The House, Thursday, March 20, 2003

The House took up 47 bills: 23 together on the consent calendar, then 24 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal: House Journal 27
Votes Taken: 5 roll calls, 1 division17 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, March 20, 2003.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-20. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA: Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Thursday, March 20, 2003. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-20
Chicago: Granite Record. “The House, Thursday, March 20, 2003.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-20.
BibTeX: @misc{session-H-2003-03-20, title = {The House, Thursday, March 20, 2003}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2003-03-20}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

A prayer was offered, and rep. harry merrow (r - carr 5) 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 23 members excusedRepublican 19Democrat 4

The journal records 23 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. Julie Brown (R - Straf 1) Rep. Natalie Flanagan (R - Rock 78) Rep. Carolyn Gargasz (R - Hills 27) Rep. Charles Laflamme (R - Hills 50) Rep. Thomas Rice (R - Belk 30) Rep. Gloria Seldin (D - Merr 39) Rep. Everett Weare (R - Rock 14) Rep. Timothy Allen (R - Hills 45) Rep. Carolyn Brown (R - Carr 1) Rep. Corey Corbin (R - Rock 79) Rep. Christine Furman (R - Hills 64) Rep. Jeffrey Hollinger (R - Straf 5) Rep. Claudette Jean (D - Hills 25) Rep. Robert L'Heureux (R - Hills 21) Rep. Roy Maxfield (R - Merr 6) Rep. Edward Moran (R - Hills 18) Rep. George Musler (R - Straf 68) Rep. James Rausch (R - Rock 5) Rep. David Russell (R - Belk 5) Rep. Ray Langer (R - Merr 37) Rep. Lori Movsesian (D - Hills 22) Rep. J Lisbeth Olimpio (R - Carr 5) Rep. Arthur Pelletier (D - Straf 71)

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 1 (2003)Died

relating to the support of religious schools. Providing that the language in article 6 of the first part of the New Hampshire constitution, which sates that "But no person shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of the schools of any sect or denomination." shall be deleted from the article and the language in article 83 of the second part of the New Hampshire constitution which states that ": Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools or institutions of any religious sect or denomination" shall be deleted from the article.

Rep. Thomas Arnold (R - Hills 46) House Education

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateVoters

CACR 7 (2003)Died

relating to state representative and state senate districts. Providing that there shall be 36 senate districts and 4 house districts within each senate district.

Rep. John Pratt (D - Ches 24) House Election Law Constitutional Amendments

House Election Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Mark Derby (R - Carr 7) Rep. Howard Dickinson (R - Carr 1)

Spoke against the motionRep. Estelle Diamond (D - Graf 17) Rep. John Pratt (D - Ches 2)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateVoters

HB 190 (2003)Died

relative to legislative standing committee review of rules adopted after final objection by the joint legislative committee on administrative rules.

Rep. G Michael Gilman (R - Graf 9) House Legislative Administration Legislature

House Legislative Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 344 (2003)Died

relative to a supplemental veteran designation for legislative license plates.

Rep. J. Timothy Dunn (D - Ches 25) House Legislative Administration

House Legislative Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 8–5.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 386 (2003)Died

establishing a committee to study individual development accounts.

Rep. Peter Sullivan (D - Hills 50) House Finance Study Committees and Commissions

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 18–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 250–110 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Larry Emerton (R - Hills 7)

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

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 394 (2003)Became Law

relative to incompatible offices.

Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 56) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–4; 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✓HouseMar 20, 2003✓SenateMay 8, 2003✓GovernorMay 30, 2003✓LawJul 29, 2003

HB 395 (2004)Died

relative to proof of qualifications for voter registration.

Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 56) House Election Law Elections

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

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote

In the record: Recommitted to Elec Law

Also spoke during this billRep. C Donald Stritch (R - Rock 75)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseJan 7, 2004SenateGovernor✕LawJan 7, 2004

HB 427 (2003)Died

making the position of "treasurer" optional for school districts.

Rep. Timothy Robertson (D - Ches 25) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–6.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Stephen L'Heureux (R - Merr 9)

Spoke against the motionRep. Robertson

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 443 (2003)Died

granting prescriptive authority to qualified psychologists.

Rep. Kathleen Taylor (Straf 70) House Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 18–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Judson Dexter (R - Ches 6)

Spoke against the motionRep. John DeJoie (D - Merr 11)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 592-FN (2003)Died

relative to funding the compensation and benefits of teachers.

Rep. Harriet Cady (R - Rock 73) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 326–30 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 595-FN-A (2003)Died

establishing an exemption from the electricity consumption tax.

Rep. John Alger (R - Graf 14) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 598-FN-A (2003)Became Law

relative to the agricultural nutrient management program and making an appropriation therefor.

Rep. David Babson (R - Carr 6) House Finance Senate Environment

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 23–0.

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 20, 2003✓SenateMay 22, 2003✓GovernorJul 7, 2003✓LawJul 1, 2003

HB 614-FN-LOCAL (2003)Died

requiring the state to pay the total expense of fighting forest and brush fires on any state owned park or forest land.

Rep. Deanna Rush (D - Merr 36) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 18–5.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 205–148 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Wheeler

Spoke against the motionRep. Deanna Rush (D - Merr 7)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 693-FN (2003)Became Law

relative to the jurisdiction and constitution of the ballot law commission.

Rep. Michael Whalley (R - Belk 31) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 10–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 244–119 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Howard Dickinson (R - Carr 1) Rep. Michael Whalley (R - Belk 5)

Spoke against the motionRep. Raymond Buckley (D - Hills 56) Rep. Peter Burling (D - Sull 19)

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✓HouseMar 20, 2003✓SenateMay 22, 2003✓GovernorJun 17, 2003✓LawJan 1, 2004

HB 701-FN (2003)Died

relative to fees for low-digit number plates.

Rep. Fran Wendelboe (R - Belk 29) House Ways and Means Motor Vehicles

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 269–83 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 720-FN-LOCAL (2003)Died

extending the kindergarten aid program.

Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 48) House Finance Senate Finance Education - General

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–4.

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 20, 2003SenateJun 5, 2003Governor✕LawSep 4, 2003

HB 773 (2003)Died

establishing a committee to study a tuition tax credit program.

Rep. Lee Slocum (R - Hills 47) House Ways and Means Senate Ways and Means Study Committees and Commissions

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 9–5.

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 20, 2003✓SenateJun 5, 2003Governor✕Law

HB 789 (2003)Died

relative to a nonbinding referendum to measure voter support for casino gambling in New Hampshire.

Rep. Edmond Gionet (R - Graf 11) House Ways and Means

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 285–76 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. John Gibson (R - Hills 19) Rep. Pappas

Spoke against the motionRep. Edmond Gionet (R - Graf 5) Rep. Anthony DiFruscia (R - Rock 4)

✓IntroducedJan 30, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HB 805 (2003)Became Law

establishing a consensus revenue estimating panel.

Rep. Jeffrey Gilbert (R - Rock 83) House Ways and Means Senate Ways and Means

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–4.

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 20, 2003✓SenateMay 22, 2003✓GovernorJun 17, 2003✓Law

HB 809 (2003)Died

establishing a committee to study implementing a consumption tax.

Rep. Ralph Akins (R - Graf 18) House Ways and Means Study Committees and Commissions

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–3.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 30, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003SenateGovernor✕LawMar 20, 2003

HCR 12 (2003)Died

rescinding all requests by the New Hampshire legislature for a federal constitutional convention and urging other states to withdraw similar requests.

Rep. Paul Ingbretson (R) House Legislative Administration Legislature

House Legislative Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003Senate

HCR 7 (2003)Died

opposing unfunded and under-funded federal education mandates.

Rep. Barbara Richardson (D) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs State Government

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 2003✕HouseMar 20, 2003Senate