Photo: AFSC-NH
“I want to live in a society where we are all liberated. this is what my feminism looks like.” ― Malebo Sephodi, South African feminist writer and scholar
March 11, 2024
Greetings State House Watchers,
Friday was International Women’s Day, and we continue to celebrate by honoring women changemakers from the past and movement leaders throughout the world, including those working for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel, at our borders, and at the margins of the US economy. We embrace a feminist vision that is intersectional, global, and dedicated to peace and liberation for all.
And we celebrate young movement leaders closer to home as well, including AFSC’s Grace Kindeke and Fisto Ndayishimiye, who were honored last week at the celebration of the Union Leader’s 40 Under 40 awards. Extra cheers to them both for using their brief remarks to amplify the demands for a fair contract by the Union Leader staff who haven’t had a raise in 15 years.
As the nation watched President Biden’s ‘State of the Union’ speech on Thursday, AFSC General Secretary Joyce Ajlouny and other members of our leadership team joined other activists in a civil disobedience action in the streets of Washington, DC to elevate the moral imperative of a permanent and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, restoration of US funding to UNWRA for humanitarian assistance, and an end to US military aid to Israel.
“We are taking this action because stopping a genocide requires radical nonviolent and relentless action,” said Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary for AFSC. “The Biden administration has the power, and the responsibility, to stop the killing. It is a cruel irony to drop food when at the same time the U.S. is funding the dropping of bombs. We need a permanent cease-fire and full humanitarian access. But that is not all we need. As a Palestinian and a Quaker, I know that a just and lasting peace will only come when we address the apartheid state imposed on Palestinians for decades.”
For many New Hampshire residents, tomorrow (March 12) is Town Meeting Day. We look forward to hearing the outcomes from the local deliberations. Three cheers for local decision-making and authentic democratic process!
The NH House and Senate had full session days last week, with mixed results. We are angered by the House’s approval of HB 1118, an anti-immigrant bill that would deny driver licenses to many groups of immigrants who are currently eligible, and the Senate’s approval of SB 563, a bill that would turn local police into immigration enforcement agents. Gilles Bissonnette, Legal Director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, "SB 563 is a deeply harmful bill that would mandate New Hampshire law enforcement to detain people at the mere request of federal immigration agents without any due process—a proposal that would further erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they are supposed to serve. When local police conduct federal immigration enforcement, they create an environment where undocumented people and their loved ones are afraid to call for help and report crimes. This makes everyone less safe and is part of the reason why this bill is broadly opposed by immigrant communities, many in local law enforcement, and civil rights activists. We are disappointed in the state senate’s passage of this bill and urge lawmakers to oppose it, just as they did last year in the House when a similar bill was tabled.”
Read more here about harmful proposals approved by the Senate’s majority.
In other bad news, the House has approved HB 1660, which would deny Medicaid coverage for gender affirming care.
We’re happy to report that the House Labor Committee has unanimously recommended defeat for HB 1110, which would require that all NH employers utilize E-Verify, and that the House Judiciary Committee has recommended defeat for HB 1115, a bill that would erode tenant protections at the end of a lease. We hope that the full House affirms these recommendations of “inexpedient to legislate.”
The NH Council of Churches is hiring! Are you, or do you know, a good candidate for interim Executive Director? Read more here.
ACTION ALERTS
Protect Public Education
SUPPORT HB 1162, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. This bill will repeal the harmful ‘banned concepts’ law that stifles the teaching of accurate history and current discrimination. The full House will vote on this bill on March 14. Please urge your Representatives to support this bill.
SUPPORT HB 1512, relative to limiting EFA funding to budgeted amounts. This bill limits the amounts of funds appropriated from the education trust fund to the education freedom account program to budgeted sums. The full House will vote on this bill on March 14. Please urge your Representatives to support this bill.
SUPPORT HB 1311, relative to school district collection development and reconsideration policies this bill would require school boards to adopt policies governing library media collections and the reconsideration of library materials and establishes a bipartisan approach to handling book challenges on a district level. The full House will vote on this bill on March 14. Please urge your Representatives to support this bill.
OPPOSE HB 1312 , which would expand notice requirements by school districts to parents for certain curriculum course material, and prohibits school districts from adopting policies that prohibit employees from notifying parents about students' well-being. The full House will vote on this bill on March 14. Please urge your Representatives to oppose this bill.
Protect Voting Rights
SUPPORT HB 463, relative to the establishment of an election information portal. The bill has public hearing in Senate Election Law, Room 103, LOB on Tuesday, March 12 at 9:45 AM. Please contact the committee and urge them to support this bill.
OPPOSE HB 1569, relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions which would remove affidavits from the registration process. The full House will vote on this bill on March 14. Please check out this toolkit from the NH Campaign for Voting Rights for talking points and other messaging tools to use to urge your Representatives to oppose this bill.
Protect Reproductive Rights
OPPOSE SB 573, relative to parental consent for medical care which would prohibit teenagers from accessing a broad range of health care – including contraception – without parental consent. New Hampshire law has long allowed for broad access to health care for young people without unnecessary barriers. Sign the action alert from PPNHA here and contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
Support Immigrant Communities
SUPPORT HB 1054, relative to the Northern Border Alliance Program fund. This bill lapses the northern border alliance fund and ends its continuous appropriation to the department of safety. The bill was voted WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION (10-10) in the House Ways & Means Committee and will be voted on in the full House on Thursday, March 14. Please contact your own Representatives and urge them to support this bill.
Ceasefire Now
We continue to exhort our Members of Congress to respond to the catastrophic conditions in Gaza by calling for a permanent and immediate ceasefire, a restoration of humanitarian aid and full funding for UNWRA, and an end to military aid to Israel. Read more here about why Congressman Pappas, Congresswoman Kuster and Senator Hassan get an “F” from the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and Senator Shaheen gets a “D.” We deserve better from our elected leaders.
Read more here about how New Hampshire tax dollars are funding the genocide in Gaza at a level of more than $19.5 million each year, and how we could be investing those dollars in human needs instead of death, displacement, and starvation.
Immigration News
Arnie Alpert reports on the response by local residents in Eagle Pass, TX to Governor Abbotts’ ill-conceived and outrageously expensive campaign against migrants (which our own Governor Sununu has also endorsed and supported with NH National Guard troops). Read more here and let Governor Sununu know that his last year in office would be better spent channeling resources into strengthening and not waging war on communities.
Beginning and ending with prayers offered by local pastors, coalition members and allies expressed their own views on Operation Lone Star, Trump’s presence, and the militarization of the border region. They don’t want the concertina wire, the drones, the armies, the unwarranted police stops and chases on local highways, or an 80-acre military base in their town. They’d love to see the tax dollars getting sucked up by Operation Lone Star used for local schools, mental health, and water infrastructure. “We need to invest in humane solutions to keep both US citizens and immigrants safe,” added Karen Gonzalez from the nearby community of Del Rio.
They’d also love to sit down with their governor. Jessie Fuentes, who runs a canoe and kayak business, has a message for the governor: “You need to change your ways,” he said at the press conference.
The billions of Texas tax dollars going into Operation Lone Star “could go into infrastructure, education, health care, and making sure that the people on the border are listened to, because every time that you come here, we have to do this on our own,” he said. “Governor, what are you afraid of? I’ll have that one-on-one with you, and I’ll tell you what we really need in our community.”
We can all take inspiration from Eagle Pass communities and urge our federal leaders to stop investing our money into campaigns of violence against vulnerable people. As Congress negotiates a package of spending bills that will include national and border security ahead of a March 22 deadline, we encourage you to contact our Members of Congress to urge them to fund humane and life-giving programs, and to defund the violence of militarism.
Join AFSC for our monthly “Protecting Immigrant Rights in an Election Year” webinar series to learn more about how our immigration system works and what we can do to protect and advance the rights of migrants. Our next webinar is on March 26 at 7 PM, Stopping Border Militarization. Join us to hear from our New Hampshire and US Mexico Border Programs about AFSC's longstanding work to stop the militarization of borders. We will offer information about conditions under militarized approaches, the dramatic differences between the Mexico and Canadian borderlands, and our vision to ensure that migrants and immigrants are treated with dignity and respect.
April 23 – Detention & Deportation
May 28 – Employment & Worker Rights
June 25 – Hard Conversations
Last Week at the State House
Key:
LOB – Legislative Office Building (33 N. State St. Concord)
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
VV – Voice vote. Votes are not counted.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
DV – Division vote. Votes are counted but not attributed to individual legislators.
Last week in the House
The full House met in session on Thursday, March 7. Here are the outcomes of the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
CHILD AND FAMILY
CACR 25, relative to the rights of children and parents. This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to recognize the rights of children and parents to provide for the protection of their minor children. ITL by VV.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1039, relative to alternative sentencing for primary caregivers. This bill requires courts before sentencing a nonviolent offender to determine if the offender is a primary caregiver to a dependent and allows for an individually assessed sentence if so. Referred for interim study by VV.
HB 1197, relative to criminal background checks. This bill amends various statutes to authorize additional personnel to take fingerprints of those undergoing non-criminal related background checks. This bill further establishes a multi-agency task force designed to review the need for Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Record Information checks across employment and volunteer positions in the state, and requires reports related to their findings and recommendations. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1214, relative to establishing a committee to study best practices for the development of a restorative justice model for misdemeanor-level behavior and hate crimes committed by juveniles under the age of eighteen. OTP by VV.
EDUCATION
HB 1109, requiring student identification cards for students in grades 6-12 to include the helpline for the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1185, establishing standards for sexual education instruction. Referred for interim study by by VV.
HB 1235, relative to high school students serving as school board members. This bill allows student government to establish up to 3 student school board member positions. OTP-A by VV
HB 1356, relative to the use of children's names and pronouns by public school employees. This bill prohibits public school employees and contractors from using students' preferred names and pronouns, absent permission from the parents or guardians. ITL by VV.
HB 1473, prohibiting the teaching of curriculum for social emotional learning in public schools. ITL by VV.
HB 1496, adding a provision stating that the state, acting as the temporary guardian for children in public schools, has a duty to protect those children. ITL by VV.
HB 1643, requiring school boards to ensure that schools in its district make lesson plans and instructional materials publicly accessible on their website. ITL by VV.
HB 1692, revising the requirements for public high school graduation by adding a requirement to earn a minimum competency score on the statewide assessment administered in high school. ITL by VV.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
HB 1132, relative to permits for the siting of new landfills. This bill requires persons siting new solid waste landfills to identify brownfields within the state that may serve as the site of a new solid waste landfill as part of the public benefit requirement analysis. ITL by VV.
HB 1170, requiring the department of environmental services to conduct public benefit and community impact assessments when the department considers any permit or project to ensure that human values, safety, and concerns receive proper consideration during planning and project development. ITL by VV.
HB 1620, requiring the suspension of approval of new landfill permits by the department of environmental services until 2031. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1687, providing that state construction contracts include a requirement that hazardous waste be separated from construction and demolition debris at the construction site, prior to transport to a recycling facility. OTP-A by VV.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 1171, extending the final reporting date and the prospective repeal date of the commission to study environmentally-triggered chronic illness for an additional 5-year period. Referred for interim study by VV.
HB 1318, relative to the duties of the opioid abatement advisory commission. This bill defines integrated pain management and adds duties to the New Hampshire opioid abatement advisory commission involving support for pain management services. OTP-A by VV.
JUDICIARY
HB 1020, relative to establishing a commission to study the legal implications of insanity and restoration of competency. This bill establishes a commission to study the legal implications of insanity and restoration of competency, provides duties and requirements for the commission, and provides for the commission's repeal. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1104, relative to the review of decisions in cases involving judicial misconduct. This bill establishes procedures and standards for the review of decisions made by judges found to have committed judicial misconduct by the judicial conduct committee. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1169, creating a private cause of action for discrimination based on hairstyles relative to a person's ethnicity. This bill also exempts such causes of action from the jurisdiction of the human rights commission. Committee recommends OTP by VV.
HB 1475, relative to prohibiting the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities. This bill regulates the use of public funds for lobbying activities and establishes certain additional enforcement mechanisms. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1603, relative to unlawful discriminatory practices. This bill prohibits cities, towns, and unincorporated places from discriminating based on race or sex. ITL by VV.
HB 1672, relative to tenants in section 8 public housing. This bill provides that in Section 8 rental assistance or other public housing, a housing authority shall allow a family member as a tenant who has satisfactorily completed a substance use disorder treatment or rehabilitation program. ITL by VV.
LABOR
HB 1023, relative to requiring employers to provide notice of resources available to support veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This bill requires employers to provide their employees with notice of resources available to support veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ITL by VV.
LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION
HB 1343, prohibiting the use by the governor of emergency orders concerning elections procedures without the written consent of the majority and minority leaders of the house of representatives and senate. ITL by VV.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT
HB 1268, relative to prohibiting the issuance of large groundwater withdrawal permits for the commercial sale of bottled or bulk water. This bill prohibits the issuance of large groundwater withdrawal permits for the commercial sale of bottled or bulk water. ITL by VV.
HB 1314, relative to the comprehensive state development plan. This bill adds provisions to the comprehensive state development plan concerning protection of natural resources and identifying environmental threats. OTP by VV.
HB 1415, relative to PFAS facility liability. This bill provides for perfluoroalkyls (PFAS) facility liability for contaminations of groundwater quality standards according to federal regulations. OTP by VV.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 1600, relative to participation in net energy metering. This bill modifies requirements for participation of municipal hosts aggregating retail electric customers, and of generation assets, in net metering. OTP-A by VV.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 1247, relative to requiring the display of certain information concerning Selective Service registration at driver licensing and school military recruiting locations. This bill requires a form to be available at locations of state driver's licensing and at schools hosting military recruiters concerning registration with the Selective Service System. ITL by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
CHILD AND FAMILY
CACR 17, determining that parents shall have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children. This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution adds an amendment to the constitution stating that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their minor children. OTP by DV, 180-183.
HB 1308, relative to parent access to children's library records. This bill provides a parent or legal guardian with access to their minor child's library records. ITL by RC, 194-170.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1527-FN, relative to criminal trespass. ITL by DV, 194-170.
EDUCATION
HB 1437, relative to the membership of the state board of education. This bill changes the composition of the state board of education. Indefinitely postponed by DV, 193-173.
ENVIRONMENT
CACR 14, requiring the state to maintain a clean and healthful environment and protect New Hampshire's natural resources. ITL by RC, 197-168.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 1194, removing the word infectious from the definition of noncommunicable disease. OTP by DV, 191-171.
HB 1213, providing that certain immunizations are required for public school children. This bill also removes the requirement for private schools and child care agencies. OTP by RC, 189-173.
HB 1660, providing that the state Medicaid plan shall not include gender reassignment treatment for minors. OTP by RC, 193-169.
JUDICIARY
CACR 12, regarding the definition of the word "cherish." This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution reinserts the word "cherish". ITL by RC, 188-171.
HB1037, repeals the statute that provides limited liability to manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition. Indefinitely Postpone by RC, 196-163.
HB 1220, abolishing the collection of racial and ancestral data for use in a marital application worksheet. OTP by DV, 293-64.
LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION
HB 1629, requiring the attorney general to notify the general court when the attorney general discovers a legislator residing in a different district than they represent. Tabled by DV, 339-19.
HR 29, declaring support for a New Hampshire economic justice bill of rights. ITL by VV.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 1086, relative to public notice of zoning board of adjustment hearings, This bill establishes an affirmative defense to the crime of resisting arrest that the arrest was unlawful or constitutional. ITL by VV.
HB 1125, relative to requiring public notice and comment at all county commissioner and delegation meetings. OTP by VV.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 1036, modifying the assessment of system benefit changes cost effectiveness. OTP by RC, 184-169.
HB 1623, revising the state energy policy to promote affordable, reliable, dispatchable and secure energy resources for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. OTP-A by RC, 184-168.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 1118, allowing the director of motor vehicles to require nonresident aliens to submit various certifications for drivers license issuance. OTP-A by RC, 179-166.
Last week in the Senate
The full Senate met in session on Thursday, March 7. Here are the outcomes for the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
SB 401, removing the prospective repeal of the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program and trust fund. Referred for interim study by VV.
SB 408, establishing a committee to study the effects of the housing crisis on the disability community. OTP by VV.
SB 456, establishing a nurse retention school loan debt relief program in the department of health and human services. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund and makes an appropriation to the fund for this purpose. OTP by VV.
SB 496, directing the department of health and human services to establish a climate and health protection program in response to health threats associated with a changing environment. OTP-A by VV.
JUDICIARY
SB 356, providing for the automatic return of seized property following certain dispositions of criminal cases, subject to certain exceptions. Referred for interim study by VV.
SB 362, clarifying the circumstances in which body-worn cameras may be copied, distributed, or used in certain criminal, juvenile, or administrative proceedings. OTP-A by VV.
SB 420, requiring an additional report from the legislative study committee concerning the long-term impact of the New Hampshire adult parole system. OTP-A by a VV.
SB 425, increasing the bail commissioner fee to $60. OTP by VV.
SB 359, changing the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18 years of age. OTP-A by VV.
SB 464, relative to prohibiting the nonconsensual dissemination of synthetic sexual images. OTP by VV.
SB 591, modifying definitions, claims procedures, and funding relating to the youth development center settlement fund and claims administration. OTP by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
EDUCATION
SB 525, changing income eligibility and reporting requirements for the education freedom account program and modifies the program's administration and oversight. ITL by VV.
FINANCE
SB 219, requiring 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. OTP-A by VV.
SB 453, making an appropriation to the department of state for the statewide voter registration system. OTP-A by VV.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 559, revising the definition of vaccine for purposes of the New Hampshire vaccine association. OTP by VV.
JUDICIARY
SB 316, establishing a crime and mandatory minimum penalty for transporting into New Hampshire with the intent to distribute fentanyl class drugs. OTP by RC, 14Y-10N.
SB 414, setting a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting. OTP by RC, 18Y-6N.
SB 415, adding mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl-related offenses. OTP by RC, 18Y-6N.
SB 504, providing 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. The bill also 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. OTP-A by VV.
SB 563, prohibiting state and local government entities from adopting sanctuary policies to prohibit or impede the enforcement of federal immigration law. OTP by RC, 14Y-10N.
SB 314, amending the process for the examination of competency of pre-trial defendants. The bill is a request of the department of corrections. OTP-A by VV.
SB 321, revising the standard for release of a defendant pending trial following multiple failures to appear. OTP-A by RC, 14Y-10N.
SB 418, setting maximum THC concentration levels for various driving offenses. OTP-A by VV.
SB 508, requiring the superintendent of the county department of corrections to require his or her contracted behavioral health treatment providers to use validated screening tools for mental health and substance use disorder and to, where such providers exist, permit licensed community-based treatment providers who meet the security criteria for access to the facility to have contact with people in custody for the purpose of coordinating services upon reentry into the community. OTP by VV.
SB 533, enabling public bodies to allow one or more members of the body to participate in a meeting by electronic means. ITL by VV.
SB 565, clarifying in the context of education discrimination that "race" includes traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and certain hairstyles. This bill further exempts from the jurisdiction of the human rights commission and creates a private right of action for individuals, other than department of corrections employees, who face discrimination in employment based on the wearing of certain hairstyles. OTP-A by VV.
SB 570, amending the penalty for obtaining, purchasing, transporting, possessing, or having under a person's control a controlled drug to a class A misdemeanor, and amends the penalty for a subsequent offense to a class B felony. ITL by RC, 16Y-8N.
TRANSPORTATION
SB 512, adding a traffic-calming scheme on a portion of Route 101 to the New Hampshire 10-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. Tabled by VV.
This week in the House
The full House will meet in session on Thursday, March 14. Here are the bills we’re tracking that will be voted on.
On the Consent Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1012, exempting from criminal penalty certain parenting decisions intended to encourage a child's independence and freedom. This bill establishes an exemption from prosecution for child endangerment if the individual's actions were based on certain parenting decisions. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 19-1.
HB 1021, relative to body-worn cameras and exculpatory evidence. This bill makes changes to which individuals are allowed access to police body-worn camera (BWC) footage by allowing criminal defendants greater access. This bill further repeals the requirements that officers only use BWCs while in uniform and that they not use the BWC to record communications with other police personnel. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1270, relative to protective custody statutes. This bill amends the procedures that peace officers are to follow when they encounter someone who is both intoxicated and incapacitated by either alcohol or drugs. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1319, relative to prohibiting the nonconsensual dissemination of synthetic sexual images. This bill amends the crime of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images to include certain synthetic sexual images. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1500, relative to prohibiting the unlawful distribution of misleading synthetic media. This bill establishes the crimes of unlawful distribution of misleading synthetic media and unlawful distribution of election-related misleading synthetic media. Committee refers to interim study
ELECTION LAW
HB 1133, relative to enabling UOCAVA voters to email back completed ballots. This bill enables UOCAVA votes to return completed ballots electronically. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HB 1381, relative to required training on election procedures. This bill requires the secretary of state to provide training on election procedures. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 20-0.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 1609, relative to the commission on the primary care workforce and the state office of rural health. This bill extends the commission on the primary care workforce. The bill also directs the office of professional licensure and certification to provide certain licensure information regarding the primary care workforce to the department of health and human services, state office of rural health. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 19-0.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CHILDCARE
HB 1407, relative to child care staffing ratios. This bill establishes maximum class size and minimum staff levels for child day care programs. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 9-0.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1204, relative to government agent entries into secured premises. This bill establishes requirements for when a government agent may enter a secured premises without a warrant. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 15-5.
HB 1276, relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors. This bill amends the prohibition against carrying or selling a blackjack, slingshot, or metallic knuckles to prohibit sale to or possession of the said items by those under 18 years of age. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 13-7.
HB 1336, relative to employees' firearms in locked vehicles. This bill prohibits employers from inquiring into, searching for, or banning employee's storage of firearms or ammunition in their locked vehicles and provides civil immunity to employers for any economic loss, injury, or death that results from an employer's adherence to this law. Without recommendation from committee.
EDUCATION
HB 1108, relative to establishing a committee to study the role of colleges and universities in contributing to the student loan crisis. This bill establishes a committee to study the role of colleges and universities in contributing to the student loan crisis. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 13-6.
HB 1162, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. This bill provides that no education law of this state shall be construed to bar any school employee from teaching the historical or current experiences of any group that is protected from discrimination. The bill also repeals provisions of the law relating to the right to freedom from discrimination in public workplaces and education. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1305, relative to freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education. This bill establishes procedures governing freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1311, relative to school district collection development and reconsideration policies. This bill requires school boards to adopt policies governing library media collections and the reconsideration of library materials. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1312, requiring parental notification of student health or well-being and certain curricula by school districts. This bill expands notice requirements by school districts to parents for certain curriculum course material, and prohibits school districts from adopting policies that prohibit employees from notifying parents about students' well-being. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1512, limiting education freedom account funding to budgeted amounts. This bill limits the amounts of funds appropriated from the education trust fund to the education freedom account program to budgeted sums. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1594, establishing an annual review and qualification to determine eligibility to participate in the education freedom accounts program. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1671, relative to the complaint process for teaching discrimination and allowing educators and school officials a right of action for damages and costs for false accusations. This bill provides that complaints for teaching discrimination first be made to the local school board and are appealed to the state board of education. The bill also allows educators or other school employees falsely accused of teaching discrimination to initiate a civil action for legal or equitable relief. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 16-4.
ELECTION LAW
CACR 19, establishing an independent redistricting commission to draw the boundaries for state and federal elections. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1146, relative to the removal of a voter from the checklist. This bill creates a procedure to remove a voter from the checklist upon the person's request. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1310, relative to meetings of supervisors of the checklist. This bill requires the supervisors of the checklist to meet every 90 days. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1364, relative to intimidation of election officers, improper influence over the electoral process, and tampering with electronic ballot counting devices. This bill makes it a crime to intimidate election officers, to improperly influence the electoral process, and to tamper with electronic ballot counting devices. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1369, relative to the verification of voter rolls every 4 years. This bill increases the verification of voter rolls by the supervisors of the checklist to every 4 years. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1557, requiring the secretary of state to enter into a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center. This bill requires the secretary of state to enter into a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1569, relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions. This bill removes any exceptions for proving voter identification. This bill also removes the voter affidavits as proof of identification and repeals the procedures for affidavit ballots. Without recommendation from committee.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 1252, relative to establishing a committee to study the needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire. This bill establishes a committee to review the needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire and to review the duties, activities, and composition of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 14-2.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1231, permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. This bill permits qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. Committee recommends OTP-A by a vote of 14-4.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT
HB 1326, relative to notification processes for large groundwater withdrawal applications. This bill requires notice of a public meeting requested during the consideration of an application for a large groundwater withdrawal. Committee recommends ITL by a vote of 17-3.
STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
HB 1156, relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty. This bill provides that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization shall have no jurisdiction in New Hampshire. Without recommendation from committee.
HR 23, calling upon the New Hampshire congressional delegation to support a national, universal health insurance program. Without recommendation from committee.
HR 26, urging Congress to adopt a constitutional amendment to distinguish between corporate and individual rights. This house resolution urges Congress to adopt a constitutional amendment to regulate political contributions. Without recommendation from committee.
HR 27, calling for policymakers locally and nationally to fully consider all relevant information and factors pertaining to climate change before pursuing courses of action that could adversely affect any economy or environment. This bill calls for policymakers to fully consider all relevant information and factors pertaining to climate change as climate policy is developed. Without recommendation from committee.
HCR 9, rescinding the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 40 passed on May 31, 2012 which is an application to the congress of the United States of America to call a convention pursuant to the terms of Article V of the United States Constitution. Without recommendation from committee.
WAYS AND MEANS
CACR 15, providing that a 2/3 vote of the house of representatives and the senate shall be required to pass a new tax or license fee or to increase any tax or license fee that has been levied, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1054, relative to the Northern Border Alliance Program fund. This bill lapses the northern border alliance fund and ends its continuous appropriation to the department of safety. Without recommendation from committee.
HB 1536, relative to increasing the amount of the expense deduction allowed against the business profits tax. This bill increases the amount of the section 179 expense deduction permitted against the business profits tax. Committee recommends OTP by a vote of 16-4.
This Week in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committees here.
Monday, March 11
ELECTION LAW
1:00 PM CACR 22, relating to the New Hampshire presidential primary. Providing that the New Hampshire presidential primary shall be the first presidential primary of a presidential election cycle.
1:25 PM SB 344, relative to declarations of candidacy for president of the United States.
Wednesday, March 13
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM Continued executive session on HB 1474, relative to the commission on Native American affairs.
This week in the Senate
The full Senate will not be in session this week.
This Week in Senate Committees
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committees.
Tuesday, March 12
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:40 PM HB 436-FN-L, making an appropriation to the New Hampshire retirement system to pay down the unfunded accrued liability.
Wednesday, March 13
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:45 AM HB 1003-FN, relative to name changes for inmates, parolees, and convicted violent felons.
JUDICIARY , Room 100, SH
9:00 AM SB 605, relative to ethical standards for members of the general court.
9:15 AM SB 601-FN, restricting electronic mail solicitation.
9:30 AM SB 593, relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones
Upcoming Events & Actions
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire now! Humanitarian access to Gaza! No tax dollars for war crimes! - Join us from 2 PM to 3 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action, AFSC & interfaith partners.
March 13: Congressman Chris Pappas, Dover District Office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover, NH
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 5:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire - 12 noon. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
March to April
Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks 2024: A New Deal for a Great Society - Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH in Portsmouth, Keene, Nashua. Registration is open for the 2024 annual Elinor William Hooker Tea Talks. This year's program will explore how two federal programs geared toward building a more just society -- Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" and Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" -- played out in New Hampshire. We will ask what impact these programs had on our state and what happens now when changing demographics meet programs designed during the New Deal and Great Society. February talks will be held in Portsmouth, the March talk in Keene, and the April talk in Nashua.
Mar 10 - Equity and Adequacy: Public Education in NH
Apr 21 - Envisioning the Future
Surveillance, Criminalization, and Punishment (Spring 2024 Speaker Series) - 4:30 PM. Hosted by Harvard Kennedy School. Will modern surveillance, AI, predictive policing, facial recognition, and more shrink the criminal legal system’s footprint or expand criminalization into new domains? On balance, will new technology improve our flawed systems or entrench existing and new harms? We’ll be joined by academics, practitioners, and impacted community members to unpack cutting-edge technological advancements in criminalization and punishment—exploring improvements to the administration of justice and the reproduction of hierarchies of control and domination.
March 13 - Police Social Media Monitoring: The New Undercover Assignment
April 10 - Digitally Mapping Social Networks: RICO, Electronic Monitoring, and Surveillance of Gangs and Protest Movements
April 17 - New Terrain for Surveillance in Prisons: Wearable Monitoring, Tablets, and Technological Limits on Human Contact
May 8 - Toward Data Justice: Countermobilization and Community Control
Wednesday, March 13
Manchester Ward 11 Town Hall - 6 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by City of Manchester. Gossler Park Elementary School - 145 Parkside Ave. Manchester. Join Mayor Ruais, Alderman Norm Vincent and School Board Member Liz O’Neil for a community meeting to discuss the issues that most impact Ward 11 communities.
Thursday, March 14
What's Apartheid Got to Do with it? Understanding the Violent Structures Behind Israel's War on Gaza - 1 PM to 2 PM. Hosted by AFSC. At a time when the whole world is witnessing the violence unfolding in Gaza, it is crucial that we discuss the root causes of what is happening. Building on extensive research from several international human rights organizations that have clearly identified Israeli apartheid, this webinar will explain the role of apartheid in shaping this moment as well as provide ways we can work to end it. Join our webinar as we invite guest speakers Ahmed Abofoul and Diana Buttu in a collective effort to understand the structural violence inherent in Israel's apartheid regime.
NH Healthcare Survey- Kick-Off Event - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by Rights & Democracy. Join us and other healthcare advocates across the state for an exciting Kick-Off Event for the New Hampshire Healthcare Survey. We'll have a short presentation about the status of healthcare in NH and why we are facilitating this survey and we'll also walk you through the survey folks can fill out the survey, share it with friends, and join us for outreach phone calls and sharing the survey link with friends and families.
“How We Win the Civil War" A Conversation with Author Steve Phillips & SURJ - 8 PM to 9 PM. Hosted by SURJ. Join us for a conversation about how white nationalist forces have gained power to get us to where we are today, and what effective organizing strategies look like to fight back.
Tuesday, March 19
Introduction to Deep Canvassing: The Proven Method to Change Hearts & Minds - 6 PM. Hosted by People’s Action. Are you an organizer, community leader, or activist looking to engage with your community around deeply polarizing issues? Are you an individual hoping to understand how to have compassionate, non-judgmental conversations across lines of difference? Join The Deep Canvass Institute to learn more about deep canvassing; what it is, how it’s used and why it works.
State House 101 - 7 PM. Hosted by 603 Forward. Have you ever considered running for stat office? We'll take you through what to expect as a potential State Representative and why this role is so important. We'll also feature a panel of young elected leaders to talk about their experience serving as a State Representative.
Wednesday, March 20
Remaking the Economy: A Policy Viison from the Movement for Black Lives - 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Hosted by NPQ & M4BL. What are the economic policies the nation needs to build thriving communities in which Black Americans can thrive? As Amara Enyia wrote in the introduction to a recent NPQ series on The Vision for Black Lives: An Economic Policy Agenda, “the Black radical tradition has long been clear on the importance of economic justice."This webinar conversation builds on the articles in that series, taking a deep look at what the elements of that agenda look like, from a range of contributors.
Saturday, March 23
Finding Your Story in the Climate Movement - 10 AM to 12 PM. Hosted by 350 NH. In person, Concord, we will send you the address when you RSVP. We're calling this a training series but really what we want is to bring all of our community members together so we can make a greater impact on the climate justice issues we face. Join us for a community gathering to talk about how to find your place in the climate movement and how to tell your story to make change! Join us for a morning of conversation, learning, and community.
Tuesday, March 26
Stopping Border Militarization - 7 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC to hear from our New Hampshire and US Mexico Border Programs about AFSC's longstanding work to stop the militarization of borders. We will offer information about conditions under militarized approaches, the dramatic differences between the Mexico and Canadian borderlands, and our vision to ensure that migrants and immigrants are treated with dignity and respect.
Monday, April 1
Manchester Housing Alliance Meeting - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by Rights & Democracy. Once Monthly, we meet to discuss local housing policies to make sure that Manchester is a place everybody can afford to live. Join to find out how to get involved at the local level to push Manchester elected officials to take action on the Housing crisis.
Friday, April 5
Advocacy Committee Meeting - 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Hosted by Stay Work Play. From the closure of maternity wards and threats to reproductive care to lack of access to mental health services, healthcare availability can significantly influence the decisions of young people when choosing where to live. Speaking to New Hampshire's healthcare landscape and the public policies that affect it, Dartmouth Health Senior Director of Government Relations Courtney Tanner will be the featured speaker.
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.
Your donations make our work possible. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!