No Vote Held on Anti-Union Bill
While we had expected that HB 1704 would go to the House floor vote this week, it is still pending that action. As a reminder, this is the anti-union bill that weakens public employees' collective bargaining rights. If you haven't already, please contact your state representatives to urge them to reject HB 1704!
Other News from House & Senate Session Day
- The House passed HB 1792 the newest, more extreme version of banned concepts on steroids.
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The House defeated HB 1811, which would have ended all vaccination requirements in New Hampshire—including those for children in public schools.
- The Senate passed SB 430, the mandatory disclosure that contains licensure penalties for educators. Next stop will be the House.
- The Senate also passed SB 434, the latest in a long line of book banning type legislation. This bill is also headed to the House.
Major Hearings Next Week
There are still some hearings being held in the House Education Policy and Administration Committee next week on forced consolidation and charter conversion legislation. Please take the time to oppose those bills!
Two Bills Proposed to Make It Easier to Convert a Public School into a Charter School – Please OPPOSE Both!
- HB 1712 Feb 23, 2026: Public Hearing House Education Policy and Administration Committee: 10:15 am GP 232. Please SIGN-IN to OPPOSE HB 1712 (Please see full sign in instructions below). This bill would make it easier to convert public schools into charter schools and commit local property tax dollars to those that are newly established.
- HB 1358 – Public Hearing House Education Policy and Administration Committee; 11:00 am GP 232: Please SIGN-IN to OPPOSE HB 1358. (Please see full sign in instructions below). This bill would allow a school board to unilaterally convert a public school into a charter school. It would also lower the threshold to convert to a charter school by ballot at a biennial election.
Extreme School Consolidation Bill – Please Oppose!
HB 1804 Feb 23, 2026: Public Hearing House Education Policy and Administration Committee; 01:00 pm GP 232. Please SIGN-IN to OPPOSE HB 1804 (Full instructions below)
This bill would force the consolidation of a number of school district level functions at the county level, including bargaining contracts, and create a county level administrator that would be elected. This is not a well thought out plan that would cause a chaotic transition that would be more expensive for property taxpayers than the current structure and be highly disruptive to student learning. This issue should be studied and done carefully. Please oppose this extreme and poorly constructed plan that forces consolidating among school districts.
Protect Public Schools at Your Annual Meeting
In March, many school districts will be holding annual school meetings. Whether your community votes in a traditional school meeting (in person) or on the ballot (SB 2), making sure you are present and participating is critical to protecting your community public schools, ensuring your students have the resources they need to learn and thrive, and supporting your union brothers and sisters! Please make sure you know the dates of your deliberative sessions and school district meetings, educate yourself about the issues on the warrant, and make a plan to vote.
NEA-NH Action Center
Most of the tools and information you need to be a legislative advocate for public education are right at your fingertips through NEA-New Hampshire. Check out our NEA-NH Action Center to get all the information you need about issues we’re tracking at the State House, how to communicate with your lawmakers, and how to take action on specific bills.
Questions?
If you have questions on any of these bills or ones not mentioned here, please feel free to contact Brian Hawkins, NEA-NH Director of Government Relations at [email protected].
Need help signing in on legislation? Follow these comprehensive instructions (details for public hearings are contained in each action request).
For House bills:
1. Visit this link: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
2. Enter your personal information
3. Select the hearing date
4. Select the committee
5. Choose the bill
6. I am - A member of the public
7. Choose who you are representing - Myself
8. Indicate your position on this bill
9. Upload remote testimony (Optional)
10. Review information and click submit
For Senate bills:
1. Go to https://bit.ly/3S4Cof1 and click the date that the bill you are interested in is being heard
2. Select the committee that is hearing the bill
3. Select the bill you are interested in
4. Select a category – Member of the Public
5. Indicate your position on this bill
6. Click continue
7. Enter your name and contact information
8. Click continue
9. Carefully review the information to ensure it is entered correctly. If it is correct, check the box and click continue.
