This is a chronicling of the actions of the NH House of Representatives convened in General Session as presented by the Speaker’s Office on February 11, 2015.  

Resignation

A resignation letter submitted by Rep. Ann Howe (r-Rockingham, 13) was accepted .

 

Suspension of the Rules

On a voice vote, the House passed a motion to suspend the House Rules for the purpose of introducing HB1, HB2 and HB 25.

 

Consent Calendar

The following bills were removed from the Consent Calendar.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety-HB 492

Election Law: HB 133

Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs-HB 101

Judiciary-CACR 8, HB 246

Legislative Administration-HB 338, HR 6, HR 8

Municipal and County Government-HB 145

 

HB 330 was referred to the Committee on Finance

HB 344 was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

 

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW

HB 168, relative to grounds for divorce for persons with minor children. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. (Majority report of ITL passed, voice vote)

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

HB 245, establishing a committee to study state and county departments of corrections. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS  (Majority report of ITL passed, voice vote)

HB 597-FN, relative to penalties for indecent exposure and lewdness. MAJORITY: OUGHT TO PASS. MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.  (Recommitted to committee, voice vote)

 

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

HB 119, establishing the John G. Winant Memorial Commission. MAJORITY: OUGHT TO PASS. MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.(Majority report of OTP passed, voice vote)

(Amendment to move the memorial to Winant Park, Concord failed, voice vote)

HB 642-FN-L, allowing gold and silver as lawful mediums of exchange. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. (Majority report  of ITL passed, voice vote)

 

FINANCE

HB 176-FN-A-L, relative to towns affected by the Merrimack River flood control compact and the Connecticut River flood control compact and making an appropriation therefor. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.

(Majority report of ITL passed, RC, 221-127)

 

JUDICIARY

HB 194, providing that life begins at conception. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS   (Majority report of ITL passed, RC, 246-104)

HB 269, allowing a landlord to collect first and last month’s rent in addition to a security deposit. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS. (majority report of ITL passed, Div. vote, 187-167)

 

LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION

HB 371, relative to assessing the consequences of the Citizens United decision. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS. (Majority report of ITL passed, RC, 194-157)

(Motion to print Rep.Elliot’s remarks on HB 371 in the permanent journal passed, division vote, 178-173)

 

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT

HB 147, relative to the homestead exemption amount. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT. (Majority report of OTP/A passed, voice vote)

 

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY

HB 153, relative to the telecommunications planning and development advisory committee. MAJORITY: OUGHT TO PASS. MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. (Majority report OTP passed, voice vote)

HB 362, relative to the reliability of the electric grid. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT. (Majority report of OTP/A passed, voice vote)

 

A motion to reconsider HB 269 was defeated in a RC vote, 204-145.

 

Removed from the Consent Calendar

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

HB 492, relative to military and historic reenactments and commemorations. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT  (Motion to recommit to committee passed on a voice vote)

 

ELECTION LAW

HB 133, relative to recounts on questions. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT. (Motion to recommit to committee failed on a Division vote, 193-157. The majority report then passed on a voice vote)

 

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS

HB 101, relative to prescription refills. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. (Majority report of ITL passed, RC, 191-151)

 

JUDICIARY

CACR 8, Relating to the nomination and appointment of officers. Providing that judicial officers shall be confirmed by the legislature.INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE (Majority report  of ITL passed, RC, 242-101)

HB 246, relative to jury nullification. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE (Majority report  of ITL passed, RC, 225-115)

 

LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION

HB 338, relative to nomination of candidates for United States senator. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE (Majority report  of ITL passed, RC, 252-75)

HR 6, recognizing February 26, 2015, as the 23rd anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy in Azerbaijan. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE (Motion to table the bill passes, voice vote)

HR 8, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Social Security Act of 1965. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE  (Majority report  of ITL passed, RC, 255-71)

 

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT

HB 145, allowing municipalities to dedicate a percentage of timber yield taxes to the conservation fund. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE  (Majority report of ITL passed, voice vote)

 

Motion to adopt HR 12 (affirming the revenue estimates presented by House Ways & Means)  (the estimates are adopted, voice vote)

Motion to table HR 12 (motion passes, voice vote)