“Hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency. Hope should shove you out the door, because it will take everything you have to steer the future away from endless war, from the annihilation of the earth's treasures and the grinding down of the poor and marginal... To hope is to give yourself to the future - and that commitment to the future is what makes the present inhabitable.” ― Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power
March 29, 2024
Greetings State House Watchers,
There is actually a lot of good news to share this week! Here are some of the ‘wins’ we’re celebrating, which come from hard work, passion for justice, and dedicated movement leadership.
We’ll start by congratulating the great organizers at 350 New Hampshire, as well as the Conservation Law Foundation and the Sierra Club whose campaign to shut down the last coal-fired power plant in New England culminated in the announcement this week of the closure of Merrimack Station in Bow and its planned transition to a “Renewable Energy Park.” Read more here and here.
Affordable housing advocates – including NH Youth Movement, Rights & Democracy NH, Granite State Organizing Project and others - had some important wins this week too, when the House approved several bills that will help to increase the state’s housing supply - HB 1291, which increases the number of accessory dwelling units allowed by right, and HB 1399, which allows the expansion of a single family residence to two units. We’re also very glad to see that the House passed HB 1168, establishing a committee to study the impact of the housing crisis on people with disabilities, and HB 1400, which limits the requirement of parking spaces to one per unit. All of these measures, taken together, can have a positive impact on a crisis of housing affordability that affects so many New Hampshire households. Read more here and here.
And yet another step forward – the House passed HB 1539 by a decisive majority of 283-80. The bill will annul criminal convictions for misdemeanor possessions of small amounts of marijuana. Read more here. Thanks to ACLU-NH and all who are working to reduce criminal penalties and incarceration in NH.
We also congratulate Linds Jakows of 603 Equality, who received the Citizen of the Year award today at the annual NH gathering of the National Association of Social Workers, and our coworker Ophelia Burnett who received the Champion Award at Southern NH University this evening for her work to reduce the harms of incarceration. All of us benefit from their vision, their spirit and their labor.
Speaking of labor, we’re cheering on the graduate student workers at Dartmouth University who walked off the job today in response to stalled contract negotiations, and student workers at UNH who voted this week to join the United Auto Workers. Read more here and here.
CACR 13, relating to slavery and involuntary servitude, had its public hearing in the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee last week. You can watch the hearing here, starting at 57:00. There’s still time to let the committee know that you want them to support this constitutional amendment. It’s going to need a 3/5 vote when it gets to the full Senate.
In not so good news, the House passed HB 1093, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Read more here. And the House tabled (effectively defeating) HB 1084, relative to qualifications for the commissioner of education. We thank Rep. Loren Selig for this op-ed.
The House tabled HB 1592-FN-LOCAL, which would have prohibited the use of education freedom account funds at religious schools or for religious education or training.
We have two important corrections from last week’s newsletter:
In more good news, HB 1683, relative to coverage of circumcision under the state Medicaid plan, was tabled last week. Read more here. Representative Joe Schapiro (D-Keene) had urged his colleagues to defeat the bill: “It’s a parental choice, and I am here today to ask you not to take that parental choice, that parental prerogative, dare I say that parental right away. Passing this bill would be an intrusion into the freedom of New Hampshire parents to make medical decisions for their families.”
And SB 517, which we reported on last week, needs a corrected description. This bill modifies NH labor law in several places to declare that "university or college students serving as residence hall assistants or dormitory counselors" are not considered "employees" under the RSAs cited. This bill is an attempt to deny collective bargaining rights to student workers. Many thanks to Rev. Gail Kinney from the NH Faith and Labor Coalition who pointed out that the description written by the Office of Legislative Services was completely incorrect.
Here's a news roundup of a few other stories of the week:
Poverty and food insecurity rebounding after expiration of federal aid, by Phil Sletten, for the NH Bulletin, March 29, 2024
Gun-rights Republicans split, pass bill adding mental health records to gun checks, by Annmarie Timmins, for the NH Bulletin, March 28, 2024
NH lawmakers are reviewing a new GOP school funding plan, by Josh Rogers, for NH Public Radio, March 26, 2024
School voucher proponents spend big to overcome rural resistance, by David Montgomery for NH Bulletin, March 25, 2024
The NH Council of Churches is hiring! Are you, or do you know, a good candidate for interim Executive Director? Read more here.
NH Youth Movement is hiring too! Help them to find their next Field Director.
ACTION ALERTS
Protect Immigrant Communities
SUPPORT HB 1054-A, which would remove the phrase "non-lapsing" from the funding for the Northern Border Alliance program. This positive bill has a public hearing in Senate Finance, Room 103, SH on Tuesday, April 2 at 2 PM. Please contact the committee, and sign in to support and share testimony.
SUPPORT HB 1528, relative to reporting by the Northern Border Alliance Program. This positive bill has a public hearing in Senate Finance, Room 103, SH on Tuesday, April 2 at 2:10 PM. Please contact the committee, and sign in to support and share testimony.
OPPOSE SB 358, relative to invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. This anti-immigrant bill came out of committee with a recommendation of OTP (4-2). The full Senate will vote on this bill on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 504-FN, relative to land in current use. This bill would expand grounds for criminal trespass to include violation of open space land posted for recreational use. It is intended to be a tool to make it possible for local law enforcement to arrest unauthorized immigrants near the northern border. It has a public hearing in House Judiciary, Room 202-204 LOB on Wednesday, April 3 at 10 AM and an executive session on Friday, April 5 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee, and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Protect Worker rights
OPPOSE SB 516-FN, relative to prohibiting collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join a labor union. This anti-worker bill came out of committee with a recommendation of OTP (3-2). The full Senate will vote on this bill on Thursday, April 4 at 10 AM. Please join the visibility at the State House prior to the vote, from 8:30 AM to 10 AM. Contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
Protect LGBTQ+ Rights:
OPPOSE SB 341, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This harmful forced outing bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP-A. It will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 375, relative to biological sex in student athletics. This harmful anti-trans bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP-A (3-2). It will be voted in the full Senate on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
Protect Public Education
OPPOSE SB 523, relative to the regulation of public school library materials. This harmful book banning bill has come out of committee with an OTP-A (3-2), and will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 524, relative to women’s sports. This harmful bill has come out of committee with an Interim Study recommendation (5-0). It will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 304, creating a cause of action for medical injuries resulting from the administration or prescription of gender transition surgery, cross-sex hormones, or puberty-blocking drugs and providing protections for individuals who receive medical detransitioning. This harmful bill has come out of committee with an Interim Study recommendation (5-0). It will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to uphold the committee’s recommendation.
OPPOSE SB 562, relative to state recognition of biological sex. This harmful bill has come out of committee with a recommendation of OTP (3-2), and will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, April 4. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
Support Indigenous Peoples
OPPOSE HB 1252, relative to establishing a committee to study the needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire. This bill would undermine the work of the NH Commission for Native American Affairs; it is opposed by several indigenous leaders in New Hampshire. It has a public hearing in Senate Executive Departments and Administration, Room 103, SH on Wednesday, April 3 at 9:15 AM. Please contact the committee, and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Raise the Marriage Age in NH
SUPPORT SB 359, raising the age of marriage to 18 years of age. This positive, long overdue bill has a public hearing in House Children & Family Law, Room 206-208 LOB on Tuesday, April 2 at 11:10 AM. Please contact the committee, and sign in to support and share testimony.
Recommended Reading
“If HB 1205 sponsors really want to protect girls’ access to sports, they would draft legislation addressing the longstanding and well-known discrimination in our schools and colleges that unfairly give lots more money and playing opportunities to boys and men. It’s easy to see the extent of the athletic imbalances in colleges by going to the federal Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act database (EADA). For high schools, look at the website of Champion Women, a legal nonprofit that did a major public service by crunching raw data supplied by U.S. high schools for their athletic programs.” Sherry Boschert, Commentary, NH Bulletin
“These bills directly affect me, and yet there are so many of them with hearings almost every week that I have to plan which days I can afford to take off of my full-time job to drive all the way to Concord to testify. Trying to explain why discrimination is bad to a room full of politicians who wrote those same discriminatory bills is infuriating.” Alice Wade, My Turn, Concord Monitor
Ceasefire Now
AFSC joined 140+ leaders of Christian churches who signed onto a Holy Week letter from the Churches for Middle East Peace to the Biden Administration, renewing the urgent call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Read the letter here.
“We, as global Christian leaders, stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Palestine and around the world and say the killing must stop, and the violence must be brought to an end. We ask world leaders to exercise strong moral courage to bring an immediate end to the violence and to open a pathway toward peace and an end to the conflict. We call for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire where all combatants lay down their weapons and Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners held without the due process of law are released. Immediate and adequate humanitarian assistance must be provided for the more than two million Palestinian people in Gaza who have such desperate needs. We support efforts toward a negotiated settlement that addresses the core causes of the current crisis and brings an end to the decades-long violations of the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international law, such solutions must advance security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians. As we prepare for Holy Week, we lament and pray for comfort for all who have lost loved ones over the past months in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel. We know that Jesus himself was among those who suffered, and he comforted the brokenhearted. We say, “Enough atrocities in Gaza; enough violence, death, and destruction! May love triumph over hate.” We hold onto the hope that peace is possible even in the midst of this darkest hour.”
Palestinians in Gaza are facing starvation, disease outbreaks, displacement, and continued bombardment. They are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. But the U.S. has suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main provider of aid in Gaza, through the end of FY24. UNRWA serves almost 6 million Palestinian refugees—not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Stopping UNRWA funds is a form of collective punishment that could lead to a humanitarian and financial crisis in multiple countries. And because no other agency can replace UNRWA's humanitarian assistance in Gaza, funding cuts could result in a complete collapse of the already restricted humanitarian response there—costing many more Palestinian lives. Join AFSC and other human rights organizations to call for an immediate restoration of life-saving funding: Tell Congress to resume U.S. funding for life-saving Palestinian aid.
Immigration News
We appreciate Chief Joseph Hoebeke from Hollis, NH who is raising his voice to oppose SB 563, an anti-immigrant bill that has passed the Senate and awaits its public hearing in the NH House. Read his interview with Rick Ganley on NHPR.
And we mourn the tragic loss of life of six immigrant workers who were killed this week when a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD. Read more here. The crew on the ship was able to issue an emergency call which enabled authorities to prevent traffic from entering the bridge, saving many lives, but the immigrant workers had no access to that emergency communication. Read more about the men who died here and here. This is another heartbreaking reminder that immigrant workers are often vulnerable to unsafe working conditions while laboring here in order to care for their loved ones at home. They deserve better from us.
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 28. Here are the outcomes for the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 1071, relative to the right to repair certain educational technology. This bill requires the manufacturer of certain educational technology to provide authorized independent repair providers with the necessary parts and equipment for repair. The failure to do so would be a violation of the consumer protection act. ITL by VV.
HB 1159, relative to toilet facilities provided by restaurants and other food establishments. This bill would require that restaurants designed to seat 50 or more patrons have at least 2 separate toilet rooms, and eliminates the requirement for separate bathrooms to be gender-specific. ITL by VV.
HB 1430, relative to electric rates approved by the public utilities commission for residential condominium property. This bill requires non-commercial condominium associations to have public utility residential electric rates apply. ITL by VV.
HB 1498-FN, establishing a state short term rental registry. This bill includes short-term rentals in the licensing and registration requirements for taxes on meals and rooms. ITL by VV.
HB 1571-FN, relative to requiring insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes. This bill requires insurance coverage and Medicaid coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes. Referred to interim study.
HB1635, relative to the definition of short-term rental. This bill applies the definition of "short-term rental" to certain statutes governing housing authorities, taxation of room rentals, and certain rental proceedings. ITL by VV.
HB 1694, relative to establishing a committee to study a New Hampshire public bank. ITL by VV.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1711, authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities. OTP-A by RC, 204-149.
EDUCATION
HB 1298, relative to the definition of part-time teachers. This bill defines "part-time teachers" and subjects them to the board of education's professional code of ethics and professional code of conduct. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1552, relative to the duties and responsibilities of superintendents of school administrative units. This bill updates the definition of "superintendent" to include personnel assigned by a superintendent of an SAU to perform superintendent services. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 1605-FN, relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1608-FN, This bill creates an induction program for new teachers. Referred to interim study.
HB 1682-FN, relative to the civics test graduation requirement. This bill provides authority for schools to use the department of education provided civics test to satisfy graduation requirements. Referred to interim study.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
HB 1221, relative to including solid waste landfills in the definition of development of regional impact. OTP-A by VV.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 1456, relative to the appointment of the members of the board of tax and land appeals and the housing appeals board. This bill requires that the members of the board of tax and land appeals and the housing appeals board be appointed by the governor and council, after a public hearing before the executive council. OTP by VV.
HB 1474, relative to the commission on Native American affairs. This bill amends the procedures and duties of the commission on Native American affairs. OTP by VV.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1067, relative to a patient's right to sterilization treatment. This bill adds a provision to the patients' bill of rights related to a patient's request for a procedure that may leave the patient sterile. Referred for interim study.
HB 1300, relative to terminal patients' right to try act. This bill revises the definition of eligible patient and terminal illness for purposes of the patient's right to try act, expands the criteria for informed consent, and removes references to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for purposes of defining an investigational drug or device. OTP-A by VV.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON HOUSING
HB 1168, establishing a committee to study the impact of the housing crisis on people with disabilities. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1400, relative to the required maximum number of residential parking spaces. This bill provides that zoning and planning regulations shall not set the maximum residential parking spaces, per unit, to greater than one parking space per residential unit. OTP-A by VV.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 1637, relative to reducing requirements for vehicle inspections. This bill reduces requirements for vehicle inspection. OTP-A by DV, 349-6.
On the Regular Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 1539-FN, relative to annulling, resentencing, or discontinuing prosecution of certain cannabis offenses. OTP by RC, 283-80.
HB 1713, relative to a defendant's presence during certain criminal proceedings. This bill requires that a defendant who is charged with or awaiting sentence for an offense punishable by life imprisonment or imprisonment of a maximum term of 15 years or more be present at every trial stage and at sentencing, subject to excusal for cause. The bill further permits a court to order the use of reasonable force in carrying out a transport order issued pursuant to this section of an incarcerated defendant who refuses to comply with that order. The bill further makes it a class A felony to knowingly violate this provision. OTP-A by VV.
EDUCATION
HB 1014, relative to the registration of high school students to vote. This bill requires school districts and private high schools to develop programs to inform high school students about registering to vote. OTP-A by VV.
HB 1084, relative to qualifications for the commissioner of education. This bill establishes minimum qualifications for the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the department of education. Laid on table.
HB 1093, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. This bill prohibits school boards and other public education agencies from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering. OTP-A by RC, 187-184.
HB 1287-FN, relative to the definition of the term “evidence-based” within public education. ITL by VV
HB 1592-FN-LOCAL, relative to the use of education freedom account funds in religious schools. This bill prohibits the use of education freedom account funds at religious schools or for religious education or training, and repeals provisions relating to independence of and legal proceedings concerning education freedom account providers. Laid on table.
HB 1616, relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program. This bill requires schools to obtain parental consent for each service that is provided to a student under the Medicaid to schools program. Violation of the requirement would subject the educator to disciplinary action by the state board of education. The bill also requires certain legislative policy committees to receive reports regarding the Medicaid to schools program. OTP-A by DV, 190-187.
ELECTION LAW
HB 1091, relative to the financing of political campaigns. This bill makes various changes to the laws that regulate the financing of political campaigns. OTPA by VV.
HB 1596-FN, requiring a disclosure of deceptive artificial intelligence usage in political advertising. This bill requires the disclosure of deceptive synthetic media and deceptive and fraudulent deep fakes usage in political advertising. OTPA by VV.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
HB 1145-FN, prohibiting the private ownership of landfills. This bill prohibits new solid waste landfill permits in the state for facilities owned by any person other than the state of New Hampshire or a political subdivision thereof. OTP by RC, 208-162.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 1545, relative to the disposal of state surplus property for affordable housing. This bill permits the disposal of state surplus property at less than fair market value if the property is transferred to a nonprofit for the purpose of constructing affordable housing. Laid on table.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 1607, relative to expanded safe haven protections. This bill allows a parent to relinquish their child by placing the child in a safe haven baby box, expands the age of a child to 61 days and provides protection from legal action to the parent. OTP-A.
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
HB 2024, relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan. This bill adopts the state 10-year transportation plan for 2025-2034. OTP-A by VV.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON HOUSING
HB 1291, relative to accessory dwelling unit uses allowed by right. This bill increases the number of accessory dwelling units allowed by right from one to 2, adds definitions, and increases the maximum square footage. It also gives municipalities the right to require accessory units to meet the definition for workforce housing. OTP by VV.
HB 1399, allowing municipalities to permit 2 residential units in certain single-family residential zones. This bill allows the expansion of a single-family residence within a residential zone in an urban area to no more than 2 residential units without discretionary review or a hearing, if the proposed development meets certain requirements. OTP-A by RC, 220-140.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 1273-FN, relative to the protection of personal information in driver licenses. This bill adds restrictions on the use of personal information from driver licenses. Referred for interim study.
Last Week in the Senate
The Senate did not meet in full session last week.
Next Week in the House
The full House will not meet in session on Thursday, April 4. They will meet next on April 11 at 10 AM, which is “Crossover Day.”
Next 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.
Tuesday, April 2
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206-208, LOB
10:30 AM SB 566, relative to establishing a committee to study foster care families and the foster care system.
11:10 AM SB 359, raising the age of marriage to 18 years of age.
Wednesday, April 3
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM SB 504-FN, relative to land in current use.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 203, LOB
11:00 AM SB 496-FN, directing the department of health and human services to establish a climate and health protection program.
1:00 PM SB 567-FN, directing the commissioner of the department of health and human services to compile a report on the availability of mifepristone and misoprostol.
Next Week in the Senate
The full Senate will meet in session on April 4. Here are the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
SB 534-FN, relative to campaign finance. This bill makes various changes to the laws that regulate the financing of political campaigns. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 537-FN, allowing the processing of absentee ballots. This bill allows for the preprocessing of absentee ballots. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 411-FN, relative to emergency mental health services for persons 21 years of age and younger. This bill requires insurers to provide certain emergency behavioral and mental health services for enrollees 21 years of age and younger. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 558-FN, relative to employer notice of veterans' benefits and services.This bill directs the labor commissioner, in consultation with the department of business and economic affairs, to create and distribute a veterans' benefits and services poster for employers to display in the workplace. Committee recommends OTP.
JUDICIARY
SB 304-FN, creating a cause of action for medical injuries resulting from the administration or prescription of gender transition surgery, cross-sex hormones, or puberty-blocking drugs and providing protections for individuals who receive medical detransitioning. Committee recommends interim study.
SB 413-FN, relative to civil actions for PFAS contamination. Committee recommends OTP-A.
On the Regular Calendar
COMMERCE
SB 436-FN, relative to maximum benefits payable in unemployment compensation. This bill establishes the minimum and maximum amounts of weekly benefits based upon the statewide average weekly wage and national cost of living adjustments. Without recommendation from committee.
SB 516-FN, relative to prohibiting collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join a labor union. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 519-FN, relative to evictions based on the owner's intent to renovate the property. This bill adds evidentiary requirements to evictions based upon renovation and permits a discretionary stay of eviction for up to 6 months. Committee recommends OTP.
EDUCATION
SB 341, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This bill requires all school employees to respond honestly and completely to written requests by parents regarding information relating to their children. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 375, relative to biological sex in student athletics. This bill requires school sports teams to be expressly designated as male, female, or coed, and prohibits biologically male students from participating in female designated sports or entering female locker rooms. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 523-FN, relative to the regulation of public school library materials. This bill prohibits material that is obscene or harmful to minors in schools, requires vendors of school library materials to develop appropriate ratings, and creates a procedure for removal and cause of action. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 524, relative to women's sports. This bill requires any interscholastic, intercollegiate, or club athletic team, sport, or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by a school, school district, an activities association or organization under the control of the state board of education, or an institution of higher education under either the university system or the community college system to be designated based on the biological sex at birth of the participating athletes, and restricts those participating in sports designated as "female" to biological females. Committee recommends interim study.
SB 525-FN, relative to administration of the education freedom accounts program. This bill changes income eligibility and reporting requirements for the education freedom account program and modifies the program's administration and oversight. Committee recommends ITL.
ELECTION LAW
SB 538-L, relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing. This bill establishes a tax relief program for office conversion to residences; enables municipalities to allow its governing body to adopt certain zoning ordinance changes; and adds additional authority in zoning powers for parking requirements and lot size requirements related to sewer infrastructure. Committee recommends OTP-A.
FINANCE
SB 342-FN, relative to school building aid funding. This bill establishes a new school district building aid funding program using state funds allocated to each district and makes an appropriation therefor. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 358-FN, relative to invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. This bill invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses issued specifically to undocumented immigrants. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 362-FN, relative to body-worn cameras. This bill clarifies the circumstances in which body-worn cameras may be copied, distributed, or used in certain criminal, juvenile, or administrative proceedings. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 404-FN, relative to expanding child care professionals' eligibility for the child care scholarship program. This bill establishes eligibility criteria for childcare professionals to receive childcare scholarships. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 508-FN, relative to the duties of the superintendent of the county department of corrections concerning mental health and substance use disorder screening of inmates and coordination for services upon reentry into the community. This bill requires 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. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 518-FN, relative to incentivizing landlords to accept housing choice vouchers. This bill establishes a landlord housing incentive program and fund. This bill makes an appropriation to implement the fund. Committee recommends interim study.
SB 522-FN-A, relative to establishing an early childhood education scholarship account and making an appropriation therefor. This bill requires rulemaking by the department of health and human services on childcare early education and establishes an early childhood education account program to provide funds for an education freedom accounts scholarship organization to administer grants to eligible New Hampshire pre-kindergarten children for qualifying expenses. Committee recommends OTP.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS
SB 406-FN-A, relative to emergency housing assistance and making an appropriation therefor. This bill directs the department of health and human services to establish a homelessness prevention pilot program, to be administered through municipalities and community action programs. The bill also makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to assist municipalities in providing emergency housing assistance and preventing homelessness. Committee recommends OTP-A.
JUDICIARY
SB 562-FN, relative to state recognition of biological sex. This bill provides a definition for "biological sex" and provides that certain designations by biological sex do not constitute unlawful discrimination. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 593, relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones. This bill prohibits carrying a firearm in a safe school zone. Committee recommends ITL.
Next 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, April 2
COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
10:00 AM HB 173, relative to toilet facilities provided by restaurants.
10:10 AM HB 1047, relative to the effectiveness of state outreach to residents without computer, tablet, smartphone, or other electronic device access.
10:20 AM HB 82-FN, relative to employment protection for participants in the therapeutic cannabis program.
10:30 AM HB 283, relative to rental application fees charged to prospective tenants.
10:40 AM HB 398, relative to notice of PFAS contamination prior to the sale of real property.
EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:00 AM HB 1109, relative to requiring student identification cards to include the helpline for the National Alliance for Eating Disorders and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
9:10 AM HB 1235, relative to high school students serving as school board members.
9:30 AM HB 1524, relative to authorizing parents of special education children to observe in the classroom setting.
9:40 AM HB 1695, relative to the release of student personally identifiable information.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:30 AM HB 447-FN, relative to the purchase of election equipment.
9:40 AM HB 1125, relative to requiring public notice and comment at all county commissioner and delegation meetings.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM HB 602-FN, relative to landfill siting.
9:15 AM HB 1386-FN, relative to prohibiting the disposal of lithium-ion batteries in solid waste landfill facilities, composting facilities, or incinerators.
9:30 AM HB 1687-FN, relative to disposal of construction and demolition debris from state construction projects.
9:45 AM HB 1620-FN, relative to suspending the issuance of new landfill permits until 2031.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
2:00 PM HB 1054-A, relative to the Northern Border Alliance Program funds.
2:10 PM HB 1528, relative to reporting by the Northern Border Alliance Program.
Wednesday, April 3
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:15 AM HB 1252, relative to establishing a committee to study the needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
9:15 AM HB 1028, relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of the New Hampshire mental health services system.
9:30 AM HB 1609-FN, relative to the commission on the primary care workforce and the state office of rural health.
10:00 AM HB 1056, relative to child day care licensing.
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.
April 3: Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Dover District Office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover
April 10: 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 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.
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.
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
Save the Dates
Mark your calendar for these upcoming virtual events for AFSC’s “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.
April 23 – Detention & Deportation
May 28 – Employment & Worker Rights
June 25 – Hard Conversations
Thursday, March 28 to Saturday, March 30
Stop the Stigma Conference - Hosted by Project Aim. Virtual and in person at Southern NH University. Stop the Stigma is a free conference brought to you by Project AIM, an initiative at SNHU with the mission to provide an educational pathway for incarcerated learners. Organized completely by current SNHU students, our goal is to spread awareness to the community at large on the challenges faced by justice impacted individuals. The conference provides a space to discuss issues related to transportation, employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
Saturday, March 30
Kites for Gaza - All Day. Hosted by AFSC. In 2011, more than 12,000 children in Gaza flew kites on the beach, setting a new world record for most kites flown simultaneously. Devastatingly, more children have been killed in the first five months of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza than flew kites in 2011. Join us in DC or virtually from around the world, to fly kites for a cease-fire in Gaza. We hope you will join us in making, displaying, and flying kites to help amplify the call for a cease-fire in Gaza.
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.
Tuesday, April 2
Immigrant Solidarity Network Vigil – 9 AM. Norris Cotton Federal Building - 275 Chestnut St. Manchester. Hosted by Granite State Organizing Project. Please join our upcoming prayer vigil to stand in solidarity with immigrants. Following the vigil, we will convene at the Blessed Sacrament Church for the ISN meeting.
Thursday, April 4
SB 516 "Right to Work" For Less Visibility - 8:30 AM to 10 AM. Hosted by NH AFL-CIO. Join us to let House members know that “Right-to-Work” is wrong for working families, we will gather again, in front of the State House, prior to the Senate Session to stand in Solidarity together, and for all New Hampshire workers. Wear your anti-"Right-to-Work" apparel, bring your signs (we will also provide signs).
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.
Wednesday, April 10
NH Listens Local Lunch Box: Facilitating Through Conflict - 12 PM to 12:45 PM. Hosted by NH Listens. Join us for a 45-minute informative and interactive session aimed at sharing bite-sized tips and resources from our toolbox for community engagement and facilitation. The role of a facilitator in many spaces is to support the group in working with and moving through conflict.
Sacred Poetry: Multifaith Perspectives. 7 PM. Nashua Public Library Theater. Hosted by Nashua Area Interfaith Council. Join local poets and poetry-lovers from Greater Nashua faith communities for an evening exploring poetry inspired by our diverse faith traditions.
Thursday, April 11
A Conversation with Jose Antonio Vargas – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. AFSC is delighted to host Jose Antonio Vargas as our keynote speaker for the 2024 Corporation Program. Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Tony-nominated theatrical producer, and a leading voice for the human rights of immigrants.
Saturday, April 13
“The Movement and the ‘Madman” Film Screening & Panel Discussion - 6 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Monday, April 15
United for Sudan - 12 PM to 4 PM. Hosted by AFSC & Partners. One year into the conflict in Sudan the international community's response remains woefully inadequate. Come to demand action and show solidarity with the people of Sudan.
Saturday, April 20
4th Annual BLM New Hampshire Excellence Awards - 5 PM to 8 PM. Currier Museum - 150 Ash St, Manchester. Hosted by BLM NH. Join us for our 4th Annual BLM New Hampshire Excellence Awards. We will be honoring Black, Indigenous and Person of Color community members older than 14 years old from all walks of life; artists, educators, activists, entrepreneurs, inventors, musicians, students, etc., that have made contributions to benefit New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts!
Sunday, April 21 Envisioning the Future 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.
Thursday, April 25
Progress Through Policy: Advancing Birth Equity and Maternal Health in New England - 10 AM. Hosted by NH Perinatal Quality Collaborative. This webinar builds upon the September 2022 New England Maternal Health Summit, which showcased community triumphs on maternal health care that support birthing people having a safe, respectful, and empowering birth and postpartum experience. This webinar will focus on maternal health policy to catalyze change
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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