Monday, June 2, 2003.

Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea 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 of Goodness and Forgiveness, we depend upon You for guidance and assistance as we evaluate and address in a thoughtful, fair, ethical manner, the complex legislative and policy issues of this and everyday. As a nation, we place our trust in You. As individuals, we believe in You. We also believe that You are both the author of life and a way of life which offers us personal peace, happiness and fulfillment. In our diverse society, teach us to be aware of the personal dignity and the rights (civil, human and religious) of each individual person. But grant us the wisdom and courage to remain aware of and committed to our own human and spiritual values and traditional philosophical principles.

Bestow Your blessings on the Speaker, the members and employees of this House and their families. Amen.

At the request of the Chair (Mr. O’Flaherty), 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 Mrs. Harkins of Needham) congratulating Colleen Schaller on receiving the 2003 Exchangite Extraordinary Award;

Resolutions (filed by Representatives Jones of North Reading and Donovan of Woburn) commending Dr. Harry K. Harutunian for his dedicated service to Reading Public Schools;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Murphy of Burlington) congratulating Stephen E. Preston on the occasion of his retirement; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Rogers of Norwood) congratulating Sandra Discepolo on the occasion of her retirement;

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

Petitions (deposited with the Clerk previously to five o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, December 4, 2002) were presented and they were severally referred, under Rule 24 and Joint Rule 13, as follows:

By Ms. Balser of Newton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3874) of Ruth B. Balser, Ellen Story and Deborah D. Blumer relative to medical interpreter services provided in physicians’ offices. To the committee on Health Care.

By the same member, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3875) of Ruth B. Balser and other members of the General Court relative to providing financial protection for persons enrolled in health maintenance organizations; and

By the same member, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3876) of Ruth B. Balser and other members of the General Court relative to establishing a health insurance rating bureau within the Division of Insurance;

Severally to the committee on Insurance.

Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Petitions severally were presented and referred as follows:

By Mr. Fallon of Malden, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3877) of Christopher G. Fallon (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the municipal election to be held in the city of Malden on November 4, 2003. To the committee on Election Laws.

By Mrs. Parente of Milford, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3878) of Marie J. Parente and Richard T. Moore (by vote of the town) that the licensing authority of the town of Milford be authorized to issue a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises to Truffles Grille and Wine Bar, LLC. To the committee on Government Regulations.

By Mr. Naughton of Clinton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3879) of Harold P. Naughton, Jr., and James B. Eldridge (by vote of town) relative to establishing an animal control commission in the town of Lancaster. To the committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.

By Mrs. Parente of Milford, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3880) of Marie J. Parente and Richard T. Moore (by vote of the town) relative to exempting the position of deputy chief of police in the town of Milford from the provisions of civil service law. To the committee on Public Service.

Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Petitions severally were presented and referred as follows:

By Mr. Costello of Newburyport, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael A. Costello and Steven A. Baddour for legislation to establish a civil defense claims board.

By Mr. Fallon of Malden, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Christopher G. Fallon relative to dental and vision benefits for employees of housing authorities.

By Ms. Polito of Shrewsbury, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Karyn E. Polito relative to contingent fee agreements between attorneys and clients.

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

The House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2004 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund and serial bond requirements and for certain permanent improvements (House, No. 4001) came from the Senate passed to be engrossed, in concurrence, with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text contained in Senate document numbered 2005.

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Driscoll of Braintree, the amendment was considered forthwith.

The House then non-concurred with the Senate in its amendment, on motion of Mr. Rogers of Norwood; and, on further motion of the same member, asked for a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches. The Speaker appointed Representatives Rogers, Larkin of Pittsfield and deMacedo of Plymouth as the committee on the part of the House. Sent to the Senate to be joined.

Subsequently the bill came from the Senate with the endorsement that said branch had insisted on its amendment, concurred in the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches; and that Senators Murray, Panagiotakos and Knapik had been joined as the committee on the part of the Senate.

The engrossed Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Francie R. Minder, an employee of the Department of Mental Retardation (see House, No. 3736, amended) (which originated in the House), in respect to which the Senate had concurred in adoption of the emergency preamble, was passed to be enacted; and it was signed by the acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

House bills

Designating certain bridges and a park in the town of Billerica (House, No. 1036) (its title having been changed by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading);

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); and

Providing for the first week of October to be designated as Massachusetts Safe Schools Week (House, No. 2887) (its title having been changed by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading);

Severally reported by said committee to be correctly drawn, were read a third time; and they were passed to be engrossed. Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

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

At thirteen minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Rushing of Boston (Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea being in the Chair) the House adjourned, to meet tomorrow at one o’clock P.M., in an Informal Session.