How the Senate Operates

Following elections in November, the Senate meets on "organization day" in early December to elect the president, as well as the members of the Senate clerk's office — Senate clerk, assistant clerk, sergeant-at-arms, and doorkeeper — and to adopt rules of procedure. While the entire Senate elects the Senate president, historically, a member of the majority party fills this position. Also, because New Hampshire does not have a lieutenant governor, the Senate president serves as acting governor whenever the governor is out of the state or unable to perform the duties of the office.

Once elected, the Senate president assigns other leadership positions within his or her party. For the 2007-2008 session, those positions comprise the president pro tem, the majority leader, the deputy majority leader and the majority whip. In addition, the minority party appoints its own leaders, which this session comprise the Republican leader, and the deputy Republican leader.

December is also the time committee assignments are made. To assist the president in making assignments, members are asked about their preferences shortly after being elected. Senators generally serve on as many as four or five standing committees and may also be required to serve on joint and statutory committees.

Senate committee hearings take place in both the Statehouse and the Legislative Office Building, which is known by the initialism the LOB. Committees meet at times designated by the committee chairs and a schedule of committee hearings is published in the Senate Calendar, unless specific Senate rules require otherwise.

Each Senate committee is assigned a staff member who is responsible for producing hearing transcripts, and a legislative aide who monitors proposed legislation and any amendments.

Currently, there are 14 standing committees - Commerce, Consumer and Labor Protection, Capital Budget, Education, Energy, Environment and Economic Development, Wildlife, Fish and Game, Executive Departments and Administration, Finance, Health and Human Services, Election Law and Internal Affairs, Judiciary, Public and Municipal Affairs, Rules and Enrolled Bills, Transportation and Interstate Cooperation, and Ways and Means. Each committee has a chair and a vice chair, who preside at the public hearings.

When a bill is brought to the Senate floor, the chair or another member of the committee that considered the bill is called upon to explain the committee’s recommendation. After the committee report is heard, the bill is placed on second reading where it is open to amendment. The bill is then debated and a vote is taken.

The Senate often votes by a simple voice vote. However, should the president be in doubt about the outcome of a voice vote, he may call for a "division" at which time all members stand at their desks to indicate which way they are voting. The other type of vote is called a "roll-call" vote. Any member may request a roll-call vote by making a motion. If the motion is seconded, each member’s name is called by the clerk who then records that vote. Even if a roll call is not taken, a member may instruct the clerk to record his or her vote on the question.

Because the body is comprised of only 24 members, debate in the Senate is somewhat less regimented than in New Hampshire's 400-member House. Every measure that comes before the Senate is open to debate. If a member wishes to rise during debate — either to speak or to ask a question — he or she must be recognized by the presiding officer.

Once passed in the Senate, a bill is sent to the House. The House may pass the bill as received, pass it with amendment(s), kill it — also known as "inexpedient to legislate" — or refer it to committee for further study. If the House passes the Senate bill, the legislation then goes to the governor, who can sign the bill into law, veto it or allow the measure to become law without his or her signature.