The House, Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The House took up 51 bills: 22 together on the consent calendar, then 29 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 15
Votes Taken
9 roll calls, 8 divisions40 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, February 8, 2012.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-02-08. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-02-08
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, February 8, 2012.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-02-08.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2012-02-08, title = {The House, Wednesday, February 8, 2012}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-02-08}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

A prayer was offered, and rep. timothy comerford (r - rock 33) led the pledge of allegiance.

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

Excused for the Day

Show the 33 members excusedRepublican 24Democrat 9

The journal records 33 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. Daniel Carr (D - Ches 4) Rep. Frank Case (R - Rock 1) Rep. Norma Champagne (R - Hills 12) Rep. Jennifer Coffey (R - Merr 6) Rep. Baldwin Domingo (D - Straf 5) Rep. Stephanie Eaton (R - Graf 1) Rep. Susan Emerson (R - Ches 11) Rep. Roland Hofemann (D - Straf 6) Rep. Dorothea Hooper (D - Straf 16) Rep. John McDonnell (R - Merr 7) Rep. Charles Moore (R - Ches 7) Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 34) Rep. James Powers (D - Rock 16) Rep. Matt Quandt (R - Rock 13) Rep. Jenna Roberts (D - Straf 7) Rep. John Sedensky (R - Rock 13) Rep. Thomas Beattie (R - Hills 17) Rep. Paul Brown (R - Rock 2) Rep. Cameron DeJong (R - Hills 9) Rep. Robert Foose (D - Merr 1) Rep. Kirsten Larsen Schultz (R - Straf 2) Rep. Frederick Leonard (R - Straf 7) Rep. Nickolas Levasseur (D - Hills 11) Rep. David Lundgren (R - Rock 3) Rep. Bruce MacMahon (R - Rock 10) Rep. David Palfrey (R - Merr 2) Rep. William Panek (R - Straf 3) Rep. Michael Reed (R - Hills 33) Rep. Marie Sapienza (R - Rock 8) Rep. Stephen Schmidt (R - Carr 6) Rep. Edwin Smith (R - Ches 1) Rep. Daniel Sullivan (D - Hills 8) Rep. Colette Worsman (R - Belk 2)

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 1138 (2012)Became Law
naming a bridge in Pelham in honor of Sergeant Daniel R. Gionet.
Rep. Shaun Doherty (R - Hills 27) House Public Works and Highways Senate Transportation Memorials

House Public Works and Highways recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0292h, 13–0.

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 Today's Regular Calendar (Rep Chandler)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0292h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Also spoke during this billRep. Shaun Doherty (R - Hills 27)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✓SenateApr 18, 2012✓GovernorMay 15, 2012✓LawJul 14, 2012
HB 1189 (2012)Died
establishing a committee to study the privatizing of county corrections operations.
Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) House Municipal and County Government Study Committees and Commissions

House Municipal and County Government recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 226–114 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. James Belanger (R - Hills 27)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 8)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 8, 2012
HB 1200 (2012)Died
relative to reduced spending alternatives in proposed county budgets.
Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) House Municipal and County Government Counties

House Municipal and County Government recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 16–1; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 253–92 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. James Coffey (R - Hills 25)

Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Paul Simard (R - Graf 8)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 8, 2012
HB 1229 (2012)Died
declaring March 30 as Welcome Home Veterans Day to honor veterans of Vietnam.
Rep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 10) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Memorials

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 327–8 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert Theberge (R - Coos 3)

Spoke against the motionRep. Robert Fredette (R - Hills 1)

Print the Debate (Keep the speeches in the journal)

Motion Passed on a voice vote

In the record: Print Remarks in Permanent Journal (Rep Sapareto)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✕SenateMar 28, 2012Governor✕LawMar 28, 2012
HB 1302-FN (2012)Became Law
relative to underpayment of estimated taxes and equalization of valuations administered by the department of revenue administration.
Rep. Stephen Stepanek (R - Hills 6) House Ways and Means Senate Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0449h, 20–0.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0449h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✓SenateMar 28, 2012✓GovernorApr 23, 2012✓Law
HB 1354 (2012)Became Law
relative to voter affidavits.
Rep. David Bates (R - Rock 4) House Election Law Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Elections

House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 10–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 113–233 on a roll call

In the record: Laid On Table (Rep Vaillancourt)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 248–101 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. David Bates (R - Rock 7)

Spoke against the motionRep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8) Rep. David Pierce (D - Graf 9) Rep. Robert Perry (D - Straf 3)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✓SenateJun 27, 2012✓GovernorJul 6, 2012✓Law
HB 1364 (2012)Died
relative to transfers of appropriations in Carroll county.
Rep. Frank McCarthy (R - Carr 1) House Municipal and County Government Counties

House Municipal and County Government recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 17–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. James Belanger (R - Hills 27) Rep. Robert Theberge (R - Coos 3)

Spoke against the motionRep. Frank McCarthy (R - Carr 2)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 8, 2012
HB 1404 (2012)Died
relative to the election of Hillsborough county commissioners.
Rep. Carl Seidel (R - Hills 20) House Municipal and County Government Counties

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0408h, 15–1.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0408

Motion Failed 107–192 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Carl Seidel (R - Hills 28) Rep. James Coffey (R - Hills 25)

Spoke against the motionRep. Gail Barry, Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. William Belvin (R - Hills 6)

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

In the record: Inexpedient to Legislate (Rep Jasper)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 8, 2012
HB 1413-FN (2012)Died
directing New Hampshire to withdraw from the No Child Left Behind Act.
Rep. Michael Weeden (R - Straf 6) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 12–4; a minority, Interim Study (IS).

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled 253–81 on a roll call

In the record: Laid On Table (Rep Bettencourt)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 1517-FN-LOCAL (2012)Died
prohibiting the state and any political subdivision from entering any agreement implementing any provision of the No Child Left Behind Act without prior approval of the general court.
Rep. Michael Balboni (R - Hills 21) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 14–3; a minority, Interim Study (IS).

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid On Table (Rep Bettencourt)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 1544-FN (2012)Interim Study
adding state and local government part-time and public employees to employees eligible to participate in the state group insurance coverage.
Rep. Marshall Quandt (R - Rock 13) House Executive Departments and Administration Retirement

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Interim Study (IS), 8–3.

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 4, 2012HouseJun 7, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 1563 (2012)Became Law
relative to Greenland's water rights.
Rep. Pamela Tucker (R - Rock 17) House Municipal and County Government Senate Public and Municipal Affairs

House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0383h, 17–0.

Removed from Consent Calendar (Rep DiPenti

Motion Passed

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0383h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 239–60 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Pamela Tucker (R - Rock 23)

Spoke against the motionRep. Jacqueline Cali-Pitts (D - Rock 30)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✓SenateApr 11, 2012✓GovernorMay 29, 2012✓LawMay 29, 2012
HB 1566 (2012)Died
relative to withdrawal from a school administrative unit or an authorized regional enrollment area school.
Rep. Thomas Howard (R - Sull 2) House Education Senate Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–4.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed 158–186 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. Ralph Boehm (R - Hills 27)

Spoke against the motionRep. Thomas Howard (R - Sull 9) Rep. Spec Bowers (R - Sull 2)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 190–156 on a division

In the record: Ought to Pass (Rep Cunningham)

Spoke for the motionRep. Steven Cunningham (R - Sull 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. William Belvin (R - Hills 6)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✕SenateGovernor✕Law
HB 1634 (2012)Died
establishing a committee to study the implementation of United Nations Agenda 21 into the state, counties, regional commissions, towns, and cities.
Rep. Anne Cartwright (R - Ches 2) House Executive Departments and Administration Study Committees and Commissions

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0489h, 6–4.

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0489h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 251–92 on a division

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0489h(NT)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseMar 29, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawMar 29, 2012
HB 1641-FN (2012)Died
requiring the carry forward of certain net operating loss deductions to relate to creation of new jobs.
Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 7) House Ways and Means Taxes - State

House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–5; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 241–83 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 8, 2012
HB 1647-FN (2012)Interim Study
requiring the department of health and human services to license supervised visitation centers.
Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 8) House Executive Departments and Administration Children

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Interim Study (IS), 11–1.

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 4, 2012HouseJun 7, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 1648-FN (2012)Died
requiring prosecution of a law enforcement officer for failure to enforce the crime of interference with custody.
Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 8) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 14–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawFeb 8, 2012
HB 1658-FN (2012)Became Law
establishing an income and identity verification system for public assistance recipients; relative to implementation of the Sean William Corey pilot program; and extending the moratorium on nursing home beds and rehabilitation beds.
Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 7) House Finance Senate Finance Welfare/Medicare/Medicaid

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 Reporting Deadline to be Extended to March 22, 2012

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseMar 28, 2012✓SenateMay 16, 2012✓GovernorJun 19, 2012✓Law
HB 1692-FN (2012)Died
making changes to the administration of the university system of New Hampshire.
Rep. Robbie Parsons (R - Straf 3) House Education Senate Finance Education - Finance

House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0475h, 12–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0475h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 247–105 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. David Bettencourt (R - Rock 4) Rep. Robbie Parsons (R - Straf 1)

Spoke against the motionRep. Mary Gile (D - Merr 27)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseMar 29, 2012✕SenateMay 23, 2012Governor✕LawMay 23, 2012
HB 1710 (2012)Died
establishing a commission to identify issues for legislation related to strengthening the role of fathers in families with divorced or unmarried parents.
Rep. William Smith (R - Rock 18) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Public and Municipal Affairs

House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 8–3.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✕SenateMar 28, 2012Governor✕LawMar 28, 2012
HB 593-FN-A-LOCAL (2012)Died
relative to video lottery and table gaming.
Rep. Edmond Gionet (R - Graf 3) House Ways and Means Gambling

House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2812h, 14–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee 257–91 on a division

In the record: Recommit (Rep Stepanek)

Spoke for the motionRep. David Campbell (D - Hills 33) Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 24) Rep. Stephen Stepanek (R - Hills 22)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseMar 28, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawMar 28, 2012
HB 648 (2012)Became Law
relative to eminent domain by public utilities and establishing a commission to investigate the procedural rights of the landowner when a petition is presented to the public utilities commission by a utility seeking eminent domain, develop a framework for the state to provide use rights to transmission developers on state owned rights-of-way, develop policies to encourage burying such lines where practicable, and establish a structure for payment.
Rep. Laurence Rappaport (R - Coos 1) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Judiciary Energy and Utilities

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

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: House Concurs with Senate AM's (Rep J.Garrity)

Spoke for the motionRep. Laurence Rappaport (R - Coos 1) Rep. James Garrity (R - Rock 6)

✓IntroducedFeb 16, 2011✓HouseMar 30, 2011✓SenateJan 25, 2012✓GovernorMar 5, 2012✓Law
HCR 31 (2012)Adopted
commending the work of pregnancy care centers in New Hampshire and across the United States.
Rep. Kathleen Lauer-Rago (R) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Senate Health and Human Services State Government

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 9–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Passed 160–159 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 19)

Spoke against the motionRep. Robert Theberge (R - Coos 3)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 132–196 on a roll call

In the record: Reconsideration (Rep Vaillancourt)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseFeb 8, 2012✓SenateMay 9, 2012
HR 26 (2012)Died
expressing support for admitting the District of Columbia as the fifty-first State of the United States of America.
Rep. Cindy Rosenwald (D) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs State Government

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 8–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 248–79 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Frank McCarthy (R - Carr 2) Rep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)

Spoke against the motionRep. Cindy Rosenwald Rep. Robert Theberge (R - Coos 3)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseFeb 8, 2012