For the Senate, the budget is all. Expect some good news for Gov. Kelly Ayotte (who dislikes the House budget) and some bad news for Senate Republicans who want to provide Ayotte with the spending she has requested, but can’t find the necessary funds.
One win Ayotte might achieve is a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban, which is stricter (and experts say, more effective) than some proposals that allow intermittent cellphone use by students during the day.
Meanwhile, House Democrats look for any opportunity where their minority can make a difference in the final outcome of legislation. This week, they will be few and far between.
Monday, June 2
Senate Finance Committee – State House 10:00 a.m.
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to make final changes to the state’s two-year budget plan.
Good signs in May have allowed the Senate to rely on revenues $300 million higher than the House, allowing it to restore controversial cuts to Medicaid rates, community mental health centers, Developmental Disabilities, the University System, and the Department of Corrections, as well as restoring smaller agencies such as the Commission on Aging and the Office of Child Advocate.
Still up in the air is the governor’s proposal to increase retirement benefits for a group of police and firefighters at a 10-year cost of $275 million.
Tuesday, June 3
Senate Finance Committee – State House 1:00 p.m.
The Senate Finance Committee meets to formally adopt the final budget package it will recommend to the full Senate, including any last-minute changes made on Monday. The final budget amendments will be posted online Tuesday evening.
Thursday, June 5
House Session – State House 10:00 a.m.
The House finishes its business with more than 50 Senate bills on the floor, including agreements on the Parents Bill of Rights (SB 72), Universal EFAs (SB 295), and ground ambulance services (SB 245). The question will be whether the House adopts any amendments to these deals on the floor.
The House will also consider moving the state primary date to June (SB 222). Republicans want to make the change next year. Democrats want to push it off until 2028.
Another debate will be over banning cell phones in New Hampshire schools. The legislature has already approved a bill to require school districts to limit access to phones during class (HB 781). The House will consider a stricter “bell-to-bell” policy (HB 206) also favored by Ayotte.
Senate Session – State House 1:00 p.m.
It’s Budget Day in the New Hampshire Senate.
The state budget bills (HB 1, HB 2) will be the biggest debate of the year in the Senate.
Other bills on the Calendar include allowing landlords to unilaterally end leases when the term is up (HB 60), banning minors from receiving hormone treatments and puberty blockers (HB 337) and breast surgeries (HB 712), and Right to Try legislation for terminally ill patients (HB 701).
The Senate also has versions of the Parents’ Bill of Rights (HB 10), Universal EFAs (HB 115), and ground ambulance services (HB 316). If those bills run into any snags on the House floor,
expect a late night.
House Calendar- https://gc.nh.gov/house/calendars_journals/viewer.aspx?fileName=Calendars\2025\No27%20May%2030%202025.PDF
Senate Calendar- https://gc.nh.gov/senate/calendars_journals/viewer.aspx?fileName=Calendars\2025\No%2024%20May%2029%202025.PDF
