The Senate, Wednesday, February 21, 1996

The Senate took up 34 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
Senate Journal 9
Votes Taken
1 roll call, 1 division30 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 Senate, Wednesday, February 21, 1996.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1996-02-21. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The Senate, Wednesday, February 21, 1996. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1996-02-21
Chicago
Granite Record. “The Senate, Wednesday, February 21, 1996.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1996-02-21.
BibTeX
@misc{session-S-1996-02-21, title = {The Senate, Wednesday, February 21, 1996}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1996-02-21}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

The Senate journal does not record who spoke for or against a motion, so this is the vote record without the debate.

What the Senate 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.

SB 504 (1996)Died
relative to the legal killing of certain dogs.
Sen. Cohen (SD24) Senate Public Affairs Animals

Senate Public Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 4–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateMar 6, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawMar 6, 1996
SB 514 (1996)Died
relative to the definition of personal watercraft and authorizing certain residents to petition the commissioner of safety to allow the use of personal watercraft on previously restricted water bodies.
Sen. Johnson (SD3) House Transportation Senate Fish and Game/Recreation Environment - Conservation

Senate Fish and Game/Recreation recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 4–3; a minority, Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 14–10 on a roll call

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateMar 6, 1996✕HouseApr 18, 1996Governor✕LawApr 18, 1996
SB 515 (1996)Became Law
relative to venue for arraignment and bail of defaulters and to waivers of driver's license suspensions for certain defaults.
Sen. Johnson (SD3) House Corrections and Criminal Justice Senate Judiciary

Senate Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 5–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 3, 1996✓LawJun 3, 1996
SB 527 (1996)Became Law
establishing a committee to study methods of promoting competition among water utilities.
Sen. Colantuono (SD14) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Executive Departments and Administration Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 4–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 2, 1996✓GovernorApr 24, 1996✓LawJun 23, 1996
SB 530 (1996)Interim Study
authorizing the court to suspend the motor vehicle driver's license of a person convicted of criminal mischief.
Sen. Cohen (SD24) House Corrections and Criminal Justice Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

Senate Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseApr 18, 1996Governor✕LawJun 13, 1996
SB 534 (1996)Died
requiring candidates to report when either receipts or expenditures exceed a certain amount.
Sen. Shaheen (SD21) House Constitutional and Statutory Revision Senate Executive Departments and Administration Elections

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 4–0.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateMar 7, 1996✕HouseApr 18, 1996Governor✕LawApr 18, 1996
SB 537 (1996)Became Law
relative to state contracts for consultants.
Sen. Shaheen (SD21) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 4–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 2, 1996✓GovernorMay 15, 1996✓LawJul 14, 1996
SB 541-FN-A (1996)Became Law
exempting the healthy kids corporation from the insurance premium tax.
Sen. Larsen (SD15) House Finance Senate Insurance Insurance

Senate Insurance recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 6–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorMay 15, 1996✓LawJul 1, 1996
SB 542-FN (1996)Died
relative to license and registration suspensions, increasing the registration restoration fee and clarifying regulations regarding the registration and fees for semi-trailers.
Sen. Cohen (SD24) House Transportation Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

Senate Transportation recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–1.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateMar 20, 1996✕HouseMay 1, 1996Governor✕LawMay 1, 1996
SB 546-FN (1996)Interim Study
relative to self-employment for certain public assistance recipients.
Sen. Larsen (SD15) Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Welfare/Medicare/Medicaid

Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services recommended Interim Study (IS), 5–2.

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

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawMay 29, 1996
SB 552 (1996)Became Law
relative to life, accident, and health insurance, nonprofit health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations.
Sen. Rodeschin (SD8) House Commerce, Small Business, Consumer Affairs and Economic Development Senate Insurance Insurance

Senate Insurance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 3, 1996✓LawJan 1, 1997
SB 559-FN-LOCAL (1996)Died
declaring proposed public collective bargaining agreements to be public records subject to inspection.
Sen. Barnes (SD17) House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Senate Public Affairs Employment

Senate Public Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 3–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 18, 1996Governor✕Law
SB 562-FN-LOCAL (1996)Died
returning municipal ordinance fines to the municipalities.
Sen. Pignatelli (SD13) Senate Judiciary

Senate Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 6–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateMar 7, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawMar 7, 1996
SB 573 (1996)Became Law
relative to the issuance by courts of telephonic emergency temporary orders.
Sen. Podles (SD16) House Corrections and Criminal Justice Senate Judiciary Civil Actions

Senate Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 10, 1996✓LawJun 10, 1996
SB 588 (1996)Became Law
relative to tenant eviction proceedings.
Sen. Lovejoy (SD6) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Judiciary Housing

Senate Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorMay 24, 1996✓LawJan 1, 1997
SB 590 (1996)Became Law
establishing a committee to study the feasibility of requiring insurers to cover early intervention services.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Commerce, Small Business, Consumer Affairs and Economic Development Senate Insurance Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Insurance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 3, 1996✓LawJun 3, 1996
SB 594 (1996)Became Law
relative to procedures under the official ballot option to town meeting and establishing a committee to examine procedural aspects of the official ballot law.
Sen. Lovejoy (SD6) House Municipal and County Government Senate Public Affairs Municipalities

Senate Public Affairs recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 4–1.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateMar 6, 1996✓HouseApr 18, 1996✓GovernorJun 10, 1996✓LawJun 10, 1996
SB 608-FN-LOCAL (1996)Died
requiring the department of safety to perform a background check to determine if an applicant for a motor vehicle registration is a wanted felon and deleting a waiver provision relating to retention of photo images and social security numbers.
Sen. Roberge (SD9) Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

Senate Transportation recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 7–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawFeb 21, 1996
SB 619 (1996)Became Law
relative to the voluntary administration of estates.
Sen. Gordon (SD2) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services

Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 7–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 3, 1996✓LawJan 1, 1997
SB 623 (1996)Became Law
establishing a committee to study an optional retirement program for employees of the department of regional community-technical colleges.
Sen. Fraser (SD4) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Insurance Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Insurance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 10, 1996✓LawJun 10, 1996
SB 624 (1996)Died
establishing a committee to study ways to promote the safest hypodermic needle to eliminate the transmission of bloodborne diseases.
Sen. J. King (SD18) Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 3–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawFeb 21, 1996
SB 628-LOCAL (1996)Died
relative to authority over certain accident scenes.
Sen. Stawasz (SD12) Senate Transportation

Senate Transportation recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 5–2.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateMay 16, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawMay 16, 1996
SB 629 (1996)Became Law
relative to testamentary additions to trusts.
Sen. Gordon (SD2) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Judiciary

Senate Judiciary recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 6–0.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateFeb 21, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996✓GovernorJun 3, 1996✓LawJan 1, 1997
SB 634 (1996)Died
establishing a committee to study the feasibility of legislative review of judges and term limitations on judicial appointments.
Sen. Thomas Stawasz Senate Judiciary Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 5–1.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawFeb 21, 1996
SB 644 (1996)Died
clarifying the definition of a meeting under the right-to-know law.
Sen. Stawasz (SD12) Senate Public Affairs Right to Know

Senate Public Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 4–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawFeb 21, 1996
SB 646-FN (1996)Died
establishing a committee to study alternative sentencing for persons convicted of drug-related offenses and nonviolent crimes.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Corrections and Criminal Justice Senate Judiciary Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 5–1.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✓SenateMar 7, 1996✓HouseApr 17, 1996Governor✕Law
SB 649-FN (1996)Died
relative to the definition of "self-support reserve" used in determining an obligor's child support obligation.
Sen. Stawasz (SD12) Senate Judiciary Domestic Relations

Senate Judiciary recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 6–0.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 3, 1996✕SenateFeb 21, 1996HouseGovernor✕LawFeb 21, 1996