The House, Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The House took up 28 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 31
Assembled
3:00 PM
Votes Taken
7 roll calls, 3 divisions26 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, April 8, 2009.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-04-08. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-04-08
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, April 8, 2009.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-04-08.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2009-04-08, title = {The House, Wednesday, April 8, 2009}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-04-08}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 3:00 PM, Rep. Peter Leishman (D - Hills 3) 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 7 members excusedRepublican 6Democrat 1

The journal records 7 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. Anthony Maiola (R - Sull 2) Rep. Elisabeth Sanders (R - Rock 12) Rep. Connie Soucy (R - Hills 17) Rep. Cynthia Dokmo (R - Hills 6) Rep. Michael Farley (D - Hills 15) Rep. Roger Wells (R - Rock 8) Rep. Russell Bridle (R - Rock 15)

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 (2009)Became Law
making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
Rep. Marjorie Smith (D) Senate Finance

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 14–9; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

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

Motion Failed 186–191 on a division

In the record: Special Order to Beginning of April 9 Regular Calendar (Rep Packard)

One division on 2 bills: the same vote is drawn under each of them, and counted once.

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

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 205–172 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Majority Committee Amendment 1201

Spoke for the motionRep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 7)

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

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

Motion Failed 176–198 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Price.

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 1226h

Spoke for the motionRep. Pamela Price (R - Hills 26)

Spoke against the motionRep. Robert Foose (D - Merr 1)

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

Motion Failed 169–199 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1).

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 1221h

Spoke for the motionRep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1)

Spoke against the motionRep. Peter Leishman (D - Hills 3)

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

Motion Failed 157–210 on a roll call

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

In the record: Adopt Minority Committee Amendment 1205h

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

Spoke against the motionRep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 7)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1201h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 193–174 on a roll call

Spoke against the motionRep. Timothy Robertson (D - Ches 6)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 164–197 on a roll call

In the record: Lay Reconsideration on the Table (Rep W.O'Brien)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 163–199 on a roll call

In the record: Reconsideration

✓IntroducedMar 4, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJun 30, 2009✓LawJul 1, 2009
HB 2-FN-A-LOCAL (2009)Became Law
relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.
Rep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 7) House Finance Senate Finance State Government

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1197h, 14–9; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

Move to Beginning of Regular Calendar (Rep Winters)

Motion Failed 176–198 on a division

Print the Debate (Keep the speeches in the journal)

In the record: Print Debate & Parlimentary Inquiry in Permanent Journal (Rep Kurk)

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

Motion Failed 186–191 on a division

In the record: Special Order to Beginning of April 9 Regular Calendar (Rep Packard)

One division on 2 bills: the same vote is drawn under each of them, and counted once.

✓IntroducedMar 4, 2009✓HouseApr 9, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJun 30, 2009✓Law
HB 251 (2009)Became Law
relative to the state registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults.
Rep. Joan Schulze (D - Hills 26) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 20–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 27, 2009✓GovernorJul 13, 2009✓LawJul 13, 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1193h, 19–1.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1193h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateJan 21, 2010✕GovernorFeb 12, 2010✕LawMay 19, 2010
HB 281-FN (2009)Became Law
increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions and requiring mediation for small claims actions exceeding $5,000 and establishing a fee for the cost of such mediation.
Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1) House Judiciary Senate Judiciary

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 20–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJun 9, 2009✓LawJan 1, 2010
HB 295 (2009)Became Law
relative to mental health treatment for members of the armed forces and veterans convicted of crimes.
Rep. Al Baldasaro (R - Rock 3) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety 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✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJul 13, 2009✓LawJan 1, 2010
HB 310-FN (2009)Became Law
relative to reimbursement of mileage for judges and marital masters and relative to civil marriage and civil unions.
Rep. David Cote (D - Hills 23) House Judiciary Senate Judiciary Courts and Procedure

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 23–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 6, 2009✓GovernorJun 3, 2009✓Law
HB 345-FN (2009)Became Law
allowing physical therapists to practice on animals.
Rep. Kevin Hodges (D - Hills 7) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Executive Departments and Administration Animals

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1188h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1188h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorAug 7, 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety 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✓HouseApr 8, 2009✕SenateMay 13, 2009Governor✕LawMay 13, 2009
HB 436-FN-LOCAL (2009)Became Law
relative to civil marriage and civil unions.
Rep. James Splaine (D - Rock 16) House Judiciary Senate Judiciary

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 298–70 on a division

In the record: Reconsideration (Rep Comerford)

Print the Debate (Keep the speeches in the journal)

Motion Passed on a voice vote

In the record: Print Debate in Permanent Journal

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 26, 2009✓SenateApr 29, 2009✓GovernorJun 3, 2009✓LawJan 1, 2010
HB 473-FN (2009)Became Law
relative to water treatment plants and penalties for safe drinking water violations.
Rep. Lawrence Kappler (R - Rock 2) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Judiciary Environment - Conservation

House Criminal Justice and Public recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1146h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1146h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓LawJan 1, 2010
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 Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0880h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0880h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0880h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJun 15, 2009✓LawJun 15, 2009
HB 608-FN (2009)Became Law
establishing a committee to oversee the design and construction of a public works employee memorial for public works employees who died in the course of performing public duties.
Rep. Alfred Lerandeau (D - Ches 6) House Public Works and Highways Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 17–1.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJun 15, 2009✓LawAug 14, 2009
HB 610-FN (2009)Became Law
relative to consumer protection from certain practices of mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, and mortgage loan originators and implementing the S.A.F.E. mortgage licensing act.
Rep. Tara Reardon (D - Merr 11) House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection Banking and Finance

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 17–1.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseApr 8, 2009✓SenateJun 3, 2009✓GovernorJul 30, 2009✓LawJul 31, 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 Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 19–0.

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