Prime sponsor urges 10-minute breaks after three hours of continuous legislative proceedings

Representative Wendy Thomas (Merrimack) introduced House Bill 118 to require a 10-minute break after three hours of continuous legislative proceedings, arguing the brief recess would protect legislators’ health and help working and caregiving members manage outside responsibilities.

"Allowing a 10 minute break every 3 hours of continuous legislative work supports the well-being, mental focus, and personal responsibility of older, employed, parents and caregivers," Thomas told the committee. She described possible physical effects of prolonged sitting and framed the proposal as a dignity and health protection for legislators.

Why it matters: Sessions and committee hearings sometimes run long without formal breaks; the bill would codify a pause schedule for both committee and floor proceedings. Sponsors framed the measure as an accommodation to keep legislators — who often hold outside employment or family caregiving roles — healthy and able to participate.

Discussion and questions

- Current practice: Thomas said the existing practice is to return after lunch (roughly 1 p.m.) and continue into the evening; on some days that can be several hours without an intervening recess. Members asked whether the committee or chair can already call for a break; Thomas said members could request it but she had not seen that happen consistently.

- Practicality and precedent: Committee members asked whether the rule could instead be accomplished by motion or by house rules rather than statute. Thomas said she introduced a bill rather than seeking a rule change because she wanted a permanent statutory protection "that should never be overturned." The clerk and other committee members noted practical questions about whether a single-member request for a pause would require the full house to stop during session.

- Personal testimony: Representative Wahl described having undergone knee surgeries and needing extra time to navigate the floor and return to votes; she supported the accommodation argument.

Process details and next steps

No formal votes were taken. Thomas said she would submit written testimony and the committee took questions from members and staff. John Garrigan, general counsel for the Department of Labor, attended as a neutral technical witness and provided guidance on enforcement and statutory penalty language when asked about other bills; he did not recommend enforcement mechanics for HB 118 specifically.

Taper: The committee closed the HB 118 hearing after Q&A and moved to the next scheduled bill.