The House, Tuesday, May 20, 1997

The House took up 55 bills: 22 together on the consent calendar, then 33 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 66
Votes Taken
7 roll calls, 2 divisions29 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, Tuesday, May 20, 1997.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-05-20. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Tuesday, May 20, 1997. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-05-20
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Tuesday, May 20, 1997.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-05-20.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-1997-05-20, title = {The House, Tuesday, May 20, 1997}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1997-05-20}, 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.

HB 165 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study withdrawal from cooperative school districts.
Rep. Thulander (Hills 6) House Education Senate Education Study Committees and Commissions

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseJan 29, 1997✓SenateMar 27, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 230 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study the school building aid system.
Rep. Stone (Rock 7) House Education Senate Education Study Committees and Commissions

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 12, 1997✓SenateMar 27, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 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

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 327 (1997)Became Law
relative to pledges for loans, finance charge disclosure statements, debt adjusters, and consumer credit transactions.
Rep. Hunt (Ches 10) House Commerce Senate Banks Banking and Finance

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJun 18, 1997
HB 450 (1997)Became Law
relative to accessing directory information as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Rep. Champagne (Ches 19) House Education Senate Education Education - General

Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)

Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote

In the record: Nonconcur and Request Committee of Conference

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateApr 3, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawAug 18, 1997
HB 580-FN (1997)Became Law
providing that the proper place for filing security interests on manufactured housing is in the office where mortgages on real estate are filed or recorded.
Rep. L. Foster (Hills 10) House Commerce Senate Banks Housing

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 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).

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 8, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓Law
SB 101 (1997)Became Law
relative to standards for acquisition transactions involving health care charitable trusts.
Sen. K. Wheeler (SD21) House Commerce Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 11–3.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawSep 1, 1997
SB 113 (1997)Died
establishing a committee to study health care issues related to individuals who are underinsured or without insurance.
Sen. Pignatelli (SD13) House Commerce Senate Insurance Study Committees and Commissions

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–5.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateApr 10, 1997✕HouseMay 20, 1997Governor✕LawMay 20, 1997
SB 116-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to the regulation of rural electric cooperatives by the public utilities commission.
Sen. Gordon (SD2) 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✓SenateFeb 13, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawAug 17, 1997
SB 130 (1997)Became Law
relative to the portability, availability, and renewability of health coverage.
Sen. Squires (SD12) House Commerce Senate Insurance Insurance

House Commerce 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

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateMar 6, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓Law
SB 149 (1997)Died
relative to the requirements that state agencies administering federal programs may impose on activities of the private sector.
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Interstate Cooperation

House Executive Departments and Administration 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✓SenateMar 27, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✕GovernorJun 21, 1997✕LawJun 25, 1997
SB 154 (1997)Became Law
relative to charter schools.
Sen. Rubens (SD5) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 20–1.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateFeb 20, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓LawJun 23, 1997
SB 162-FN-A-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
relative to the acquisition of a certain piece of property in Piermont, New Hampshire and making an appropriation therefor.
Sen. Gordon (SD2) House Public Works and Highways Senate Economic Development

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–8; a minority, Re-refer to Committee.

Adopt the Committee Amendment (Accept the committee's changes)

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 230–102 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Committee Amendment

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 223–109 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateMar 27, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
SB 165 (1997)Became Law
relative to Medicare and health maintenance organizations and relative to the disclosure by insurers of test results for the presence of an antibody or antigen to a human immunodeficiency virus.
Sen. Squires (SD12) House Commerce Senate Insurance Insurance

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–2; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateFeb 20, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
SB 168-A (1998)Died
requiring the department of corrections to prepare and enter into a lease-purchase agreement with the Berlin Economic Development Council for a medium security correctional facility to be constructed in Berlin and making an appropriation there
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Public Works and Highways Senate Capital Budget

House Public Works and Highways recommended Re-refer to Committee, 15–1.

Re-refer to Committee (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee 252–67 on a roll call

In the record: Re-referred to public works

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕HouseJan 7, 1998Governor✕LawJan 7, 1998
SB 177-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to the liability of prospective adoptive parents for court ordered services.
Sen. Gordon (SD2) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Judiciary Children

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 20–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 3, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓LawJun 20, 1997
SB 181-FN (1997)Died
allowing certain prisoners to earn good conduct credits reducing such person's minimum sentence and establishing a committee to study permitting certain prisoners to be sentenced to substance abuse treatment centers.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕HouseMay 20, 1997Governor✕LawMay 20, 1997
SB 189-FN-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
authorizing the department of safety to issue driver's licenses to certain aliens.
Sen. Rubens (SD5) House Transportation Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

Accede to the Request for a Committee of Conference (Agree to a conference)

Motion Passed: Conference Agreed on a voice vote

In the record: Accede to Request for Committee of Conference

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✓HouseApr 23, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
SB 196-FN-LOCAL (1997)Died
allowing the transmission of simulcast races at grand hotels.
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Local and Regulated Revenues Senate Ways and Means Gambling

House Local and Regulated Revenues recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–9; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 104–240 on a roll call

Indefinitely Postpone (Kill the bill and bar its subject for the term)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕HouseMay 20, 1997Governor✕LawMay 20, 1997
SB 202 (1997)Died
relative to the certification and recertification of teachers, supervisors, and administrators, high school graduation examinations, school building aid, and establishing a committee to study school discipline and manifest educational hard
Sen. Rubens (SD5) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–9; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 180–165 on a roll call

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 152–194 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. O'Hearn.

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997✕GovernorJun 18, 1997✕LawJun 25, 1997
SB 207 (1997)Became Law
relative to a digital signature act.
Sen. Rubens (SD5) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 14–3.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 197–138 on a division

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawAug 18, 1997
SB 39 (1997)Became Law
relative to the delivery of bank products and services, and establishing a study committee on operation of electronic customer service terminals by non-banks and non-credit unions.
Sen. Fraser (SD4) House Commerce Senate Banks Banking and Finance

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 8–6.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateFeb 20, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓Law
SB 4 (1997)Became Law
relative to patient information.
Sen. K. Wheeler (SD21) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Insurance Public and Mental Health

Accede to the Request for a Committee of Conference (Agree to a conference)

Motion Passed: Conference Agreed on a voice vote

In the record: Accede to Request for Committee of Conference

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateFeb 6, 1997✓HouseApr 2, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓Law
SB 40 (1997)Became Law
relative to the payment of wages by employers and increasing the minimum hourly rate.
Sen. Blaisdell (SD10) House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Senate Executive Departments and Administration Employment

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–5; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

Adopt the Committee Amendment (Accept the committee's changes)

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 193–156 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Majority Committee Amendment 1422

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands on a voice vote

Moved by Rep. Gary Daniels.

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawAug 17, 1997
SB 79 (1997)Became Law
prohibiting the sale of certain gift certificates containing an expiration date, relative to unclaimed and abandoned property, and relative to liens on personal property.
Sen. Rubens (SD5) House Commerce Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Commerce recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–1; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
SB 90-FN (1997)Died
requiring all proposed legislation affecting independently owned small businesses to include an analysis of the cost of the legislation.
Sen. Blaisdell (SD10) House Legislative Administration Senate Internal Affairs Legislature

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateFeb 20, 1997✕HouseMay 20, 1997Governor✕LawMay 20, 1997