The House took up 33 bills: 9 together on the consent calendar, then 24 one by one, listed below by bill.
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.
@misc{session-H-2011-05-04,
title = {The House, Wednesday, May 4, 2011},
howpublished = {Granite Record},
url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2011-05-04},
note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026}
}The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Daniel Tamburello (R - Rock 5) led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. William O'Brien (R - Hills 5), Speaker of the House.
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. Gene Charron (R - Rock 4) Rep. Stephanie Eaton (R - Graf 1) Rep. Roland Hofemann (D - Straf 6) Rep. Robert Moore (R - Ches 1) Rep. Thomas Beattie (R - Hills 17) Rep. David Campbell (D - Hills 33) Rep. Sean Coughlin (R - Hills 6) Rep. Christine Hamm (D - Merr 4) Rep. Thomas Katsiantonis (D - Hills 15) Rep. Frederick Leonard (R - Straf 7) Rep. Bruce Marcus (R - Hills 3) Rep. Donna Mauro (R - Rock 4) Rep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) Rep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 3) Rep. William Panek (R - Straf 3) Rep. Marie Sapienza (R - Rock 8) Rep. Stephen Schmidt (R - Carr 6) Rep. Suzanne Smith (D - Graf 8)
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.
House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 14–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Passed: Resolution Tabled 293–33 on a division
In the record: Lay on the Table (Rep Stepanek)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1416s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1416s (Rep Baldasaro)
Spoke for the motionRep. Al Baldasaro (R - Rock 5)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1266s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1266s (Rep Ferrante)
Spoke for the motionRep. Beverly Ferrante (R - Rock 6)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1224s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1224s(NT) (Rep Renzullo)
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew Renzullo (R - Hills 13)
Nonconcur with the Amendment (Reject the other chamber's changes) 1440s
Motion Passed: Changes Rejected on a voice vote
In the record: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment #1440s(NT) and Rquests C of C (Rep Renzullo)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1403s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted 225–140 on a roll call
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1403s(NT) (Rep Daniels)
Spoke for the motionRep. Gary Daniels (R - Hills 6)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1225s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1225s(NT) (Rep Renzullo)
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew Renzullo (R - Hills 13)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1527s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted 352–10 on a roll call
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1527s(NT) (Rep Hawkins)
Spoke for the motionRep. Kenneth Hawkins (R - Hills 18)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1265s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1265s (Rep Ferrante)
Spoke for the motionRep. Beverly Ferrante (R - Rock 6)
Suspend the Rules (Set a rule aside; needs two thirds)
Motion Passed: Rules Suspended on a voice vote
In the record: Suspend House Rules to Allow Introduction and Consideration (Rep Bettencourt)
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Resolution Passed on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass (Rep Bettencourt)
Also spoke during this billRep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 8–4; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Failed 89–247 on a division
Spoke for the motionRep. Peter Schmidt (D - Straf 4)
Spoke against the motionRep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8) Rep. Spec Bowers (R - Sull 2)
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Resolution Passed on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass (Rep Bettencourt)
House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1606h, 13–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2011-1712h
Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 256–104 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. David Bates (R - Rock 7).
In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2011-1712h
Spoke for the motionRep. David Bates (R - Rock 7) Rep. Dino Scala (R - Carr 5) Rep. Kathleen Hoelzel (R - Rock 3)
Spoke against the motionRep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9)
Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2011-1733h
Motion Failed 94–262 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9).
In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2011-1733h
Spoke for the motionRep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9)
Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2011-1736h
Motion Failed 95–259 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9).
In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2011-1736h
Spoke for the motionRep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9)
Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2011-1739h
Motion Failed 97–251 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9).
In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2011-1739h
Spoke for the motionRep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9)
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1712h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 243–111 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Leo Pepino (R - Hills 11) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37)
Also spoke during this billRep. David Bates (R - Rock 7)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1431h, 12–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Adopt the Amendment (Change the bill)
Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 259–106 on a roll call
In the record: Adopt Amendment 1431h
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5) Rep. John Hunt (R - Ches 7)
Spoke against the motionRep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 10) Rep. Donna Schlachman (D - Rock 18)
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1431h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 261–104 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1431h(NT)
Spoke for the motionRep. John Hunt (R - Ches 7)
Spoke against the motionRep. Donna Schlachman (D - Rock 18)
Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)
Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 97–265 on a division
In the record: Reconsideration (Rep Manuse)
House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1578h, 16–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1578h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 16–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Failed 179–186 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Jennifer Coffey (R - Merr 6) Rep. John Hunt (R - Ches 7)
Spoke against the motionRep. Donna Schlachman (D - Rock 18) Rep. Jack Flanagan (R - Hills 5) Rep. David Kidder (R - Merr 5) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed 160–206 on a roll call
In the record: Lay on the Table (Rep Bettencourt)
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Failed 183–184 on a roll call
In the record: Inexpedient to Legislate (Rep Soltani)
Spoke for the motionRep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)
Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed on a voice vote
In the record: Lay on the Table (Rep Soltani)
Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)
Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee 225–142 on a division
In the record: Recommit (Rep Hunt)
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1522h, 16–2.
Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)
Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee on a voice vote
In the record: Recommit (Rep Hunt)
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1544h, 14–3.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1544h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 252–63 on a division
Spoke for the motionRep. Randall Whitehead (R - Hills 26) Rep. Peter Hansen (R - Hills 22)
Spoke against the motionRep. Peter Schmidt (D - Straf 4)
House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 13–2.
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed 150–163 on a roll call
In the record: Lay on the Table (Rep Tamburello)
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed 201–111 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Benjamin Baroody (D - Hills 39) Rep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5) Rep. Carlos E. Gonzalez (R - Hills 48) Rep. William Infantine (R - Hills 16)
Spoke against the motionRep. Spec Bowers (R - Sull 2) Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)
Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)
Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands on a voice vote
In the record: Reconsideration (Rep Chandler)
Also spoke during this billRep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Special Committee on Public Employee Pensions Reform recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1576h, 10–3; 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 Order to Beginning of Reg Cal and if Passed, House Rules be Suspended to Allow Immediate Third Reading (Rep Hawkins)
Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2011-1674h
Motion Failed 123–232 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15).
In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2011-1674h
Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15)
Spoke against the motionRep. William Smith (R - Rock 18)
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1576h, 1710h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 238–121 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1576h(NT) and #1710h
Spoke for the motionRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)
Spoke against the motionRep. Jerry Bergevin (R - Hills 45)
Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)
Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 108–254 on a division
In the record: Reconsideration (Rep Bettencourt)
Accede to the Request for a Committee of Conference (Agree to a conference)
Motion Passed: Conference Agreed on a voice vote
In the record: House Accedes to Senate Request for C of C (Rep Hawkins)
Also spoke during this billRep. Kenneth Hawkins (R - Hills 18)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1580h, 20–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1580h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 281–47 on a roll call
House Special Committee on Public Employee Pensions Reform recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1577h, 13–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1577h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 276–29 on a division
Spoke for the motionRep. James Belanger (R - Hills 27) Rep. Kenneth Hawkins (R - Hills 18)
Spoke against the motionRep. Jerry Bergevin (R - Hills 45)
Also spoke during this billRep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1619h, 16–1.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1619h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1619h(NT)
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1479h, 18–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1479h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1479h(NT)
Spoke for the motionRep. Maurice Pilotte (D - Hills 16) Rep. John Hunt (R - Ches 7)
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 13–3.
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote