The NH House will soon consider Senate bill 439-FN, an act “prohibiting discriminatory boycotts of Israel in state procurement and investments.” Section VI states: All requests for information, requests for proposals, or other similar requests related to a competitive bidding process for a contract shall include a provision that makes clear that any bidder’s or interested party’s actions found to boycott Israel will disqualify it from contracting with any agency in the state.

The Supreme Court ruled in 1982 that boycotting is protected under the First Amendment. SB 439 is written to violate that protected right by denying contracts with business owners based solely on their choice to boycott a foreign nation, Israel. 18 NH senators are putting the interests of a foreign country over the constitutional rights of NH residents. Crucially, this is not just about Israel. Other states have introduced similar legislation that restricts the right to boycott fossil fuels, firearms, mining, agriculture and timber. When would NH politicians decide your own views are unacceptable and will be punished?

Is NH really a business-friendly state? Welcome to NH, leave your rights at the border? Will NH voters value their right of freedom of speech, recognizing its central importance to democracy, or will we let the legislature dictate what’s acceptable to think? SB 439 is demanding that we make that choice. Tell your representatives to vote against SB 439 and any similar bills.

Tricia Saenger

Temple