The House, Thursday, February 20, 2003

The House took up 95 bills: 63 together on the consent calendar, then 32 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 18
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
5 roll calls, 2 divisions25 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, February 20, 2003.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-02-20. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Thursday, February 20, 2003. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-02-20
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Thursday, February 20, 2003.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-02-20.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2003-02-20, title = {The House, Thursday, February 20, 2003}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-02-20}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Judson Dexter (R - Ches 6) led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1), Speaker of the House.

Excused for the Day

Show the 28 members excusedRepublican 17Democrat 10

The journal records 28 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. Ruth Bleyler (D - Graf 9) Rep. Frank Callaghan (D - Straf 1) Rep. Donald Carlson (R - Hills 3) Rep. Jane Clemons (D - Hills 24) Rep. David Cote (D - Hills 3) Rep. Janeen Dalrymple (R - Rock 4) Rep. Karen Hutchinson (R - Rock 3) Rep. Roland Lefebvre (D - Hills 24) Rep. Lori O'Brien (R - Hills 43) Rep. Timothy Robertson (D - Ches 6) Rep. Joan Tate (R - Hills 66) Rep. Raymond Buckley (D - Hills 56) Rep. Jeffrey Carter (R - Hills 53) Rep. Irene Creteau (D - Straf 1) Rep. James Fitzgerald (R - Belk 4) Rep. Carolyn Gargasz (R - Hills 27) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Constance Jones (R - Sull 19) Rep. Richard Morris (R - Rock 14) Rep. Anne Priestley (R - Rock 8) Rep. Reardon, Rep. Pamela Slack (D - Ches 25) Rep. Stephen Stepanek (R - Hills 22) Rep. Cynthia Sweeney (D - Sull 8) Rep. Julie Brown (R - Straf 1) Rep. Robert Brundige (R - Hills 19) Rep. Ray Langer (R - Merr 37) Rep. Kathleen Souza (R - Hills 43)

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 8 (2003)Died
relating to the attorney general. Providing that the attorney general be elected for the same term as the governor.
Rep. Anthony DiFruscia (R - Rock 76) House Executive Departments and Administration Constitutional Amendments

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 273–74 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Peter Bergin (R - Hills 6) Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 24)

Spoke against the motionRep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 79) Rep. James Phinizy (D - Sull 5) Rep. Peter Burling (D - Sull 19) Rep. Anthony DiFruscia (R - Rock 4)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003SenateVoters
HB 135-FN-LOCAL (2003)Became Law
relative to charter schools.
Rep. John Hunt (R - Ches 28) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 13–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 242–121 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. John Hunt (R - Ches 28) Rep. John Alger (R - Graf 6) Rep. Peter Sullivan (D - Hills 10)

Spoke against the motionRep. Deanna Rush (D - Merr 7) Rep. Peter Burling (D - Sull 19) Rep. Alf Jacobson (R - Merr 32)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 18, 2003✓Law
HB 224 (2003)Died
granting immunity from liability to law enforcement officers executing involuntary emergency mental health admissions.
Rep. John E. Tholl Jr. (R - Coos 2) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 16–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 20, 2003
HB 248 (2003)Became Law
requiring the disclosure of information to victims in juvenile delinquency cases.
Rep. Stephen DeStefano (D - Merr 41) House Children and Family Law Senate Judiciary Children

House Children and Family Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 11–4; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseFeb 20, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 18, 2003✓LawSep 16, 2003
HB 288-FN (2003)Became Law
imposing a criminal penalty for the dissemination of certain materials without consent.
Rep. William Knowles (D - Straf 69) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 15–0.

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote

In the record: Recommitted to Crim Just & PSfty

Spoke for the motionRep. David Welch (R - Rock 13)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 12, 2003✓SenateMay 22, 2003✓GovernorJul 14, 2003✓LawJan 1, 2004
HB 299 (2004)Became Law
removing judicial discretion to order a divorced parent to contribute to an adult child's college expenses.
Rep. David Bickford (R - Straf 68) House Children and Family Law Senate Judiciary Domestic Relations

House Children and Family Law recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 279–66 on a division

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseFeb 20, 2003✓SenateJan 7, 2004✓GovernorFeb 2, 2004✓LawFeb 2, 2004
HB 342 (2004)Interim Study
restricting the use and display of social security numbers and establishing a private right of action under the right to privacy act.
Rep. James Pilliod (R - Belk 31) House Commerce

Susp Rules for Feb 21 Work Sess

Motion Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003HouseJan 7, 2004SenateGovernor✕LawJun 17, 2004
HB 343 (2003)Became Law
establishing a boundary commission to determine the boundary between New Hampshire and Maine.
Rep. Laura Pantelakos (D - Rock 86) House Municipal and County Government Senate Interstate Cooperation

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–2; 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, 2003✓HouseFeb 20, 2003✓SenateMay 8, 2003✓GovernorJun 6, 2003✓LawJun 6, 2003
HB 361-LOCAL (2003)Became Law
permitting municipalities to form regional water districts.
Rep. John Graham (R - Hills 57) House Municipal and County Government Senate Environment

House Municipal and County Government 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

Spoke for the motionRep. Betsey Patten (R - Carr 4)

Spoke against the motionRep. Laurie Boyce (R - Belk 5)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseFeb 20, 2003✓SenateApr 10, 2003✓GovernorJul 18, 2003✓LawJul 18, 2003
HB 378 (2003)Died
prohibiting employees of any government agency from recommending the administration of psychotropic drugs for school children.
Rep. Lars Christiansen (R - Hills 66) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–5.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 20, 2003
HB 428 (2003)Died
relative to limiting liability of vendors and property owners during the operation of a farmers' market.
Rep. Ahern (Belk 29) House Judiciary

House Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 20, 2003
HB 431 (2003)Became Law
eliminating application of the rule against perpetuities to instruments that contain safeguards relative to the continued alienability of property.
Rep. Edward Moran (R - Hills 57) House Commerce Senate Public Affairs

Susp Rules for Feb 21 Hearing

Motion Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 25, 2003✓SenateMay 29, 2003✓GovernorJun 17, 2003✓LawJan 1, 2004
HB 507 (2003)Became Law
relative to certain statutes that set minimum requirements for employee benefit plan procedures pertaining to the filing of benefit claims, notification of benefit determinations, and appeal of adverse benefit determinations.
Rep. Leo Fraser (R - Merr 37) House Commerce Senate Insurance Insurance

Susp Rules for Feb 21 Hearing

Motion Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 25, 2003✓SenateMay 29, 2003✓GovernorJun 23, 2003✓Law
HB 55 (2003)Died
prohibiting preferences in recruiting, hiring, promotion, or admission by state agencies, the university system, the regional community-technical colleges, and the postsecondary education commission.
Rep. Michael Harrington (R - Straf 68) House Executive Departments and Administration Education - Finance

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 267–97 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Judson Dexter (R - Ches 6) Rep. Carlos E. Gonzalez (R - Hills 48) Rep. John DeJoie (D - Merr 11) Rep. Peter Bergin (R - Hills 6)

Spoke against the motionRep. Gregory Sorg (R - Graf 3) Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 79) Rep. Harrington

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 20, 2003
HB 579-FN (2003)Died
abolishing all requirements for certificates of title for motor vehicles.
Rep. Richard Marple (R - Merr 37) House Transportation Motor Vehicles

House Transportation recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 298–35 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert Letourneau (R - Rock 77)

Spoke against the motionRep. Richard Marple (R - Merr 24)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 20, 2003
HB 677-FN (2003)Became Law
increasing the number of reserved student slots in medical programs, establishing a reduction of medical indebtedness program for physicians who practice in underserved areas, and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Sandra Harris (D - Sull 22) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 17–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 7, 2003✓LawSep 5, 2003
HB 70 (2003)Died
establishing a commission to study government actions that contribute to involuntary homelessness.
Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 80) House Commerce Study Committees and Commissions

Susp Rules for Feb 21 Work Sess

Motion Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2003✕HouseMar 25, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 25, 2003
HR 6 (2003)Adopted by House
relative to criteria for establishing house representative districts.
Rep. Edward Leach (R) House Election Law Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 9–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Passed: Resolution Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Charles Weed (D - Ches 16) Rep. Howard Dickinson (R - Carr 1)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2003✓HouseFeb 20, 2003
HR 7 (2003)Died
urging increased consideration and preservation of local authority in international trade and investment agreements.
Rep. Charles Weed (D) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–1; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 297–42 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Timothy Easson (R - Straf 3) Rep. Peter Sullivan (D - Hills 10)

Spoke against the motionRep. Charles Weed (D - Ches 16) Rep. Peyton Hinkle (R - Hills 19)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseFeb 20, 2003