Journal of the House in Joint Session, Wednesday, May 14, 2003

At one minute past two o’clock P.M., pursuant to assignment, the two Houses met in

and were called to order by the Honorable Frederick E. Berry, Senate Majority Leader, who made the following observations:

“Pursuant to an order previously adopted, the two houses are in joint session for the purpose of considering various proposals for amendments to the Constitution. The matters that have been called for consideration are seasonably laid before this session in conformity with the provisions of Article XLVIII and LXXXI of the Amendments to the Constitution.”

The following proposals for amendments to the Constitution were seasonably laid before the joint session for consideration.

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution increasing the term of the General Court from two to four years (see Senate, No. 352), with reference to which the committee on Election Laws has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass;

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution relative to emergency appointments of elected officials (see Senate, No. 355), with reference to which the committee on Election Laws has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass;

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution promoting the representative character of ballot questions (see Senate, No. 362), with reference to which the committee on Election Laws has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (Senator Nuciforo dissenting);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution relative to the election of judges (see Senate, No. 1065), with reference to which the committee on the Judiciary has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution providing for the abolition of the Council (see Senate, No. 1984), with reference to which the committee on the Judiciary has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution relative to a vacancy in the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor (see House, No. 727), with reference to which the committee on the Judiciary has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution abolishing the Executive Council (see House, No. 946), with reference to which the committee on the Judiciary has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution relative to the affirmation of marriage (see House, No. 3190), with reference to which the committee on the Judiciary has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution to limit the content of appropriation bills (see House, No. 3287), with reference to which the joint committee on Ways and Means has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23);

Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution to require biennial state budgets (see House, No. 3288), with reference to which the joint committee on Ways and Means has reported recommending that the amendment ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 23).

Without taking action on the matters duly and constitutionally assigned for consideration, on motion of Mr. Rosenberg, at four minutes past two o’clock P.M., the joint session was recessed until two o’clock P.M., on Wednesday, November 12, 2003; and the Senate withdrew from the House Chamber under the escort of the Sergeant-at-Arms.