The House took up 26 bills: 1 together on the consent calendar, then 25 one by one, in the order told below.
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-2016-01-07,
title = {The House, Thursday, January 7, 2016},
howpublished = {Granite Record},
url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/H/2016-01-07},
note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026}
}The House assembled at 10:00 AM, a prayer was offered and Rep. June Frazer (D - Merr 13) led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presiding over the House during the day: Rep. Shawn Jasper (R - Hills 37), Speaker of the House.
The journal records 65 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. Ronald Belanger (R - Rock 8) Rep. Cynthia Chase (D - Ches 8) Rep. Daniel Donovan (R - Hills 2) Rep. Fred Doucette (R - Rock 25) Rep. Susan Emerson (R - Ches 11) Rep. Barbara French (D - Merr 6) Rep. Shem Kellogg (R - Rock 14) Rep. Robert Knowles (R - Straf 12) Rep. Norman Major (R - Rock 14) Rep. Anne Priestley (R - Rock 8) Rep. Chip Rice (D - Merr 27) Rep. Elisabeth Sanders (R - Rock 12) Rep. Stephen Schmidt (R - Carr 6) Rep. Carl Seidel (R - Hills 28) Rep. Douglas Thomas (R - Rock 5) Rep. Max Abramson (R - Rock 40) Rep. Brad Bailey (R - Graf 14) Rep. Benjamin Baroody (D - Hills 39) Rep. Richard Barry (R - Hills 21) Rep. Travis Bennett (D - Graf 8) Rep. Efstathia Booras (D - Hills 33) Rep. Amanda Bouldin (D - Hills 25) Rep. Duane Brown (R - Graf 16) Rep. Rebecca Brown (D - Graf 2) Rep. Edward Butler (D - Carr 7) Rep. Karel Crawford (R - Carr 4) Rep. Linda DiSilvestro (D - Hills 9) Rep. Robert Fisher (R - Belk 9) Rep. William Friel (R - Rock 14) Rep. Bart Fromuth (R - Hills 7) Rep. Janice Gardner (D - Straf 15) Rep. William Goulette (R - Hills 23) Rep. Robert Haefner (R - Hills 37) Rep. Joseph Hagan (R - Rock 4) Rep. Martha Hennessey, Rep. Patricia Higgins (D - Graf 12) Rep. Gregory Hill (R - Merr 3) Rep. Geoffrey Hirsch (D - Merr 6) Rep. Linda Kenison (D - Merr 15) Rep. Rebecca McBeath (D - Rock 28) Rep. David Milz (R - Rock 6) Rep. Robert Nigrello (R - Rock 16) Rep. William O'Brien (R - Hills 5) Rep. John O'Connor (R - Rock 6) Rep. Andrew O'Hearne (D - Sull 6) Rep. William O'Neil (D - Hills 9) Rep. Jeffrey Oligny (R - Rock 34) Rep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 5) Rep. Wendy Piper (D - Graf 10) Rep. David Russell (R - Belk 5) Rep. Tara Sad (D - Ches 1) Rep. Marjorie Smith (D - Straf 6) Rep. Suzanne Smith (D - Graf 8) Rep. Timothy Smith (D - Hills 17) Rep. Thomas Southworth (D - Straf 11) Rep. Franklin Sterling (R - Ches 14) Rep. Audrey Stevens (D - Straf 7) Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 8) Rep. Daniel Tamburello (R - Rock 5) Rep. Chris True (R - Rock 9) Rep. James Verschueren (D - Straf 13) Rep. Nick Zaricki (R - Hills 6) Rep. Alan Cohen (D - Hills 30) Rep. Beverly Ferrante (R - Rock 6) Rep. Jean Jeudy (D - Hills 23)
House Environment and Agriculture recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 15–2; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Richard Hinch (R - Hills 21).
In the record: Lay on Table
House Environment and Agriculture recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2473h, 15–2.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2473h
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2517h, 11–0.
Special Order (Take the bill up at a set time)
Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Rick Christie (R - Hills 6).
In the record: Special Order to after HB 636
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–0.
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2515h, 6–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 204–104 on a division
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2515h
Spoke for the motionRep. Mark Proulx (R - Hills 44)
Spoke against the motionRep. Peter Schmidt (D - Straf 19)
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2493h, 12–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 246–66 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2493h
Spoke for the motionRep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 2)
Spoke against the motionRep. J.R. Hoell (R - Merr 27)
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2508h, 6–5; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 158–151 on a division
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2508h
House Finance recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 15–10.
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed 184–130 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Lynne Ober (R - Hills 37)
Spoke against the motionRep. Thomas Buco (D - Carr 2)
House Executive Departments and Administration recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 8–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 7–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed 184–124 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. John Burt (R - Hills 39)
Spoke against the motionRep. Jonathan Manley (D - Hills 3)
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 7–5.
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
House Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–7; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).
Special Order (Take the bill up at a set time)
Motion Passed: Rescheduled on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Patrick Abrami (R - Rock 12).
In the record: Special Order to next order of business
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed 197–109 on a roll call
Spoke for the motionRep. Bill Ohm (R - Hills 36)
Spoke against the motionRep. Dick Ames (D - Ches 9)
House Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 16–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Passed: Resolution Tabled on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Richard Hinch (R - Hills 21).
In the record: Lay on Table
House Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2507h, 14–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2507h
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Rick Christie (R - Hills 6).
In the record: Lay on Table
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2543h, 14–0.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2543h and 2570h
Also spoke during this billRep. William Infantine (R - Hills 16)the record does not say which of the day's motions
House Legislative Administration recommended Interim Study (IS), 7–3; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).
Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)
Motion Failed 152–154 on a roll call
In the record: Refer for Interim Study
Spoke for the motionRep. Richard Hinch (R - Hills 21)
Spoke against the motionRep. Lucy Weber (D - Ches 1) Rep. Robert Elliott (R - Rock 8)
Also spoke during this billRep. Lawrence Kappler (R - Rock 3) Rep. Tammy Simmonsthe record does not say which of the day's motions
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 14–0.
Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote
Spoke for the motionRep. William Infantine (R - Hills 16)
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed 152–157 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. Richard Hinch (R - Hills 21).
In the record: Lay on Table
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 156–152 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2477h
Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)
Motion Passed: Vote Reopened 160–149 on a roll call
Moved by Rep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15).
Spoke against the motionRep. Steve Shurtleff (D - Merr 15)
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote
In the record: Lay on Table (Reps. Hinch, Shurtleff)
Remove from the Table (Take the bill back up)
Motion Passed: Back Before the House on a voice vote
In the record: Remove from Table (Reps. Hinch, Shurtleff)
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Failed 144–159 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2477h
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed 166–137 on a roll call
House Municipal and County Government recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 10–3.
Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)
Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote
Reconsider (Vote again on a decision)
Motion Failed: Earlier Vote Stands on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 29).
House Municipal and County Government recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2424h, 11–2.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 188–93 on a roll call
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2424h
Spoke for the motionRep. Jane Beaulieu (D - Hills 19) Rep. Marjorie Porter (D - Hills 30)
Spoke against the motionRep. Barbara Griffin (R - Hills 6) Rep. Steven Beaudoin (R - Straf 9)
House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 12–8; a minority, Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote
Moved by Rep. Robert Introne (R - Rock 5).
In the record: Lay on Table
House Science, Technology and Energy recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2359h, 14–6.
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2359h
House Special Committee on Public Employee Pension Plans recommended Interim Study (IS), 8–5; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)
Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study on a voice vote
In the record: Refer for Interim Study
Spoke for the motionRep. Frank Edelblut (R - Hills 38)
Spoke against the motionRep. Jeffrey Goley (D - Hills 21)
House Special Committee on Public Employee Pension Plans recommended Interim Study (IS), 9–4.
Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)
Motion Failed 130–139 on a division
Moved by Rep. Jeffrey Goley (D - Hills 21).
In the record: Lay on Table
Interim Study (IS, Study the bill after the session)
Motion Passed: Sent to Interim Study 170–97 on a division
In the record: Refer for Interim Study
House Education recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA) with amendment 2015-2538h, 12–7; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA, Pass the bill with changes)
Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 184–137 on a division
In the record: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2538h