SB 109 (1997): relative to the official ballot voting option.

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@misc{bill-1997-sb109, title = {SB 109 (1997): relative to the official ballot voting option.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/1997/sb109}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 109 (1997)

relative to the official ballot voting option.

  • Status: Became law unsigned
  • Term: 1997-1998
  • House committee: Municipal and County Government
  • Senate committee: Public Affairs
  • Subject: Municipalities
  • Chapter law: 318

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 1997 and referred to the Senate Public Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 29, 1997. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes. On March 13, 1997 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the House on March 19, 1997 and was referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 3, 1997. The committee held work sessions on April 24, 1997 and May 6, 1997. The committee held a public hearing on May 12, 1997. The committee held a work session on May 12, 1997. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 19–0. On May 20, 1997 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 28, 1997 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote. On May 28, 1997 the House adopted “Accede to Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote. A committee of conference met on June 3, 1997 and June 5, 1997 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 10, 1997 the House adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a roll call 186–166. On June 10, 1997 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 10, 1997 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. It became law without the governor's signature on June 23, 1997, as Chapter 318. The governor neither signed it nor returned it, and the docket records it as enacted under Part II, Article 44 of the state constitution.

Sponsors

  • Sen. Rubens (SD5) (prime sponsor)
  • Sen. Squires (SD12)
  • Sen. Whipple (SD8)
  • Sen. D. Wheeler (SD11)
  • Rep. Weber (Graf 11)
  • Rep. Dokmo (Hills 14)
  • Rep. G. Brown (Straf 17)
  • Rep. Burke (Hills 15)

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 29, 1997, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Public Affairs, RM 104, LOB
  • April 3, 1997, 9:30 AM: hearing, House Municipal and County Government, RM301,LOB
  • April 24, 1997, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, RM301,LOB :M&CG (LOCKWOOD)
  • May 6, 1997, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Municipal and County Government, RM301,LOB
  • May 12, 1997, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Municipal and County Government, RM301,LOB
  • May 12, 1997, 10:00 AM: hearing, House Municipal and County Government, RM301,LOB
  • June 3, 1997, 10:00 AM: committee of conference, RM102,LOB
  • June 5, 1997, 9:00 AM: committee of conference, RM301,LOB

Votes

  • March 13, 1997, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • May 20, 1997, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • May 28, 1997, Senate: Nonconcur and Request Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
  • May 28, 1997, House: Accede to Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
  • June 10, 1997, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 9, 1997: INTRODUCED AND REF TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS; SJ2, P32
  • January 29, 1997: HEARING JAN 29 10:15 RM 104, LOB FOR: PUBLIC AFFAIRS
  • March 10, 1997: COMM REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAR13 (VOTE 6-0)
  • March 10, 1997: PROP COMM AM<0619>; SC19,P21-24
  • March 13, 1997: COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; SJ8,P142-145 + 149
  • March 19, 1997: INTRODUCED AND REF TO MUN & CNTY GOVT; HJ42,P1316
  • March 20, 1997: COPY TO CHAIRMAN ON 03/20/97 DUE ON 04/29/97
  • April 3, 1997: HEARING APR03 09:30 RM301,LOB FOR: M&CG
  • April 24, 1997: SUBCOM WORK SESSION APR24 09:00 RM301,LOB :M&CG (LOCKWOOD)
  • April 30, 1997: DEADLINE CHANGED TO 05/15/97, AM TO HOUSE RULES ADOPTED VV
  • May 6, 1997: SUBCOM WORK SESSION MAY06 10:00 RM301,LOB FOR: M&CG
  • May 12, 1997: HEARING ON PROP AM MAY12 10:00 RM301,LOB FOR: M&CG
  • May 12, 1997: SUBCOM WORK SESSION MAY12 9:30 RM301,LOB FOR: M&CG
  • May 15, 1997: MAJ REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAY20 (VOTE 19-0)
  • May 15, 1997: PROP COMM AM<1363>; HC62,P1781-1784
  • May 15, 1997: REPS DODGE & FESH FL AM<1448>(NEW TITLE); HC62,P1784
  • May 19, 1997: PROP COMM FL AM<1478>; HC64,P1850-1853
  • May 20, 1997: COMM AM<1363>, AA VV; COMM FL AM<1478>, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; HJ66,P1934-1940 + 1952
  • May 28, 1997: SEN NONC WITH HOUSE AM REQ CONF COMM, SEN ROBERGE MA VV; SJ21
  • May 28, 1997: (PRES APPTS SENS: RUBENS, SQUIRES & WHIPPLE) SJ21,P412-413
  • May 28, 1997: HOUSE ACCEDED TO REQ FOR CONF COMM, REP METZGER MA VV; HJ70,P2005
  • May 28, 1997: (SPKR APPTS REPS: PATTEN, FRASER, DOKMO & METZGER)
  • May 29, 1997: //CANCELLED//CONF COMM MEETING JUN02 2:30 RM202,LOB
  • June 3, 1997: RESCHEDULED CONF COMM MEETING JUN03 10:00 RM102,LOB
  • June 5, 1997: CONTINUED CONF COMM MEETING JUN05 9:00 RM301,LOB
  • June 5, 1997: CONFEREE CHANGES: REP METZGER REPLACES REP LOCKWOOD & REP FRASER
  • June 5, 1997: REPLACES REP MCGUIRK; HJ70,P2043
  • June 5, 1997: CONF COMM REPORT (H AM + NEW AM<0095C>) FILED
  • June 10, 1997: CONF COMM REPORT ADOPTED RC(186-166); HJ73,P2081-2084
  • June 10, 1997: CONF COMM REPORT ADOPTED VV; SJ23(I),P562-563
  • June 10, 1997: ENROLLED; HJ76,P2122
  • June 10, 1997: ENROLLED; SJ23(II),P622
  • June 23, 1997: BECAME LAW WITHOUT SIGNATURE 06/23/97 EFF: 08/22/97 CHAP.0318

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court