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Floor Number: 301 Clerk Number: 299
INDIVIDUAL SELF SUFFICIENCY INITIATIVE
Messrs. Joyce and Montigny, and Ms. Spilka moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, by inserting after item 7004-4314 the following item:
"7004-9003 For a program to provide transitional housing to homeless individuals; provided that grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis, pursuant to criteria established by the department of housing and community development, to regional non-profit housing associations, so called, to provide housing units for up to one year to homeless individuals who are working to transition into private housing.........$2,500,000"
Floor Number: 302 Clerk Number: 288
PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING AUTHORITIES
Mr. Joyce and Ms. Chandler, Ms. Fargo, Messrs. Knapik, Creedon, Tarr, Antonioni and. Tolman, Ms. Tucker, Ms. Spilka, Messrs. Hedlund, Augustus, Barrios, McGee and Brewer moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7004-9005, by striking out the figure "$34,871,170" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$37,000,000".
Floor Number: 303 Clerk Number: 279
MRVP
Mr. Joyce, Ms. Fargo, Ms. Spilka, Ms. Chandler, Messrs. O'Leary, Antonioni, Barrios and McGee moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item in item 7004-9024, by striking out "there shall be no maximum percentage applicable to the amount of income paid for rent by each household holding a mobile voucher or project-based voucher, but each household shall pay at least 30 per cent but not more than 40 per cent of its income as rent;" and by inserting in its place:-- "each household holding a project-based voucher shall pay at least 30 per cent but not more than 35 per cent of its income as rent, and each household holding a mobile voucher shall pay at least 30 per cent but not more than 40 per cent of its income as rent;" And hereby further amend said item by striking out the figure "$26,283,345" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$36,283,345".
Floor Number: 304 Clerk Number: 240
ALTERNATIVE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM
Messrs. Joyce, Barrios and O'Leary, Mr. Tucker and Ms. Fargo moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7004-9030, by striking out the figure "$2,300,000" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$3,000,000".
Floor Number: 305 Clerk Number: 668
Withdrawn
Floor Number: 306 Clerk Number: 182
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND
Messrs. Barrios and Joyce, Ms. Tucker, Mr. Knapik, Ms. Fargo moved that the bill be amended, by adding at the end the following new section:--
SECTION ____. Not later than 10 days after the effective date of this act, the comptroller shall transfer $2,000,000 from the General Fund to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, established by chapter 121D of the General Laws.
Floor Number: 307 Clerk Number: 237
AFFORDABLE HOUSING LANGUAGE UPDATE
Mr. Joyce moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after Section______, the following new Section:-
SECTION___. Section 20 of Chapter 40B, is hereby amended by inserting after the word "organization" in line 9 : - "Low or moderate income housing shall include life leases granted to residents by non-profit entities, incorporated under Chapter 180 and 501 c. 3 of the IRS code. This requirement shall apply to current and future projects."
Floor Number: 308 Clerk Number: 432
SENIOR RENTAL UNITS
Mr. Hedlund moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after Section 109, the following Section: -
SECTION 110. All senior housing requiring an entrance deposit and a monthly fee shall be considered as rental housing units.
Floor Number: 309 Clerk Number: 546
DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE OPERATING BUDGET
Messrs. Morrissey, Knapik, Baddour and Havern, Ms. Tucker, Messrs. Tisei, Joyce, Brewer, Nuciforo and Augustus, Ms. Resor, Messrs. Hedlund and Hart, Ms. Chandler, and Mr. Timilty moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7006-0040 by striking out the figure "$3,180,940" and inserting in place thereof the following new figure:- "$4,689,529".
Floor Number: 310 Clerk Number: 412
OFFICE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Messrs. Lees, Knapik and Brown moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0300 by striking out "$1,338,574" and inserting in place thereof "$2,656,021".
Floor Number: 311 Clerk Number: 549
RELATIVE TO ESTABLISHING A MASSACHUSETTS FILM OFFICE
Ms. Creem moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0300, by by inserting after the word "industries;" the following wording:- "provided, that the office shall establish a Massachusetts Film Office that shall be the primary service provider for film production and development in the commonwealth;"
SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE
Messrs. Lees, Tarr and Brown moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2 by inserting after line item 7007-0300 the following new line item:-
7007-0312 For the implementation and operation of the small business initiative ............................................$1,500,000
Floor Number: 313 Clerk Number: 223
FISHING INDUSTRY SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDY
Messrs. Tarr, Hedlund and Montigny moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0515, by inserting after the words "Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission" the following words: - "not less than $60,000 of which shall be expended for the purposes of a socio-economic study and analysis of the commonwealth's fishing industry."
Floor Number: 314 Clerk Number: 380
SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Ms. Chandler moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, by striking out item 7007-0515 and inserting in place thereof the following item:-
"7007-0515 For economic development grants to be administered by the department of business and technology; provided, that not less than $150,000 be expended on the Cape Cod Regional Incubator Project to be operated by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended on the operation of the Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for a grant to the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation established in chapter 301 of the acts of 1998; provided further, that $350,000 shall be expended for a grant to the Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development for the purpose of enhancing economic development related services, including but not limited to implementation of a statewide online site finder to assist business growth; and provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for grants to community development corporations, community development financial institutions or other private, not-for-profit community-based organizations, for the purpose of providing technical assistance or training to very small businesses with 20 employees or less; provided, that grants shall be awarded to those community development corporations, community development financial institutions or other private, not-for-profit community-based organizations with a track record of success in providing technical assistance or training to such businesses..............................$2,950,000".
Floor Number: 315 Clerk Number: 10
GRAND VIEW FARM
Mr. Havern moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by inserting after the word "Games;" the following: "provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for a tourism promotion project at the Grandview Farm in Burlington"; and in said item by striking out the figures "$18,143,306" and inserting in place thereof the figures "$18,643,306".
Floor Number: 316 Clerk Number: 25
NEWBURYPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Baddour moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by inserting after the words "Worcester Railfin Museum in the town of Webster;" the following:- "provided further, that no less than $40,000 shall be expended for the Newburyport Economic Development Departments Jump Start Program."
Floor Number: 317 Clerk Number: 33
FRANKLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Spilka and Mr. Brown move that the bill amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by adding: "; and provided further, that $200,000 shall be made available to Franklin for economic development;"
REDRAFT
Floor Number: 318 Clerk Number : 63
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Mr. Nuciforo moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by striking out the words, "provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Boston Symphony Orchestra;" and inserting in place thereof the following:- "provided further, that not less than $250,000, subject to 100 percent funding match, shall made available to the Boston Symphony Orchestra venue at Tanglewood;".
Floor Number: 319 Clerk Number: 64
MAHAWIE THEATER
Mr. Nuciforo moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by inserting after the words, "From the Top, Inc.;" the following:- "provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the Mahaiwe Theater;"
IPSWICH SHUTTLE BUS
Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by inserting at the end thereof the following: - "provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended from this item for the purpose of the operation and the promotion of the Ipswich Shuttle Bus Service"
Floor Number: 321 Clerk Number: 72
GLOUCESTER ADVENTURE
Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by inserting, after the words "located in the city of Boston;" the following: - "provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for The Gloucester Adventure, Inc. for the purpose of the restoration of the NHL Schooner Adventure;"
Floor Number: 322 Clerk Number: 170
BROWN- NORTH ATTLEBORO SCHOOL HOUSE
Mr. Brown moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, in line 29, by inserting after the word "commonwealth" the words "provided further that not less than $30,000 shall be made available for the critical maintenance issues to the exterior and chimney of the Historic Woodcock Garrison House and One-Room School House in the town of North Attleboro."
Floor Number: 323 Clerk Number: 303
AN ACT FOR RCAM SPRINGFIELD
Mr. Buoniconti moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by adding the following language:- "; provided further that not less than $50,000 shall by expended for the Russian Community Association in Springfield.".
Floor Number: 324 Clerk Number: 316
BREWSTER NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Mr. O'Leary moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by adding, at the end thereof, the following:- "provided further that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Natural History Museum in the Town of Brewster."
Floor Number: 325 Clerk Number: 374
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Berry moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 in line 11, by inserting after "share;" the following:- "that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for a grant to the Salem Partnership for the purposes of hosting a state wide conference on the merits of a creative economy;"
Floor Number: 326 Clerk Number: 390
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Messrs. Lees, Knapik and Buoniconti moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by inserting at the end there of the following: "provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council for tourism and marketing purposes"
Floor Number: 327 Clerk Number: 421
MARITIME TRAIL
Messrs. Hedlund and Tarr moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by inserting, after the words "Sandwich Glass Museum;" the following: - "provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Hull Lifesaving Museum for the purpose of planning a maritime trail;"
Floor Number: 328 Clerk Number: 427
HIGHLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Mr. O'Leary moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by inserting, at the end thereof, the following:- "provided, that not less than $150,000 be expended for the Highland center for the Arts at the Cape Cod National Seashore."
LAWRENCE TOURISM
Ms. Tucker moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, line 41 by inserting after "Stage;" the following words: "provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended to enhance tourism along the South Lawrence River in the City of Lawrence."
Floor Number: 330 Clerk Number: 502
ROUTE 9/LAKEWAY BUSINESS DISTRICT
Mr. Augustus moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by inserting after the words "town of Webster;" the following "provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the Route 9/Lakeway Business District through the Lakeway Overlay District Fund in the Town of Shrewsbury;"
Floor Number: 331 Clerk Number: 507
ROUTE 2 VISITORS CENTER
Mr. Antonioni moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by inserting at the end thereof, the following:- "; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Johnny Appleseed Visitor's Center."
Floor Number: 332 Clerk Number: 588
MASSACHUSETTS FILM BUREAU
Mr. Creedon moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, by striking out the following words:- "provided further, that not less than $5,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Film Bureau and the agency shall be the primary service provider for film production and development in the commonwealth;"
Floor Number: 333 Clerk Number: 643
OFFICE OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Ms. Wilkerson moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900 by inserting after the word "commonwealth" the following: "that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Office of Community Collaborations and Program Development at the New England Conservatory of Music in the City of Boston."
Floor Number: 334 Clerk Number: 660
CLEVELAND CIRCLE STREETSCAPE PLAN EARLY ACTION ITEM
Mr. Tolman moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, by inserting at the end of line item 7007-0900, the following: "provided, further that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for an economic development project known as the Cleveland Circle Streetscape Plan Early Action Item".
Floor Number: 335 Clerk Number: 680
BOSTON MAIN STREETS
Mr. Tolman moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-0900, the following: "provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the promotion of Boston Neighborhoods through the Boston Main Streets program".
Floor Number: 336 Clerk Number: 330
DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS SYSTEMS FOR THE LOWER CAPE
Mr. O'Leary moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-1200, by adding at the end, thereof the following:- "provided that the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative shall work in conjunction with the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative to provide Outer Cape Health Services with the resources necessary to match a Federal grant for development of an electronic medical records system."
Floor Number: 337 Clerk Number: 440
LIFE SCIENCES
Mr. Hart moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item by striking line item 7007-1200 and inserting in place thereof the following:-
7007-1200 For a program to create and maintain a more favorable and responsive environment for the attraction and retention of technology-intensive clusters for the commonwealth; provided, that such clusters may be characterized by technological or market focus, geographic proximity or other shared interests; provided further, that cluster activities shall be deemed to be the exercise of an essential governmental function intended to: (1) foster increased collaboration among cluster organizations; (2) facilitate improved communications between the commonwealth and cluster organizations; (3) identify and respond to challenges and opportunities related to cluster organizations; (4) enhance the competitive position of cluster firms; (5) reduce the costs of doing business in the commonwealth through 1 or more purchasing cooperatives; and (6) generally improve the perception of the value and benefits of doing business in the commonwealth; provided further, that amounts appropriated in this item shall be expended to the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation to be held, applied and administered through its Massachusetts Technology Collaborative; provided further, that not less than $100,000, to be matched dollar for dollar, shall be expended to organize a collaborative framework to formulate an action plan to address strategic challenges to the competitiveness of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Super Cluster; provided further, that said corporation shall establish an independent advisory panel to advise said corporation relative to the most effective application of funds appropriated in this item; provided further, that the executive director shall file a report with the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the activities undertaken with the funds appropriated herein by January 16, 2006; and provided further, that the Massachusetts department of business and technology shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the amounts awarded and the purposes for said grants ........................................$600,000
Floor Number: 338 Clerk Number: 487
BIOMEDICAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Antonioni moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7007-1200, by inserting at the end thereof, the following:- "provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the Plastics/Medical Device Connections Initiative"; and by striking out the figure "$500,000" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$650,000".
Floor Number: 339 Clerk Number: 260
CORRECTIVE LANGUAGE TO EXISTING STATUTE
Messrs. Hart and Rosenberg moved that the bill be amended in Section 55 by adding the following words:-
(a) It is in the best public interest of the commonwealth to promote the prosperity and general welfare of all citizens by enhancing the attractiveness of all regions of the commonwealth for cultural activities and tourism-related activities by partially financing the construction, expansion, renovation or repair of cultural, entertainment, public venues or other regional tourism facilities which may stimulate further investment in the arts, entertainment, humanities and interpretive sciences and may result in increased employment or entrepreneurial opportunities for the citizens of the commonwealth or increased tourism to the region where the facility is located, including tourism from outside the commonwealth.
(b)(1) There is hereby established and placed under the control of the Agency the Regional Tourism Facilities Fund, in this section referred to as the fund, to which shall be credited, subject to appropriation, for any fiscal year in which revenues deposited into the Massachusetts Tourism Fund, as set forth in section 35J of chapter 10 of the General Laws, exceed the amounts deposited into said Massachusetts Tourism Fund in the previous fiscal year, 50 per cent of the increase in revenues beyond amounts received in the prior fiscal year received by said Massachusetts Tourism Fund from the tax imposed by section 3 of chapter 64G, section 22 of chapter 546 of the acts of 1969 or any appropriation made pursuant to section 35J of chapter 10. In addition to the funds set forth in the preceding sentence, the fund shall be credited, subject to appropriation, in each fiscal year after the first appropriation to the fund, an amount equal to the previous fiscal year’s appropriation. Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two sentences, the fund shall also be credited with all bond proceeds, federal funds, private contributions, loans or other monies lawfully made available to said fund. The purpose of said fund shall be to make loans or grants for infrastructure projects and eligible projects. Applicants may apply for assistance from the fund for a feasibility and technical assistance grant, grant or loan for the construction, expansion, renovation or repair of cultural, entertainment, public venues, regional tourism facilities or other commercial facilities hereinafter referred to as a project, and the Agency may make a qualified investment in a project upon its finding that: (i) the project is an eligible project or infrastructure project; (ii) there is a demonstrated need for the project; (iii) the project will benefit tourism in the local area; and (iv) there is local support for the project. The Agency shall hold said fund in a separate account, segregated from all other Agency funds. The Agency may invest and reinvest said fund and the income therefrom, except as hereinafter provided, only (i) in the making of qualified investments; (ii) in the investment of funds not required for immediate disbursement in the purchase of such securities as may be lawful investments for fiduciaries in the commonwealth; (iii) for the payment of binding obligations which are secured by said fund as the same became payable; and (iv) for the payment of principal and interest on obligations secured by said fund or the payments of any redemption premium required to be paid when such obligations are redeemed prior to maturity.
(2) At the request of the Council established by section 43, the Agency may issue bonds on behalf of the fund. Proceeds from issued bonds shall be used for the purposes authorized by this section. Such bonds shall be issued as “revenue” bonds and shall be recourse only to the funds appropriated under this section 42 and such reserve funds as may be expressly created to guarantee the same. Such bonds shall not be general obligations of either the Agency or the commonwealth.
(3) The Agency shall adopt bylaws and/or rules necessary to establish a minimum reserve to be maintained by the fund for the purpose of ensuring the fulfillment of any obligations incurred as a result of any bonds issued by the Agency on behalf of the fund. No grant may be made where said grant would reduce the fund’s assets to an amount below the minimum reserve. The ability to make loans shall not be affected.
(4) The Agency shall be reimbursed from fund proceeds for all reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred in any fiscal year associated with its administration of the fund and its administrative support for the Council, including, without limitation, staff time and out-of-pocket expenses. Such reimbursement shall not exceed 10 percent of the amounts held in the fund for the fiscal year in which the costs and expenses are incurred.
(c) As used in this section, the terms "construction", "costs of the project" and "federal agency", shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the meanings set forth in section 1. As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the following meanings:--
"Applicant", a public agency or private organization exempt from income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)3 of Title 28 of the Internal Revenue Code.
"Commercial facilities", a building or structure, or site owned or used by a public, private, civic, educational or professional organization or educational foundation concerned with the arts, humanities, interpretive sciences or local arts and exempt from income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)3 of Title 28 of the Internal Revenue Code, which is accessible to the public including, but not limited to, museums, historical sites, zoos, aquariums, theaters, concert halls, exhibition spaces, classrooms, auditoriums suitable for presentation of performing or visual arts. This definition does not include public or private educational institutions of early childhood, elementary, secondary, higher educational and vocational-technical
education.
"Cultural organization", a nonprofit organization, public or private, which is primarily concerned with the arts, humanities, interpretive sciences or local arts which is exempt from income taxation. This definition does not include public or private educational institutions of early childhood, elementary, secondary, higher educational and vocational-technical education.
"Council", the members of the regional tourism facility fund advisory council, established pursuant to section 43.
"Director", the executive director of the Agency.
"Eligible project", a project for the acquisition, design, construction, repair, renovation or deferred maintenance of a regional tourism facility which furthers the purposes of this section.
"Feasibility and technical assistance grant", a direct grant of monies from the fund, subject to matching grant requirements to an applicant for payment of the costs and expenses related to the undertaking and completion of a planning and feasibility study for a proposed project. No such grant shall exceed $50,000. The agency may award a feasibility and technical assistance grant upon its findings that: (i) there is a likelihood that the proposed project will qualify as an eligible project; and (ii) there is local support for the proposed project.
"Fund", the Regional Tourism Facilities Fund created by this section.
"Grant", a direct grant of monies from the fund to an applicant for payment of the costs of a project.
"Infrastructure", repairs to the roof, mechanical systems including heating and cooling systems, physical plant, plumbing, electrical, or foundation of an existing facility and improvements to an existing facility which are necessary to meet life and safety code requirements, so-called, or improvements to an existing facility in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or improvements needed to amenities including, but not limited to, light and sound systems, theater seating, expansion or renovation of revenue generating equipment typical for the venue such as concession stands and new projection equipment.
"Loan", a direct loan to an applicant from the fund for payment of up to 40 per cent of the cost of a project for an eligible project, except that the amount of any single loan awarded from the fund shall not exceed $5,000,000.
"Public body", the commonwealth and any body politic and corporate of the commonwealth, including any political subdivision thereof or any consortium of any contiguous subdivisions and any federal agency.
"Qualified investment", a grant, including a feasibility grant, loan, loan insurance or reinsurance, equity investment, guarantee or other financing or credit enhancement device provided under said fund for an eligible project.
"Regional tourism facility", a building, structure or site owned or used by a public or private organization, exempt from income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)3 of Title 28 of the Internal Revenue Code, which is accessible to the public and constitutes a regional tourism attraction including, but not limited to, museums, historical sites, zoos, aquariums and facilities for the performing or visual arts.
(d) The fund may make grants to applicants; provided, that the amount of any single grant awarded from the fund shall not exceed $5,000,000; provided further, that grants for a total value less than $1,000,000 shall be subject to a matching funding requirement of dollar for dollar of the amount of the grant; provided further, that grants for a total value in excess of $1,000,000 and less than $2,000,000shall require a matching funding requirement of at least twice the amount as provided through the grant; provided further, that grants for a total value in excess of $2,000,000 but less than $3,000,000 shall be subject to a matching fund requirement of at least three times the amount; $3,000,000 and less than $5,000,000 shall be subject to a matching funding requirement of at least four times the amount of the grant. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, as a condition of accepting a grant from the fund, an applicant shall agree that, whenever ownership of any property which was purchased or improved with a grant from the fund is transferred to another party, such grant shall be repaid immediately to the fund. The amount of such repayment shall be in the full amount of the grant.
(e) The Agency shall establish rules relative to the fund. Copies of such rules, and any modifications or amendments thereto, shall be delivered to the chairpersons of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the chairpersons of the joint committee on tourism, arts, and cultural development, and the clerks of the house and senate.
(f) There shall be established a regional tourism facilities advisory council, in this section called the Council. The functions of the Council shall be strictly advisory. The Council shall be comprised of 15 members, to be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be the director of the Massachusetts cultural council or his or her designee, one of whom shall be the director of the office of travel and tourism or his or her designee, one of whom shall be the director of the Agency or his or her designee, and six of whom shall reside outside of the metropolitan Boston area, of whom at least three shall reside in western and central Massachusetts. All members shall be appointed for a period of five years. Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed from the fund for ordinary in-state travel expenses. The Council may establish a technical advisory panel to assist in reviewing applications. The Agency shall provide administrative support for the Council, including, without limitation, staff time for fund administration and other out-of-pocket expenses, the costs of which support shall be reimbursed from the fund pursuant to section 42(b)(5) above. The provisions of subsections (d), (f) to (i), inclusive, and subsection (l) of section 2 shall apply to the members and affairs of the Council created pursuant to this section. All applications for grants or loans shall be reviewed by the Council and only those recommended by the Council may receive consideration by the Agency for final approval. Within 30 days, the Agency shall provide the applicant with a written explanation for any proposals denied final approval.
(g) The Massachusetts Cultural council may establish a panel made up of individuals with appropriate experience and expertise to assist the Council and Agency in reviewing proposals for feasibility and technical assistance grants and grants and loans for construction to help ensure among other things applicant viability and need for the project.
Floor Number: 340 Clerk Number: 580
CHANGING THE SIMULCASTING SUNSET DATE
Mr. Morrissey moved that the bill be amended by inserting after Section 36 the following new section:-
SECTION . Section 45 of chapter 139 of the acts of 2001 is hereby amended by striking out date "December 31, 2005" and inserting in place thereof the following date: - "December 31, 2006".
HAMPDEN SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Messrs. Knapik, Lees, Buoniconti, and Brewer moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7003-0803 by inserting after the words "December 1, 1997;" the following:- "provided further, that $88,000 shall be expended for a re-entry initiative program within the Hampden Sheriff's Department."
Floor Number: 342 Clerk Number: 511
SMALL GROUP INSURANCE
Ms. Walsh moved that the bill be amended by inserting after Section___, the following new Section:-
Section___. Section 1 of Chapter 176J of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting at the end of the definition of "eligible small business" the following: Associations with a minimum of 100 members that have been organized and maintained in good faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance, as determined by the commissioner, have a constitution and by-laws or other governing document analogous thereto and have been in active existence for at least five years, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter, provided. Membership in said association cannot be denied based on an individual's health condition and health coverage cannot be denied due to the health condition of any individual member in order to maintain an exemption. Associations meeting said criteria shall not charge rates exceeding those which would be obtainable by an individual member company under the provisions of this chapter. If the commissioner determines that an association is not complying with the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may disapprove of said association's eligibility and prohibit it from operating under the provisions of this section.
Floor Number: 343 Clerk Number: 536
SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE ACCESSIBILITY
Messrs. Tisei, Lees, Knapik, Tarr, Hedlund, and Brown moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after Section 109, the following new section:-
"SECTION____. Section 1 of Chapter 176J of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting at the end of the definition of "eligible small business" the following: Associations with a minimum of 100 members that have been organized and maintained in good faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance, as determined by the commissioner, have a constitution and by-laws or other governing document analogous thereto and have been in active existence for at least five years, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter, provided. Membership in said association cannot be denied based on an individual's health condition and health coverage cannot be denied due to the health condition of any individual member in order to maintain an exemption. Associations meeting said criteria shall not charge rates exceeding those which would be obtainable by an individual member company under the provisions of this chapter. If the commissioner determines that an association is not complying with the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may disapprove of said association's eligibility and prohibit it from operating under the provisions of this section."
Floor Number: 344 Clerk Number: 569
RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STEM CELL RESEARCH GRANTS
Ms. Creem moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, by inserting after item 4510-0100 the following new item:-
"4510-0101 For a stem cell research grant program, which shall support innovative research by investigators who are in the formative stages of their careers and shall award grants to investigators, post-doctoral fellows and assistant professors who are within ten years after completion of their highest degree or within ten years after completion of clinical training and will be working in the field of regenerative medicine, including, but not limited to, research and clinical applications involving the derivation and use of human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, placental and umbilical cord cells and parthenotes.............................................................$250,000"
Floor Number: 345 Clerk Number: 367
GREAT BROOK VALLEY HEALTH CENTER
Ms. Chandler and Mr. Augustus moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 4510-0110, by inserting at the end thereof following wording:- "; and provided further, that not less than $650,000 shall be expended for the Great Brook Valley Health Center in Worcester."
Floor Number: 346 Clerk Number: 553
MANET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Mr. Morrissey moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 4510-0110 by inserting after the words "in Saugus;" the following;- "provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for the Manet Community Health Center in Quincy;"
Floor Number: 347 Clerk Number: 230
RENAL DISEASE PREVENTION
Mr. Pacheco moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 4510-0600 by striking "$30,000" and inserting "$100,000."
Floor Number: 348 Clerk Number: 656
DPH SCHOOL PILOT PROGRAM ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Mr. Tolman moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in by inserting after line item 4510-0600 the following item:
"4510-1610 to provide further, that not more than $150,000 shall be expended to create the Childhood Obesity - School Nutrition Pilot Project, within the Commonwealth's Department of Public Health. The purpose of this pilot program is to initiate or maintain school lunch programs focused on diminishing the epidemic of childhood obesity. Public schools wishing to institute or maintain a school nutrition program designed to reduce childhood obesity, as part of their school lunch program, may submit application to the Department of Public Health for a grant, not to exceed $10,000 per school per annum. The application will indicate the various nutritional and educational steps the school will follow as part of their plan, as well as a method for measuring results. Grant applications and other appropriate criteria will be determined and reviewed by the Department of Public Health."
Floor Number: 349 Clerk Number: 594
REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Ms. Fargo, Messrs. Joyce, Brown, Knapik, Tisei, Montigny, Ms. Resor, and Mr. Brewer moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 4510-0790, by striking outs the figure "$1,246,896" and inserting in place thereof the following figure: - "$1,446,896".
Floor Number: 350 Clerk Number: 331
Mr. Buoniconti moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 4512-0103, by inserting in line 16, after the word "provided," the following language: "; provided further that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for the Springfield Public Health Department."