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AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin, 2022-03

AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin (2022-03)

We had another busy week in the State House.  HB 1679, the bill that we highlighted last week which would dissolve cooperative and regional school districts was heard before the House Education Committee. AFT-NH President Deb Howes’ testimony at the hearing on HB 1679 can be read here. In addition to this bill, there were numerous other bills surrounding public and charter schools.  The attacks on public education are relentless and appear to be never-ending but we know that supporters of public education will not waver in their defense of a pillar of our democracy.

Mask bills delayed   Last week, in addition to the numerous bills that were heard around charter schools and others, there were supposed to be billed on banning masks in schools but at the last minute due to a large, expected turnout, the chairman of the House Education Committee had to postpone those hearings. Those meetings have not yet been rescheduled but we need your voice in opposition.  We understand that masks are an important public health mitigation tool and while all of us would like to go back to a world where they are not required, we also understand there are times when they are necessary for the health of our students and educators and necessary to keep our schools open. We strongly feel that local school boards are the decision makers best able to determine, in consultation with public health officials, when there should be mask requirements. We do not think any state law should take this mitigation tool away from local school districts. 

Action Necessary   Next week there is a bill, HB 1588,  that pushes an even more extreme attack on public schools. It states that if a school has a mandatory mask program,  parents in that district  can have their child attend another school in another district that does not require masks or can use   the new voucher program to go to a private school or homeschool regardless of a person’s income level. For a voucher program that is already a whopping 8 million dollars over budget this would be a radical expansion of the voucher program. And again, draining valuable resources from local public schools.  We must stand up for our public schools and stop this bill from passing.

Please click the following link to  REGISTER YOUR OPPOSITION. It is easy. Follow the Steps.

Step 1: Fill in your personal information.

Step 2: Select February 3, 2022

Step 3: Select Education Committee, Choose HB 1588, Select you are a member of the public and representing yourself. Indicate you OPPOSE the bill.

Step 4: No need to submit additional testimony.

Step 5: Click Submit.

Voting Districts   Outside of education, we wanted to share that on Monday the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee will be taking up the congressional and state house maps that were originally drawn by the House. We have not seen a map yet that wouldn’t be a radical gerrymander and the congressional maps might be the worst of all of them. Please take a moment to sign in against those maps and make sure the committee knows that New Hampshire expects and deserves fair maps.

To oppose HB 52 AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE please click  Register Your Opposition and take the following steps:

Step 1: Select January 31, 2022.

Step 2: Select Election Laws and Municipal Affairs Committee

Step 3:, Choose HB 52, Select you are a member of the public and representing yourself. Indicate you OPPOSE the bill.

Step 4: Fill in your personal information.

Step 5: Do a final review and submit.

Lastly, we want to take a moment and share some exciting and eye-opening data from a poll run by AFT. The poll shows 72% of parents say their schools provide excellent or good-quality education, and 78% say they are pleased with the quality and performance of teachers. For a lot of us who have been following the legislature or the national landscape we can lose sight of the fact that the work teachers and school staff do is recognized and appreciated. A continued thank you for all that you do.

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For breaking news and other legislative information , please be sure to like us on Facebook at AFT New Hampshire or follow us on Twitter @AFTNewHampshire to receive the latest news.  Please share this with friends so they can sign up for this bulletin at http://nh.aft.org/.

You can also read written testimony submitted to the legislature at STATE HOUSE NEWS.

NH Retirement Security Coalition   The NHRSC will be tracking all bills related to the NH Retirement System and continuing advocacy for our members.  You can find the legislation tracker following retirement bills by clicking on the following link  NHRSC UPDATES.  AFT-NH is a member of the NH Retirement Security Coalition (NHRSC).

Bill Tracking

Time

Item

Description

Sponsors

Location

 

Mon 1/31 10:00 AM

HB 1680

Establishing A Foundation Opportunity Budget Program For Funding Public Education.

Rep. David Luneau

Subcommittee Work Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Subcommittee Work Session

      

Wed 2/2 9:45 AM

HB 1233

Prohibiting Higher Education Institutions Receiving State Funds From Requiring Face Masks and Covid-19 Vaccinations For Attendance.

Rep. Peter Torosian

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Wed 2/2 10:30 AM

HB 1332

Excepting Public Universities and Colleges From Requirements Under Medical Freedom In Immunizations.

Rep. Joe Schapiro

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Wed 2/2 11:30 AM

HB 1637

Requiring Parents Of Public School Students to Submit A Survey When Electing An Education Freedom Account.

Rep. Brodie Deshaies

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Wed 2/2 12:45 PM

HB 1115

Relative to Record Of Educational Attainment Under The Educational Freedom Account Program.

Rep. Patricia Cornell

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Wed 2/2 1:15 PM

HB 1376

Relative to Participation In The Education Freedom Accounts Program By Students with Disabilities.

Rep. Patricia Cornell

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Wed 2/2 2:00 PM

HB 1670

Relative to Funds Of The Education Freedom Account Program After Termination Of A Student's Participation and Responsibilities Of The Scholarship Organization.

Rep. Bonnie Ham

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Wed 2/2 2:30 PM

HB 1669

Requiring The Department Of Education to Administer The Education Freedom Account Program.

Rep. Bonnie Ham

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

      

Thu 2/3 9:00 AM

HB 1664

 

Requiring Certain Non-public Schools or Education Service Providers That Accept Public Funds to Perform Background Checks On All Employees and Volunteers.

 

Rep. Marjorie Porter

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)

 
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 9:00 AM

HB 1047

Relative to The Chartered Public School Joint Legislative Oversight Committee.

Rep. Linda Tanner

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 9:00 AM

HB 1034

Relative to The Definition Of An Employee or Official Of A Governmental Unit.

Rep. Bill Boyd

Executive Session

LOB 206-208 (Judiciary/H)
Executive Session

Thu 2/3 9:00 AM

HB 1036

Relative to Nonpublic Meetings Concerning Public Employees.

Rep. Kurt Wuelper

Executive Session

LOB 206-208 (Judiciary/H)
Executive Session

Thu 2/3 9:00 AM

HB 1147

Relative to Governmental Records Available Upon Request.

Rep. Tom Dolan

Executive Session

LOB 206-208 (Judiciary/H)
Executive Session

Thu 2/3 9:45 AM

HB 1402

Relative to Inclusion Of Chartered Public Schools In School District Bond Issuance Votes.

Rep. Maureen Mooney

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 11:00 AM

HB 1663

Relative to Requirements For Home Education Students.

Rep. Erica Layon

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 12:00 PM

HB 1223

Relative to Meeting Attendance Requirements For Elected Members Of Budget Committee and School Board.

Rep. Jeanine Notter

Public Hearing

LOB 301-303 (Municipal and County Government/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 1:00 PM

HB 1398

Establishing A Committee to Study The Feasibility Of Centralized Criminal History Records Checks In Education.

Rep. Carol McGuire

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 1:00 PM

HB 1664

Requiring Certain Non-public Schools or Education Service Providers That Accept Public Funds to Perform Background Checks On All Employees and Volunteers.

Rep. Marjorie Porter

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 1:45 PM

HB 1398

 

Establishing A Committee to Study The Feasibility Of Centralized Criminal History Records Checks In Education.

 

Rep. Carol McGuire

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)

 
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 1:45 PM

HB 1198

Relative to Rules Of The Department Of Education Concerning Culture and Climate In Schools.

Rep. Gregg Hough

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 2:15 PM

HB 1198

Relative to Rules Of The Department Of Education Concerning Culture and Climate In Schools.

Rep. Gregg Hough

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 2:15 PM

HB 1588

Relative to Students Attending Public Schools That Mandate The Wearing Of Face Masks Without An Emergency Order In Place.

Rep. David Love

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 2:30 PM

HB 1472

Prohibiting Anti-union Activities By Employers.

Rep. Tony Labranche

Public Hearing

LOB 305-307 (Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/3 2:45 PM

HB 1588

Relative to Students Attending Public Schools That Mandate The Wearing Of Face Masks Without An Emergency Order In Place.

Rep. David Love

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

      

Fri 2/4 9:00 AM

HB 1229

Establishing A Committee to Study School Meal Programs In New Hampshire's Public Schools and Non-sectarian Schools That Accept Public Funds.

Rep. Timothy Horrigan

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Fri 2/4 9:00 AM

HB 1070

Relative to The Default Budget In Official Ballot Jurisdictions.

Rep. Ralph Boehm

Public Hearing

LOB 301-303 (Municipal and County Government/H)
Public Hearing

Fri 2/4 9:30 AM

HB 1607

Prohibiting Unlawful Discrimination In Public and Nonpublic Schools.

Rep. Linda Tanner

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Fri 2/4 11:00 AM

HB 1155

Relative to Persons Elected to A Local Board Serving On Another Board.

Rep. Peter Torosian

Public Hearing

LOB 301-303 (Municipal and County Government/H)
Public Hearing

Fri 2/4 1:00 PM

HB 1678

 

Relative to The Administration Of The Education Freedom Accounts Program.

 

Rep. Erica Layon

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)

 
Public Hearing

Fri 2/4 1:45 PM

HB 1120

Relative to Education Service Providers Under The Education Freedom Accounts Program.

Rep. Sue Mullen

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Fri 2/4 2:30 PM

HB 1683

Repealing The Education Freedom Account Program.

Rep. David Luneau

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

      

Mon 2/7 9:30 AM

HB 1194

Relative to The Procedure For Overriding A Local Tax Cap.

Rep. Diane Pauer

Public Hearing

LOB 301-303 (Municipal and County Government/H)
Public Hearing

Mon 2/7 10:00 AM

HB 1680

Establishing A Foundation Opportunity Budget Program For Funding Public Education.

Rep. David Luneau

Full Committee Work Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Full Committee Work Session

Mon 2/7 1:00 PM

HB 1633

Relative to Requiring Covid-19 Vaccination For School Attendance.

Rep. William Marsh

Public Hearing

LOB 210-211 (Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs/H)
Public Hearing

Mon 2/7 2:15 PM

HB 1035

Relative to Exemptions From School Vaccine Mandates.

Rep. Timothy Lang

Public Hearing

LOB 210-211 (Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs/H)
Public Hearing

      

Tue 2/8 10:00 AM

HB 1090

Relative to Teaching On Discrimination In The Public Schools.

Rep. Charlotte DiLorenzo

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Tue 2/8 11:00 AM

HB 1576

Repealing The Law Relative to Certain Discrimination In Public Workplaces and Education.

Rep. Manny Espitia

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Tue 2/8 1:00 PM

HB 1152

Relative to Verification Of Eligible Students Under The Education Freedom Account Program.

Rep. Bonnie Ham

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Tue 2/8 1:45 PM

HB 1241

Prohibiting A School District From Mandating A Covid-19 Vaccination For School Attendance.

Rep. Tom Lanzara

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

      

Wed 2/9 9:00 AM

HB 1229

 

Establishing A Committee to Study School Meal Programs In New Hampshire's Public Schools and Non-sectarian Schools That Accept Public Funds.

 

Rep. Timothy Horrigan

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)

 
Public Hearing

Wed 2/9 10:00 AM

HB 1661

Relative to Regional Career Technical Education Agreements.

Rep. Rick Ladd

Executive Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Executive Session

Wed 2/9 10:00 AM

HB 1660

Relative to School Lunches and Establishing The Meals For Students Fund.

Rep. Timothy Horrigan

Executive Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Executive Session

Wed 2/9 10:00 AM

HB 1680

Establishing A Foundation Opportunity Budget Program For Funding Public Education.

Rep. David Luneau

Executive Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Executive Session

Wed 2/9 10:00 AM

HB 1684

Limiting Education Freedom Account Funding to Budgeted Amounts.

Rep. David Luneau

Executive Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Executive Session

Wed 2/9 10:00 AM

HB 1516

Relative to The Source Of Funds For Education Freedom Accounts.

Rep. Marjorie Porter

Executive Session

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Executive Session

      

Thu 2/10 9:00 AM

HB 1047

Relative to The Chartered Public School Joint Legislative Oversight Committee.

Rep. Linda Tanner

Public Hearing

LOB 205-207 (Education/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/10 11:00 AM

HB 1529

Requiring Prospective Employees and Volunteers Of Public Libraries to Obtain A Background Check Prior to Commencing Employment or Volunteer Service.

Rep. David Love

Public Hearing

LOB 305-307 (Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services/H)
Public Hearing

Thu 2/10 1:00 PM

HB 1514

Relative to An Employee's Unused Earned Time.

Rep. Michael Cahill

Public Hearing

LOB 305-307 (Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services/H)
Public Hearing


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