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
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
Fri 2/4 2:30 PM | HB 1683 | Repealing The Education Freedom Account Program. | Rep. David Luneau | Public Hearing | LOB 205-207 (Education/H) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |