Met according to adjournment, at two o’clock P.M., with Mr. DiMasi of Boston in the Chair (having been appointed by the Speaker, under authority conferred by Rule 5, to perform the duties of the Chair).

Prayer was offered by the Reverend Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P., Chaplain of the House, as follows:

Eternal God, a moment of silence and prayer offers us an opportunity to open our hearts and minds to You and to ask for Your spiritual gift of wisdom. This pause in our daily routine of business helps us to renew our prayerful conversation with You and to organize the day’s personal priorities and goals in a thoughtful manner. In these uncertain and stressful times, our faith in You and Your guidance empowers us to respond fairly and honorably to the expectations and demands of the electorate. May this legislative chamber be a beacon of hope for the present, a community of vision for the future and a current source of confidence in our basic institutions and in the relevance of our Constitutions, both state and federal.

Grant Your blessings to the Speaker, the members and employees of this House and their families. Amen.

At the request of the chair (Mr. DiMasi), the members, guests and employees joined with him in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

At ten minutes after two o’clock P.M., on motion of Mr. Peterson of Grafton (Mr. DiMasi of Boston being in the Chair), the House recessed subject to the call of the Chair; and at twenty-eight minutes before three o’clock, the House was called to order with the Speaker in the Chair.

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches, with reference to the House amendment (striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of House document numbered 2022) of the Senate Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2003 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (Senate, No. 1943), reported, in part, a Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2003 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (Senate, No. 1949) (Appropriation: $8,462,500).

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Rogers of Norwood, the report (having been approved by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading of the two branches, acting concurrently) was considered forthwith; and it was accepted, in concurrence.

Mr. Jones of North Reading then moved that this vote be reconsidered; and the motion to reconsider was considered forthwith and it was negatived.

A report of the Department of Public Health (under the provisions of Sections 5 and 20 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws) relative to an inspection of the Worcester County House of Correction and Jail Modular Unit, in the town of West Boylston, was spread upon the records of the House; and returned to the Senate.

Petitions were referred, in concurrence, as follows:

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1945) of Richard R. Tisei (by vote of the town) for legislation to amend the selectmen-town administrator form of government in the town of Stoneham. To the committee on Public Service.

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1946) of Stephen M. Brewer, Susan C. Fargo and Brian Knuuttila (by vote of the town) for legislation to exempt the town of Ashburnham from assessments by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. To the committee on Transportation.

By Mr. Casey of Winchester, for the committee on Taxation, on a petition, a Bill relative to the mailing of property tax bills in the city of Lawrence (House, No. 2013), which was read [Local Approval Received].

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Lantigua of Lawrence, the bill was read a second and a third time forthwith; and it was passed to be engrossed. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

The engrossed Bill making appropriations for fiscal year 2003  to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (see Senate, No. 1949), having been certified by the Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for final passage, was considered, the question being on adopting the emergency preamble.

A separate vote was taken, as required by the provisions of Article XLVIII (as amended by Article LXVII) of the Amendments to the Constitution; and the preamble was adopted, by a vote of 19 to 0. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Subsequently, the Senate having concurred in adoption of the emergency preamble, the bill (which originated in the Senate) was passed to be enacted.

Mr. Jones of North Reading moved that this vote be reconsidered; and the motion to reconsider was considered forthwith and it was negatived. The bill then was signed by the Speaker and sent to the Senate.

On motion of Mr. Peterson of Grafton,—

Ordered, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Thursday next at eleven o’clock A.M.

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At twelve minutes after three o’clock P.M., on motion of Ms. Grant of Beverly (the Speaker being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Thursday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.