The House, Thursday, February 12, 2009

The House took up 65 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 17
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
2 roll calls, 2 divisions62 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 12, 2009.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-02-12. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Thursday, February 12, 2009. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-02-12
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Thursday, February 12, 2009.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-02-12.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2009-02-12, title = {The House, Thursday, February 12, 2009}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-02-12}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Kenneth Gould (R - Rock 5) led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. Terie Norelli (D - Rock 26), Speaker of the House.

Excused for the Day

Show the 18 members excusedDemocrat 14Republican 4

The journal records 18 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. Beth Arsenault (D - Belk 9) Rep. Donald Flanders (R - Belk 3) Rep. John Kelley (D - Hills 32) Rep. Anne Priestley (R - Rock 8) Rep. Gene Andersen (D - Graf 11) Rep. Michael Bartlett (D - Merr 11) Rep. Michael Farley (D - Hills 15) Rep. Robert Foose (D - Merr 1) Rep. Jeffrey Goley (D - Hills 21) Rep. Franklin Gould (D - Graf 11) Rep. Anne Grassie (D - Straf 11) Rep. Robert Introne (R - Rock 5) Rep. William Johnson (D - Belk 5) Rep. Susan Kepner (D - Rock 15) Rep. Mark Preston (D - Rock 20) Rep. Donald Ryder (R - Hills 5) Rep. Charles Yeaton (D - Merr 8) Rep. Suzanne Smith (D - Graf 8)

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 4 (2009)Died
relating to elections. Providing that certain persons may vote in primaries prior to turning 18 years of age.
Rep. Brendon Browne (D - Straf 4) House Election Law Constitutional Amendments

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0156h, 11–8; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote

In the record: Special Ordered to Follow First Bill on Regular Calendar for Feb 18

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✕HouseFeb 18, 2009SenateVoters
HB 102 (2009)Became Law
relative to the rivers management and protection program, establishing the volunteer river assessment program, and naming the bridge at the intersection of NH route 12A and NH route 123 in Alstead the Alstead Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Rep. Lawrence Kappler (R - Rock 2) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Environment - Conservation

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0037h, 18–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0037h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0037h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓Law
HB 105 (2009)Became Law
relative to voting machines for the counting of ballots.
Rep. Timothy Horrigan (D - Straf 7) House Election Law Senate Election Law and Veterans' Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0129h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0129h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateApr 22, 2009✓GovernorJun 9, 2009✓LawAug 8, 2009
HB 113 (2009)Became Law
extending the moratorium on nursing home beds and rehabilitation beds.
Rep. Fran Wendelboe (R - Belk 1) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0097h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0097h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0097h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseMar 24, 2009✓SenateMay 27, 2009✓GovernorJul 29, 2009✓LawJul 29, 2009
HB 119 (2009)Died
establishing a commission to consider the feasibility of adopting the Atlantic Daylight Savings Plan.
Rep. Paul McEachern (D - Rock 16) House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–9; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote

In the record: Special Ordered to Follow First Bill on Regular Calendar for Feb 18

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✕HouseFeb 18, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 18, 2009
HB 129 (2009)Became Law
establishing a committee to study the incorporation of electronic filing procedures under the administrative procedures act.
Rep. Maurice Pilotte (D - Hills 16) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Study Committees and Commissions

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 18–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateApr 22, 2009✓GovernorJun 9, 2009✓LawJun 9, 2009
HB 130 (2009)Became Law
relative to enforceability of publicly-owned land restrictions.
Rep. Lawrence Kappler (R - Rock 2) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0057h, 18–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0057h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 27, 2009✓GovernorJul 31, 2009✓LawSep 29, 2009
HB 142 (2009)Became Law
relative to extending municipal leases.
Rep. John Henson (D - Rock 13) House Municipal and County Government Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Municipalities

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0023h, 14–1; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0023h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 22, 2009✓LawAug 21, 2009
HB 172 (2009)Became Law
allowing naturopathic doctors to dispense prescription drugs which are within their scope of practice.
Rep. Maurice Pilotte (D - Hills 16) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0098h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0098h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0098h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 8, 2009✓LawJul 8, 2009
HB 221-FN-A (2009)Died
requiring a discount to wholesalers on cash purchases of tobacco tax stamps.
Rep. Roger Wells (R - Rock 8) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–4.

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote

In the record: Special Ordered to Follow First Bill on Regular Calendar for Feb 18

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✕HouseFeb 18, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 18, 2009
HB 234 (2009)Became Law
establishing a committee to study the certificate of need process.
Rep. Joan Schulze (D - Hills 26) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Health and Human Services Study Committees and Commissions

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0052h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0052h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateApr 29, 2009✓GovernorJun 9, 2009✓LawJun 9, 2009
HB 239-LOCAL (2009)Became Law
relative to establishing a municipal bond rescission process, authorizing governing bodies to call a special meeting to consider reduction or rescission of appropriations, and clarifying special procedures enabling towns to respond appropriately to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Rep. Suzanne Laliberte (D - Graf 10) House Municipal and County Government Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Municipalities

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0183h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0183h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓Law
HB 254 (2009)Died
establishing a commission to study the effects of inflation on New Hampshire and possible remedies.
Rep. Joel Winters (D - Hills 17) House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Study Committees and Commissions

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✕HouseFeb 12, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 12, 2009
HB 276-FN (2010)Died
relative to challenges of voters.
Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9) House Election Law Senate Election Law and Veterans' Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0132h, 16–0.

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote

In the record: Special Ordered to Follow First Bill on Regular Calendar for Feb 18

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateJan 21, 2010✕GovernorFeb 12, 2010✕LawMay 19, 2010
HB 282-FN-A (2009)Became Law
relative to meetings of the medical/vision advisory board.
Rep. Michael O'Brien (D - Hills 26) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0063h, 17–2.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0063h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 24, 2009✓SenateApr 29, 2009✓GovernorMay 22, 2009✓LawJul 1, 2009
HB 284-FN (2009)Became Law
increasing the contract amount that triggers the bond requirement on public projects.
Rep. Alfred Lerandeau (D - Ches 6) House Public Works and Highways Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation Transportation and Highways

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 19–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✓GovernorApr 17, 2009✓LawJun 16, 2009
HB 292 (2009)Became Law
relative to financial disclosures, lobbyist registrations and statements, prohibited gifts, and executive branch volunteers.
Rep. James Splaine (D - Rock 16) House Election Law Senate Election Law and Veterans' Affairs

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0174h, 16–1.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0174h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0174h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 27, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓LawSep 13, 2009
HB 323 (2009)Died
changing the name of the ballot law commission to the elections and ballot law commission, increasing the membership of the commission, and requiring the commission to propose redistricting plans.
Rep. Charles Weed (D - Ches 3) House Election Law Elections

House Election Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✕HouseFeb 12, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 12, 2009
HB 365 (2009)Died
relative to the state loan repayment program for health professionals.
Rep. Robert Bridgham (D - Carr 2) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 24–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✕HouseFeb 12, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 12, 2009
HB 369 (2009)Died
establishing a spending cap on state budget requests.
Rep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4) House Finance

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

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote

In the record: Special Ordered to Follow First Bill on Regular Calendar for Feb 18

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✕HouseFeb 18, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 18, 2009
HB 40 (2009)Became Law
relative to the reporting of hospital infections.
Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 9) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0108h, 18–1.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0108h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawJan 1, 2010
HB 432-FN (2009)Died
relative to penalties for telephone harassment involving a number used to facilitate transportation of voters or otherwise to support voting or registering to vote.
Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9) House Election Law Senate Election Law and Veterans' Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0089h, 15–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0089h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✕SenateMay 13, 2009Governor✕LawMay 13, 2009
HB 440-FN (2009)Died
repealing the state's authority to bond school building aid costs.
Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 9) House Finance

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–10.

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote

In the record: Special Ordered to Follow First Bill on Regular Calendar for Feb 18

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✕HouseFeb 18, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 18, 2009
HB 444-FN-A (2009)Died
relative to reproducing the 1792 New Hampshire constitution and making an appropriation therefor.
Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 9) House Finance State Government

House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 22–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✕HouseFeb 12, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 12, 2009
HB 460 (2009)Became Law
relative to the system of visitor centers.
Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1) House Public Works and Highways Senate Executive Departments and Administration Transportation and Highways

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0031h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0031h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 8, 2009✓LawJul 8, 2009
HB 476-FN (2009)Became Law
relative to modifying the quorum requirement and relative to filing fees for eminent domain proceedings before the board of tax and land appeals.
Rep. Mary Cooney (D - Graf 7) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0125h, 14–5.

Divide the Question (Vote on the parts separately)

Motion Failed 131–204 on a division

In the record: Divide the Question, Section 1 and 14 (Rep McGuire)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0125h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 190–168 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Laurie Harding (D - Graf 13)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJun 15, 2009✓LawJun 15, 2009
HB 508 (2009)Became Law
relative to the county-state finance commission.
Rep. John DeJoie (D - Merr 11) House Finance Senate Finance Children

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0163h, 20–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0163h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 13, 2009✓LawSep 11, 2009
HB 51-FN-A (2009)Died
reestablishing the initial monthly gross charge exemption to the communications services tax.
Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–8; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid On Table (Rep Hess)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✕HouseFeb 18, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 18, 2009
HB 58 (2009)Became Law
designating segments of the Cocheco River as protected under the rivers management and protection program.
Rep. Lawrence Kappler (R - Rock 2) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Environment - Conservation

House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2213h, 17–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2213h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateApr 29, 2009✓GovernorMay 22, 2009✓LawJul 21, 2009
HB 67 (2009)Died
relative to the return of replaced parts by a motor vehicle repair facility.
Rep. Moe Villeneuve (R - Hills 18) House Commerce

House Commerce recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 20–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✕HouseFeb 12, 2009SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 12, 2009
HB 76 (2009)Became Law
establishing a permanent commission to study recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board and relative to the New Hampshire rail transit authority.
Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 27) House Transportation Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation Study Committees and Commissions

House Transportation recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 18–1.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateMay 27, 2009✓GovernorJul 8, 2009✓LawJul 8, 2009
HB 97 (2009)Became Law
relative to the lottery commission's ability to make rules concerning the Multi-State Lottery Association.
Rep. Betsey Patten (R - Carr 4) House Local and Regulated Revenues Senate Ways and Means Gambling

House Local and Regulated Revenues recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 16–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 22, 2009✓LawAug 21, 2009