The House, Wednesday, April 20, 2005

The House took up 6 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 38
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
17 roll calls, 6 divisions
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, April 20, 2005.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2005-04-20. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2005-04-20
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, April 20, 2005.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2005-04-20.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2005-04-20, title = {The House, Wednesday, April 20, 2005}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2005-04-20}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

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

Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 8), Deputy Speaker of the House, and Rep. W. Douglas Scamman (R - Rock 13), Speaker of the House.

Excused for the Day

Show the 22 members excusedRepublican 15Democrat 7

The journal records 22 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. John Alger (R - Graf 6) Rep. Donald Brueggemann (D - Merr 12) Rep. Peter Cote (D - Hills 25) Rep. Arthur Jillette (D - Sull 2) Rep. Rudy Lessard (R - Hills 27) Rep. Eric Palangas (D - Hills 43) Rep. Frank Palazzo (R - Rock 14) Rep. Donald Philbrick (R - Carr 2) Rep. Clair Snyder (D - Straf 2) Rep. Stanley Stevens (R - Carr 4) Rep. Robert Barker (R - Graf 6) Rep. Andrew Dorsett (R - Graf 8) Rep. Christopher Doyle (R - Rock 4) Rep. James Fitzgerald (R - Belk 4) Rep. Robert Giuda (R - Graf 5) Rep. Robert Introne (R - Rock 5) Rep. Eugene Kelly (R - Hills 20) Rep. James Lawrence (R - Hills 27) Rep. Howie Lund (R - Rock 5) Rep. Deanna Rush (D - Merr 7) Rep. David Cote (D - Hills 3) Rep. Leo Pepino (R - Hills 11)

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 1-A (2005)Became Law
making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007.
Rep. Frederick King (R) House Finance Senate Finance

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–8.

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

Motion Failed 183–185 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 1204

Spoke for the motionRep. Peter Bergin (R - Hills 6) Rep. John Pratt (D - Ches 2) Rep. Elizabeth Hager (R - Merr 12)

Spoke against the motionRep. Norman Major (R - Rock 14) Rep. Michael Whalley (R - Belk 5) Rep. Michael O'Neil (R - Rock 15)

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

Motion Failed 175–196 on a roll call

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 200–171 on a roll call

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision) 1204

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 172–199 on a roll call

In the record: Reconsider Am{1204}

Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 12)

Spoke against the motionRep. Elizabeth Hager (R - Merr 12)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 207–165 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Michael O'Neil (R - Rock 15)

Also spoke during this billRep. Frederick King (R - Coos 1)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedMar 9, 2005✓HouseApr 20, 2005✓SenateJun 9, 2005✓GovernorJun 30, 2005✓LawJul 1, 2005
HB 2-FN-A (2005)Became Law
relative to state fees, funds, revenue and expenditures.
Rep. Frederick King (R - Coos 1) House Finance Senate Finance State Government

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 19–2.

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

Motion Failed 155–197 on a division

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 213–150 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)

Spec Order to 3:40

Motion Failed 169–191 on a division

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 112–249 on a division

In the record: Lay on Table

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

Motion Failed 90–276 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15).

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 1211

Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Richard Kennedy (R - Merr 4)

Spoke against the motionRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 195–171 on a roll call

Also spoke during this billRep. Barbara Hagan (R - Hills 17) Rep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) Rep. Robert Wheeler (R - Hills 7) Rep. Jim Ryan (D - Merr 2) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8) Rep. Fran Wendelboe (R - Belk 1) Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 8)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedMar 23, 2005✓HouseApr 20, 2005✓SenateJun 9, 2005✓GovernorJun 30, 2005✓Law
HB 222-FN (2005)Died
relative to payment of medical benefits costs for disabled group II members of the retirement system.
Rep. William Zolla (R - Rock 5) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Banks and Insurance Retirement

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 194–144 on a division

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed 143–191 on a division

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 236–98 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2005✓HouseApr 20, 2005✕SenateMay 26, 2005Governor✕LawMay 26, 2005
HB 535-FN-A (2005)Died
increasing the tobacco tax.
Rep. Susan Almy (D - Graf 11) House Ways and Means Senate Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 17–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Failed 78–284 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 0718 (Reps. Mirski et al)

Spoke for the motionRep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) Rep. David Buhlman (R - Hills 27)

Spoke against the motionRep. Norman Major (R - Rock 14)

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 248–119 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Christine Hamm (D - Merr 4) Rep. Michael O'Neil (R - Rock 15)

Spoke against the motionRep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4) Rep. Stephanie Eaton (R - Graf 1) Rep. John Gibson (R - Hills 19) Rep. David Buhlman (R - Hills 27)

Also spoke during this billRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Peter Solomon (D - Graf 10) Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 26, 2005✓HouseApr 20, 2005✕SenateJun 2, 2005Governor✕LawJun 2, 2005
HB 616-FN-LOCAL (2005)Became Law
reducing the education property tax rate and relative to the calculation of equitable education grants.
Rep. Frederick King (R - Coos 1) House Education Senate Finance Education - General

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 12–9; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Failed 134–227 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Majority Committee Amendment 1156

Spoke for the motionRep. John Ward (R - Graf 1) Rep. Daniel Hughes (R - Rock 24) Rep. Robert Dodge (R - Rock 9) Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1)

Spoke against the motionRep. Daniel Eaton (D - Ches 9) Rep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 7)

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

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 211–151 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 1186 (Reps. W Campbell et al)

Spoke for the motionRep. W. Packy Campbell, Rep. Stephen L'Heureux (R - Merr 9) Rep. Mark Carter (R - Hills 3)

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 181–178 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Kimberley Casey (D - Rock 11)

Spoke against the motionRep. Ralph Boehm (R - Hills 27) Rep. John Pratt (D - Ches 2) Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 152–208 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2).

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

Spoke against the motionRep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)

Print the Debate (Keep the speeches in the journal)

Motion Passed 236–124 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. James Phinizy (D - Sull 5).

In the record: Print debate in permanent journal

✓IntroducedJan 26, 2005✓HouseApr 20, 2005✓SenateJun 9, 2005✓GovernorJul 16, 2005✓Law
HB 691-FN-LOCAL (2005)Became Law
relative to the medicaid program.
Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 7) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Health and Human Services Welfare/Medicare/Medicaid

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 13–9; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 161–185 on a roll call

In the record: Lay on Table

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 187–158 on a roll call

Also spoke during this billRep. James Craig (D - Hills 9) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. James MacKay (D - Merr 11)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 26, 2005✓HouseApr 20, 2005✓SenateMay 26, 2005✓GovernorJun 30, 2005✓Law