The House, Thursday, January 15, 1998

The House took up 37 bills: 1 together on the consent calendar, then 36 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 6
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
5 roll calls, 4 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, Thursday, January 15, 1998.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1998-01-15. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Thursday, January 15, 1998. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1998-01-15
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Thursday, January 15, 1998.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1998-01-15.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-1998-01-15, title = {The House, Thursday, January 15, 1998}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/1998-01-15}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered.

Excused for the Day

Show the 32 members excusedRepublican 4Democrat 2

The journal records 32 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. Champagne, Rep. Earle Chandler, Rep. David Cote, Rep. Ferguson, Rep. Robert Foster, Rep. Gibbons, Rep. Healy, Rep. Howard, Rep. LaMott, Rep. Owen, Rep. William Palmer Rep. Pepino, Rep. Frances Riley, Rep. Gregory Sargent Rep. Brian Taylor Rep. Turner, Rep. Adams, Rep. Boutin, Rep. Patricia Cote, Rep. Crosby, Rep. Gagnon, Rep. Golden, Rep. Hart, Rep. Diane Kelley Rep. Lavoie, Rep. Kenneth MacDonald, Rep. Merritt, Rep. Nowe, Rep. Sherman Packard Rep. Piteri, Rep. Kimberly Rice Rep. Simmons

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 21 (1998)Died
relating to a balanced budget. from proposing and the general court be prohibited from approving, an operating budget in which expenditures exceed estimated revenue.
Rep. Leber (Merr 1) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 16–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateVoters
CACR 8 (1998)Died
relating to increasing the executive council membership and the number of executive council districts. be increased from 5 to 10 members, and the number of executive council districts shall be increased from 5 to 10.
Rep. G. Brown (Straf 17) House Election Law Constitutional Amendments

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

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateVoters
CACR 9 (1998)Died
relating to requiring that the attorney general be elected by the legislature. ballot of the senators and representatives.
Rep. Mirski (Graf 12) House Election Law Constitutional Amendments

House Election Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 268–67 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Arnold, Rep. William Riley, Rep. Joseph Foster

Spoke against the motionRep. Mirski, Rep. Cobbin, Rep. Buckley

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

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateVoters
HB 108-FN-A (1998)Interim Study
relative to the rate of the legacies and successions tax as it applies to siblings of the decedent together with their spouses and lineal ascendants and descendants of siblings of the decedent together with their spouses.
Rep. Steere (Ches 11) House Finance

House Finance recommended Interim Study (IS), 20–0.

Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)

Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study on a voice vote

In the record: Refer for Interim Study

Spoke for the motionRep. Alukonis

Spoke against the motionRep. McGuirk

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawSep 24, 1998
HB 126-FN-LOCAL (1998)Died
repealing road toll refunds for retail dealers.
Rep. Lamach (Merr 3) House Public Works and Highways Transportation and Highways

House Public Works and Highways recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–7; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Schotanus

Spoke against the motionRep. Lamach

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 143-LOCAL (1998)Died
requiring that SAU budgets be approved by vote at school district meetings.
Rep. Hunter (Hills 7) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–5.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 231–90 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Belvin, Rep. O'Hearn

Spoke against the motionRep. Fenton, Rep. Jacobson

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 195-FN-A (1998)Died
increasing the exemption amount under the interest and dividends tax.
Rep. Ferguson (Hills 13) House Finance Taxes - State

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 196–118 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Vaughn

Spoke against the motionRep. Jacobson

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 198-LOCAL (1998)Died
allowing municipalities to offer tax incentives to foster growth in new and existing industrial construction.
Rep. Fesh (Rock 13) House Local and Regulated Revenues Taxes - Local

House Local and Regulated Revenues recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–8; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 152–179 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Metzger, Rep. Hess

Spoke against the motionRep. Linda Foster, Rep. Wallin

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands on a voice vote

Moved by Rep. Wallin.

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 223-FN-LOCAL (1998)Died
providing that catastrophic aid for special education shall be fully funded.
Rep. W. Riley (Ches 7) House Finance Education - General

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 353 (1998)Died
establishing a committee to study issues regarding prosecutions and sentencing of, and incarceration treatment for, persons convicted of sex-related crimes.
Rep. McCarthy (Hills 41) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Study Committees and Commissions

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 160–156 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Knowles

Spoke against the motionRep. William McCarthy, Rep. Vaillancourt

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 371 (1998)Became Law
relative to the authority of the department of fish and game to regulate the management, preservation, propagation and taking of state fish, game and wildlife resources.
Rep. Mirski (Graf 12) House Wildlife and Marine Resources Senate Wildlife and Recreation Fish & Game

House Wildlife and Marine Resources 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✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateApr 30, 1998✓GovernorMay 20, 1998✓LawJul 19, 1998
HB 405-LOCAL (1998)Died
relative to standardizing the requirements for the design and specifications of septic systems.
Rep. Camm (Rock 17) House Resources, Recreation and Development Environment - Administration

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–5; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 268–42 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Whalley, Rep. Metzger

Spoke against the motionRep. Adler, Rep. William Williams

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 410 (1998)Died
allowing mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to obtain third party payments for services rendered which would otherwise qualify for such payments.
Rep. O'Rourke (Hills 39) House Commerce Insurance

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–7.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 418 (1998)Died
prohibiting the land application of sludge or biosolids containing amounts of heavy metals over certain limits.
Rep. Owen (Merr 6) House Environment and Agriculture

House Environment and Agriculture recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 432 (1998)Died
increasing the wager limit on games of chance from
Rep. Dawe (Hills 33) House Local and Regulated Revenues Gambling

House Local and Regulated Revenues recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–8; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 200–124 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Teschner

Spoke against the motionRep. Avery

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 443 (1998)Became Law
relative to push-polling.
Rep. Teschner (Graf 5) House Election Law Senate Public Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 11–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateMar 12, 1998✓GovernorApr 1, 1998✓LawApr 1, 1998
HB 484 (1998)Died
relative to registration of certain voters who vote by absentee ballot.
Rep. Flanagan (Rock 14) House Election Law Elections

House Election Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 485 (1998)Became Law
relative to limited electrical energy producers.
Rep. Below (Graf 13) 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✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateMay 21, 1998✓GovernorJun 26, 1998✓LawAug 25, 1998
HB 490 (1998)Became Law
relative to the confidentiality of medical information.
Rep. Mittelman (Hills 37) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Insurance Public and Mental Health

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs 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✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateJun 10, 1998✓GovernorJun 25, 1998✓LawJul 1, 1998
HB 529 (1998)Became Law
relative to excluding from the definition of subdivision the placement and maintenance of wireless communication facilities.
Rep. Boutin (Hills 37) House Municipal and County Government Senate Public Affairs

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

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Dokmo

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseJan 29, 1998✓SenateApr 23, 1998✓GovernorJun 26, 1998✓LawJun 1, 1999
HB 535 (1998)Died
relative to the regulation of architects.
Rep. Belvin (Hills 14) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration 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 9, 1997✓HouseJan 15, 1998✕SenateJun 10, 1998Governor✕LawJun 10, 1998
HB 560-FN (1998)Died
relative to penalties for introduction of boats and seaplanes from waters infested with milfoil or zebra mussels into clean lakes or ponds.
Rep. Lovett (Graf 6) House Resources, Recreation and Development Environment - Conservation

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–7; a minority, Interim Study (IS).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. David Lawton

Spoke against the motionRep. Peter Lovett

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 563-FN-A (1998)Died
relative to a tax on telecommunications easements.
Rep. Below (Graf 13) House Finance Transportation and Highways

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–8.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Kenneth Weyler

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 612-FN (1998)Died
requiring the state board of education and the department of education to establish suitable tests of academic knowledge to be administered as a prerequisite for certification of new teachers in New Hampshire.
Rep. Root (Graf 8) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–5.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 659 (1998)Became Law
modifying restrictions on televised political advertising.
Rep. Teschner (Graf 5) House Election Law Senate Public Affairs Elections

House Election Law 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✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateMar 12, 1998✓GovernorApr 1, 1998✓LawMay 31, 1998
HB 676-FN-LOCAL (1998)Became Law
relative to distribution of proceeds from the sale of tax-deeded property and repurchase of tax-deeded property by a former owner.
Rep. L. Foster (Hills 10) House Municipal and County Government Senate Ways and Means Taxes - Local

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–2.

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. Leone, Rep. McGuirk

Spoke against the motionRep. Kibbey, Rep. Wiggins

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateMay 28, 1998✓GovernorJun 25, 1998✓LawJun 25, 1998
HB 712 (1998)Died
relative to the purchase, preservation, and reactivation of abandoned railroad rights-of-way and limiting railroad liability for passenger rail service.
Rep. Katsakiores (Rock 13) House Transportation Transportation and Highways

House Transportation recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998SenateGovernor✕LawJan 15, 1998
HB 717-FN-A (1998)Became Law
relative to taxation of qualified investment capital companies.
Rep. Belvin (Hills 14) House Finance Senate Ways and Means Taxes - State

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 29, 1997✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateMay 14, 1998✓GovernorJun 9, 1998✓LawJul 1, 1998
HB 721 (1998)Died
authorizing municipalities to restrict the advertising of alcohol and tobacco through the exercise of zoning powers.
Rep. Below (Graf 13) House Commerce Senate Executive Departments and Administration Housing

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

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseJan 15, 1998✕SenateJun 10, 1998Governor✕LawJun 10, 1998
HCR 12 (1998)Adopted
urging the United States Senate to consider the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Rep. Martha Fuller Clark House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Internal Affairs State Government

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–6.

Adopt (Approve the resolution)

Motion Passed: Resolution Adopted 228–76 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Pfaff

Spoke against the motionRep. Luebkert, Rep. Murch

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseJan 15, 1998✓SenateFeb 19, 1998
SB 1 (1998)Died
relative to exclusive arrangements with managed care insurers.
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Commerce Senate Insurance Insurance

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998Governor✕LawJan 15, 1998
SB 131-FN (1998)Died
allowing certain state employees to take paid leave to participate in disaster relief service work.
Sen. Larsen (SD15) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 9–6.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998Governor✕LawJan 15, 1998
SB 25 (1998)Died
establishing employer immunity from civil liability for good faith disclosure of information regarding current and former employees to prospective employers.
Sen. Danais (SD20) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Judiciary and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–4; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateMar 13, 1997✕HouseJan 15, 1998Governor✕LawJan 15, 1998
SB 66 (1998)Died
allowing a state resident to obtain a license for a pistol or revolver for life.
Sen. Francoeur (SD14) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–1.

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee 188–132 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. McRae, Rep. David Welch

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateMar 6, 1997✕HouseJun 10, 1998Governor✕LawJun 10, 1998