The Senate, Thursday, April 24, 1997

The Senate took up 41 bills, listed below by bill.

Journal
Senate Journal 13
Votes Taken
4 roll calls39 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, Thursday, April 24, 1997.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-04-24. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The Senate, Thursday, April 24, 1997. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-04-24
Chicago
Granite Record. “The Senate, Thursday, April 24, 1997.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-04-24.
BibTeX
@misc{session-S-1997-04-24, title = {The Senate, Thursday, April 24, 1997}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-04-24}, 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.

CACR 18 (1997)Not Ratified
relating to references to the governor in the constitution. that all references to the governor in the constitution shall be gender neutral.
Rep. Cushing (Rock 22) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Internal Affairs Constitutional Amendments

Senate Internal Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 7–0.

Adopt (Approve the resolution)

Motion Passed: Resolution Adopted on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕VotersNov 3, 1998
HB 215 (1997)Became Law
relative to taxation of discretionary easements.
Rep. Philbrick (Carr 4) House Municipal and County Government Senate Banks

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 12, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawMay 19, 1997
HB 216 (1997)Became Law
relative to municipal budgets.
Rep. Brundige (Hills 18) House Municipal and County Government Senate Banks Municipalities

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 5, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 12, 1997✓LawJul 11, 1997
HB 249 (1997)Became Law
clarifying the authority of local police officers to serve cease and desist orders against planning and zoning violations.
Rep. Dolan (Rock 12) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Public Affairs

Senate Public Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 5–2.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 3, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 252 (1997)Became Law
relative to posting of bylaws in advance of any town election.
Rep. Holden (Hills 14) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Elections

Senate Internal Affairs 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 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawAug 18, 1997
HB 255 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study access to dental care for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured persons.
Rep. French (Merr 3) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Study Committees and Commissions

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 9, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawJul 18, 1997
HB 264 (1997)Became Law
relative to technical committees advising the director of the office of information technology management on technical issues.
Rep. S. Holley (Hills 28) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Internal Affairs State Government

Senate Internal Affairs 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 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 19, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 3, 1997✓LawAug 2, 1997
HB 332 (1997)Became Law
repealing the law which prohibits an entity which conducts horse or dog racing from employing a member of the general court.
Rep. McGuirk (Ches 1) House Legislative Administration Senate Internal Affairs

Senate Internal Affairs recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 5–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawJul 18, 1997
HB 370 (1997)Became Law
updating and making technical corrections in certain banking laws.
Rep. Hunt (Ches 10) House Commerce Senate Banks

Senate Banks 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 9, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJun 18, 1997
HB 379-FN (1997)Died
requiring all candidates for speaker of the house or senate president to file certain reports of contributions and to register as political committees.
Rep. J. Bradley (Carr 8) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Elections

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

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997SenateApr 24, 1997Governor✕LawSep 24, 1998
HB 398 (1997)Became Law
allowing Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire to issue plans to individuals.
Rep. Hunt (Ches 10) House Commerce Senate 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 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 19, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawJul 18, 1997
HB 404 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study providing universal catastrophic health coverage by establishing a statewide catastrophic risk pool.
Rep. Allen (Hills 1) House Commerce Senate Insurance Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Insurance 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 9, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawAug 17, 1997
HB 415 (1997)Became Law
establishing a nighttime speed limit for OHRVs traveling on the frozen surface of Back Lake in the town of Pittsburg.
Rep. G. Merrill (Coos 1) House Transportation Senate Transportation Transportation and Highways

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 21, 1997✓LawJul 20, 1997
HB 434 (1997)Became Law
relative to milk products of sheep and goats and milk producer permits and allowing the commissioner of the department of health and human services to impose certain administrative fines.
Rep. Crosby (Merr 20) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Public and Mental Health

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 516-FN (1997)Became Law
increasing the fuel oil discharge cleanup fund fee.
Rep. Holbrook (Belk 7) House Finance Senate Environment

Senate Finance 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 9, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 540 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study ways in which state agencies can be encouraged to assist small businesses to develop practices that comply with state law.
Rep. D. Lawton (Belk 1) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Economic Development Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Economic Development recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 7–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 19, 1997✓LawMay 19, 1997
HB 628 (1997)Became Law
relative to an agreement or contract for the Mount Sunapee or Cannon Mountain ski area operations, or both, establishing a committee to develop a proposal and review responses, and requiring review of any agreement or contract by the capital
Rep. E. Smith (Ches 6) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Wildlife and Recreation

Senate Wildlife and Recreation 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 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 809 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study the feasibility of bringing the New England Patriots to New Hampshire.
Rep. Hurt (Belk 4) House Commerce Senate Economic Development Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Economic Development recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 7–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedFeb 26, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓GovernorMay 21, 1997✓LawJul 20, 1997
SB 168-A (1998)Died
requiring the department of corrections to prepare and enter into a lease-purchase agreement with the Berlin Economic Development Council for a medium security correctional facility to be constructed in Berlin and making an appropriation there
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Public Works and Highways Senate Capital Budget

Senate Capital Budget recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 7–0.

Adopt the Committee Amendment (Accept the committee's changes)

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 19–4 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Committee Amendment

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕HouseJan 7, 1998Governor✕LawJan 7, 1998
SB 181-FN (1997)Died
allowing certain prisoners to earn good conduct credits reducing such person's minimum sentence and establishing a committee to study permitting certain prisoners to be sentenced to substance abuse treatment centers.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed 15–8 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕HouseMay 20, 1997Governor✕LawMay 20, 1997
SB 196-FN-LOCAL (1997)Died
allowing the transmission of simulcast races at grand hotels.
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Local and Regulated Revenues Senate Ways and Means Gambling

Senate Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 5–1.

Adopt the Committee Amendment (Accept the committee's changes)

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 12–10 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Committee Amendment

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✕HouseMay 20, 1997Governor✕LawMay 20, 1997
SB 202 (1997)Died
relative to the certification and recertification of teachers, supervisors, and administrators, high school graduation examinations, school building aid, and establishing a committee to study school discipline and manifest educational hard
Sen. Rubens (SD5) House Education Senate Education Education - General

Senate Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 5–1.

Adopt the Committee Amendment (Accept the committee's changes)

Motion Passed: Amendment Adopted 14–8 on a roll call

In the record: Adopt Committee Amendment

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997✕GovernorJun 18, 1997✕LawJun 25, 1997
SB 209-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to a residential care services program and establishing a residential care oversight committee.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services

Senate Finance 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 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
SB 216 (1997)Died
relative to pari-mutuel racing and taxes on pari-mutuel pools.
Sen. F. King (SD1) House Local and Regulated Revenues Senate Ways and Means Gambling

Senate Finance recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 5–1.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 23, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseMay 28, 1997Governor✕Law
SB 54-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to earnable compensation after termination, creditable service for job-sharing teachers, and gainful occupation of disability beneficiaries in the New Hampshire retirement system.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Insurance Retirement

Senate Finance 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 9, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseMay 20, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓Law
SB 68-FN-LOCAL (1998)Became Law
providing health care coverage for the spouse and dependents of any group I or group II retirement system member who is killed in the line of duty.
Sen. J. King (SD18) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Insurance Retirement

Senate Finance recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 7–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateApr 24, 1997✓HouseJan 29, 1998✓GovernorJun 24, 1998✓LawAug 23, 1998
SB 73-FN (1998)Died
providing that telecommunications poles and lines be subject to the property tax.
Sen. Whipple (SD8) House Local and Regulated Revenues Senate Ways and Means Taxes - Local

Senate Ways and Means recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 4–2; a minority, Ought to Pass (OTP).

Recommit (Send the bill back to committee)

Motion Passed: Sent Back to Committee

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

Motion Passed: Rules Suspended

Moved by Sen. Russman.

In the record: Suspend Rules for report

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateJan 29, 1998✕HouseSep 24, 1998Governor✕LawSep 24, 1998