The House took up 60 bills: 16 together on the consent calendar, then 44 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-2014-05-14,
title = {The House, Wednesday, May 14, 2014},
howpublished = {Granite Record},
url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2014-05-14},
note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026}
}The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. Leigh Webb (D - Merr 3) led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. Terie Norelli (D - Rock 26), Speaker of the House, and Rep. Candace Bouchard (D - Merr 18).
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. Beth Arsenault (D - Belk 9) Rep. Ronald Boisvert (D - Hills 45) Rep. Susan Emerson (R - Ches 11) Rep. Gladys Johnsen (D - Ches 7) Rep. David Lundgren (R - Rock 5) Rep. David McCloskey (D - Hills 16) Rep. Robert Theberge (R - Coos 3) Rep. Harry Young (D - Ches 14) Rep. Rebecca Brown (D - Graf 2) Rep. Scott Burns (D - Merr 2) Rep. Gary Coulombe (D - Coos 3) Rep. Debra DeSimone (R - Rock 14) Rep. Dudley Dumaine (R - Rock 4) Rep. Rebecca Emerson-Brown (D - Rock 27) Rep. William Friel (R - Rock 14) Rep. Robert Haefner (R - Hills 37) Rep. Geoffrey Hirsch (D - Merr 6) Rep. Bruce Hodgdon (R - Rock 1) Rep. Katsiantonis, Rep. Alfred Lerandeau (D - Ches 12) Rep. Chris Muns (D - Rock 21) Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 34) Rep. Calvin Pratt (R - Hills 6) Rep. Brian Rhodes (D - Hills 30) Rep. St. James, Rep. Daniel Tamburello (R - Rock 5) Rep. Charles Townsend (D - Graf 11) Rep. Thomas Walsh (R - Merr 24) Rep. Kenneth Ward (D - Straf 21) Rep. Christopher Andrews (D - Merr 23) Rep. Daniel Itse (R - Rock 10) Rep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 6) Rep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 5)
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.
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: Non-Concur and Request C of C (Rep Gile)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1255s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1255s, (Rep Wallner)
Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 10)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1613s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: House Concurs with Senate Amendment #1613s (Rep A. White)
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew White (D - Graf 13)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. David Campbell (D - Hills 33).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1612s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Billie Butler.
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1612s,
Spoke for the motionRep. Edward Butler (D - Carr 7)
Nonconcur with the Amendment (Reject the other chamber's changes) 1302s
Motion Passed: Changes Rejected on a voice vote
In the record: Non-Concur with Senate Amendment #1302s (Rep A. White)
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew White (D - Graf 13)
Nonconcur with the Amendment (Reject the other chamber's changes) 1615s
Motion Passed: Changes Rejected on a voice vote
In the record: Non-Concur with Senate Amendment #1615s (Rep A. White)
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew White (D - Graf 13)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Marjorie Porter (D - Hills 30).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1616s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1616s, (Rep Butler)
Spoke for the motionRep. Edward Butler (D - Carr 7)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Candace Bouchard (D - Merr 18).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1006s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1006s
Spoke for the motionRep. Marjorie Porter (D - Hills 30)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1638s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1638s, (Rep Walz)
Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Beth Walz (D - Merr 23)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Mary Gile (D - Merr 27).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1256s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 10).
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1256s,
Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 10)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Mary Gile (D - Merr 27).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1311s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1311s, (Rep Lefebvre)
Spoke for the motionRep. Benjamin Lefebvre (D - Sull 1)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1617s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Mary Beth Walz (D - Merr 23).
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1617s,
Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Beth Walz (D - Merr 23)
Nonconcur with the Amendment (Reject the other chamber's changes) 1301s
Motion Passed: Changes Rejected 272–49 on a division
In the record: Non-Concur with Senate Amendment #1301s (Rep A. White)
Spoke for the motionRep. Andrew White (D - Graf 13)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)
Motion Failed 164–171 on a roll call
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendments (Rep Porter)
Spoke for the motionRep. Frederick Rice (R - Rock 21) Rep. Marjorie Porter (D - Hills 30)
Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Al Baldasaro (R - Rock 5)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested 312–24 on a division
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C (Rep Porter)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1614s, 1753s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1614s, #1753s (Rep Butler)
Spoke for the motionRep. Edward Butler (D - Carr 7)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Andrew White (D - Graf 13).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 0043s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #0043s, (Rep Gile)
Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Gile (D - Merr 27)
Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes) 1396s
Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote
In the record: Concur with Senate Amendment #1396s, (Rep Wallner)
Spoke for the motionRep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 10)
Nonconcur and Request a Committee of Conference (Ask for a conference to settle the differences)
Motion Passed: Conference Requested on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 6).
In the record: Non-Concur and Request C of C
House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1654h, 13–5; a minority, Interim Study (IS).
Adopt the Floor Amendment (Change the bill from the floor) 2014-1812h
Motion Failed 110–205 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. J.R. Hoell (R - Merr 27).
In the record: Adopt Floor Amendment 2014-1812h
Spoke for the motionRep. J.R. Hoell (R - Merr 27)
Spoke against the motionRep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 10)
Indefinitely Postpone (Kill the bill and bar its subject for the term)
Motion Failed 114–191 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. William O'Brien (R - Hills 5).
Spoke for the motionRep. William O'Brien (R - Hills 5) Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44)
Spoke against the motionRep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37)
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1654h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 186–119 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Robert Perry (D - Straf 3) Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37) Rep. Gary Richardson (D - Merr 10)
Spoke against the motionRep. Birdsell, Rep. Joseph Sweeney, Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44)
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1708h, 14–4.
Adopt the Amendment (Change the bill) 2014-1708h
Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 218–117 on a roll call
In the record: Adopt Amendment 2014-1708h
Spoke for the motionRep. Kathleen Souza (R - Hills 43) Rep. Robert Renny Cushing (D - Rock 21)
Spoke against the motionRep. Keith Murphy Rep. Al Baldasaro (R - Rock 5)
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1708h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 226–110 on a roll call
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1629h, 16–2; a minority, Interim Study (IS).
Adopt the Amendment (Change the bill) 2014-1629h
Motion Failed 152–184 on a roll call
In the record: Adopt Amendment 2014-1629h
Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)
Spoke against the motionRep. Andrew White (D - Graf 13)
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed 129–208 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15).
In the record: Table
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed 233–103 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Shannon Chandley
House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1721h, 11–8; a minority, Interim Study (IS).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1825h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 163–111 on a roll call
Also spoke during this billRep. Susan Almy (D - Graf 13)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1795h, 20–3.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1795h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
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 Committee of Conference
House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1735h, 22–1.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1735h, 1843h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendments #1735h; #1843h
Also spoke during this billRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1715h, 13–10; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1715h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 164–122 on a roll call
House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1378h, 19–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1378h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–8.
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote
House Ways and Means recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1803h, 14–4; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1803h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 247–28 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment #1803h NT
Spoke for the motionRep. David Hess (R - Merr 24) Rep. Cindy Rosenwald
Spoke against the motionRep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 37)
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will be very brief.…
Rep. David Hess (R - Merr 24)Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will be very brief. Most of you either attended the symposium describing this bill yesterday or heard about it extensively in your caucuses this morning. This bill basically does three things. 1) It addresses the issues raised by two Superior Court decisions that have declared Medicaid Enhancement Tax (MET) unconstitutional. To address those concerns, not to agree with the court decisions, but to address those concerns, two amendments were introduced into Ways and Means. This amendment collapses both of them together. They provide two alternative ways to solve those, address those issues. Neither one of the alternatives raises more revenue, increases taxes, etc. What the amendment does is this. It sets forth the rational basis for deciding that there are different classes of property that can be taxed by the Medicaid Enhancement Tax contrary to what those judges said in those decisions. 2) It clarifies and makes absolutely clear what our legislative intent is in re-enacting the MET at the present time after it has gone through two different iterations substantially as a result of changes in federal regulations. One of the lower Superior Court decisions spent three pages quoting the Senate debate in 1991 as to our nefarious purposes and objectives in passing the MET. This bill, in a specific Section 8, clarifies our intent and in the blurb, we set forth seven specific reasons why we think the classifications of property are legal and rational. Finally, this bill takes us to the table. If I may use a metaphor that you might find surprising, it puts more cards on the table from the House of Representatives. If you have more cards on the table, you can play more cards and if you play more cards, you have a better chance of winning. This brings us to the ......... I'm being distracted by nefarious comments. This brings us to the Committee of Conference with cards on the table. I urge you to support the vote and press the green button. Thank you.
Speaker NorelliThe question before the House is the majority committee report of Ought to Pass with Amendment on SB 369. The Chair recognizes the member from Nashua, Representative Rosenwald to speak in support of the committee report.
Rep. Cindy RosenwaldThank you, Madam Speaker. This legislation clarifies the legislature's intent to tax inpatient and outpatient hospital services as two separate and distinct classes of property in a manner that federal law permits and in support of our Medicaid program. These two classes of services are recognized as distinct under federal and state law. First, federal provider tax law and regulations as adopted by New Hampshire, establishes inpatient and outpatient hospital services as distinct classes of healthcare services. Chiefly, their distinctions lie in that hospital services are provided differently, reimbursed differently, licensed, certified and accredited differently. Additionally, they are classified separately under federal law and can be reimbursed by the federal government for the purpose of funding uncompensated care. By taxing inpatient and outpatient services as separate and distinct classes of property, therefore, our Medical Enhancement Tax meets the constitutional requirement of consistent, equitable and rational taxation. I hope the House will adopt it. Thank you.
Speaker NorelliThe question before the House is the majority committee report of Ought to Pass with Amendment on SB 369. The Chair recognizes Representative Ulery to speak in opposition.
Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 37)Well, you have heard of why we need this bill in order to have more cards on the table. Excuse me Representative, I have to question that since you were against another bill dealing with cards, but that's neither here nor there. The MET tax, as it currently exists, is in fact a sales tax, but it is, as one Representative from Manchester likes to talk about, a hat game because we're taxing it first here, then it's going to the state, then it's going over here to go back over to the person that we took the tax from, with maybe a little federal money coming in, if we feel like it and if the feds feel like giving it to us. The whole thing is this is a shell game. Money comes from one side, it goes to another and it increases by 5.5%, the cost of medical care, across the board for in-hospital services. The MET tax, as proposed in these two amendments, will give us more cards on the table, it will give a better chance to play a game, but the entire concept needs to be examined, which the courts have given us. I would urge voting against this amendment. I would urge voting to eliminate the MET tax entirely and help reduce the cost of medicine for all of our citizens and better identify those who need help. Thank you.
Speaker NorelliWill the member yield to a question? The member yields. Representative Baldasaro, you may inquire.
Rep. Al Baldasaro (R - Rock 5)Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Representative, for taking my question. Under this here under the projected revenues that there, it looks like under the operating budget, they're taking out the Medicaid Enhancement Taxes, $72.2 million. It looks like that is going to be taken out of the budget that we passed. What is going to be replaced to take care of what that money was supposed to cover that's not in here?
Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 37)The MET tax is being reintroduced in another form. It supposed to be revenue neutral.
Speaker NorelliWill the member yield to another question? The member yields. Representative Lambert, you may inquire.
Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44)I appreciate the member taking my question. I'm a little confused, though, because if I were to vote in favor of this, would I be violating my oath not to support any new taxation?
Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 37)I don't know if you took that oath or not, sir.
Speaker NorelliWill the member yield to a follow up? The member yields.
Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44)I did take such an oath and I am quite concerned that I might violate it by voting in favor of this and so just for clarification, would I be right that voting no would make it so that I was in compliance with my pledge to not support any new taxes? Rep. Ulery: It's not a new tax. It's an existing tax, but the base has been expanded. It could be reduced depending on how the Committee of Conference works out. Is that fair Dave? It's revenue neutral, sir.
Speaker NorelliWill the member yield to a follow up? The member yields.
Rep. George Lambert (R - Hills 44)Do we know that by the time it comes out of the Committee of Conference that it will be revenue neutral?
Speaker NorelliI would remind all members that any bill that comes back from Committee of Conference will get another vote. The question before the House is the majority committee report of Ought to Pass with Amendment on SB 369. This will be a division vote. Representative Comerford has requested a roll call. Is that sufficiently seconded? It is sufficiently seconded. This will be a roll call vote. Will members please take their seats? The question before the House is the majority committee report of Ought to Pass with Amendment on SB 369. This is a roll call vote. If you are in favor, you'll press the green button. If you are opposed, you'll press the red button. The Chair recognizes Representative Chandler for a Parliamentary Inquiry.
Rep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1)Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, if I know that the court decision has put us in a possible precarious position financially and I also know that the other body has passed a bill and taken a position and it is very important, if I further know, that this House have a position and if I know we can't have a position if we don't take a position, would I now press the green button.
Speaker NorelliThe question before the House is the majority committee report of Ought to Pass with Amendment on SB 369. This is a roll call vote. If you are in favor, you'll press the green button. If you are opposed, you'll press the red button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. Have all members voted who were here when the question was put? The House will be attentive to the state of the vote. 247 having voted in the affirmative, 28 in the negative, the majority committee report is adopted.
House Election Law recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2014-1694h, 10–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes) 1694h
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 164–124 on a roll call
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 Committee of Conference
House Resources, Recreation and Development recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 9–2.
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed 216–60 on a roll call
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 11–7; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).
Adopt the Amendment (Change the bill) 2014-1701h
Motion Failed 144–188 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15).
In the record: Adopt Amendment 2014-1701h
Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)
Spoke against the motionRep. Robert Renny Cushing (D - Rock 21)
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed 141–187 on a roll call
In the record: Table (Rep Vaillancourt)
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed 190–137 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Brenda Grady (D - Hills 21)
House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 18–5; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended Interim Study (IS), 10–8.
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
Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)
Motion Passed: Vote Reopened on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15).
Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)
Motion Failed 136–181 on a roll call
In the record: Refer to Interim Study
Spoke for the motionRep. Steve Vaillancourt (R - Hills 15)
Spoke against the motionRep. Benjamin Lefebvre (D - Sull 1)
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed 227–93 on a roll call
Also spoke during this billRep. Gene Chandler (R - Carr 1) Rep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Finance recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 23–0.
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote
House Finance recommended Interim Study (IS), 12–10.
Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)
Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study 151–127 on a roll call
In the record: Refer to Interim Study
Spoke for the motionRep. Stephen Spratt (D - Hills 4) Rep. David Huot (D - Belk 5)
Spoke against the motionRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2) Rep. Laurie Sanborn (R - Hills 2)
House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 20–3.
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
These belong to no bill. The House gives a member leave to address it, and what they said is part of the permanent record.