House Journal, May 19, 2003

Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, 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, guided by You and Your assistance, we begin a new workweek with new legislative opportunities, challenges and responsibilities. Technological advances and the vast amount of information available at our fingertips help us to serve the people and their needs more fairly and comprehensively in these troubled times. Inspire us to use our new knowledge and insights in a responsible manner and in accord with right reason and Your precepts. May we be mature, thoughtful and conscientious in resolving current legislative issues so that future generations will benefit from our reasoned decisions. Let our commitment to sound principles and traditional values be a source of hope and trust in the minds of the electorate.

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.

A message from His Excellency the Governor submitting (under Article LXXXVII of the Amendments to the Constitution) Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2003, relative to reforming, restructuring and revitalizing government (House, No. 3901) was filed in the office of the Clerk on Thursday, May 15.

The message was read; and it was referred, under Article LXXXVII and Joint Rule 23A, with the accompanying draft of a bill, to the committee on State Administration. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

A message from His Excellency the Governor submitting (under Article LXXXVII of the Amendments to the Constitution) Reorganization Plan Number 2 of 2003, relative to reforming, restructuring and revitalizing higher education (House, No. 3902) was filed in the office of the Clerk on Thursday, May 15.

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

Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Kafka of Sharon and Galvin of Canton) congratulating Prudence H. Goodale on the occasion of her retirement; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Smizik of Brookline) congratulating the third grade students at Edward Devotion School in Brookline and Our Lady of the Valley School in Uxbridge;

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. Smizik, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

A communication from the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds (under Section KKK of Chapter 29 of the General Laws as inserted by Section 4 of Chapter 4 of the Acts of 2003) submitting an initial plan of proposed technological improvements at said registry (copies of said communication referred, as required under said law, to the committee on Ways and Means and the committee on Post Audit and Oversight), was read for the information of the House; and it was placed on file.

Petitions severally were presented and referred as follows:

By Mr. Asselin of Springfield, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Christopher P. Asselin for legislation to direct the reinstatement of John E. Anderson as a member in service of the teachers’ retirement system.

By the same member, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Christopher P. Asselin for legislation to direct the reinstatement of John P. Moylan as a member in service of the teachers’ retirement system.

By Mr. Rush of Boston, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to further regulate the smoking of tobacco products in certain restaurants.

By Mr. Tobin of Quincy (by request), petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James P. Ryan relative to increasing the maximum amount of damages in small claims court.

By the same member, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of A. Stephen Tobin for legislation to authorize the Trial Court to establish a sick leave bank for Edil Flores, Jr., an employee of said court.

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

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the House Bill relative to the public schools of the city of Chelsea (House, No. 2019) be scheduled for consideration by the House.

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

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on a petition, a Bill investigating heating oil supply in the Commonwealth (House, No. 536). Read; and referred, under Joint Rule 29, to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.

By Mr. Quinn of Dartmouth, for the committee on Banks and Banking, on House, Nos. 8 and 13, a Bill relative to debt collection and loan servicing agencies subject to supervision by the Division of Banks (House, No. 13).

By the same member, for the same committee, on House, Nos. 8 and 14, a Bill establishing uniform enforcement provisions and making other changes applicable to certain licensees under the jurisdiction of the Division of Banks (House, No. 14).

By the same member, for the same committee, on House, Nos. 8 and 15, a Bill relative to the licensing and supervision of financing companies by the Division of Banks (House, No. 15).

By the same member, for the same committee, on House, Nos. 8 and 18, a Bill relative to certain actions by and transactions before the Board of Bank Incorporation and the Commissioner of Banks (House, No. 18).

By the same member, for the same committee, on House, Nos. 8 and 20, a Bill relative to establishing a mutual bank charter in the Commonwealth (House, No. 20).

By the same member, for the same committee, on House, Nos. 8 and 10, a Bill relative to confidentiality of documents within and access to CORI data by the Division of Banks (House, No. 3858).

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on a petition, a Bill creating an oil space heat efficiency upgrade rebate program (House, No. 519).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill to increase oil burner efficiency (House, No. 527).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill providing for increased home energy assistance (House, No. 531).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to emergency planning (House, No. 3509).

By Mr. Honan of Boston, for the committee on Housing and Urban Development, on a petition, a Bill to study the feasibility of establishing a statewide application and waiting list for state public housing resources (House, No. 2811).

By Mr. Hall of Westford, for the committee on State Administration, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the Division of Capital Planning and Operations and the Metropolitan District Commission to convey a certain parcel of land in the city of Boston (House, No. 2365).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to the imposition of parking fees upon state employees at institutions of higher education (House, No. 2893).

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

By Mr. Quinn of Dartmouth, for the committee on Banks and Banking, on a petition, a Bill relative to the use of the name of financial institutions (House, No. 1623).

By Mr. Straus of Mattapoisett, for the committee on Election Laws, on House, No. 3748, a Bill relative to the deadlines for submission of nomination papers for municipal officers in the city of Lynn (House, No. 3859) [Local Approval Received].

By Mr. Hall of Westford, for the committee on State Administration, on a petition, a Bill designating the Massachusetts Criminal Justice training academy in Agawam be known as the Harold F. Skelton Sr. criminal justice training center in Agawam (House, No. 2157).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill to accommodate the patriotic expressions of the citizens of the Commonwealth (House, No. 2527).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill proclaiming December 15 annually as Bill of Rights Day (House, No. 2530).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to the leasing of real property to civic or social organizations by municipalities (House, No. 2533).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill proclaiming April as Armenian-American Heritage Month (House, No. 2695).

By Mr. Wagner of Chicopee, for the committee on Transportation, on a petition, a Bill designating memorial names to certain bridges and a park in Billerica (House, No. 1036).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill designating a certain bridge in the city of Lowell as the Martin T. “Buster” Meehan Bridge (House, No. 1423, changed in line 1 by inserting after the word “spanning” the words “over Conrail and”).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill designating the bridge on Lowell Street in Methuen Massachusetts the “Patriots Bridge” (House, No. 3472).

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill making technical changes to Chapter 221 of the Acts of 2002 (House, No. 3625).

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

The engrossed Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Francie R. Minder, an employee of the Department of Mental Retardation (see House, No. 3736), 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 15 to 0. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Mr. Rushing of Boston moved that the vote be reconsidered by which the House, on Thursday last, adopted the emergency preamble contained in the engrossed Bill relative to the compensation of certain members of the General Court (see House, No. 3743); and, under Rule 54, the motion to reconsider was placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

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

At twenty-two minutes before twelve o’clock noon, on motion of Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea (Mr. DiMasi of Boston being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Thursday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.