GSHE is following a 2025 bill from start to finish as a civics lesson for our homeschool community.
We began by following HB 176 relative to changing the state flag design. This bill had a public hearing in the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee in mid February. The public hearing is recorded here, starting at 4:05:22. The committee went into executive session shortly after the hearing closed to discuss and vote on HB 176. Many representatives were impressed with the proposal initiated by Andrew Flockton, who prepared extensive information and a polished presentation for the committee. They voted it Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), which defeats the bill, with suggestions to include the proposal as part of another bill, HB 210 establishing a commission to study the state flag and history, that was also under consideration by the committee. A couple weeks later, the entire House of Representatives voted on HB 176 to concur with the committee’s ITL recommendation.
HB 210 was amended in the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee with a 14 to 1 vote and that recommendation advances to the entire House of Representatives for an upcoming vote. The bill as amended creates a study commission to review the history of NH’s state flag, examine the vexillological principles of the design, develop criteria and a process for accepting design submissions, and hold a public hearing on the commission’s selections.
HB 210 as amended is expected to pass in the House because it is on the Consent Calendar. The Consent Calendar is a collection of bills from all of the committees with consensus recommendations that are voted on as a block, to affirm the committees’ recommendations. Once that occurs, HB 210 as amended will move to the Senate for another public hearing and executive session.
UPDATE: HB 210 passed the House on the Consent Calendar with a simple voice vote, as expected, on March 26, 2025. It will move to the Senate at “crossover.” This is when the House and Senate trade those bills that passed their chambers.
Follow along to see what happens! We’ll provide updates on our forum community, Facebook group, and monthly newsletter.
UPDATE: HB 210 has a public hearing in the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Wednesday, April 9 starting at 10:30am. The hearing will be available on their YouTube channel here if you want to watch. The public may also use the remote portal to sign in for the bill here.
If you want to read more about HB 176, go back to our article here.
The GSHE website has additional information about how to Make a Difference in Concord. It includes a video (at the bottom of the page) that explains how to follow a bill – any legislation – of interest. It includes how to read the House and Senate calendars, tips on giving testimony, and more.
