HB 605-FN (2016): eliminating the mandatory minimum sentence for habitual offenders convicted of illegal operation of a motor vehicle.

HB 605-FN (2016)

eliminating the mandatory minimum sentence for habitual offenders convicted of illegal operation of a motor vehicle.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2015-2016
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
• Chapter law: 312

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2015 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 10, 2015. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2015 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on August 20, 2015, September 10, 2015, September 22, 2015 and October 1, 2015. The committee met in executive session on October 28, 2015 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 14–3 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2015-2427h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2015-2427h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 6, 2016, changing the text of the bill. On January 6, 2016 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 18, 2016 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 22, 2016. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2016-1379s). On April 21, 2016 the Senate adopted “Special Order HB 605 to 04/28/2016, Without Objection”. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2016-1379s). The committee's amendment (1379s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 28, 2016, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2016-1509s), offered by Sen. Soucy, was adopted on a voice vote on April 28, 2016, changing the text of the bill. On April 28, 2016 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 11, 2016 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 1379s and 1509s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Tholl. On May 19, 2016 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Sharon Carson. A committee of conference met on May 24, 2016 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 1, 2016 the Senate adopted the conference report (2061c) on a voice vote. On June 1, 2016 the House adopted the conference report (2061c) on a roll call 311–7. The bill was enrolled on June 16, 2016 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2016-2147e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on June 24, 2016, making it Chapter 312 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Larry Gagne (R - Hills 13) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 10)
• Rep. Robert Renny Cushing (D - Rock 21)
• Rep. David Welch (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Laura Pantelakos (D - Rock 25)
• Rep. Joseph Lachance (R - Hills 8)
• Sen. John Reagan (R - SD17)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 10, 2015, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• March 3, 2015, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• August 20, 2015, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• September 10, 2015, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• September 22, 2015, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• October 1, 2015, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• October 28, 2015, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
• March 22, 2016, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 24, 2016, 11:00 AM: committee of conference, LOB 204

Votes

• January 6, 2016, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2427h — voice vote, passed
• April 28, 2016, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment s 1379s and 1509s — voice vote, passed
• May 11, 2016, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 1379s and 1509s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 19, 2016, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 1, 2016, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 1, 2016, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 311, nays 7, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 262:23

Related Bills

• HB 1580-FN (2014): repealing mandatory minimum sentences.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 67
• SC 11
• SC 15
• SC 16