Thursday, June 19, 2003.

Met according to adjournment, at twelve o’clock noon.

Prayer was offered by the Reverend Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P., Chaplain of the House, as follows:

Eternal God, the Ultimate Source of Truth and Goodness, we begin today’s legislative session by directing our thoughts and attention to You and by reflecting momentarily on the relevance of spiritual values and ideals. We depend upon Your assistance in our daily struggle to keep our priorities (personal and legislative) in proper order. The ordinary stress and pressures of each day, which we often encounter, have a tendency to obscure our usual clear focus and ideals. Help us to remain faithful and true to our own principles and the way of life which You have made known to us.

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

At the request of the Speaker, 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. Coughlin of Dedham) congratulating Ryan C. Brown on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Eldridge of Acton) congratulating Patricia Fallon on receiving the Golden Fife Award;

Resolutions (filed by Representatives Fox of Boston, Rushing of Boston, St. Fleur of Boston and Swan of Springfield) honoring Jackie Jenkins-Scott;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Kafka of Sharon) congratulating Peter Andrews, Jr., on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Kafka of Sharon) honoring Frank I. Sullivan;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. LeDuc of Marlborough) congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nims on the occasion of their sixtieth wedding anniversary;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. O’Brien of Kingston) congratulating Brendan Emberg on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Rush of Boston) congratulating Kevin T. Durant on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Rush of Boston) congratulating Gregory M. Halloran 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. Coppola of Foxborough, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

The House Bill providing relief and flexibility to municipal officials (House, No. 4003) 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 2014.

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Ms. Rogeness of Longmeadow, the amendment was considered forthwith.

The House then non-concurred with the Senate in its amendment; 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 Larkin of Pittsfield, Walrath of Stow and Hill of Ipswich as the committee on the part of the House. Sent to the Senate to be joined.

Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches, with reference to the Senate amendment (striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of contained in Senate document numbered 2005) of 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 the interest, sinking fund and serial bond requirements and for certain permanent improvements (House, No. 4001), reported, in part, a 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. 4004).

Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, the question being on acceptance.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the Bill making technical changes to Chapter 221 of the Acts of 2002 (House, No. 3625),— and recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Rules. Under Rule 42, the report was considered forthwith; and it was accepted.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, asking to be discharged from further consideration

Of the Bill proclaiming December 15 annually as Bill of Rights Day (House, No. 2530); and

Of the Bill relative to the leasing of real property to civic or social organizations by municipalities (House, No. 2533);

And recommending that the same severally be recommitted to the committee on State Administration.

Under Rule 42, the reports severally were considered forthwith; and they were accepted.

By Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea, for the committee on the Judiciary, on a petition, a Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Richard F. Ryan III, an employee of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth, and a member of the Suffolk County Superior Court Officers Association (House, No. 2272).

By Mr. Koczera of New Bedford, for the committee on Public Service, on a petition, a Bill relative to the city of Brockton’s contributions to the health insurance premiums of its retirees (House, No. 3867) [Local Approval Received].

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

By Mr. Rodrigues of Westport, for the committee on Commerce and Labor, on a petition, a Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the impact on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and similar international agreements (House, No. 1055). Read; and referred, under Joint Rule 29, to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on House, No. 538, an Order relative to authorizing the committee on Energy to make an investigation and study of a certain House document concerning energy conservation (House, No. 3912).

By Mr. Toomey of Cambridge, for the committee on Public Safety, on House, Nos. 597, 1173, 1178, 1720 and 2852, an Order relative to authorizing the committee on Public Safety to make an investigation and study of certain House documents concerning traffic safety (House, No. 3913).

Severally 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, in each instance, asking to be discharged from further consideration of said orders; and recommending that the same severally be referred to the House committee on Rules.

Under Rule 42, the reports severally were considered forthwith; and they were accepted.

By Mr. Wagner of Chicopee, for the committee on Transportation, on House, No. 3811, a Bill providing for an accelerated transportation development and improvement program for the Commonwealth (House, No. 3914). Read; and referred, under Rule 32A, to the committee on Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the Bill regarding county elections for certain vacancies (House, No. 334, changed) be scheduled for consideration by the House. Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading.

By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, that the Bill validating action taken by the Martha’s Vineyard Refuse Disposal and Resource Recovery District (House, No. 1539) 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; and, under said rule, it was placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading.

By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, on a petition, a Bill further extending the time for which certain land in Norfolk County may be used as a temporary minimum security alternative correction center (House, No. 1625). Read; and 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; and, under said rule, it was placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading.

At twenty-eight minutes after twelve o’clock noon, the Speaker declared a recess until three o’clock; and at that time the House was called to order with the Speaker in the Chair.

On motion of Ms. Rogeness of Longmeadow,—

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

Mr. Kocot of Northampton then moved that the House adjourn; and the motion prevailed. Accordingly, without proceeding to consideration of the matters in the Orders of the Day, at five minutes after three o’clock P.M. the House adjourned, to meet tomorrow at eleven o’clock A.M.