The House, Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The House took up 20 bills: 5 together on the consent calendar, then 15 one by one, listed below by bill.

Journal
House Journal 28
Assembled
10:00 AM
Votes Taken
18 roll calls, 15 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, Wednesday, March 21, 2012.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-03-21. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The House, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-03-21
Chicago
Granite Record. “The House, Wednesday, March 21, 2012.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-03-21.
BibTeX
@misc{session-H-2012-03-21, title = {The House, Wednesday, March 21, 2012}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2012-03-21}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

How the Day Began

The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. David Campbell (D - Hills 33) 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 22 members excusedRepublican 17Democrat 4

The journal records 22 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. J. Gail Barry (R - Hills 16) Rep. Frank Case (R - Rock 1) Rep. Norma Champagne (R - Hills 12) Rep. Roland Hofemann (D - Straf 6) Rep. Dorothea Hooper (D - Straf 16) Rep. Marshall Quandt (R - Rock 13) Rep. Thomas Beattie (R - Hills 17) Rep. Charles Brosseau (R - Graf 6) Rep. Shaun Doherty (R - Hills 27) Rep. James Headd (R - Rock 3) Rep. Bruce Marcus (R - Hills 3) Rep. Donald McClarren (R - Hills 29) Rep. Dennis Reed (R - Merr 2) Rep. Brian Rhodes (D - Hills 30) Rep. Frederick Rice (R - Rock 21) Rep. Dino Scala (R - Carr 5) Rep. Jeffrey Shackett (R - Graf 9) Rep. Jeffrey St. Cyr (R - Belk 5) Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 12) Rep. Matt Quandt (R - Rock 13) Rep. Birdsell, Rep. Beverly Ferrante (R - Rock 6)

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 Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0951h, 10–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Remove from the Table (Take the bill back up)

Motion Passed: Back Before the House 209–144 on a division

In the record: Remove From Table (Rep Itse)

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed 156–200 on a division

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 172–176 on a division

In the record: Reconsider Ought to Pass (Rep B.Murphy)

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseMar 7, 2012SenateVoters
CACR 22 (2012)Died
Relating to the chief justice of the supreme court. Providing that the chief justice shall adopt court rules with the concurrence of the general court.
Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 9) House Judiciary Constitutional Amendments

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 12–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert H. Rowe (R - Hills 14) Rep. Lucy Weber (D - Ches 2)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseMar 21, 2012SenateVoters
CACR 26 (2012)Not Ratified
Relating to administration of the supreme court. Providing that the legislature and the chief justice of the supreme court shall have concurrent power to make rules governing the administration of all the courts of the state.
Rep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10) House Judiciary Senate Judiciary Constitutional Amendments

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 237–115 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert H. Rowe (R - Hills 14) Rep. Avard, Rep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10)

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 210–145 on a division

In the record: Lay On The Table (Rep Jasper)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 242–111 on a roll call

In the record: Reconsideration of OTP (Rep Hess)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Passed 239–114 on a roll call

Also spoke during this billRep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 8)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseMar 21, 2012✓SenateMay 16, 2012✕VotersNov 6, 2012
CACR 31 (2012)Died
Relating to parental rights. Providing that parents have the natural right to control the health, education, and welfare of their children.
Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 9) House Children and Family Law

House Children and Family Law recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 11–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed 175–181 on a division

Spoke for the motionRep. David Robbins (R - Hills 26)

Spoke against the motionRep. J.R. Hoell (R - Merr 27) Rep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 204–154 on a roll call

In the record: Ought to Pass (Rep Cartwright)

Spoke for the motionRep. Laura Jones (R - Straf 24)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 251–109 on a division

In the record: Reconsider ITL (Rep Tucker)

Spoke for the motionRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37)

Spoke against the motionRep. Seth Cohn (R - Merr 6)

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 172–187 on a division

In the record: Lay On The Table (Rep Cohn)

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 214–146 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseMar 21, 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), 12–5; 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 a Time Certain Being March 28 Session at Approx 11:00 AM (Rep Bettencourt)

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

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseMar 28, 2012SenateVoters
HB 1267 (2012)Died
relative to adjustments to the child support guidelines based on child support expenses documented by the parties.
Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 8) House Children and Family Law Domestic Relations

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Passed: Vote Reopened on a voice vote

In the record: Special Order (Reconsideration Motion) to Next Session Day (Rep Jasper)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseMar 15, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawMar 15, 2012
HB 1313 (2012)Died
allowing school districts to offer higher education scholarships to high school pupils.
Rep. Gary Daniels (R - Hills 6) House Education Education - General

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 13–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 259–90 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Robert Greemore (R - Belk 2) Rep. Kathleen Lauer-Rago (R - Merr 2)

Spoke against the motionRep. Gary Daniels (R - Hills 6)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseMar 21, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawMar 21, 2012
HB 1389 (2012)Became Law
relative to the pre-engineering technology curriculum and pre-engineering technology advisory council and establishing advisory committees for regional vocational education.
Rep. Norman Major (R - Rock 8) House Education Senate Education Education - Finance

House Education recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Failed on a voice vote

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1305h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

Also spoke during this billRep. Michael Balboni (R - Hills 21)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseMar 21, 2012✓SenateMay 16, 2012✓GovernorJun 14, 2012✓LawAug 13, 2012
HB 1537-FN (2012)Became Law
relative to violations of privacy occurring outside a private place.
Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 7) House Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification Senate Judiciary

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 15–1.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 219–60 on a division

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands on a voice vote

In the record: Reconsideration (Rep Kurk)

Also spoke during this billRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseMar 21, 2012✓SenateMay 2, 2012✓GovernorMay 23, 2012✓LawJan 1, 2013
HB 1642-FN (2012)Died
relative to destination specialty hospitals.
Rep. Marilinda Garcia (R - Rock 4) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 1017h, 10–8.

Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2012-1261h

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 196–164 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Stephen Stepanek (R - Hills 22).

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2012-1261h

Spoke for the motionRep. Stephen Stepanek (R - Hills 22) Rep. Thomas Keane (R - Merr 13)

Spoke against the motionRep. Rich DiPentima (D - Rock 16) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1261h

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 198–161 on a roll call

In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1261h(NT)

Spoke for the motionRep. Marilinda Garcia (R - Rock 8)

Spoke against the motionRep. Laurie Harding (D - Graf 13) Rep. Donald LeBrun (R - Hills 32)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 130–229 on a division

In the record: Reconsideration (Rep T.Keane)

Spoke against the motionRep. Thomas Keane (R - Merr 13)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✓HouseMar 21, 2012SenateMay 2, 2012Governor✕LawJun 27, 2012
HB 437-FN (2012)Died
relative to the definition of marriage.
Rep. David Bates (R - Rock 4) House Judiciary Domestic Relations

House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2779h, 11–6.

Adopt the Amendment (Change the bill)

Motion Failed 82–266 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Amendment 2779h

Spoke for the motionRep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 8) Rep. Marilinda Garcia (R - Rock 8)

Divide the Question (Vote on the parts separately) 1288h

Motion Failed 173–179 on a division

In the record: Divide Sec.6 from FL AM #1288h(NT) (Rep Mirski)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 128–222 on a division

In the record: Reconsider Division of Sec.6 from FL AM 1288h(NT) (Rep Manuse)

Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew Manuse (R - Rock 5) Rep. Paul Mirski (R - Graf 10)

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

Motion Failed 162–188 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. David Bates (R - Rock 7).

In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 1288h

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Failed 82–263 on a roll call

In the record: Lay On The Table (Rep Hunt)

Object to Consideration of Motion Regarding FL AM 0478h (Rep Winter)

Motion Passed 286–52 on a roll call

Suspend the Rules (Set a rule aside; needs two thirds) 1097h

Motion Failed 62–277 on a division

In the record: Suspend Rule 35E to Hear FL AM #1097h(NT) (Rep Lambert)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision) 2779

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 144–193 on a roll call

In the record: Reconsider Comm AM #2779(NT) (Rep Cartwright)

Spoke for the motionRep. J. Brandon Giuda (R - Merr 7) Rep. Al Baldasaro (R - Rock 5)

Spoke against the motionRep. Tammy Simmons Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 133–202 on a roll call

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed 211–116 on a roll call

In the record: Inexpedient to Legislate (Rep Simmons)

Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)

Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)

Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands 87–211 on a division

In the record: Reconsider Motion of ITL (Rep Jennifer Coffey)

Spoke against the motionRep. Jennifer Coffey (R - Merr 6)

Also spoke during this billRep. J. Michael Ball (R - Hills 9) Rep. David Bates (R - Rock 7) Rep. Cameron DeJong (R - Hills 9) Rep. Warren Groen (R - Straf 10) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Jennifer Coffey (R - Merr 6) Rep. Keith Murphy Rep. David Welch (R - Rock 13)the record does not say which of the day's motions

✓IntroducedJan 6, 2011✕HouseMar 21, 2012SenateGovernor✕LawMar 21, 2012
HCR 39 (2012)Died
urging Congress to privatize all aspects of social security.
Rep. Jerry Bergevin (R) House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs State Government

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 0681h, 8–6; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Uphold the Ruling of the Chair (Back the presiding officer)

Motion Passed 253–30 on a division

In the record: Shall Rule Of The Chair Be Upheld (Rep Soltani)

Spoke for the motionRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37)

Spoke against the motionRep. Tony Soltani (R - Merr 8)

Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 0681h

Motion Failed 124–161 on a roll call

Spoke for the motionRep. Lynne Blankenbeker (R - Merr 11) Rep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 8)

Spoke against the motionRep. John Cloutier (D - Sull 4) Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. Robert Theberge (R - Coos 3)

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 190–95 on a division

In the record: Inexpedient to Legislate (Rep Cloutier)

✓IntroducedJan 4, 2012✕HouseMar 21, 2012Senate
HR 30 (2012)Adopted by House
memorializing State Representative James F. Powers.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Passed

✓IntroducedMar 21, 2012✓HouseMar 21, 2012

Votes on No Bill

Roll calls the House took that day on questions that were on no bill, such as its own rules, a ruling of the chair or printing a debate. The question is as the General Court’s roll-call file words it.

On a question the record does not name

241–114 on a roll call

Limit Debate (Cap the time for debate)

Motion Passed: Debate Limited 194–126 on a roll call

Moved by Rep. Phil Greazzo (R - Hills 17).

In the record: Limit debate for 20 minutes total: 10 minutes each side, 5 minutes per speaker