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Votes at a glance: Senate adopts amendment to House Bill 778 and updates rules
Summary
The New Hampshire Senate adopted an enrolled-bill amendment on House Bill 778 addressing disability retirement benefits and approved changes to the Senate rules; both actions passed by voice votes, the rules change by the necessary two-thirds majority.
The New Hampshire Senate took two formal votes on procedural and statutory housekeeping measures during the late session.
The chamber adopted an enrolled-bill amendment (number cited on the floor as 29209) to House Bill 778, which modifies disability retirement benefits to focus benefits on first responders who are permanently and physically incapacitated. Senator Avard offered the amendment on the Senate floor and said the change reconciles overlapping statutory changes made in HB 2 and the underlying bill so the two measures do not conflict. The amendment was adopted by voice vote after the presiding officer called for discussion and none was offered.
Separately, the Senate adopted an amendment to the Senate rules. Senator Birdsell moved the changes, which were discussed briefly on the floor. Senator Perkins Quilke spoke in favor of the rule changes and emphasized institutional restraint; Senator Bridal added historical context for a rule related to email and internet usage by members. The presiding officer announced the motion passed by the necessary two-thirds vote.
Why it matters: the HB 778 amendment clarifies disability-retirement statutory language related to first responders’ benefits so the enrolled versions of multiple bills do not conflict. The rules changes were presented as internal adjustments to chamber practice and passed with the supermajority required by the Senate rules.
Votes and procedure: both measures were adopted on voice votes; the rules amendment required and received the supermajority specified by Senate procedure. The Senate then recessed to the call of the chair for the remainder of the day.
