Capitol Insight: Weekly Legislative Update 2/7/25
T
he State House was bursting with energy this week as the House of Representatives cast its first votes of the 2025 Legislative Session and Senate members kept busy through committee work. Meanwhile, the Governor and Executive Council took up nominations and state contracts as hundreds of protestors against Project 2025 gathered on the State House lawn.
2025 Parental Bill of Rights – Take 1
The newly formed Senate Children and Family Law committee met this week to hear public testimony on a bill establishing a Parental Bill of Rights in education. SB 72 is in response to a 2024 court case that sided with Manchester school district in keeping certain information from parents. The legislation would grant guardians the explicit authority to make all educational decisions for their children. Historically, this topic has sparked large turnouts and heated debates, but this hearing was notably different. Debate was spirited, for sure, but the crowd was smaller than expected, making the choice to move the hearing to the expansive Representatives’ Hall seem unnecessary. There was considerable opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates, a teacher’s union and healthcare organizations, though the opposition was more muted than in previous years, as the majority of the bill seeks to codify existing parental rights. It is possible with the full Senate Republican Caucus signing on as sponsors that staunch opposition will be reserved for the House on this version. Governor Kelly Ayotte has highlighted this topic as a priority and would welcome the opportunity to sign some version of parental rights legislation this spring.
House Session
Although the House calendar only had 22 bills scheduled for the floor, the Session was not short of debate, starting off with a vote to withdraw an abortion related bill from consideration at the request of the prime sponsor. In previous years, observers could plan on any sanctuary city related legislation being hotly contested by either body. It has historically been a priority of Republicans, and the Governor has indicated she would sign it if it landed on her desk. This time around, a bipartisan compromise that narrowly prohibits sanctuary policies to people in custody for violating New Hampshire criminal law sailed through. The bill still has a long way to go before reaching Governor Ayotte as the Senate has passed their own version which is not as narrow in scope.
Medicaid Work Requirements
During the first Trump Administration, states across the country implemented work requirements for able bodied, childless adults to receive Medicaid benefits. These requirements were struck down in federal courts, and with the election of President Joe Biden, they were shelved for four years. Now that President Donald Trump has been reelected, the concept has resurfaced, and a new bill in New Hampshire was filed to consider the issue again. The Senate legislation would mandate the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an 1115 waiver to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to enforce a community engagement and work requirement as a condition of the Granite Advantage Medicaid program. Mental health advocates and New Hampshire Legal Assistance have opposed the legislation, arguing that it risks health coverage for vulnerable populations without offering substantial benefits. While the Department did not take a position on the bill, they outlined financial and administrative concerns in addition to questions about how the courts would respond. There is considerable opposition to the bill, but it also has some strong backing from members of leadership in each chamber.
Week Ahead
The last full work week of February for the Legislature will continue as a flurry of public hearings and executive sessions preclude the much-anticipated reveal of Governor Ayotte’s Biennial and Capital Budgets on Thursday. Plan on House members beginning to review the proposal while the paper is still warm as they have 6 weeks to consider and adopt their own versions. Both bodies will meet in sessions following the Governor’s address.
About Rath, Young and Pignatelli
Capitol Insight is produced with the support of the Chamber’s government relations consultant: Rath, Young and Pignatelli (RYP). RYP merges traditional legal practice areas with legislative and public policy expertise. They have earned a reputation for achieving client success through skillful and creative advocacy in private party negotiations, before courts, regulatory agencies, and legislatures.
Their professionals are leaders in key sectors of the economy where business and government intersect including business and finance, energy, tax, health care, environmental, and insurance.
About The Greater Manchester Chamber
Incorporated in 1911, the Greater Manchester Chamber (GMC) is the largest business organization in New Hampshire, focusing its efforts primarily on Manchester and the surrounding communities of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack. It is the Chamber’s mission to be the voice of business, shaping economic success to enhance the quality of life in Greater Manchester. For more information visit www.manchester-chamber.org.
