NH Civics Lesson — New State Flag Bill

GSHE will follow a 2025 bill from start to finish as a NH civics lesson for our homeschool community. We will follow HB 176 relative to changing the state flag design.

It is initiated by a youth named Andrew Flockton who was the 2024 “Governor for A Day” winner. He created a website, www.changeNHflag.org, with more information including his research on NH’s flag, the proposed change, and blog.

HB stands for House Bill and that indicates which chamber is originating the legislation. The prime sponsor is Representative Ron Dunn (R) from Londonderry.

HB 176 does not have a public hearing scheduled at this time, but we are following the bill and will let you know when it is posted. It is assigned to the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee. The public hearing is the opportunity for any member of the public to provide testimony to the commitee regarding the bill. The House offers an online portal as another way to provide input. Refer to the Meeting Resources section towards the bottom of the NH General Court website to learn how to sign-in (indicate support, neutral, or opposition) on any bill, and submit remote testimony. There are also links to the House and Senate YouTube channels to follow their committees online.

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. The section on public testimony begins around mark 14:15.

We’ll provide updates on our forum community, Facebook group, and monthly newsletter if you want to follow along.

UPDATE 1/16/2025: HB 176 has a public hearing on February 12, 2025 at 2pm with the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee in Legislative Office Building rooms 306-308.

UPDATE 2/12/2025: 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. The motion was Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), to defeat the bill. There is a similar bill, HB 210 establishing a commission to study the state flag and history, that will study whether a change to the state flag should be considered. The design proposed by HB 176 may be one considered by the study commission. Members of the committee had mixed opinions about the proposed design. The committee vote on ITL was 12 to 2 and will appear on the Consent Calendar, which will mean the whole House will vote on it as a block with numerous other bills instead of individually, in an upcoming session.

It may be interesting to follow HB 210 to continue the civics lesson. This bill will also have a full House vote in the next week. Stay tuned!

GSHE wants to recognize Andrew Flockton for his impressive research on this interesting proposal and wish him the best with his future endeavors.

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Michelle Levell, director of GSHE