Key NH Legislative activity for the week of February 23-27:
HB 1214, which would allow a municipality’s governing body to take control of the public library, was voted inexpedient to legislate.
HB 1512, which would have allowed municipalities to hold a vote to prevent their residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers, was determined inexpedient to legislate.
HB 1564, which would have removed all references to gender identity in state statutes, was determined inexpedient to legislate.
Open Enrollment is being fast-tracked through the House. To protect their budgets from unexpected increases this coming fiscal year, school districts are trying to place limits on the numbers of students leaving and non-district students from coming. For further information, see the March edition of The Amherst Bear, “Open Enrollment Articles Aim to Protect Budget amid Big Changes,” and a
Feb. 27 discussion on New Hampshire PBS. read more
The House rejected a bill reinstating the death penalty (HB 1413) and other bills that would have expanded its use.
Senate Republicans turned down Democratic legislators’ efforts (SB 484) to reduce the Medicaid premium.
HB 1705 is a bill to establish and fund an employee assistance program for small towns and volunteer first responders. Although Republicans on the Labor Committee voted against it, the House passed the bill as amended, 194-154.
HB 1811, which would have ended vaccine mandates, was defeated.
Senate Republicans voted down SB 419, known as the Afford Your Home Act, intended to provide an additional $5 million to the existing Housing Champions Program.
Protestors argued against an array of bills targeting the transgender community. According to InDepthNH.org, the protesters “opposed House Bills 1217 and 1299, which permit classification of individuals based on biological sex in certain circumstances, and specify that biological sex distinctions would not qualify as discrimination. Protesters also opposed House Bills 1442 and 1447, which limit the use of certain public and private facilities on the basis of sex, as well as House Bill 1564, which would remove all references to gender identity in New Hampshire statutes.”
Engage with local leaders. Be heard. Make a difference.
DateFebruary 14, 2026
Time10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
LocationBuck Meadow Club House, 30 Route 101A
Everyone is welcome. This forum is nonpartisan and open to all—regardless of political affiliation.
Join us for a Candidates Forum where municipal and school board candidates will introduce
themselves, share their views, and answer questions from residents.
read more
The NH House bill intended to require towns to cap their school district spending was defeated on Wednesday, January 7, on the opening day of the 2026 session in a 346-9 vote. An amendment to the bill that limited the capping to only administrative expenses led to the defeat of the bill, with 22 Republicans joining the Democratic block. Carried over from the 2025 session, HB 675 failed to pass this session again, accompanied by a vote not to be considered again this year. The bill that ties caps to the inflation rate and requires a supermajority (two- thirds) of town voters to override a cap could lead to conditions such as school overcrowding, reduced staffing, and the cutting of important services for students. Many taxpayers attribute out-of-control property taxes to school costs, yet a key reason for the local tax increases is reduced state-level contributions to school districts. In 2024, local taxes provided 63% of the funding while the state provided only 28.8% of the funding, one of the lowest percentages in the nation, according to a National Education Association report. Many also realize that the bill is the state’s attempt to avoid the inevitable – its decades-old failure to fund an adequate education.read more
When: January 21, 2026 Where: Buck Meadow Clubhouse – 30 Rte 101A, Amherst What: A Caucus of the Democrats of Amherst Town Committee and Monthly Speaker Who: Tom Sylvia
Due to water damage in the basement of the Amherst Town Library, the January meeting will take place at the Buck Meadow clubhouse located at 30 Rte 101A in Amherst. Venues for future events will be announced on a floating basis. We hope to return to the library as soon as possible.read more
