The House, Thursday, January 5, 2012

The House took up 24 bills: 1 together on the consent calendar, then 23 one by one, listed below by bill.

Assembled
9:00 AM
Votes Taken
15 roll calls, 6 divisions13 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, January 5, 2012.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-01-05. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Thursday, January 5, 2012. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-01-05
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Thursday, January 5, 2012.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-01-05.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2012-01-05, title = {The House, Thursday, January 5, 2012}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-01-05}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 9:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44) led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. William O'Brien (R - Hills 5), Speaker of the House, and Rep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4).

Excused for the Day

Show the 35 members excusedRepublican 24Democrat 9

The journal records 35 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. Thomas Beattie (R - Hills 17) Rep. Ronald Belanger (R - Rock 8) Rep. Frank Case (R - Rock 1) Rep. Norma Champagne (R - Hills 12) Rep. Jennifer Coffey (R - Merr 6) Rep. Russell Day (R - Hills 7) Rep. Stephanie Eaton (R - Graf 1) Rep. Susan Emerson (R - Ches 11) Rep. Kenneth Gidge (D - Hills 33) Rep. Roland Hofemann (D - Straf 6) Rep. Karen Hutchinson (R - Rock 3) Rep. Nickolas Levasseur (D - Hills 11) Rep. Norman Major (R - Rock 14) Rep. William Panek (R - Straf 3) Rep. James Powers (D - Rock 16) Rep. Chip Rice (D - Merr 27) Rep. William Tobin (R - Belk 2) Rep. J. Gail Barry (R - Hills 16) Rep. Birdsell, Rep. Daniel Carr (D - Ches 4) Rep. Baldwin Domingo (D - Straf 5) Rep. Patricia Dowling (R - Rock 6) Rep. Robert Haefner (R - Hills 37) Rep. Paul LaCasse (R - Sull 4) Rep. Larsen, Rep. Bruce MacMahon (R - Rock 10) Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 34) Rep. Michael Reed (R - Hills 33) Rep. Tara Sad (D - Ches 1) Rep. Dino Scala (R - Carr 5) Rep. Kris Schultz Rep. Todd Smith (R - Merr 24) Rep. James Summers (R - Hills 26) Rep. Richard Okerman (R - Rock 4) Rep. Michele Peckham (R - Rock 22)

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 11 (2012)Died
relating to terms for state judges. Providing that all state judges be commissioned for renewable 7-year terms.
Rep. Harold Reilly (R - Graf 8) House Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification Constitutional Amendments

House Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–6.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed 151–160 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert H. Rowe (R - Hills 14)

Spoke against the motionRep. J. Brandon Giuda (R - Merr 7) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8) Rep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 8)

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee 207–102 on a roll call

In the record: Recommit (Rep Giuda)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseMar 7, 2012SenateVoters
CACR 8 (2012)Died
relating to education. Providing that the legislature shall have the power to authorize schools.
Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 9) House Education Constitutional Amendments

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–5; 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 End of Regular Calendar Including Bills Removed from Consent Calendar (Rep Balboni)

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled 328–19 on a roll call

In the record: Special Order to Next Order of Business (Rep G.Richardson)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 219–127 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. J.R. Hoell (R - Merr 27) Rep. Laura Jones (R - Straf 24)

Spoke against the motionRep. Mary Gorman (D - Hills 31) Rep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 10)

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 114–234 on a division

In the record: Laid on Table (Rep Vaillancourt)

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee 246–103 on a division

In the record: Recommit (Rep Balboni)

Spoke for the motionRep. Michael Balboni (R - Hills 21)

Spoke against the motionRep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 10)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseMar 28, 2012SenateVoters
HB 137-FN-LOCAL (2012)Became Law
relative to the state fire code and the state building code.
Rep. Kenneth Hawkins (R - Hills 18) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Zoning and Planning

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2786h, 11–5.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2786h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✓SenateMay 9, 2012✓GovernorJun 18, 2012✓Law
HB 194 (2012)Interim Study
relative to the prohibition on having or carrying a loaded crossbow, rifle, or shotgun in or on a vehicle.
Rep. Hoell J.R. (R - Merr 13) House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Senate Judiciary Fish & Game

House Fish and Game and Marine Resources recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2751h, 7–3; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2751h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 204–110 on a roll call

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2751h(NT)

Spoke for the motionRep. Michael McCarthy (R - Hills 29)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012SenateFeb 8, 2012Governor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 199 (2012)Died
relative to proceedings of medical injury claims screening panels.
Rep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 4) House Judiciary

House Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–6; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseJan 5, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJan 5, 2012
HB 212 (2012)Interim Study
relative to the definition of conflict of interest for executive branch officials and employees.
Rep. William O'Brien (R - Hills 4) House Election Law

House Election Law recommended Interim Study (IS), 15–4.

Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)

Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study on a voice vote

In the record: Refer to Interim Study

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011HouseJun 7, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 219 (2012)Died
restricting the rulemaking authority of the state board of education and establishing a legislative oversight committee to review the rulemaking authority of the state board of education.
Rep. Charles Sova (R - Graf 10) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2755h, 12–4.

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled 306–29 on a division

In the record: Special Order to 3:00 PM (Rep Balboni)

Adopt the Amendment (Change the bill)

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 208–109 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Amendment 2755h

Spoke for the motionRep. Charles Brosseau (R - Graf 6) Rep. Robert Greemore (R - Belk 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. Barbara Shaw (D - Hills 16)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2755h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 214–110 on a roll call

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2755h(NT)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✕SenateApr 11, 2012Governor✕LawApr 11, 2012
HB 228-FN (2012)Died
prohibiting the use of public funds for abortion services.
Rep. Robert Willette (R - Hills 6) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–5.

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

Motion Passed: Rescheduled 298–18 on a roll call

In the record: Special Order, Postpone to a Time Certain being January 18 (Rep Bettencourt)

Spoke for the motionRep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 18, 2012SenateApr 25, 2012Governor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 261-FN (2012)Died
eliminating screening panels for medical injury claims.
Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 8) House Judiciary

House Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–5; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseJan 5, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJan 5, 2012
HB 269-FN (2012)Died
relative to the authority of departments to transfer funds among budget accounting units.
Rep. Spec Bowers (R - Sull 3) House Finance Senate Finance State Government

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2714h, 17–4.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2714h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2714h(NT)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✓SenateApr 25, 2012Governor✕Law
HB 325-FN (2012)Became Law
relative to the transfer of animals from licensed animal vendors.
Rep. Tara Sad (D - Ches 2) House Environment and Agriculture Senate Energy and Natural Resources Animals

House Environment and Agriculture recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2796h, 10–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2796h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2796h(NT)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✓SenateApr 18, 2012✓GovernorJun 5, 2012✓LawAug 4, 2012
HB 356-FN (2012)Interim Study
requiring valid photo identification to vote in person.
Rep. Richard Drisko (R - Hills 5) House Election Law Elections

House Election Law recommended Interim Study (IS), 10–9.

Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)

Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study 300–35 on a division

In the record: Refer to Interim Study

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011HouseJun 7, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 383 (2012)Died
prohibiting the collection of certain agency fees from state employees who are not members of the state employees' association.
Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 7) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Employment

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0339h, 11–2.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 114–207 on a division

In the record: Laid on Table (Rep Goley)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0339h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 212–128 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Calvin Pratt (R - Hills 6)

Spoke against the motionRep. Marshall Quandt (R - Rock 13)

Also spoke during this billRep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012SenateApr 18, 2012Governor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 446-FN (2012)Died
repealing the authority for regulation of certain professional occupations.
Rep. Spec Bowers (R - Sull 3) House Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2639h, 9–8; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 62–269 on a roll call

In the record: Laid on Table (Rep Gandia)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2639h

Motion Failed 135–195 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Jack Flanagan (R - Hills 5) Rep. Steven Winter (R - Merr 3) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. Peter Schmidt (D - Straf 4) Rep. Joseph Krasucki (R - Hills 36) Rep. Laura Gandia (R - Hills 27)

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 214–116 on a division

In the record: Inexpedient to Legislate (Rep Hawkins)

Also spoke during this billRep. Spec Bowers (R - Sull 2) Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1) Rep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) Rep. Robert Perry (D - Straf 3)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseJan 5, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJan 5, 2012
HB 486-FN (2012)Became Law
relative to penalties for alcohol ignition interlock circumvention.
Rep. Richard Hinch (R - Hills 19) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2577h, 15–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2577h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 259–48 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✓SenateApr 18, 2012✓GovernorJun 13, 2012✓LawJan 1, 2013
HB 536-FN (2012)Died
relative to the natural right to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, without a license.
Rep. Hoell J.R. (R - Merr 13) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2679h, 12–5.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2679h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 193–122 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Kyle Tasker (R - Rock 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012SenateMay 2, 2012Governor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 595 (2012)Died
amending the compulsory school attendance statutes to permit parent-directed instruction programs and repealing the home education statutes.
Rep. Laura Jones (R - Straf 1) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 263–82 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Joseph Pitre (R - Straf 1) Rep. Kathleen Lauer-Rago (R - Merr 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseJan 5, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJan 5, 2012
HB 618-FN (2012)Interim Study
requiring state agencies to develop performance measures and to develop budgets for each biennium.
Rep. John Cebrowski (R - Hills 18) House Finance Senate Finance

House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2738h, 16–3.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0102h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0102h(NT)

Also spoke during this billRep. Lynne Ober (R - Hills 37)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012SenateMay 2, 2012Governor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 628-FN (2012)Died
relative to searches conducted for purposes of transportation-related security.
Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 27) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Transportation Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2768h, 10–6.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2768h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 188–136 on a roll call

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2768h(NT)

Spoke for the motionRep. Jason Antosz (R - Rock 9) Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✕SenateApr 18, 2012Governor✕LawApr 18, 2012
SB 152-FN (2012)Became Law
relative to participation in state employees' group insurance by members of the general court.
Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D - SD20) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Employment

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2592h, 9–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 2592h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedFeb 3, 2011✓SenateMar 16, 2011✓HouseJan 5, 2012✓GovernorMay 23, 2012✓LawJul 22, 2012