The House, Wednesday, March 5, 1997

The House took up 96 bills: 59 together on the consent calendar, then 37 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 33
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
8 roll calls, 3 divisions29 voice votes
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“The House, Wednesday, March 5, 1997.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-03-05. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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BibTeX
@misc{session-H-1997-03-05, title = {The House, Wednesday, March 5, 1997}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-03-05}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Robert Lawton led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Excused for the Day

Show the 27 members excusedRepublican 2Democrat 1

The journal records 27 members as having leave of the House for the day, that is, permission to be away. A member on leave may still have voted on part of the day, and the roll call record does not always agree with the journal about who was excused.

Rep. George Brown, Rep. Claudine Burnham Rep. Brennan, Rep. David Cote, Rep. Felch, Rep. Beverly Gage, Rep. Guay, Rep. Cecelia Kane, Rep. Laflam, Rep. Lovejoy, Rep. MacIntyre, Rep. O'Connell, Rep. Brian Taylor Rep. Vincent, Rep. Allen, Rep. Ameen, Rep. Asselin, Rep. Dowd, Rep. Feng, Rep. Feuerstein, Rep. Lavoie, Rep. Morello, Rep. O'Keefe, Rep. William Palmer Rep. Vogl, Rep. Ham, Rep. Guaraldi

What the House Did That Day

The record does not say what order these came in: the journal page is cited on only a few of them, so they are listed by bill.

CACR 1 (1997)Died
relating to a 4-year term for the office of governor. Providing that the governor shall be elected every 4 years beginning in the year 2002.
Rep. Keans (Straf 16) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Constitutional Amendments

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 15–3.

Adopt (Approve the resolution)

Motion Passed: Resolution Adopted 270–78 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✕SenateMay 13, 1997Voters
CACR 15 (1997)Died
relating to requiring that the attorney general be elected. that the attorney general be chosen biennially in the general election.
Rep. Weber (Graf 11) House Election Law Constitutional Amendments

House Election Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 16–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateVoters
CACR 17 (1997)Died
relating to the appointment of supreme, superior, and probate court judges. appointed for specified terms.
Rep. McCann (Straf 11) House Judiciary and Family Law Constitutional Amendments

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateVoters
CACR 20 (1997)Died
relating to the appointment and terms of probate court judges. that all probate court judges be full-time and subject to term limits.
Rep. McCann (Straf 11) House Judiciary and Family Law Constitutional Amendments

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateVoters
CACR 22 (1997)Not Ratified
relating to changing the minimum age requirement for state senator from 30 to 25. eligible to be elected to the state senate.
Rep. Hilliard (Straf 14) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Constitutional Amendments

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 17–1.

Third Reading (Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Passed 323–29 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateApr 10, 1997✕VotersNov 3, 1998
HB 121 (1997)Became Law
relative to quality review for accountancy, requiring the board of accountancy to adopt administrative rules, and giving the board of accountancy authority to revoke certain certificates and permits.
Rep. Dodge (Rock 4) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 15–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Steere

Spoke against the motionRep. Dodge

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 10, 1997✓LawAug 9, 1997
HB 166 (1998)Died
extending the time frame for the annual school district meeting date to the last Saturday in April.
Rep. Kenney (Carr 6) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–4.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed on a voice vote

Spoke against the motionRep. Metzger, Rep. Belvin

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✕HouseJan 7, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 7, 1998
HB 169 (1997)Died
prohibiting former state legislators from serving as lobbyists for 2 years after leaving the legislature.
Rep. Carson (Rock 29) House Legislative Administration Senate Internal Affairs Legislature

House Legislative Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–3.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 231–112 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Carson, Rep. Burling, Rep. Henderson

Spoke against the motionRep. Cobbin, Rep. Dickinson, Rep. DePecol

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✕SenateMay 6, 1997Governor✕LawMay 6, 1997
HB 218-LOCAL (1997)Died
clarifying that local health officers are state employees for purposes of defense and indemnification of lawsuits filed against them.
Rep. Burnham (Ches 8) House Judiciary and Family Law

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 220 (1997)Died
to establish new state representative districts for the city of Laconia.
Rep. Turner (Belk 7) House Election Law Elections

House Election Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–9.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 211–134 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. MacGillivray, Rep. Arndt

Spoke against the motionRep. Turner

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 243 (1997)Became Law
relative to criminal penalties and license revocation following a conviction for shooting and wounding or killing a human being while hunting.
Rep. L'Heureux (Hills 18) House Wildlife and Marine Resources Senate Judiciary Fish & Game

House Wildlife and Marine Resources recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–1.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Also spoke during this billRep. Cegelis, Rep. Mockthe record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 22, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 247 (1997)Died
requiring automobile insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage as an insurance option, not a requirement.
Rep. Arnold (Hills 20) House Commerce Insurance

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 258-FN (1997)Became Law
requiring financial institutions to display certain information on fees, charges, and available products in their lobbies.
Rep. Hunt (Ches 10) House Commerce Senate Banks

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 14–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 260 (1997)Died
defining "marriage" to mean a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.
Rep. Mirski (Graf 12) House Judiciary and Family Law Domestic Relations

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 261–85 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Sabella, Rep. Keans

Spoke against the motionRep. Mirski, Rep. Adams

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 261 (1997)Became Law
recodifying the insurance laws pertaining to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and nonprofit health service corporations (Blue Cross/Blue Shield).
Rep. Hunt (Ches 10) House Commerce Senate Insurance Insurance

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 14–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 15, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 286-FN-A (1997)Died
lowering the rate of the interest and dividends tax.
Rep. Jacobson (Merr 2) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 18–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 179–150 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Vaughn

Spoke against the motionRep. Jacobson

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 288 (1997)Died
requiring a vote of 60 percent of the house and senate to pass any spending bill.
Rep. Cobbin (Graf 11) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 16–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 326–25 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Jacobson

Spoke against the motionRep. Cobbin

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 297 (1997)Became Law
relative to the cutting of vegetation by utilities on private property.
Rep. Owen (Merr 6) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Environment Energy and Utilities

House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–1.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateApr 10, 1997✓GovernorMay 5, 1997✓LawJul 4, 1997
HB 342 (1997)Became Law
relative to the payment of recording fees for mortgage discharges and relative to notification of the discharge to the payor of the final payment in satisfaction of the mortgage.
Rep. Guay (Coos 6) House Commerce Senate Banks Banking and Finance

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 3, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 365 (1997)Died
providing that communications made during family mediation shall be privileged.
Rep. Wallin (Merr 15) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Judiciary Courts and Procedure

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–0.

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. John McCarthy, Rep. Wallin

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✕SenateMay 22, 1997Governor✕LawMay 22, 1997
HB 394 (1997)Died
restricting the jurisdiction of the probate courts over estates.
Rep. McCann (Straf 11) House Judiciary and Family Law Courts and Procedure

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 431 (1997)Became Law
relative to the appointment of attorneys for delinquent or neglected or abused children.
Rep. J. Brown (Straf 17) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Judiciary Children

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 14–1; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 22, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 464-FN (1997)Died
regarding notice provisions for waxes applied to fresh fruit.
Rep. Hall (Hills 20) House Commerce

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 242–59 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. John Hunt

Spoke against the motionRep. Hall

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 466-FN (1997)Died
requiring administrative rules to be available to the public at the state library before they take effect.
Rep. Lamach (Merr 3) House Executive Departments and Administration

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Peterson

Spoke against the motionRep. Cobbin

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 479 (1997)Died
establishing a committee to study the merits of installation of dual pipe and tank septic systems.
Rep. Lefebvre (Hills 31) House Resources, Recreation and Development Study Committees and Commissions

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Also spoke during this billRep. Lefebvre, Rep. William Williamsthe record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 522-LOCAL (1997)Died
requiring a separate vote of the legislative body of a local governing unit before moneys may be appropriated to organizations that conduct registered lobbying activities.
Rep. Root (Graf 8) House Municipal and County Government Municipalities

House Municipal and County Government recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 622-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to legislative approval of settlements of court claims against the state.
Rep. Kurk (Hills 5) House Legislative Administration Senate Internal Affairs Legislature

House Legislative Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 9–5; a minority, Re-refer to Committee.

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Lozeau

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 666-FN-LOCAL (1997)Died
relative to binding interest arbitration for law enforcement and firefighter contracts.
Rep. Gibbons (Rock 13) House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Employment

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 6–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 213–116 on a division

Moved by Rep. Gibbons.

Spoke for the motionRep. Burling

Spoke against the motionRep. Gary Daniels

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 233–114 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Gary Daniels

Spoke against the motionRep. Gibbons

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 709 (1997)Died
establishing a committee to study the possibility of imposing property taxes on property used by nonprofit academic institutions primarily for housing.
Rep. Salatiello (Belk 2) House Local and Regulated Revenues Study Committees and Commissions

House Local and Regulated Revenues recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–4; a minority, Re-refer to Committee.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 719-FN-A (1997)Died
increasing the number of state troopers and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. McGovern (Rock 35) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 5, 1997
HB 722-FN (1997)Became Law
opting the state out of a provision of federal law relating to benefits for persons convicted of drug-related offenses.
Rep. Manning (Ches 9) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Judiciary

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 15–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 783-FN-A-LOCAL (1997)Died
relative to funding vocational student organizations and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Searles (Hills 23) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–4.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseApr 2, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawApr 2, 1997
HCR 10 (1997)Adopted
urging recognition of the contributions made by the Irish potato famine immigrants and observation of the 150th anniversary of the Great Hunger.
Rep. Robert Renny Cushing House Education Senate Public Affairs Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed 154–190 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Belvin

Spoke against the motionRep. Weatherspoon, Rep. Cushing, Rep. William McCarthy, Rep. Sabella, Rep. Manning

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateApr 30, 1997
HCR 2 (1997)Adopted
encouraging all school districts in the state of New Hampshire to implement peer mediation programs.
Rep. Marion Copenhaver House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 9–8.

Adopt (Approve the resolution)

Motion Passed: Resolution Adopted on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateApr 3, 1997
HR 12 (1997)Died
urging that impeachment proceedings be instituted posthumously against the late John C. Fairbanks.
Rep. Philip Cobbin House Judiciary and Family Law

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

Spoke against the motionRep. Cobbin

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseMar 5, 1997