appearance of a defendant at a future proceeding, and not to otherwise keep them incarcerated pending trial, bail may not be set in an amount higher than a defendant is able to pay. A magistrate program is established with a minimum of 3 and subject to appropriation, 5 to start. The standard of proof required to hold a defendant for risk of flight is set at a preponderance of the evidence. The standard to hold a defendant for dangerousness remains clear and convincing evidence. Law enforcement shall make every reasonable attempt to notify a victim of a violent crime prior to the release of a defendant on bail. The sum of 1.7 million dollars to establish a bail notification and tracking system in the courts and for law enforcement was returned to the bill. Together these changes represent the bipartisan and bicameral agreement on the necessary changes to our bail system as was requested by the citizens of New Hampshire, as well as our law enforcement community, and our bail commissioners themselves. These changes were made with the input and consideration of all the stakeholders involved.” (Written by Rep. Terry Roy.)

HB 458, (New Title) reestablishing the commission to study the assessing of power generation. “The conferees met and agreed to make the following change: delete ‘recommend a solution’ and replace it with ‘create recommendations.’ This change will allow the commission that is the subject of the bill to consider multiple methodologies for the assessment of power generation stations.” (Written by Rep. Michael Vose.)

HB 463-FN, (New Title) relative to the establishment of an election information portal and makes an appropriation therefor. “A large allocation was added by the Senate and no agreement could be reached.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.) Due to lack of agreement, the bill has died. 

HB 468-FN-A, (New Title) establishing a commission to recodify the education laws and making an appropriation therefor. “The Senate version added many details that the House members objected to as complicating a straightforward bill. The members could not agree on any compromise. The House members are united on letting the Committee of Conference die, with no result or report.” (Written by Rep. Kenneth L. Weyler.) Due to lack of agreement, the bill has died.

HB 1018-FN, (New Title) relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses and relative to land in current use. This bill makes changes to the laws relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses, including the regulation of certain on-premises licensees which sell hookah products; provides that the owner of land in current use and designated as open space may post that such land is restricted to use for public recreation only; and expands grounds for criminal trespass to include violation of open space land posted for recreational use only and when associated with a violation of the controlled drug act or human trafficking. The House members acceded to the Senate amendment and so the Senate-amended version was agreed to.

HB 1069,  (New Title) relative to material subject to disclosure under the right-to-know law. “The House and Senate conferees appeared for the conference. However, during discussion the Senate conferees made it clear that they wanted to kill this bill and would nonconcur even if the House agreed to accept the bill as passed by the Senate. Therefore, there was no agreement and the bill failed.” (Written by Rep. Bob Lynn.)

HB 1079, (Second New Title) relative to critical incident stress management team members and establishing a rural and underserved area educator incentive program for higher education and making an appropriation therefor. “HB 1079 was the base bill to which the text of SB 495 and SB 217 were added. SB 495 was voted into interim study by the House Health and Human Services Committee while the House Education Committee amended SB 217 but it failed in House Finance. The committee of conference unanimously agreed to accept HB 1079 as introduced to House ED&A, delete the Senate version of SB 495 because there were too many unanswered questions from the House side and the House version of SB 217 as passed through House Education. SB 217 establishes a grant program for teachers in underserved areas and it was the committee’s position that this would only occur if funded in the biennial budget.” (Written by Rep. Jaci Grote.)

HB 1091, relative to the financing of political campaigns. “This campaign finance reform bill has minor amendments by the Senate. The conferees agreed on a small change moving Senate campaigns from being categorized with all down ticket campaigns, to being on par with the Executive Council.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.)

HB 1127, (New Title) relative to the revocation and suspension of driver licenses and to invalidating out-of-state driver licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. “The Senate amended HB 1127 to include language from SB 358 (invalidating out of state driver licenses issued to undocumented immigrants). SB 358 failed on the House floor so an amendment to fix the bill and allow it to apply to the people it intended could not be introduced. Key parts of that amendment were offered in the conference, but the Senate would not agree. The House, in turn, would not agree to returning the original language to the House floor. The committee recessed twice at the request of the Senate in hopes of a solution, but none came. Ultimately, the committee agreed to remove the SB 358 language and sign off on the original HB 1127.” (Written by Rep. Tom Walsh.)

HB 1197, (New Title) relative to criminal background checks and relative to insurance coverage for intrauterine insemination. “The conferees from the House and Senate agreed to the removal of one line from the Senate version of SB 558. Specifically, it removed the line indicating that the procedure was ‘medically necessary.’ The bill continues to require that the procedure be covered for all women, and the stricken line does not impact the function or intent of the bill. The result is that the House acceded to the Senate Amendment, with further Amendment.” (Written by Rep. Terry Roy.)

HB 1236-FN, (Second Title) establishing a pilot recruitment and retention program within the department of health and human services and relative to the income eligibility for “in and out medical assistance” under the state Medicaid plan. “The House requested a committee of conference to fully understand the Senate amendment. After meeting, and since the amendment was good and needed, the House conferees agreed to the Senate version.” (Written by Rep. John Hunt.)

HB 1259-FN, (New Title) relative to property and casualty insurance laws administered by the insurance department; and making an appropriation to the department of environmental services to fund regional drinking water infrastructure. “After reviewing the Senate amendment, it was determined that it was unnecessary, so the Senate acceded to the House position.” (Written by Rep. John Hunt.)

HB 1265,  (New Title) relative to the penalty for failure to file school expenditure reports, relative to certain adequacy grants, and requiring mandatory reporting by school districts of school expenses. “The House accedes to the Senate version of HB 1265 as amended by the committee of conference. This legislation requires school districts to post mandatory reports of school expenses, including average cost per pupil, average teacher salaries, and top administrator salaries. It also creates a civil remedy for the enforcement of this requirement. For consistency and accuracy of data in the district reports, the department provided information identifying the expenses to be included.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.)

HB 1278-FN, (New Title) relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis; and relative to the summer EBT program, the SNAP elderly simplified application and the school lunch program and making appropriations therefor. “The Senate has receded from their amendment and acceded to the House position, which empowers providers to certify adults 21 and older for therapeutic cannabis through their own discretion rather than a limited list of conditions. This is more limited than their ability to prescribe drugs, including controlled drugs, as it states that they can certify for ‘any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom for which the potential benefits of using therapeutic cannabis would, in the provider’s clinical opinion, likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.’” (Written by Rep. Erica Layon.)

HB 1292-FN,  (New Title) relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan and relative to federal immigration enforcement. The conferees met and agreed to adopt the House version of SB 563. Note from AFSC: The CoC summary that was published in the House calendar is not accurate, so we have not copied it here. For an accurate description of the House version of SB 563, you can read the  testimony submitted by the NH Immigrant Rights Network. We urge the House to reject this CoC report and defeat HB 1292.

HB 1298-FN, relative to the definition of part-time teachers. “The House accedes to the Senate version as amended by the committee of conference. As amended in conference, the bill only provides adjunct faculty certificate eligibility to those who work as a teacher on a part time basis for no more than 20 hours per week, and who are employed or contracted as a faculty member by an institution with either the CCSNH or the USNH. The faculty member requesting adjunct authorization shall be required to seek a criminal history record check clearance. As amended, this bill would have enabled faculty from NH public post-secondary institutions to provide instruction such as, but not limited to, concurrent and dual enrollment courses in public schools. Unfortunately, not all House conferees agreed, and the bill failed.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.)

HB 1313-FN-L, relative to access to the voter checklist by candidates. “This bill establishes procedures and fees for obtaining a copy of the voter checklist. The Senate version changes language making the format of the information less specific, as long as it conforms to the guidelines established in the House version.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.) Conferees agreed to the Senate-amended version.

HB 1358, (Second New Title) relative to tenant and contract manufacturers of beer, wine, and liquor; allowing pharmacists to administer influenza, COVID-19, and other FDA licensed vaccines without explicit approval from the general court; and, restricting the purchase of real property on or around military installations. “The title is incorrect; this bill did not contain any pharmaceutical legislation. The House in the end, agreed to a chaptered study committee on restricting purchases of real property on or around military installations.” (Written by Rep. John Hunt.)

HB 1369, relative to the verification of voter rolls every 4 years. “This bill establishes verifying the voter checklist every 4 years. The Senate changes a 4 year look back when verifying to a 6 year look back.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.) House members agreed to the Senate-amended version.

HB 1370-FN, (New Title) relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions. “This bill removes any exceptions for proving voter identification. This bill also removes the voter affidavits as proof of identification and repeals the procedures for affidavit ballots and creates a judicial review or data verification process for persons aggrieved by the decision of an election official which denies that person the opportunity to vote. The amended version provides that once the voter has called the hotline, they must be taken care of within 20 minutes, or they may vote anyway.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.)

HB 1386-FN, relative to prohibiting the disposal of lithium-ion batteries in solid waste landfill facilities, composting facilities, or incinerators. “The conferees met and agreed to adopt amendment 2024-2146h to the Senate version of HB 1386. The amendment cleans up some drafting errors that occurred when the Senate made their changes to the House version. The adopted amendment removes an erroneous and duplicative definition of the term ‘computer,’ makes some corrections to typographical errors and adds back in the section to repeal RSA 140-M:27, IV. “ (Written by Rep. Judy Aron.)

HB 1400, (Third New Title) relative to residential parking spaces, landlord-tenant law, unauthorized occupant evictions, and zoning procedures concerning residential housing. “The House acceded to the Senate position on parking with amendment #2024-2286s. The amendment does a few things: 1) Compromises on the House position on parking. The House passed HB1400 on consent earlier this year that would require municipalities not regulate more than 1 parking space per unit. The Senate amended it to 2 parking spaces. The COC agreed to a position of 1.5 spaces for studio and one-bedroom apartments and 1.5 spaces for every unit in multi-family developments over 10 units. This is a commonsense change that allows developers to plan accordingly for the number of spaces they believe they need while also allowing municipalities discretion in the number of spaces required for any building up to 10 units. The House also included language that allows for alternative parking solutions. This language would enable a developer and municipality to have a conversation about other possible locations for parking nearby proposed multi-family or single-family developments and the municipality consider a number of factors when evaluating a number of parking spaces needed. 2) The Senate added language that was a careful compromise between tenants’ rights advocates and housing providers that would provide a remedy for housing providers in situations where there is a dispute around who is living in the unit. The House agreed with most of the language but felt that there needed to be clear language in the bill that gave law enforcement the right to enforce the criminal trespass statute and the arrest and prosecution of a squatter either in an apartment or an owner-occupied dwelling. Additionally, the House feels This is not a tool for law enforcement to use to circumvent an arrest for burglary or criminal trespass, if probable cause exists , nor is it to be used as a defense. This language is a right afforded to the non-rental owner to use as an option for relief of a violation of RSA 635:1 or 635:2. 3) The House amended language to allow municipalities to create a tax cut for those that convert office spaces to residential developments. This language sunsets in 2035. The House also added language that would empower local legislative bodies and planning boards to collaborate more effectively when considering “qualifying structure” under the RSA79-E:4-d tax cut. The House conferees acceded to the Senate version of HB1400 with these changes.” (Written by Rep. Joe Alexander.)

HB 1521, (New Title) relative to recovery houses. “While the conferees agreed that clarifying the zoning and other regulatory language for recovery houses was important, and that the state needs more of them, spread throughout the state, we were unable to agree on a method of encouraging this. The Senate had imposed a percentage of population limit that would require a vote of the legislative body for new recovery houses – immediately in Manchester, and soon in Nashua. The House realizes recovery houses need to be located in fairly dense communities where services and jobs are available; a limit for certified recovery houses in Manchester and Nashua seems more likely to bring in uncertified and under the radar houses than to promote recovery houses in other communities. No agreement was reached.” (Written by Rep. Carol McGuire.) Having not reached agreement, the bill was defeated.

HB 1573-FN, (Third New Title) relative to out-of-home placements for children. “Both House bill 1573 and Senate bill 417 were concerned with placement of children outside their homes. Using language from various, previous versions of HB 1573, this bill outlines the manner in which facilities will be evaluated for placement of New Hampshire children, describes the frequency and manner of on-site visits, and makes an appropriation to fund personnel and travel of department members for the purposes of enhancing oversight.” (Written by Rep. Mark Pearson.) Conferees agreed to the bill with an amendment.

HB 1596-FN, requiring a disclosure of deceptive artificial intelligence usage in political advertising. This bill establishes penalties for the use of AI in generating false information for campaigns. “The conferees agreed on language that protects inadvertent users, or people who do not know that they are reposting fake material.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.)

HB 1600-FN, (New Title) establishing a committee to study the aggregation of electric customers by municipalities and counties. “The Senate version of this bill changed its substance into a legislative study committee. Conferees decided that such a committee would be unlikely to produce a meaningful report by November 1, 2024. The final agreement was to preserve two sections of the House bill – one, a technical correction to RSA 53-E and the other the effective date. The third section of the original bill was removed due to uncertainties and concerns about an expansion of net metering.” (Written by Rep. Michael Vose.)

HB 1616-FN, (New Title) relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program and establishing a pilot recruitment and retention program within the department of health and human services. “The House accedes to the Senate version, as amended by the committee of conference. As amended in conference, the bill establishes a pilot recruitment and retention program in the Department of Health and Human Services. Pilot program grant funds shall be used to proactively address vacancy rates, fluctuations experienced in census populations, acuity of care and reliance on contracted staff at the Sununu Youth Services Center and at the Hampstead Hospital Residential Treatment Facility.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.)

HB 1633-FN-A, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor. “The House was able to get some concessions from the Senate, which includes edibles in automobiles for passengers, increasing possession from the current law of ¾ oz to 1 ounce, changing the date for the medical marijuana providers becoming for-profit, and an additional ATC member for the oversight commission.” (Written by Rep. John Hunt.)

HB 1665-FN,  (New Title) relative to student eligibility for education freedom accounts and the scholarship organization’s costs of administering the program, extending phase-out grants for education freedom accounts, and revising the definitions of average daily membership in attendance and average daily membership in residence. “The conferees support the Senate version of the bill with the following changes: in section 1 of the bill, change 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to 425 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and remove section 5 of the bill regarding school funding; ADMA and ADMR for home educated pupils and pupils participating in the EFA program.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.)

HB 2024-FN,  (Third New Title) relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to adding a speed limit of 45 miles per hour on rural highways; relative to disability pensions for public safety employees who are victims of violence; and making a capital appropriation to the department of corrections toward the replacement of the New Hampshire state prison for men. “The House conferees agreed with the Senate to adopt the 2025-2034 10-year transportation plan, with amendment. Adding certain projects to the 2025-2034 10-year transportation improvement plan, removes certain projects from the 2025-2034 10-year transportation improvement plan, increases funding for certain projects in the 2025-2034 10-year transportation, requires that all rail removed from a portion of the Conway Branch rail line be used to offset construction costs of that portion’s rail bed, reclassifies Continental Boulevard in the Town of Merrimack as a Class V highway beginning July 1, 2029, adds a speed limit of 45 miles per hour on rural highways and makes a capital appropriation to the Department of Corrections toward the replacement of the New Hampshire state prison for men.” (Written by Rep. Mark McConkey.)

SB 266,  (New Title) relative to administration of school assessment and accountability programs by the department of education. “The Senate acceded to the House version of SB 266 as amended by the committee of conference. SB 266 is relative to the statewide improvement and assessment program (PBAS). The Senate version as presented to the House was a 24-page document intended to modify and recodify education laws on the administration of and criteria for PBAS and involved changes in RSA193-E, RSA193-H, RSA193-C and RSA193-K. As amended, the bill is now 4 pages in length and will better assist the department in meeting ESEA/ESSA requirements.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.)

SB 340, (New Title) relative to communication between parents and school districts regarding special education, special education reporting requirements, and the office of the advocate for special education. “The Senate accedes to the House version. The bill includes an amendment that addresses issues found in the recent LBA Performance Audit on Special Education Due Processes. It contains measures that will assist the Department of Education to monitor and track the status and resolution issues between districts and parents regarding services to their children. It will also give the Office of Special Education Advocate the tools to perform their statutory functions. This is a first step to addressing special education issues and services to children with disabilities.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.)

SB 417-FN, relative to out-of-home placements for children. “This bill addressed issues surrounding the placement of children outside their homes. Driving this bill were two issues of concern: one was a number of tragic outcomes where children were not moved from dangerous home situations or else were moved but wrongfully placed. Additionally, both the Children and Family Law Committee and the Special Committee on the Family Division of the Circuit Court heard heart-rending testimony of how children were needlessly moved from their homes by sincere but mistaken judges and government workers, thereby trampling on the legitimate rights of parents. The House and Senate delegations worked extremely hard to reach common ground on this bill, sometimes crafting compromises, other times even finding new language superior to that of the existing bills. The result was not perfect, but we acknowledged this bill was too important to fail. Doubtless bills to tweak this or that provision of the conference’s final product will soon be filed. In the meantime, genuine concerns have been addressed and progress will be made.” (Written by Rep. Mark Pearson.)

SB 499-FN, relative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Summer EBT program and making appropriations ,and relative to providing disaster relief funding to municipalities after a natural disaster. The Senate acceded to the House amendment, and all parties agreed to an additional amendment which states that “A municipality may request infrastructural disaster relief more than once in a calendar year but shall not receive more than $25,000 in grant money in a calendar year. Requests shall be filed with the joint legislative fiscal committee within 45 days after the governor's declaration. Moneys shall be distributed from the New Hampshire disaster relief fund established in RSA 21-P:46-a. The joint legislative fiscal committee may decide to appropriate a lesser amount to the request based on available funding.”

SB 534-FN, relative to campaign finance. “This bill is largely incorporated in HB 1091 and was not needed.” (Written by Rep. Steven Smith.) This bill has been defeated.

HB 1695, relative to the release of student personally identifiable information. “The House accedes to the Senate version, as amended by the committee of conference. The Senate version as amended in conference changes the release of personally identifiable information and data from ‘within 14 school days of the release date’ to ‘14 school days before the release date.’ Amending language also changes the tense of the word ‘was’ to ensure information and data to be released ‘is’ done after parent and student consent in accordance with FERPA. Unfortunately, after we thought there was agreement, there was not.” (Written by Rep. Rick Ladd.) This bill has been defeated.

We’re Hiring!
For graduates and others who might be looking for a job right now, we want to lift up the following job opportunities: AFSC-NH is hiring for an Interfaith Organizer (one year fellowship, paid, full-time, with benefits), and for leadership team members for Change for Concord. 

New Hampshire Peace Action is hiring an Executive Director; Black Lives Matter NH is hiring an Executive Director and a Youth Outreach Coordinator, and 350NH is hiring a Youth Campaign Director. Please consider applying yourself and sharing within your networks!

Upcoming Events & Actions

Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire now! Humanitarian access to Gaza! No tax dollars for war crimes! – Join us from 2 PM to 3 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action, AFSC, & interfaith partners.
June 12 – Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Dover District Office, 340 Central Avenue, Suite 205. Dover.

June 19 - Congressman Chris Pappas, Dover District Office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover.

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

Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 PM. At the corner of N. Main and Centre Streets, Concord. 

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

Save the Dates 
African & Black Diaspora Learning Series – Hosted by AFSC. Join us for an 8 session workshop series that will run from June 2024 through September 2024 and is designed to build community amongst Black and African community members locally and across the country, sharing our backgrounds, cultures and experiences in an open, inclusive and welcoming environment. Workshops will focus on key topics in diasporic history, systems of oppression, and movements for justice, incorporating cultural and trauma-informed wellness practices to develop participants' capacity for leadership in local and national work for immigrant and economic justice.

Love 2024 Conversations – Hosted by Granite State Organizing Project. The 2024 race for New Hampshire governor will have lasting impacts on the people of New Hampshire. In the lead up to the primary in September 2024, join us for conversations with all candidates for governor about our hopes for the future of the Granite State.
June 20 - Joyce Craig – 12 PM in Manchester
June 21 - Cinde Warmington – 4 PM in Goffstown

350NH Annual Youth Leadership Retreat - July 19 to July 21. World Fellowship Center, 368 Drake Hill Rd, Albany, NH. Hosted by 350NH. Over the course of a weekend, students will learn how we can work together to stop the climate crisis and build a better future. They will participate in training sessions about grassroots organizing, climate justice, and youth power in the climate movement. They will also participate in team-building activities and form lasting friendships. Deadline to signup is: June 19!

Juneteenth Events:
June 7, 13 & 19 - Juneteenth Celebration 2024 - Hosted by Black Heritage Trail NH. The celebration includes an artist reception, a panel discussion, a live concert, a children's drumming workshop, African drumming, and more.

June 15 - Juneteenth Kickback! - 2 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. This gathering offers a space for unity and joy, featuring traditional foods, music, and storytelling, as we celebrate the enduring resilience and rich culture of the Black community and continue to advocate for future progress.

June 19 – Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom – 1 PM. 30 Temple St STE 202, Nashua. Hosted by Kimberly Whittaker & Shewanda Williams. Join us to celebrate and showcase Black excellence at Nashua’s Juneteenth celebration. The event will include food, music, local vendors, artists selling and showcasing their work, and hair braiders.

June 19 – City of Keene 2024 Juneteenth Celebration – 6 PM to 8 PM. Central Square, Keene. Hosted by City of Keene. A celebration featuring live performances by Senie Hunt and the Gaslight Tinkers. Join us at this free, family-friendly community event at the heart of downtown Keene. All are welcome!

June 22 - Juneteenth New England - 12 PM to 7 PM. 266 N Main St. Concord. Hosted by Black Womxn in NH Social Club. A joyous and educational event focused on sharing African American traditions related to this holiday including food, drink, music, art, and stories. We are also committed to elevating and spotlighting local Black owned businesses and artists.

Wednesday, June 12
People's Response Campaign Launch Event - 6 PM. Hosted by M4BL. celebrate the launch of The People’s Response Campaign which calls for innovative models of community safety and care at the local and federal levels. This launch event will bring together co-developers of the Vision for Black Lives and the BREATHE Act to share the origins of the People’s Response Campaign and highlight the necessity of building and institutionalizing non-police alternatives for community safety. The People’s Response Campaign is our collective strategy to demonstrate the people’s desire for a non-police crisis response system through a three-pronged approach: local resolutions, federal policy, and voter engagement.

Thursday, June 13
Advocate Appreciation Celebration - 4 PM to 7 PM. White Park – 1 White St. Concord. Hosted by New Futures and Disability Rights Center. We're celebrating the hard work of everyone who advocated for policy change in New Hampshire this session! You and your family are invited to join us for food trucks, entertainment, games, and raffles!

NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East Update & Listening Session - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action, 350 NH, AFSC NH, Community Church of Durham, Veterans for Peace, Palestine Education Network, NHCUCC. Join us to hear what coalition member groups have been doing recently for peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis. We will also share info on future plans and how you can be a part of them. Bring your questions and ideas. There will be space for discussion. Our goal is to keep people connected so we can build our numbers and impact at this critical time.
 
Thursday, June 20
Remaking the Economy: How Policy Can Help Tenants Purchase Their Homes - 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Hosted by Nonprofit Quarterly & Shelterforce. In a growing number of cities across the United States, housing advocates are getting laws passed that give tenants the ability to purchase, either directly or through a nonprofit, their own apartments. Increasingly, these policies are emerging as a powerful anti-displacement strategy. But these policies are hard won, and not always easy to implement. Even in cities where tenants have established this ability in law, they often have to stave off efforts to dial back these legislative gains.

Thursday, June 27
Utility Justice Volunteer Meeting - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by 350NH. Join our utility justice working group to push utility companies to be accountable to us - their ratepayers! Our utility companies’ interests are intertwined with the fossil fuel industry. Electricity prices in New Hampshire have fluctuated wildly because of our over-reliance on fracked gas, yet companies like Liberty and Eversource continue to pursue efforts to increase fracked gas imports. These companies also continue to make record profits at a time when a record number of households need help covering electricity bills. Help us launch the next chapter of our Utilities campaign to ensure clean, affordable energy for all!

Saturday, June 29
Frederick Douglass Statewide Reading - 12 PM to 2 PM. Hosted by Black Heritage Trail NH. Join us online and in person across NH to read Douglass’ historic protest speech “What to the slave is your Fourth of July” and to reflect on its meaning. 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.

With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Grace Kindeke, and Kathleen Wooten 

AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more. Subscribe today to receive State House Watch news every week!

The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke staff the New Hampshire Program which publishes this newsletter. Read our 2023 highlights here. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.

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