The House, Wednesday, March 12, 2003

The House took up 104 bills: 68 together on the consent calendar, then 36 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 23
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
7 roll calls, 1 division22 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 12, 2003.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-12. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, March 12, 2003. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-12
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, March 12, 2003.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-12.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2003-03-12, title = {The House, Wednesday, March 12, 2003}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-12}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Burton Williams (R - Graf 8) 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 24 members excusedRepublican 22Democrat 2

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. Vivian Desmarais (R - Hills 14) Rep. Natalie Flanagan (R - Rock 78) Rep. Barbara Hagan (R - Hills 17) Rep. James Holland (R - Rock 4) Rep. Bruce Hunter (R - Hills 7) Rep. Thomas Rice (R - Belk 30) Rep. Nelson Allan (R - Hills 26) Rep. David Buhlman (R - Hills 27) Rep. Kenneth Cail (R - Hills 50) Rep. Corey Corbin (R - Rock 79) Rep. Richard Drisko (R - Hills 5) Rep. Jeffrey Hollinger (R - Straf 5) Rep. Karen Hutchinson (R - Rock 3) Rep. Rogers Johnson (R - Rock 13) Rep. John Manning (R - Rock 8) Rep. Joseph Manning (R - Ches 28) Rep. Eric Palangas (D - Hills 43) Rep. Joan Schulze (D - Hills 26) Rep. Paul Smith (R - Rock 3) Rep. Jeffrey Sullivan (R - Hills 56) Rep. Robert Wiley (R - Rock 5) Rep. Julie Brown (R - Straf 1) Rep. Ray Langer (R - Merr 37) Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 10)

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 277-FN (2003)Became Law
relative to an extended term of imprisonment for manslaughter and relative to jury findings which warrant an extended term of imprisonment.
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 with Amendment (OTPA), 12–0.

Special Order (Take the bill up at a set time)

Motion Passed: Rescheduled

In the record: Special Order to Mar 13, without objection

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 13, 2003✓SenateApr 10, 2003✓GovernorMay 2, 2003✓LawJan 1, 2004
HB 326 (2004)Became Law
relative to establishing a 6-year capital budget.
Rep. William Leber (R - Merr 35) House Public Works and Highways Senate Capital Budget

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–3; 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, 2003✓HouseMar 12, 2003✓SenateJan 7, 2004✓GovernorMay 24, 2004✓LawMay 24, 2004
HB 353-FN-A (2003)Died
making an appropriation for the pilot program to study and establish protected instream flows and water management plans on the Lamprey River and the Souhegan River.
Rep. Richard Cooney (R - Rock 76) House Resources, Recreation and Development Environment - Conservation

House Resources, Recreation and Development 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

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseApr 10, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawApr 10, 2003
HB 387-FN (2003)Became Law
allowing free day-use admission to the state park system for certain active and retired members of the New Hampshire national guard.
Rep. Peter Sullivan (D - Hills 50) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Wildlife and Recreation

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 14–2; 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

Spoke for the motionRep. Peter Sullivan (D - Hills 10)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 12, 2003✓SenateMay 22, 2003✓GovernorJul 18, 2003✓LawJul 18, 2003
HB 51 (2003)Died
apportioning state representative districts.
Rep. Edward Leach (R - Hills 42) House Election Law Elections

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

Special Order (Take the bill up at a set time)

Motion Passed: Rescheduled

In the record: Special Order to Mar 13, without objection

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2003✕HouseMar 13, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 13, 2003
HB 564-FN (2003)Became Law
relative to access to information in proceedings of the judicial conduct commission.
Rep. Larry Elliott (R - Hills 42) House Judiciary Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–1.

Special Order (Take the bill up at a set time)

Motion Passed: Rescheduled

In the record: Special Order to Mar 13, without objection

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 13, 2003✓SenateMay 15, 2003✓GovernorJun 17, 2003✓LawJun 17, 2003
HB 578-FN-A (2003)Became Law
establishing a program for self-certification by small quantity hazardous waste generators and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Peter Allen (D - Ches 27) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Environment Environment - Administration

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 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateMay 22, 2003✓GovernorJun 17, 2003✓LawJul 1, 2003
HB 608-FN-LOCAL (2003)Became Law
reducing the education property tax rate and relative to the calculation of adequate education grants.
Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 37) House Ways and Means Senate Education Education - General

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 11–10; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Postpone

Motion Failed 141–213 on a roll call

Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor)

Motion Failed 128–228 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 0633

Spoke against the motionRep. David Hess (R - Merr 24)

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 205–151 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 24)

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

Print the Debate (Keep the speeches in the journal)

Motion Failed 140–216 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Terie Norelli (D - Rock 26).

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.

Also spoke during this billRep. Susan Almy (D - Graf 18) Rep. Christine Hamm (D - Merr 4) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. Norman Major (R - Rock 14)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 8, 2003✓Law
HB 611-FN-A (2003)Died
establishing a choose life number plate trust fund, and a special motor vehicle license plate and associated fees, to support and promote New Hampshire adoptions.
Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 80) House Transportation Motor Vehicles

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

Special Order (Take the bill up at a set time)

Motion Passed: Rescheduled

In the record: Special Order to Mar 13, without objection

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 13, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 13, 2003
HB 621-FN-A-LOCAL (2003)Became Law
extending the Parents as Teachers program in Sullivan county and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 48) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 14–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 243–118 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. Carson

Spoke against the motionRep. Clifford Newton (R - Straf 6) Rep. Paul Ingbretson (R - Graf 15)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 22, 2003✓LawJul 1, 2003
HB 629-FN-A-LOCAL (2003)Died
relative to adequate education grants to cities and towns and relative to adjusting the education property tax rate based on the statewide cost of an adequate education.
Rep. Robert H. Rowe (R - Hills 47) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 12, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 12, 2003
HB 643-FN (2004)Became Law
relative to the family division of the courts, reducing the number of superior court justices, and relative to marital masters.
Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 79) House Judiciary Senate Judiciary Courts and Procedure

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 263–98 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 79) Rep. Elizabeth Hager (R - Merr 12)

Spoke against the motionRep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseJan 7, 2004✓SenateApr 22, 2004✓GovernorJun 15, 2004✓Law
HB 669-FN (2003)Became Law
relative to eligibility for medical benefits for retired state employees.
Rep. Larry Emerton (R - Hills 48) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Insurance Retirement

House Executive Departments and Administration 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 9, 2003✓HouseMar 12, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 18, 2003✓LawJul 1, 2003
HB 692-FN-A-LOCAL (2003)Died
revising the property tax relief program in order to cap education property tax payments at 5 percent of adjusted gross income.
Rep. Peter Burling (D - Sull 19) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Tom McCormick (R - Merr 32)

Spoke against the motionRep. Peter Burling (D - Sull 19)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 12, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 12, 2003
HB 714-FN-A (2003)Died
excluding cable Internet services from the communications services tax.
Rep. Bernard Luebkert (R - Hills 54) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Kurt Roessner (R - Rock 83)

Spoke against the motionRep. Robert Ouellette (R - Merr 33)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 12, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 12, 2003
HB 717-FN-LOCAL (2003)Died
relative to targeted aid to education.
Rep. Edmond Gionet (R - Graf 11) House Ways and Means Senate Education Education - General

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 15–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 209–135 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Daniel Hughes (R - Rock 24) Rep. Edmond Gionet (R - Graf 5) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. Robert Giuda (R - Graf 5)

Spoke against the motionRep. Vivian Clark (R - Rock 79) Rep. Susan Almy (D - Graf 18) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✕SenateMay 22, 2003Governor✕LawMay 22, 2003
HB 735-FN (2003)Died
relative to prescription drugs and medicaid best practices.
Rep. Fran Wendelboe (R - Belk 29) 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), 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, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003SenateMay 22, 2003Governor✕LawSep 4, 2003
HB 738-FN-A-LOCAL (2003)Became Law
permitting aid to public water systems to be used for forming or improving regional water systems and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Richard Cooney (R - Rock 76) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Environment Environment - Administration

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 15–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateMay 29, 2003✓GovernorJun 23, 2003✓LawJul 1, 2003
HB 751-FN-LOCAL (2003)Became Law
implementing an alternative school building aid grant formula, establishing size and cost standards for the construction of new school facilities and permitting high school vocational technical education programs which lease space to be eligible for school building aid grants.
Rep. John Alger (R - Graf 14) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 30, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 18, 2003✓Law
HB 786-FN-LOCAL (2003)Died
relative to the participation of the state and its political subdivisions in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Rep. John Alger (R - Graf 14) House Education Senate Education Education - General

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 30, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003SenateMay 22, 2003Governor✕LawSep 4, 2003
HB 791-FN-A (2003)Died
establishing a rest area and state liquor store retail opportunities commission.
Rep. Elenore Casey Crane (R - Hills 59) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Executive Departments and Administration 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 30, 2003✓HouseMar 12, 2003✕SenateMay 8, 2003Governor✕LawMay 8, 2003
HB 810-FN-A (2003)Became Law
relative to processing excavating and dredging and terrain alteration permits, changing the fees for permits, establishing 2 new positions, and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Howard Dickinson (R - Carr 4) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Energy and Economic Development Environment - Administration

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 15–2.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 30, 2003✓HouseApr 10, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003✓GovernorJul 1, 2003✓Law