The House, Thursday, April 20, 2000

The House took up 51 bills: 23 together on the consent calendar, then 28 one by one, listed below by bill.

Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
10 roll calls, 2 divisions19 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, April 20, 2000.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2000-04-20. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Thursday, April 20, 2000. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2000-04-20
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Thursday, April 20, 2000.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2000-04-20.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2000-04-20, title = {The House, Thursday, April 20, 2000}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2000-04-20}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Natalie Flanagan (R - Rock 78) led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. Donna Sytek (R - Rock 26), Speaker of the House.

Excused for the Day

Show the 24 members excusedDemocrat 12Republican 12

The journal records 24 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. Patricia Cote (R - Rock 9) Rep. Walter Mikowlski (R - Rock 29) Rep. Ronald Nowe (R - Rock 9) Rep. Paul Perkins (R - Hills 5) Rep. Stanley Searles (R - Hills 23) Rep. Dennis Withee (R - Hills 15) Rep. MaryAnn Blanchard (D - Rock 16) Rep. Iris Estabrook (D - Straf 8) Rep. Ruth Ginsburg (D - Hills 20) Rep. Bonnie Ham (R - Graf 3) Rep. Donald Lent (D - Straf 8) Rep. Raymond Lundborn (D - Straf 18) Rep. Mary Ellen Martin (D - Hills 26) Rep. Edgar Mears (D - Coos 4) Rep. Dawn C. Nolan-Piteri (R - Hills 34) Rep. Patricia O'Keefe (D - Rock 14) Rep. Timothy Robertson (D - Ches 6) Rep. Rose Marie Rogers (D - Straf 22) Rep. Thomas Salatiello (D - Belk 2) Rep. O Alan Thulander (R - Hills 6) Rep. Gary Torressen (R - Carr 10) Rep. Phil Weber (R - Graf 11) Rep. Marion Copenhaver (D - Graf 10) Rep. George Rubin (R - Rock 25)

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 23 (2000)Died
[New Title] relating to the responsibility and authority of the general court to determine the content, extent, and funding of a public education and the use of monies received from the enactment of a new personal income tax. Providing that (a) If the general court enacts a new personal income tax, all monies received from such income tax and all the interest received on such monies shall, after deducting the necessary costs of administration, be appropriated and used exclusively to fulfill the state's duty to cherish the interest of public schools under article 83 of part second, and no part of such monies shall be transferred or diverted to any other purpose whatsoever. (b) The general court shall have the authority to determine the content, extent, and funding of a public education and that the state may fulfill its responsibility to provide to all citizens the opportunity for a public education by exercising its power to levy assessments, rates, and taxes, or by delegating this power, in whole or part, to a political subdivision; provided that upon delegation, such assessments, rates, and taxes are proportional and reasonable throughout the state or the political subdivision in which they are imposed.
Sen. Mary Brown (R - SD17) House Finance Senate Education

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–8; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 254–91 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. Norman Major (R - Rock 14) Rep. Linda Foster (D - Hills 4)

Spoke against the motionRep. Elizabeth Hager (R - Merr 12) Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 18) Rep. Jean Wallin (D - Merr 15)

✓IntroducedFeb 11, 1999✓SenateFeb 10, 2000✕HouseApr 20, 2000Voters
CACR 39 (2000)Died
relating to the funding of public education. Providing that the state shall fund an amount not less than 30 percent of the total annual statewide cost of public education for kindergarten through grade 12 and that the general court shall have the power to apportion this amount by statute; that the state shall support access to a continuum of educational opportunities including early childhood and postsecondary education at a financial level to be deemed appropriate by statute; and that beginning April 1, 2001, no property tax in any form shall be used to fund the state's obligation to cherish and support public education.
Rep. Andrew Peterson (R - Hills 8) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 21–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 276–51 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 18)

Spoke against the motionRep. Andrew Peterson (R - Hills 3)

✓IntroducedMar 9, 2000✕HouseApr 20, 2000SenateVoters
HB 1200-FN (2000)Became Law
relative to the application of education property tax hardship relief to estate planning trusts and relative to eligibility for hardship relief.
Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1) House Finance Senate Finance Taxes - Local

Conf Comm Report

Motion Passed on a voice vote

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed

✓IntroducedJan 13, 2000✓HouseFeb 10, 2000✓SenateMar 9, 2000✓GovernorMay 15, 2000✓LawMay 15, 2000
HB 1452 (2000)Died
codifying the powers and duties of the joint committee on legislative facilities.
Rep. Howard Dickinson (R - Carr 2) House Legislative Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Legislature

House Legislative Administration 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 5, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✕SenateMay 11, 2000Governor✕LawMay 11, 2000
HB 1469 (2000)Died
establishing a department of youth development services, advisory board, and relative to changing the name of juvenile services officers.
Rep. G Michael Gilman (R - Graf 1) House Children and Family Law Senate Judiciary Children

House Children and Family Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–3.

Susp Rules to consider

Motion Passed on a voice vote

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

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 206–142 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Committee Amendment 4097

Spoke for the motionRep. Lionel Johnson (D - Hills 51) Rep. Thomas Arnold (R - Hills 46) Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 24) Rep. Patricia Dowling (R - Rock 6)

Spoke against the motionRep. Irene Pratt (D - Ches 26) Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 24) Rep. David Allison (D - Sull 22) Rep. Elizabeth Hager (R - Merr 12)

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 214–135 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓HouseMay 17, 2000✕SenateGovernor✕Law
HB 1618 (2000)Interim Study
relative to requiring legislative approval for mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring of certain electric utility corporations.
Rep. Gary Gilmore (D - Straf 11) House Science, Technology and Energy Energy and Utilities

House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Interim Study (IS), 17–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

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

Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study 252–42 on a roll call

In the record: Refer for Interim Study

Spoke for the motionRep. Jeffrey MacGillivray (R - Hills 21) Rep. Terie Norelli (D - Rock 26) Rep. Jeb Bradley (R - Carr 8)

Spoke against the motionRep. Godfrey Howard (R - Carr 10) Rep. Gary Gilmore (D - Straf 11) Rep. Donald White (R - Hills 25)

✓IntroducedFeb 17, 2000HouseApr 20, 2000SenateGovernor✕LawJul 12, 2000
HB 1625 (2000)Interim Study
requiring the attorney general to initiate a declaratory judgment action concerning record title matters of the Green Hills subdivision in the town of Raymond.
Rep. Franklin Bishop (R - Rock 12) House Municipal and County Government

House Municipal and County Government recommended Interim Study (IS), 11–5.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Lay on Table

✓IntroducedMar 23, 2000HouseMay 18, 2000SenateGovernor✕LawJul 12, 2000
HB 1626-FN (2000)Died
establishing a program to rebate certain excessive property tax payments of eligible taxpayers.
Rep. Frank Sapareto (R - Rock 13) House Finance Taxes - Local

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 21–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 255–69 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Linda Foster (D - Hills 4)

Spoke against the motionRep. Frank Sapareto (R - Rock 6)

✓IntroducedMar 23, 2000✕HouseApr 20, 2000SenateGovernor✕LawApr 20, 2000
SB 181-FN (2000)Interim Study
relative to the licensure of geologists.
Sen. Burton Cohen (D - SD24) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

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

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote

In the record: Recommitted to Exec Depts & Admin

Spoke for the motionRep. Merton Dyer (R - Hills 8)

✓IntroducedFeb 11, 1999✓SenateFeb 3, 2000HouseMay 18, 2000Governor✕LawJul 12, 2000
SB 186-FN (2000)Became Law
relative to additional cost of living adjustments and increased minimum allowances for certain retired group II members, and relative to requiring spousal acknowledgement of a member's election of an optional retirement allowance.
Sen. John King (D - SD18) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Insurance Retirement

Conf Comm Report

Motion Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedFeb 18, 1999✓SenateApr 22, 1999✓HouseJan 13, 2000✓GovernorMay 8, 2000✓LawMay 8, 2000
SB 307 (2000)Became Law
relative to biosolids and short paper fiber.
Sen. Carl Johnson (R - SD3) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Environment

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

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 137–197 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Paul McGuirk (D - Ches 1).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 219–130 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Suzan Franks (R - Hills 26) Rep. Harold Melcher (D - Hills 11)

Spoke against the motionRep. Gary Lance Johnson (D - Graf 6) Rep. Derek Owen (D - Merr 4) Rep. John Tuthill (I - Sull 5)

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 23, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 8, 2000✓LawJul 7, 2000
SB 311 (2000)Became Law
relative to the recovery of public assistance.
Sen. John King (D - SD18) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Welfare/Medicare/Medicaid

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–4.

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. Larry Emerton (R - Hills 7)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 23, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 23, 2000✓LawJan 1, 2001
SB 320 (2000)Became Law
relative to ratifying the Inter-Lakes cooperative school district meeting held on March 8, 2000; and relative to ratifying the Plainfield school district annual meeting held on March 10, 2000.
Sen. Patricia Krueger (R - SD16) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education 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

Spoke for the motionRep. Susan Durham (R - Hills 22)

Spoke against the motionRep. Lars Christiansen (R - Hills 37)

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 9, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 15, 2000✓LawMay 15, 2000
SB 339-FN (2000)Became Law
relative to conducting a feasibility study of various alternatives to enhance safety at the traffic circle in the city of Portsmouth.
Sen. Burton Cohen (D - SD24) House Public Works and Highways Senate Transportation Transportation and Highways

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–7.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 9, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 8, 2000✓LawMay 8, 2000
SB 374 (2000)Died
relative to the duties of the study committee on land management, protection of farmland, rural character, environmental quality, and sprawl.
Sen. Rick Trombly (D - SD7) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Energy and Economic Development Study Committees and Commissions

House Environment and Agriculture recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 16, 2000✕HouseApr 20, 2000Governor✕LawApr 20, 2000
SB 384 (2000)Interim Study
[New Title] establishing a committee to study pollution prevention and pretreatment programs for reducing pollutant levels in sewage sludge.
Sen. Katherine Wheeler (D - SD21) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Environment Study Committees and Commissions

House Environment and Agriculture recommended Interim Study (IS), 14–3.

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

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateFeb 3, 2000HouseApr 20, 2000Governor✕LawJul 12, 2000
SB 403-FN-A (2000)Became Law
making an appropriation to the department of agriculture, markets, and food for the inspection of apiaries and honeybee swarms.
Sen. George Disnard (D - SD8) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Finance Agriculture

House Environment and Agriculture recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 16–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateFeb 10, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorJun 12, 2000✓LawJun 12, 2000
SB 416-FN (2000)Became Law
relative to licensure of dietitians.
Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D - SD20) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 16–1.

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. Nancy Stickney (R - Rock 26)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 9, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 23, 2000✓LawJan 1, 2001
SB 426-FN (2000)Became Law
relative to boat dealers and repairers.
Sen. Leo Fraser (R - SD4) House Transportation Motor Vehicles

House Transportation recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 7–6; 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

Also spoke during this billRep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 29)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 9, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 23, 2000✓LawJul 1, 2000
SB 431 (2000)Became Law
relative to certain secondary vocational education programs.
Sen. Sylvia Larsen (D - SD15) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–3.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateFeb 17, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorJun 21, 2000✓LawJun 21, 2000
SB 434-FN-LOCAL (2000)Became Law
[Second New Title] exempting soil that is contaminated by lead due to use as a shooting range from hazardous waste cleanup fund fees, provided cleanup is initiated and completed in accordance with applicable laws and requirements, and exempting the town of Tilton from hazardous waste cleanup fund fees associated with the removal of the municipal target range.
Sen. Edward (Ned) Gordon (R - SD2) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Environment Environment - Administration

House Environment and Agriculture recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 14–2.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateFeb 3, 2000✓HouseApr 20, 2000✓GovernorMay 23, 2000✓LawMay 23, 2000
SB 447-FN (2000)Died
relative to campaign contributions and expenditures.
Sen. Clifton Below (D - SD5) House Election Law Senate Public Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Failed 160–192 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Alf Jacobson (R - Merr 32) Rep. Thomas Arnold (R - Hills 46) Rep. Raymond Buckley (D - Hills 56)

Spoke against the motionRep. Jeffrey MacGillivray (R - Hills 21) Rep. C Donald Stritch (R - Rock 75) Rep. Robert Clegg (R - Hills 23)

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 190–162 on a roll call

Print the Debate (Keep the speeches in the journal)

Motion Passed 196–156 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Sharon Nordgren (D - Graf 12).

In the record: Print debate

The docket has no line for this vote: the question is as the General Court’s roll-call file words it.

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 16, 2000✕HouseApr 20, 2000Governor✕LawApr 20, 2000
SCR 3 (2000)Died
rescinding the 1979 call for a federal constitutional convention.
Sen. Katherine Wheeler (D) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Internal Affairs Legislature

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 192–90 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Dennis Fields (R - Belk 4) Rep. Howard Dickinson (R - Carr 1)

Spoke against the motionRep. Richard Marple (R - Merr 24) Rep. William Riley (D - Hills 2)

✓IntroducedJan 5, 2000✓SenateMar 9, 2000✕HouseApr 20, 2000