Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. O’Brien of Kingston 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:

Holy Spirit of God, we depend upon You and Your spiritual assistance in our daily endeavor to remain faithful to You, Your spiritual guidelines for successful living and to our own personal ideals and goals. Your always available help enables us to respond conscientiously to our responsibilities and to serve the people who depend upon our sound judgments and personal integrity. In our pluralistic society with a diversity of cultures and philosophies, inspire us to cope accurately and intelligently with the disagreements, differences and disappointments which we encounter each day. In crafting and evaluating legislation and public policy, teach us to be open to You and Your gifts as well as to the thoughtful insights of others. May our minds also remain open to the vast amount of new and updated information available at our fingertips.

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

At the request of the Chair (Mr. O’Brien), the members, guests and employees joined with him in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

A statement of Mr. DiMasi of Boston concerning Ms. Kaprielian of Watertown was spread upon the records of the House, as follows:

MR. SPEAKER: I would like to call to the attention of the House the fact that one of our colleagues, Representative Kaprielian of Watertown, has not been present in the House Chamber for the past several weeks, nor will she be present for the next several weeks due to medical reasons. Any roll calls that she has missed or may miss is due entirely to the reason stated.

A statement of Mr. Miceli of Wilmington was spread upon the records of the House, as follows:

MR. SPEAKER: I would like to call to the attention of the House the fact that I was unable to be present in the House Chamber for yesterday’s sitting due to a previously scheduled commitment outside of the State House. Had I been present for the taking of yea and nay numbers 45, 46, 47 and 52, I would have voted, in each instance, in the affirmative. Had I been present for the taking of yea and nay numbers 48 to 51, inclusive, I would have voted, in each instance, in the negative. I have submitted a communication to the Clerk containing additional information which is available in the Office of the Clerk of the House. Any roll calls that I missed that day is due entirely to the reason stated.

A statement of Mr. Pedone of Worcester was spread upon the records of the House, as follows:

MR. SPEAKER: I would like to call to the attention of the House the fact that I was unable to be present in the House Chamber for the remainder of yesterday’s sitting due to a previously scheduled commitment outside of the State House. Had I been present for the taking of yea and nay numbers 47 and 52, I would have voted, in each instance, in the affirmative. Had I been present for the taking of yea and nay numbers 48 to 51, inclusive, I would have voted, in each instance in the negative. Any roll calls that I missed that day is due entirely to the reason stated.

The following resolutions (filed with the Clerk) were referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules:

Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Timilty of Milton and Ayers of Quincy) honoring Barbara Mellon for her exceptional service to the town of Randolph; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Vallee of Franklin) congratulating James Douglas Bradford on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Mr. Miceli of Wilmington, for the committee on Rules, reported, in each instance, that the resolutions ought to be adopted. Under suspension of the rules, in each instance, on motion of Mr. Connolly of Everett, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, that the Bill making technical corrections relating to the administration of the tax laws of the Commonwealth (House, No. 3718) ought to pass. Referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for said committee, reported that the matter be scheduled for consideration by the House.

Under suspension of Rule 7A, on motion of Mr. O’Brien of Kingston, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

Subsequently, the noon recess having terminated, under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Lepper of Attleboro, the bill (having been reported by said committee to be correctly drawn) was read a third time; and it was passed to be engrossed, its title having been changed by said committee to read: “An Act relative to the tax laws of the Commonwealth.”.

By Mr. Honan of Boston, for the committee on Housing and Urban Development, on a petition, a Resolve providing for an investigation and plan by a special commission relative to ending homelessness in the Commonwealth (House, No. 1107). Read; and referred, under Joint Rule 29, to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.

By Mr. Honan of Boston, for the committee on Housing and Urban Development, on House No. 2014, reports, in part, a Bill consolidating Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency mortgage loans (House, No. 3734). Read; and referred, under Rule 32A, to the committee on Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures.

At eighteen minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Lepper of Attleboro (Mr. O’Brien of Kingston being in the Chair), the House recessed until one o’clock P.M.; and at that time the House was called to order with Mr. Pedone of Worcester in the Chair.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

Ordered, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next at one o’clock P.M.

At six minutes after one o’clock P.M., on motion of Mr. Lepper of Attleboro (Mr. Pedone of Worcester being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Monday next at one o’clock P.M.