This Week’s Re-Cap
SB 101 Comes Out of Committee – Floor Vote Next Week!
On a party line vote, SB 101 was recommended ought to pass with amendment in Committee this week despite overwhelming opposition to the original bill and the newer version of this proposed bill. ACT NOW: Use our form to contact your state representative(s) and Governor Ayotte to let them know that this mandatory open enrollment plan does not work for students.
Major Opposition Expressed at HB 1793 Hearing
Over 100 speakers turned out to oppose HB 1793 at the public hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is the bill that would prohibit any public institution of higher education from enacting any rules or policies restricting the possession, carry, storage, or lawful use of firearms or non-lethal weapons on campus. It also specifies that no state or institutional permit or license shall be required for carrying these weapons and would invalidate any current campus restrictions. College students, labor unions including NEA-NH, members of law enforcement, and more said with a loud voice that this bill poses a major public safety risk to students, faculty, staff and visitors to our public college campuses. The Committee has yet to issue a recommendation, so even though the hearing is complete, you can still write to Committee members asking them to recommend HB 1793 be voted Inexpedient to Legislate.
Senate Passes HB 131 (Anti-Bullying Overhaul)
Last year, lawmakers retained HB 131, which contained a non-germane amendment sponsored by Rep. Cordelli before he left the state. This bill now contains a major overhaul to the bullying statute, including various new reporting requirements and Educator Code of Conduct penalties. While the Senate removed the private right of action contained in the bill, we are still concerned that this change is not well thought out and will not actually help prevent bullying or cyberbullying in schools. The next step for HB 131 is for the House of Representatives to concur with the changes made in the Senate or request a Committee of Conference to try to reach a compromise on this bill. Stay tuned!
Hearings Next Week!
Voucher Double Dipping Language Tucked Inside Home Education Bill – Please Oppose
HB 1268 deals with changes to the home education statute, but the House just added language from HB 1817 into the bill that would allow families to accept a voucher and then also have the right to enroll in classes at their local public school. Please SIGN IN to OPPOSE HB 1268 and the addition of this voucher expansion language to this home school bill. (Hearing in Senate Education Committee: Tuesday, April 21 at 9:45am) – See sign-in instruction below.
Charter School Conversion Commission Inadequately Represents Educators and Parents – Please Oppose
HB 1358 would create a commission to study converting our public schools to charter schools. While the House removed the extremely dangerous language that would have lowered the vote threshold to actually make this conversion locally, the commission this bill seeks to create inadequately represents educators and parents and should be voted down. Please SIGN IN to OPPOSE HB 1358. (Hearing in Senate Education Committee: Tuesday, April 21 at 9:15am) – See sign-in instructions below.
NEW: April Break Public Education Day at the State House on 4/28
Please join NEA-NH and public education advocacy ally organizations on Tuesday, April 28th for a Public Education Day at the State House. The day includes briefings on the critical education issues facing New Hampshire, followed by opportunities for skill building, issue workshops, State House tours, and meetings with elected officials. Based on the State House calendar for the day, there may also be opportunities to participate in public hearings or attend Committee meetings. During our time together, we will gather at the State House for a public education group photo and have ample time for conversation with each other and leading public education partners as we work toward a strong future for public schools. Mark your calendar and click here to register for Public Education Day at the State House on 4/28!
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 hearings:
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 hearings:
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.
