New Hampshire Senate adopts rule amendments, meets House in joint convention and sets sponsor deadline

The New Hampshire Senate adopted several procedural measures during its session, including an amendment to the chamber’s rules, a resolution to meet the House of Representatives in joint convention to canvass votes for governor and executive council, and a deadline for sponsors and cosponsors to sign off on legislation, the presiding officer announced.

The moves set the immediate schedule and internal rules for the legislature’s early-session business, including referral of dozens of bills to committees and a temporary recess to allow legislators to introduce bills and schedule hearings.

The Senate opened with a prayer by Reverend Mark Warren and a moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter. After introductory remarks and staff introductions by the presiding officer, the Senate recessed briefly to hold a joint convention with the House.

In a voice vote, the chamber adopted a resolution to meet in joint convention with the House of Representatives “for the purpose of canvassing the votes for the governor and executive council.” The motion was offered on the floor by Senator Bridal and carried after the ayes were recorded.

Later in the session, Senator Bernthal moved “to amend the senate rules with the amendment provided in the senate calendar with the exception of senate rule 2-18.” The amendment was adopted by voice vote. The presiding officer later directed that, pursuant to rule 7:1 and after conferring with the minority leader, the deadline for sponsors and cosponsors to sign off on legislation would be extended to Friday, Jan. 17 at 4 p.m., to accommodate delays in bill processing and recent internet outages.

Senator Birtzel offered a resolution directing that a list of legislation be read a first and second time by title and re-referred to the committees indicated on the senate clerk’s list; that resolution was adopted by voice vote. Senator Burnside moved to adjourn the early session and open the late session, and that motion passed. Senator Birdsell then moved that the Senate recess to the call of the chair “for the purposes of introducing legislation, re-referring bills to committees, scheduling hearings, sending and receiving messages, vacating bills, processing and roll build reports, and amendments.” That motion also carried by voice vote.

Senator Waters praised the chamber’s cooperativity and leadership, saying, "it's awfully great to see you up there," and thanked the presiding officer for her leadership. The presiding officer stated that unanimous-consent entries and personal privileges would be placed in the permanent journal under rules 2-16 and 2-17.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution to meet in joint convention with the House to canvass votes for governor and executive council; mover: Senator Bridal; outcome: adopted (voice vote; "ayes have it").

- Motion to amend Senate rules with the amendment in the senate calendar, except senate rule 2-18; mover: Senator Bernthal; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Resolution to read legislation first and second time and re-refer per the clerk’s list; mover: Senator Birtzel; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Motion to adjourn early session and open late session; mover: Senator Burnside; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Motion to recess to the call of the chair for bill introduction and related business; mover: Senator Birdsell; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

No roll-call tallies were recorded on the transcript; outcomes were announced by voice votes.

The Senate recessed to the call of the chair to allow time for bill introductions and other procedural work; members were instructed to line up at the main door for the joint convention and to return to the chamber immediately after the joint session.