The House, Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The House took up 43 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 42
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
7 roll calls, 8 divisions32 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, May 20, 2009.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-05-20. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-05-20
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, May 20, 2009.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-05-20.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2009-05-20, title = {The House, Wednesday, May 20, 2009}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2009-05-20}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Roland Hofemann (D - Straf 6) 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 12 members excusedDemocrat 7Republican 5

The journal records 12 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. Dennis Fields (R - Belk 4) Rep. Richard Komi (D - Hills 43) Rep. Patricia McMahon (D - Merr 3) Rep. Michael O'Brien (D - Hills 10) Rep. Don Petterson (D - Rock 10) Rep. Mark Preston (D - Rock 20) Rep. Cindy Rosenwald Rep. Donald Ryder (R - Hills 5) Rep. Saghir Tahir (R - Hills 9) Rep. Trinka Russell (D - Rock 13)

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.

establishing a fee for certification of reduced ignition propensity cigarettes.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1520s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted 193–147 on a division

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1520s (Rep Almy)

Spoke for the motionRep. Susan Almy (D - Graf 11)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseMar 24, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJun 22, 2009✓LawJan 1, 2010
HB 338 (2009)Became Law
relative to definitions of electronic waste.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1465s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1465s (Rep Sad)

Spoke for the motionRep. Tara Sad (D - Ches 1)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 24, 2009✓SenateMay 6, 2009✓GovernorJun 22, 2009✓LawJun 22, 2009
HB 387 (2009)Became Law
relative to observation of voter registration.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1388s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1388s (Rep Pierce)

Spoke for the motionRep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseFeb 12, 2009✓SenateApr 29, 2009✓GovernorJun 22, 2009✓LawAug 21, 2009
requiring the department of environmental services to develop an outreach campaign to disseminate information on recycling materials, including electronic waste.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1466s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1466s (Rep Sad)

Spoke for the motionRep. Tara Sad (D - Ches 1)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 4, 2009✓SenateMay 6, 2009✓GovernorAug 7, 2009✓LawOct 6, 2009
HB 44 (2009)Became Law
relative to the use of alternates by local land use boards.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1397s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1397s (Rep Cooney)

Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Cooney (D - Graf 8)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseFeb 4, 2009✓SenateApr 29, 2009✓GovernorJun 22, 2009✓LawAug 21, 2009
relative to outdoor lighting efficiency.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1464s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1464s (Rep Kaen)

Spoke for the motionRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Naida Kaen (D - Straf 5)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 24, 2009✓SenateMay 6, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓LawSep 13, 2009
HB 623 (2009)Became Law
making various changes to the election laws.

Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)

Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote

In the record: House Non-Concurs and Requests Committee of Conference (Rep Clemons)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 4, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓LawSep 13, 2009
relative to misrepresenting the origin of a campaign call and relative to penalties for telephone harassment involving a number used to facilitate transportation of voters or otherwise to support voting or registering to vote.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Lay on the Table (Rep Jasper)

Remove from the Table (Take the bill back up)

Motion Passed: Back Before the House on a voice vote

In the record: Remove from Table (Rep Jasper)

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1496s

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1496s (New Title) (Rep Clemons)

Also spoke during this billRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓HouseMar 4, 2009✓SenateMay 13, 2009✓GovernorAug 7, 2009✓Law
HB 73 (2009)Became Law
affirming religious freedom protections with regard to marriage and prohibiting the establishment of civil unions on or after January 1, 2010.

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Failed 186–188 on a roll call

In the record: Concur (Rep L.Weber)

Spoke for the motionRep. Lucy Weber (D - Ches 2) Rep. Melanie Levesque (D - Hills 26) Rep. Kris Roberts (D - Ches 16) Rep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 10)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Marilinda Garcia (R - Rock 8) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37)

Indefinitely Postpone (Kill the bill and bar its subject for the term)

Motion Failed 173–202 on a roll call

In the record: Indefinitely Postpone (Rep Jasper)

Spoke against the motionRep. Anthony DiFruscia (R - Rock 4)

Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)

Motion Passed: Conference Requested 207–168 on a roll call

In the record: Non-Concur Request Committee of Conference (Rep Eaton)

✓IntroducedJan 7, 2009✓HouseMar 25, 2009✓SenateMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 3, 2009✓Law
SB 131 (2009)Became Law
relative to state hiring of veterans.

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1608h, 12–5.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1608h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 18, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓LawSep 13, 2009
establishing a commission to develop implementation plans for merging state agencies and programs to enhance efficiency and lower costs.

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✕HouseMay 20, 2009Governor✕LawMay 20, 2009
increasing snowmobile registration fees, OHRV dealer and rental agency registration fees, agent’s fee for OHRVs and snowmobiles, and the penalty for an unregistered snowmobile.

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1490h, 19–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1490h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 18, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawJul 16, 2009
SB 142 (2009)Became Law
relative to registration of criminal offenders and relative to involuntary commitment of sexually violent predators.

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1456h, 14–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1456h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 31, 2009✓Law
SB 151 (2009)Became Law
relative to quorum requirements for public bodies for which a quorum is not expressly declared.

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1585h, 17–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1585h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawSep 14, 2009
relative to Selective Service registration upon driver's license application or renewal.

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

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 322–52 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Jennifer Brown (D - Straf 5)

Spoke against the motionRep. Chris Nevins (R - Rock 15)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateApr 1, 2009✕HouseMay 20, 2009Governor✕LawMay 20, 2009
SB 173 (2009)Became Law
authorizing the commissioner of corrections to accept certain gifts.

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–6.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 259–83 on a division

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateApr 1, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 29, 2009✓LawAug 28, 2009
establishing a committee to study business tax credits.

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1441h, 18–1; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1441h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 300–68 on a division

✓IntroducedFeb 4, 2009✓SenateApr 1, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 15, 2009✓LawJul 15, 2009
SB 187 (2009)Became Law
relative to the administrative changes to the Nashua public works retirement system.

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1618h, 18–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1618h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedFeb 4, 2009✓SenateMar 18, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawJul 16, 2009
SB 188 (2009)Became Law
relative to establishing a commission to study hospital billing practices of health care providers.

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1505h, 14–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1505h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedFeb 18, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawJul 16, 2009
relative to government immunity from lawsuits for municipal dog parks.

House Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–6; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 240–121 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert H. Rowe (R - Hills 14) Rep. Janet Wall (D - Straf 7)

Spoke against the motionRep. Robert Thompson (D - Hills 9)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 18, 2009✕HouseMay 20, 2009Governor✕LawMay 20, 2009
SB 195 (2009)Became Law
relative to procedures for the trimming, cutting, or removal of trees by utilities.

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1552h, 11–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1552h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 238–133 on a division

✓IntroducedMar 4, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawSep 14, 2009
SB 22-FN (2009)Became Law
relative to criminal mischief committed against natural geological formations which have been designated as natural landmarks.

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 11, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 13, 2009✓LawJul 13, 2009
SB 29 (2009)Became Law
relative to review of developments of regional impact.

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1383h, 12–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1383h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 221–150 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 13, 2009✓LawSep 11, 2009
SB 31-FN (2009)Became Law
establishing the Candia District Court and the Manchester District Court as judicial branch family division sites and relative to the Dover-Somersworth-Durham district court.

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1586h, 11–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1586h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1586h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 8, 2009✓LawJul 8, 2009
allowing lobbyists and those connected with lobbyists to sit on committees established by the judicial branch.

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1601h, 11–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1601h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 193–168 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. David Nixon (D - Hills 17)

Spoke against the motionRep. Anthony DiFruscia (R - Rock 4) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009Governor✕Law
SB 42 (2009)Became Law
establishing a hospice benefit under the state Medicaid plan.

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1357h, 17–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1357h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1357h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 12, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 8, 2009✓LawJul 8, 2009
SB 46 (2009)Became Law
relative to group life insurance.

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1391h, 18–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1391h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawJul 1, 2009
SB 5 (2009)Became Law
prohibiting retailers from disclosing private customer information to foreign states in connection with the collection of certain sales and use taxes.

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1474h, 14–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1474h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Edward Butler (D - Carr 7)

✓IntroducedFeb 18, 2009✓SenateApr 8, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 9, 2009✓LawJul 9, 2009
SB 51 (2009)Became Law
requiring confidentiality of jurors' addresses and the file in an involuntary admission proceeding.

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1526h, 11–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1526h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓Law
SB 53 (2009)Became Law
establishing professional guardians and removing the oath requirement in annual reports of the guardian.

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 197–163 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Rick Watrous (D - Merr 16) Rep. Lucy Weber (D - Ches 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. Nancy Elliott (R - Hills 19)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 11, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 29, 2009✓LawAug 28, 2009
SB 54 (2009)Became Law
eliminating the reference to per diem compensation of probate judges presiding over involuntary admissions hearings.

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 17–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateFeb 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 29, 2009✓LawJun 29, 2009
SB 70-FN (2009)Became Law
authorizing the office of mediation and arbitration within the judicial branch to provide pre-suit alternative dispute resolution services.

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 11, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 29, 2009✓LawJun 29, 2009
SB 80 (2009)Became Law
establishing a committee to study requiring health insurance coverage for services provided by athletic trainers.

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1432h, 13–6.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1432h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 202–158 on a roll call

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1432h (New Title)

✓IntroducedJan 8, 2009✓SenateMar 11, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJul 16, 2009✓LawJul 16, 2009
SB 92 (2009)Became Law
relative to the commission to study access to consumer credit for people in New Hampshire.

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs 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✓SenateFeb 4, 2009✓HouseMay 20, 2009✓GovernorJun 29, 2009✓LawJun 29, 2009