2022 Legislative Update, Week of January 18

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As New Hampshire is experiencing a spike in COVID cases, we hope you are taking precautions and staying healthy.

Thank you to everyone who came out to speak last week in support of SB304, to repeal last year’s “divisive concepts” ban. There were many speakers and the committee heard them all. They have not yet deliberated about the bill. This week, two more bills related to divisive concepts will be heard; we are asking people to register their opposition online or go in person to testify.

See RAD’s New Hampshire legislative priorities for 2022.

Below, you will find a list of top actions you can take this week on key priorities, as well as a calendar of RAD priority bills that will be heard this week. If you cannot attend a committee hearing in person, you can record your written support – see our “Tips for Testifying” below to learn how. 

Know anyone else who would like to get these weekly updates? Invite them to sign up. Please take note that these updates will be sent on Fridays in the future.

Until next week, and in solidarity,

David Bates

Sebastian Fuentes

Asma Elhuni

Sign in to register your position on these RAD priority bills, and testify in writing and in person if you are able! See “Tips for Testifying” below. 

Housing Justice:

  • Support HB 1291, prohibiting discrimination against tenants using rental vouchers.
  • Support HB 1408, requiring the return of apartment rental application fees to those who don’t get the apartment.

Immigration Justice:

  • Oppose HB 1266, which prohibits local governments from policies of non-communication or non-cooperation with immigration authorities.

Drug Decriminalization:

  • Support HB 1349, decriminalizing the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms.

Racial Justice:

  • Oppose HB 1255, imposing disciplinary action on NH teachers who present U.S. racial history in anything other than a positive light.
  • Oppose HB 1632, requires the curriculum of teachers to include an additional unit of instruction studying other acts of discriminatory injustice, such as genocide, elsewhere around the globe.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18th

House Education, Room 205-207, LOB

3pm, HB 1533, relative to health education curriculum in schools (SUPPORT). This bill requires the teaching of consent in NH schools.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19th

House Education, Room 205-207, LOB

9am, HB 1632relative to civil rights education in public elementary and secondary schools (OPPOSE). This bill requires teachers’ curricula to include an additional unit of instruction studying other acts of discriminatory injustice, such as genocide, elsewhere around the globe. See talking points.

House Judiciary, Room 206-208, LOB

1pm, HB 1291, prohibiting discrimination against tenants holding certain vouchers for purposes of renting dwellings(SUPPORT). This bill fights discrimination against low-income renters.

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Room 302-304, LOB

2:45pm, HB 1622, relative to mental health parity (SUPPORT). This bill supports the affordability of mental health care.

House Election Law, Room 306-308, LOB

1:30pm, HB 1442-FN, relative to access to election and voter information (SUPPORT). This bill requires that election and voter information be made available in multiple languages.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20th

House Ways and Means, Room 202-204, LOB

9:45am, HB 1407-FN, including the promotion of affordable housing under the land and community heritage investment program (SUPPORT).

House Judiciary, Room 206-208, LOB

10:30am, HB 1408, requiring the refund of residential tenancy application fees (SUPPORT). This bill protects tenants from being swindled by landlords.

House Labor and Industrial Relations, Room 305-307, LOB

11:30am, HB 1251, prohibiting payment of subminimum wages (SUPPORT). This bill ends discrimination against disabled workers.

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, State House Reps Hall

9am, continued public hearing on HB 1349-FN, decriminalizing the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms (SUPPORT).

House Education, Room 205-207, LOB

11:15am, HB 1255relative to teachers’ loyalty (OPPOSE). This bill prohibits teaching about socialism and imposes disciplinary action on NH teachers who do not portray U.S. racial history in a positive light. See talking points.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21st

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Room 202-204, LOB

2:15pm, HB 1266, relative to restrictions on enforcement of federal immigration laws (OPPOSE). Prohibits local governments from policies of non-communication or non-cooperation with immigration authorities.

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Thank you to all who signed in and testified in support of SB 279, establishing a study committee on harm reduction and overdose prevention programs. We are thrilled that this bill was recommended for passage by the Senate Health Committee!

Thursday, January 20th, 6-7:30pm
Grassroots Lobbying Training | RSVP
Monday, January 27th, 1pm
Race Forward Heal Together Launch | RSVP

Tips for Testifying

In person: Go early to the room assigned for the committee hearing early. There will be a form for you to sign your name and who you are representing. You may sign in as yourself if you are not representing an organization. The higher your name is on the list,  the earlier you get to speak. You will be called on when they open the hearing to the public.

Online: If you cannot attend a hearing in person, you can register your position online up to a week out. (Registration is cut off 30 minutes before a hearing.) After signing in support of a bill, the confirmation page will list the email address where you can submit written testimony. Make sure to email committee members to let them know why you support or oppose a bill.

Helpful Links

Senate

  • Register your position and/or submit testimony on a Senate bill here.
  • Find the Senate Calendar here (meeting links are in the Calendar Notice pdf).
  • Find your Senator here.

House

  • Register your position and/or submit testimony on a House bill here.
  • Find the House Calendar here.
  • Find your Representative(s) here.

Don’t know your district? Use this map.