The House, Wednesday, March 19, 1997

The House took up 30 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 42
Votes Taken
6 roll calls, 1 division23 voice votes
Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA
“The House, Wednesday, March 19, 1997.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-03-19. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, March 19, 1997. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-03-19
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, March 19, 1997.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-03-19.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-1997-03-19, title = {The House, Wednesday, March 19, 1997}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-03-19}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

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 10 (1997)Died
relating to municipalities' home rule. municipalities shall have home rule authority to exercise any powers not specifically prohibited by the state or federal constitutions or any statute.
Rep. G. Brown (Straf 17) House Municipal and County Government Senate Internal Affairs

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–0.

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

Motion Passed: Resolution Passed with Changes 317–29 on a roll call

Suspend the Rules (Set a rule aside; needs two thirds)

Motion Passed: Rules Suspended

In the record: Suspend Rules for 3rd reading

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✕SenateMay 13, 1997Voters
HB 133 (1997)Died
establishing a family resource council to address the efficient delivery of services to children and families.
Rep. Metzger (Ches 13) House Judiciary and Family Law

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–6.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✕HouseMar 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HB 203 (1997)Became Law
relative to driving after a revocation or suspension of license and relative to starting unattended vehicles.
Rep. Dolan (Rock 12) House Transportation Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

House Transportation recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–2.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 28, 1997✓GovernorJun 21, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 273-FN (1997)Became Law
increasing the age that child passenger restraints are required from 12 years of age to 18 years of age.
Rep. Cloutier (Sull 8) House Transportation Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

House Transportation 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 279–66 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawAug 18, 1997
HB 294-LOCAL (1997)Died
relative to the placement of off-premises business directional signs in municipalities which prohibit such advertising devices.
Rep. G. Chandler (Carr 1) House Public Works and Highways Senate Transportation Transportation and Highways

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 15–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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 19, 1997✕SenateMay 28, 1997Governor✕LawMay 28, 1997
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 Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 9–3.

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 19, 1997✕SenateMay 22, 1997Governor✕LawMay 22, 1997
HB 421 (1997)Became Law
amending the law against discrimination to prohibit discrimination on account of a person's sexual orientation.
Rep. McCann (Straf 11) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Internal Affairs Discrimination

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–3.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 205–125 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 6, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 439-FN (1997)Died
establishing a procedure for reporting on abortions.
Rep. Herman (Hills 13) House Judiciary and Family Law Public and Mental Health

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 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HB 495 (1997)Became Law
prohibiting registered lobbyists from serving on the legislative ethics committee.
Rep. McCann (Straf 11) House Legislative Administration Senate Internal Affairs Legislature

House Legislative Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 11–2.

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 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 528-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
relative to municipal water, gas and electric utilities.
Rep. J. Bradley (Carr 8) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Executive Departments and Administration Energy and Utilities

House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–0.

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 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 544 (1998)Became Law
relative to dwellings which extend over public waters.
Rep. Dickinson (Carr 2) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Environment Environment - Administration

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 15–1; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 233–109 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateJan 29, 1998✓GovernorApr 21, 1998✓LawJan 1, 1999
HB 549 (1997)Died
relative to service-connected military or coast guard disability compensation in the determination of alimony or separate maintenance.
Rep. Varrell (Rock 9) House Judiciary and Family Law Domestic Relations

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 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HB 550 (1997)Died
relative to certain social security disability compensation in the determination of alimony or separate maintenance.
Rep. Varrell (Rock 9) House Judiciary and Family Law Domestic Relations

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 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HB 568-FN (1997)Died
relative to the oath of office for attorneys and the penalty for failure to fulfill the oath.
Rep. Hemon (Straf 11) 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 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 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), 10–2.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 628 (1997)Became Law
relative to an agreement or contract for the Mount Sunapee or Cannon Mountain ski area operations, or both, establishing a committee to develop a proposal and review responses, and requiring review of any agreement or contract by the capital
Rep. E. Smith (Ches 6) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Wildlife and Recreation

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 640 (1997)Died
establishing a committee to examine the feasibility of establishing a state of the art meteorological center at the former Pease Air Force Base.
Rep. Varrell (Rock 9) House Commerce Study Committees and Commissions

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HB 653-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
relative to address numbers on streets and highways and relative to penalties for violations of certain planning and zoning laws.
Rep. LaRose (Hills 27) House Municipal and County Government Senate Executive Departments and Administration Zoning and Planning

House Municipal and County Government 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 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 3, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 693 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to examine water quality issues.
Rep. Martin (Hills 34) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Internal Affairs Study Committees and Commissions

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 11–5.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawAug 17, 1997
HB 716-FN (1998)Died
relative to economic development and retention rates and special contracts.
Rep. Below (Graf 13) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Economic Development Energy and Utilities

House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 18–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✕SenateJan 29, 1998Governor✕LawJan 29, 1998
HB 726-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to the jurisdiction and authority of the public utilities commission, the underground utility damage prevention system, the 911 system, the site evaluation committee, and criminal activities related to wireless telephone cloning.
Rep. J. Bradley (Carr 8) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Executive Departments and Administration Energy and Utilities

House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 19–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓Law
HB 743-FN-LOCAL (1997)Died
relative to the municipal option to impose additional fees for motor vehicle registration permits to fund public parking facilities.
Rep. D'Allesandro (Hills 46) House Municipal and County Government Transportation and Highways

House Municipal and County Government recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 240–98 on a division

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HB 768-FN (1997)Died
relative to certain abortions.
Rep. K. Smith (Rock 29) House Judiciary and Family Law Public and Mental Health

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–7; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 217–137 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 19, 1997SenateGovernor✕LawMar 19, 1997
HJR 2 (1997)Became Law
urging the members of Congress to support and pass the Family Forestland Preservation Tax Act.
Rep. Merle Schotanus House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Environment

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Adopt (Approve the resolution)

Motion Passed: Resolution Adopted on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓Law
HR 16 (1997)Died
urging that impeachment proceedings be instituted against Strafford county probate court judge Gary R. Cassavechia.
Rep. Roland Hemon House Judiciary and Family Law

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseMar 19, 1997