Thank you to everyone who supported online, through letters or in person last week when the House heard testimony on key bills to repeal divisive concepts. You can read about the hearing here. They did not vote on a recommendation for these bills yet so you can still write to the House Education committee and demand they support HB 1090 and HB 1576.
There are only two RAD Priority bills this week with committee hearings. Please see below for more information on our healthcare justice priority bills.
This week, the Senate and the House will meet in full to vote on recommended bills and hear the Governor’s “State of the State” address. The House and Senate will meet on Wednesday. Governor Sununu’s address will take place on Thursday, along with the second full House session. This is a great time to reach out to your legislators and urge them to support the bills you want to pass and oppose harmful bills coming up for a floor vote.
- Find your House Representative(s) here, and your Senator here. If you don’t know your district, use this map.
- Watch the Senate session remotely here, beginning at 10am on Wednesday.
- Watch the House sessions here, beginning at 1pm on Wednesday and 9:30am on Thursday.
- Watch the Governor’s State of the State address here on Thursday at 10am.
See Rights & Democracy New Hampshire legislative priorities for 2022.
As always, you can invite others to sign up here for these weekly updates.
Until next week, and in solidarity,
David Bates
Sebastian Fuentes
Asma Elhuni, Movement Politics Director, Rights & Democracy
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.
[highlight style=”gray”]HEALTHCARE JUSTICE[/highlight]
Two hearings on harmful healthcare bills took place on Monday. We urge you to submit written testimony in opposition to both bills:
Oppose HB1379, limiting the ability of the department of health and human services to establish immunization requirements.
Oppose HB 1271, requiring that immunization requirements established by the department of health and human services be ratified by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature.
The House of Representatives will be meeting on Wednesday, February 16th and Thursday, February 17th. Contact your Representative and let them know your thoughts on these RAD priority bills.
[highlight style=”gray”]HEALTHCARE ACCESS[/highlight]
Support HB 1578, providing Medicaid coverage to immigrant women and children legally living in New Hampshire.
Support HB 1536, covering postpartum care for new mothers under Medicaid.
[highlight style=”gray”]HOUSING JUSTICE[/highlight]
Support HB 1133 to prevent tenants with a lease from being evicted if their building is sold to a new owner.
[highlight style=”gray”]OPIOID CRISIS[/highlight]
Support HB 1392 to reduce penalties for nonviolent drug offenses and eliminate prohibitions and penalties for the possession, use, or sale of drug paraphernalia.
The Senate will be meeting on Wednesday the 16th. Contact your Senator and let them know your thoughts on these RAD priority bills.
[highlight style=”gray”]HEALTHCARE ACCESS[/highlight]
Support SB 422, expanding Medicaid to cover preventive dental care, rather than just emergency tooth extractions.
[highlight style=”gray”]RACIAL AND EDUCATION JUSTICE[/highlight]
Support SB 304 to repeal last year’s “divisive concepts” law and replace it with a provision that nothing in New Hampshire law will prohibit schools and businesses from teaching about the historic or current experiences of any group protected from discrimination.
Support SB 298 to repeal last year’s “divisive concepts” law.
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Last week’s toplines unfortunately include some bad recommendations – which is why it is urgent that we keep speaking up about these bills!
The House Science, Technology and Energy Committee met on February 7th and in a series of close votes the majority recommended that HB 1419 creating a civilian climate corps, HB 1601 promoting energy conservation, and HB 1506 speeding the adoption of renewable energy, be killed.
The House Health Committee met on February 8th. In a close vote they recommended that HB 1578 expanding Medicaid coverage to immigrant women and children legally residing in NH, and HB 1536 expanding Medicaid coverage of postpartum care for new mothers, be killed. On the positive side, the committee unanimously recommended passage of HB 1390, which requires that some telemedicine services include translation services for patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have limited English proficiency.
The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Thursday, February 10th and in a series of close votes recommended that SB 298 and SB 304, which would both repeal last year’s “divisive concepts” law, be killed.
Tuesday, February 15th, 5 – 7:30pm
Tuesday Phonebank for Justice
Wednesday, February 16th, 5 – 7:15pm
Climate Deep Canvass Phonebank
Wednesday, February 16th, 6 – 7pm
NH Healthcare Justice Meeting
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. 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.