Transgender-related legislation dominated the New Hampshire State House last week, with lawmakers advancing a handful of bills that could direct people to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex, not their gender, as well as ban puberty blockers, hormone treatment and breast surgery for people under age 18.
Legislators also discussed impacts of federal policy on New Hampshire and other high-profile issues. Here’s what you need to know.
■The House of Representatives tabled a bill legalizing medically assisted dying in New Hampshire, marking a shift in legislators’ direction from last year. The House decided to forego a discussion and vote on House Bill 254 by a one-vote margin after Republican Majority Leader Jason Osborne said it isn’t worth a debate because the outcome is already “entirely certain.” Last year, it passed the House by just three votes. Its fate isn’t sealed yet, as state representatives still have until April 10 to act on all bills before they’re due to the Senate, but if lawmakers leave it on the table it’ll meet its end.
■The Senate expedited Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s legislative priority – House Bill 592, which rolls back 2018 bail reforms – and unanimously passed it. The bill, which would tighten bail restrictions, lower the standard of proof required to detain people arrested by police and repeal the use of magistrates that began in January, now heads to Ayotte’s desk for her signature.
■Lawmakers questioned state officials on how President Donald Trump’s executive orders – such as tariffs on Canada and the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education – might impact life in the Granite State. Senate Democrats had attempted to require state commissioners to assemble reports on these impacts, an effort shot down by a Republican-led committee. Frank Edelblut, the state Department of Education commissioner, told lawmakers he was prepared for federal changes while business owners warned tariffs could drastically increase their costs.
■On Wednesday, March 26, The Executive Council will meet at 10 a.m.
■Also on Wednesday, at 9 a.m., the House of Representatives will hold the first of its two voting days for the week. The agenda, which can be found on the General Court website, includes cannabis regulation, the consolidation of school administrative units and more.
■On Thursday, March 27, at 9 a.m., the House of Representatives continues its session. They’ll vote on absentee ballot restrictions, partisan school elections, vaccine requirements, whether to allow sexual content in school materials and library books, and more.
■The Senate will also hold a voting session on Thursday at 10 a.m.
For a more detailed unpacking of weekly news from the State House, subscribe to my newsletter, Capital Beat. If you have questions or tips about anything going on in the Legislature, please contact me.
Charlotte Matherly is the statehouse reporter for the Concord Monitor and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript in partnership with Report for America. Follow her on X at @charmatherly or send her an email at cmatherly@cmonitor.com.
