The Senate, Tuesday, May 13, 1997

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

Journal
Senate Journal 17
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, Tuesday, May 13, 1997.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-05-13. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). The Senate, Tuesday, May 13, 1997. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-05-13
Chicago
Granite Record. “The Senate, Tuesday, May 13, 1997.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-05-13.
BibTeX
@misc{session-S-1997-05-13, title = {The Senate, Tuesday, May 13, 1997}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/session/S/1997-05-13}, 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 1 (1997)Died
relating to a 4-year term for the office of governor. Providing that the governor shall be elected every 4 years beginning in the year 2002.
Rep. Keans (Straf 16) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Constitutional Amendments

Senate Internal Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 4–2.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed 16–8 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✕SenateMay 13, 1997Voters
CACR 10 (1997)Died
relating to municipalities' home rule. municipalities shall have home rule authority to exercise any powers not specifically prohibited by the state or federal constitutions or any statute.
Rep. G. Brown (Straf 17) House Municipal and County Government Senate Internal Affairs

Senate Internal Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 5–2.

Re-ref

Motion Failed 11–13 on a roll call

Moved by Sen. J King.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✕SenateMay 13, 1997Voters
HB 121 (1997)Became Law
relative to quality review for accountancy, requiring the board of accountancy to adopt administrative rules, and giving the board of accountancy authority to revoke certain certificates and permits.
Rep. Dodge (Rock 4) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 8, 1997✓HouseMar 5, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 10, 1997✓LawAug 9, 1997
HB 136 (1997)Became Law
relative to the division of fire standards and training and the fire standards and training commission.
Rep. Hunter (Hills 7) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 8–0.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateMay 15, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 149-FN (1997)Died
relative to the regulation of the profession of physical therapy.
Rep. Dodge (Rock 4) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 5–2.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseFeb 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✕GovernorJun 19, 1997✕LawJun 25, 1997
HB 151-FN-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
establishing comprehensive medical, physical and psychological standards for law enforcement officers.
Rep. Pepino (Hills 40) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Executive Departments and Administration Police

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 7–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓HouseApr 2, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 181 (1997)Became Law
prohibiting the sale or distribution of exotic aquatic weeds and increasing certain fees.
Rep. Lamach (Merr 3) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Environment Environment - Administration

Senate Environment 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 8, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 183 (1997)Became Law
relative to the state representative districts of towns.
Rep. Adams (Merr 9) House Election Law Senate Internal Affairs Elections

Senate Internal Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 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 8, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateJun 10, 1997✓GovernorJun 21, 1997✓LawAug 20, 1997
HB 210 (1997)Became Law
requiring that an applicant to a planning or zoning board wishing to subdivide property supply the names of holders of conservation, preservation, or agricultural preservation restrictions on the subdivision property, who will then be notified
Rep. Metzger (Ches 13) House Municipal and County Government Senate Executive Departments and Administration Zoning and Planning

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 4–3.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 12, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 300 (1997)Became Law
establishing a study committee on judicial pensions.
Rep. Kurk (Hills 5) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Executive Departments and Administration Study Committees and Commissions

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateMay 22, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawAug 17, 1997
HB 329 (1997)Became Law
clarifying the applicability of the fireman's rule.
Rep. DePecol (Ches 14) House Judiciary and Family Law Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 338 (1997)Became Law
relative to the duty to deliver a copy of process to prisoners.
Rep. Dokmo (Hills 14) House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Senate Judiciary Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

Accede to the Request for a Committee of Conference (Agree to a conference)

Motion Passed: Conference Agreed on a voice vote

In the record: Accede to Request for Committee of Conference

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 19, 1997✓SenateMar 27, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawAug 18, 1997
HB 340 (1997)Became Law
relative to the real estate commission and its licensing and bonding requirements.
Rep. Dokmo (Hills 14) House Commerce Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 12, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 378 (1997)Became Law
regulating the practice of acupuncture.
Rep. J. Bradley (Carr 8) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 18, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 445 (1997)Became Law
extending the reporting date of the paperless title system study committee.
Rep. Fesh (Rock 13) House Transportation Senate Transportation

Senate Transportation 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✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
HB 447 (1997)Became Law
eliminating the grandfather clause for licensure of professional engineers, relative to the board of professional engineers, and relative to certain requirements for the practice of architecture.
Rep. Alger (Graf 9) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 453 (1997)Became Law
relative to the bank commissioner's regulation of sales finance companies and retail sellers and relative to check collection charges.
Rep. Hunt (Ches 10) House Commerce Senate Banks

Senate Banks 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 18, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓Law
HB 469 (1997)Became Law
relative to the rules of the board of dental examiners.
Rep. Copenhaver (Graf 10) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration Occupational Regulation

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 18, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 473 (1997)Became Law
relative to the use of watercraft and boats on the waters of Chocorua Lake in the town of Tamworth.
Rep. Mock (Carr 3) House Transportation Senate Transportation Environment - Conservation

Senate Transportation 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✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 528-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
relative to municipal water, gas and electric utilities.
Rep. J. Bradley (Carr 8) House Science, Technology and Energy Senate Executive Departments and Administration Energy and Utilities

Senate Executive Departments and Administration 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 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 586 (1997)Became Law
changing the expiration date of OHRV registrations.
Rep. Pfaff (Merr 11) House Transportation Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

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

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 588-FN (1997)Became Law
relative to certification of operators of solid waste plants, water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants, and adding late renewal fees.
Rep. Dickinson (Carr 2) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Environment Environment - Administration

Senate Environment recommended Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA), 3–2.

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

Motion Passed: Bill Passed with Changes 20–4 on a roll call

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseApr 2, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 19, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 632-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
replacing the current membership of the water well board and changing the term of office for water well board members.
Rep. Emerton (Hills 7) House Executive Departments and Administration Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Re-refer to Committee, 4–3.

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 18, 1997✓SenateMay 28, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓LawJul 23, 1997
HB 653-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
relative to address numbers on streets and highways and relative to penalties for violations of certain planning and zoning laws.
Rep. LaRose (Hills 27) House Municipal and County Government Senate Executive Departments and Administration Zoning and Planning

Senate Executive Departments and Administration recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 6–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 3, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HB 677-FN (1997)Became Law
increasing the wetlands excavating and dredging permit fee for major and minor projects.
Rep. Dickinson (Carr 2) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Environment Environment - Administration

Senate Environment 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✓HouseApr 2, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawJul 1, 1997
HB 693 (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to examine water quality issues.
Rep. Martin (Hills 34) House Resources, Recreation and Development Senate Internal Affairs Study Committees and Commissions

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 29, 1997✓HouseMar 19, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 18, 1997✓LawAug 17, 1997
HB 792-FN-LOCAL (1998)Died
prohibiting trusts and other legal devises from being used to shelter wealth for the purposes of medicaid eligibility.
Rep. Kurk (Hills 5) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Banks Public and Mental Health

Lay on the Table (Set the bill aside)

Motion Passed: Bill Tabled on a voice vote

In the record: Laid on Table

✓IntroducedJan 29, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✕SenateJan 29, 1998Governor✕LawJan 29, 1998
HB 797 (1997)Became Law
requiring emergency vehicles to stop for school buses, and requiring the use of both audible and visual emergency signals, in certain circumstances.
Rep. Cooper (Carr 2) House Transportation Senate Transportation Motor Vehicles

Senate Transportation recommended Ought to Pass (OTP), 4–0.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Passed: Bill Passed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedFeb 12, 1997✓HouseMar 12, 1997✓SenateMay 13, 1997✓GovernorJun 3, 1997✓LawJan 1, 1998
HCR 9 (1997)Died
urging the governor and general court to take action to bring about property tax relief.
Rep. Barbara French House Local and Regulated Revenues Senate Internal Affairs

Senate Internal Affairs recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 4–1.

Ought to Pass (OTP, Pass the bill)

Motion Failed 8–16 on a roll call

Moved by Sen. K Wheeler.

Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL, Kill the bill)

Motion Passed: Resolution Killed on a voice vote

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓HouseFeb 26, 1997✕SenateMay 13, 1997
SB 115-LOCAL (1997)Became Law
establishing a committee to study issues relating to the withdrawal of a receiving district from an area school district.
Sen. Johnson (SD3) House Education Senate Public Affairs Study Committees and Commissions

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateFeb 6, 1997✓HouseApr 23, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawJun 9, 1997
SB 138 (1997)Became Law
establishing teacher appreciation day.
Sen. Pignatelli (SD13) House Education Senate Education

Concur with the Amendment (Accept the other chamber's changes)

Motion Passed: Changes Accepted on a voice vote

In the record: Concur

✓IntroducedJan 9, 1997✓SenateFeb 20, 1997✓HouseApr 23, 1997✓GovernorJun 9, 1997✓LawAug 8, 1997
SB 21 (1997)Became Law
excepting persons who are 17 years old and graduated from high school from the youth employment law and establishing a committee to study the youth employment law.
Sen. Pignatelli (SD13) House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Senate Insurance Employment

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: Nonconcur and Request Committee of Conference

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateFeb 20, 1997✓HouseMay 7, 1997✓GovernorJun 20, 1997✓LawAug 19, 1997
SB 4 (1997)Became Law
relative to patient information.
Sen. K. Wheeler (SD21) House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Senate Insurance Public and Mental Health

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: Nonconcur and Request Committee of Conference

✓IntroducedJan 8, 1997✓SenateFeb 6, 1997✓HouseApr 2, 1997✓GovernorJun 23, 1997✓Law