Monday, April 7, 2003.

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

God, Our Creator, we begin this legislative session with a prayer of reflection. By placing our confidence and trust in You and in Your mysterious ways, we attain peace of mind and spirit. In following Your directions and guidance, we also achieve personal success, happiness and our ultimate goal in life. Inspire us, as legislators, in our good faith efforts, to resolve complex issues, disagreements and differences by having an open mind in evaluating the diverse views and experiences of others. Help us to remain faithful to our own sound and thoughtful principles, ethical values and religious beliefs. We believe that we have been created by You and we are all members of the one human family.

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

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

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

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Hall of Westford) congratulating Westford Chorus on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of its founding;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Nyman of Hanover) congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Caldwell on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary;

Resolutions (filed by Mrs. Simmons of Leominster) congratulating Patrick Michael Boudreau on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America; and

Resolutions (filed by Mrs. Simmons of Leominster) congratulating Matthew Daniel Fiedler on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Mr. Petrolati of Ludlow, 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. Demakis of Boston, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

A petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3749) of Peter J. Larkin, Shaun P. Kelly, William Smitty Pignatelli and Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., relative to increasing the time in which real property owned by the Central Berkshire County Development Corporation may be exempt from taxation by the city or town in which such property is located (having been returned by the State Secretary, under the provisions of Chapter 3 of the General Laws, with memoranda relative thereto) was referred, under Rule 24, to the committee on Taxation. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Mr. Fennell of Lynn presented a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3748) of Robert F. Fennell (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the deadlines for submission of nomination papers for municipal officers in the city of Lynn; and the same was referred to the committee on Election Laws. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Petitions severally were presented and referred as follows:

By Mr. Connolly of Everett, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Edward G. Connolly, Robert K. Coughlin, J. James Marzilli, Jr., and William Lantigua for legislation to prohibit the use of polyurethane in buildings.

By Mr. Eldridge of Acton, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James B. Eldridge and Pamela P. Resor for legislation to authorize the Department of Correction to establish a sick leave bank for John Nourse, an employee of said department.

By Mrs. Parente of Milford, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Marie J. Parente relative to the retirement of public employees whose spouses previously retired under the contributory retirement system for public employees.

Severally, under Rule 24, to the committee on Rules.

A report of the committee on State Administration, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1654) of Brian P. Lees, Michael R. Knapik, Richard R. Tisei, Bruce E. Tarr and Jo Ann Sprague for legislation to require that callers to public agencies be given the option of speaking with a live operator, and recommending that the same be referred to the Senate committee on Ways and Means,— accepted by the Senate, was considered forthwith, under Rule 42; and it was accepted, in concurrence, insomuch as relates to the discharge of the committee.

By Mr. Rodrigues of Westport, for the committee on Commerce and Labor, asking to be discharged from further consideration

Of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3290) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and other members of the House relative to the right of entry to leased residential property by landlords; and

Of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3480) of Bradford Hill relative to authorizing the assumption of certain utility costs by residential tenants;

And recommending that the same severally be referred to the committee on Housing and Urban Development; and

By Mr. Vallee of Franklin, for the committee on Criminal Justice, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2742) of John F. Quinn, Bruce E. Tarr and Thomas A. Golden, Jr. relative to the crime of money laundering, so-called,— and recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Banks and Banking.

Under Rule 42, the reports severally were considered forthwith; and they were accepted. Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the Senate Bill authorizing the town of Sunderland to hold annual and special town meetings in the town of Deerfield (printed in Senate, No. 1967) be scheduled for consideration by the House.

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

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Rushing of Boston, the bill (having been reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) was read a third time; and it was passed to be engrossed, in concurrence.

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on House, Nos. 1079 and 2786, an Order relative to authorizing the committee on Energy to make an investigation and study of certain House documents concerning renewable energy and energy efficient lighting (House, No. 3747). Referred, under Joint Rule 29, to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.

Subsequently Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for said committees, reported asking to be discharged from further consideration of said order; and recommending that the same be referred to the House committee on Rules. Under Rule 42, the report was considered forthwith; and it was accepted.

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on a petition, a Bill to reduce light pollution on the Massachusetts Turnpike (House, No. 1273).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill to limit outdoor night lighting, conserve energy and reduce light pollution (House, No. 1274).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill establishing a residential solar photovoltaic grant program (House, No. 3507).

By Mr. Toomey of Cambridge, for the committee on Public Safety, on a petition, a Bill relative to certain fire or explosion investigations (House, No. 1738).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill further regulating enhanced 911 services (House, No. 3213).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill to provide funding for hazardous material response teams in the cities of Boston, Cambridge and Springfield (House, No. 3372).

Severally read; and referred, under Rule 33, to the committee on Ways and Means.

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on a petition, a Bill relative to an initiative to promote the commercialization of fuel cell technology (House, No. 520).

By Mr. Toomey of Cambridge, for the committee on Public Safety, on a petition, a Bill establishing an emergency equipment grant program for firefighters (House, No. 211).

Severally read; and referred, under Rule 33B, to the committee on Science and Technology.

By Mr. Bosley of North Adams, for the committee on Government Regulations, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the town of Topsfield to grant to certain persons special per diem liquor licenses (House, No. 1480) [Local Approval Received].

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the town of Topsfield to issue a license for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises (House, No. 1481) [Local Approval Received].

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the town of Topsfield to issue a license for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises (House, No. 1482) [Local Approval Received].

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the town of Middleborough to issue an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises (House, No. 3723) [Local Approval Received].

By the same member, for the same committee, on House, Nos. 135, 136 and 3728, a Bill relative to a certain license for the sale of wines and malt beverages in the town of Milford (House, No. 3728) [Local Approval Received].

By Mr. Toomey of Cambridge, for the committee on Public Safety, on a petition, a Bill establishing a police technology fund (House, No. 595).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to bullet-proof vests (House, No. 1734).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill pertaining to emergency medical services (House, No. 1914).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to failure to submit to a police officer (House, No. 3373).

By Mr. Koczera of New Bedford, for the committee on Public Service, on a petition, a Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Francie R. Minder, an employee of the Department of Mental Health (House, No. 3736).

Severally read; and referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

By Mr. Hall of Westford, for the committee on State Adminis­tration, on a petition, a Bill designating the Bay State Tartan as the official Commonwealth of Massachusetts district tartan (House, No. 627).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to an annual Tartan Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (House, No. 2528).

Severally read; and referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for said committee, reported that the matters be scheduled for consideration by the House; and, under said rule, they were placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading.

By Mr. Toomey of Cambridge, for the committee on Public Safety, ought NOT to pass, on so much of the recommendations of the Registry of Motor Vehicles (House, No. 76) as relates to handicap park­ing restrictions (accompanied by bill, House, No. 77).

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 212) of Bruce J. Ayers that cities and towns be authorized to issue temporary placards for handicapped parking spaces.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 213) of Bruce J. Ayers relative to the penalty for the improper use of handicapped parking spaces.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 214) of Kevin G. Honan that institutions of higher education be provided with certain information relative to persons arrested on campuses and further regulating the reporting of crimes against students.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 415) of Philip Travis relative to independent investigators of motor vehicle accidents involving police officers.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 420) of Patricia A. Walrath and other members of the General Court for legislation to further regulate parking for handicapped persons.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 596) of Paul K. Frost relative to equipping fire hydrants with markers during certain months of the year.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1171) of Louis L. Kafka relative to operator liability for parking a commercial vehicle in a space reserved for handicapped persons.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1547) of Thomas A. Golden, Jr., Carol A. Donovan, David M. Nangle, Brian Knuuttila, Reed V. Hillman, Steven C. Panagiotakos and another that special state police officers in the higher education system of the Commonwealth be provided with bullet proof vests.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1548) of Thomas A. Golden, Jr., David M. Nangle, Brian Knuuttila, Steven C. Panagiotakos and another for legislation to extend police powers to certain police personnel employed at community colleges in the Commonwealth.

By the same member, for the same committee, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1549) of Thomas A. Golden, Jr., David M. Nangle, Steven C. Panagiotakos and another relative to the jurisdictional powers of special state police officers employed in higher educational institutions of the Commonwealth.

By Mr. Hall of Westford, for the committee on State Administration, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 629) of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Martin J. Walsh and other members of the General Court relative to erecting a plaque in the State House in honor of Edward Cohen.

Severally referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for said committee, reported that the matters be scheduled for consideration by the House; and, under said rule, they were placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, the question, in each instance, being on acceptance.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

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

 

At a quarter after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Smizik of Brookline (Mr. Donato of Medford being in the Chair) the House adjourned, to meet on Wednesday next at eleven o’clock A.M.