House Journal, July 3, 2003

Met at twelve minutes past eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Ms. St. Fleur 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:

God, Our Creator, as we prepare to observe and celebrate Independence Day (the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence), we pause to express our thanks to You for our many blessings and the human and material resources of this nation. The holiday reminds us of the creative spirit and the personal thoughtfulness of the signers of the Declaration and founders of this country. Their sound principles and their religious orientation enabled them to draw up a document which recognized the dignity, worth and importance of each person at all stages of human existence. As citizens of this nation, we may disagree on values and issues, but inspire us all to work together for the common good and for a unity of purpose and intention in promoting just and reasonable causes and priorities.

At the request of the Chair (Ms. St. Fleur), the members, guests and employees joined with her 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. Coppola of Foxborough) congratulating Patrick James Duffey on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Coppola of Foxborough) congratulating Jon Michael Mihaly on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Coppola of Foxborough) congratulating Timothy Bradford Sweet on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Ms. Gobi of Spencer) in remembrance of Gladys Irene Salame; and

Resolutions (filed by Mrs. Owens-Hicks of Boston) congratulating the Eastern Region Tri-State chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated on the occasion of its forty-fourth Eastern Regional Conference;

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

Reports of the Department of Public Health (under the provisions of Sections 5 and 20 of Chapter 11l of the General Laws) relative to inspections of certain correctional facilities, as follows:

Of the Bristol County Jail, Ash Street Facility, in the city of New Bedford; and

Of the Suffolk County House of Correction, in the city of Boston;

Severally were spread upon the records of the House; and returned to the Senate.

Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules, on the Order relative to authorizing the committee on Public Safety to make an investigation and study of certain House documents concerning auto parts, child safety, private detectives and other related matters (House, No. 3896) reports, in part, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3205) of Antonio F. D. Cabral, Deborah D. Blumer, Karen Spilka, Anne M. Paulsen and William Lantigua relative to the identification deemed appropriate by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for certain license and registration applicants,— and recommending that the same be recommitted to the committee on Public Safety. Under Rule 42, the report was considered forthwith; and it was accepted.

Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, on House, No. 3928, reported, in part, a Bill relative to certain capital spending authorizations (House, No. 3941). 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.

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

By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, that the Bill providing for an accelerated transportation development and improvement program for the Commonwealth (House, No. 3914) 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.

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

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the House 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) be scheduled for consideration by the House.

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

By Mr. Quinn of Dartmouth, for the committee on Banks and Banking, on House, Nos. 8, 16, 17, 482, 856, 1236, 1616, 2194, 2195, 2378 and 3106, an Order relative to authorizing the committee on Banks and Banking to make an investigation and study of certain House documents concerning credit cards, electronic transfers, fees and other related matters (House, No. 3938).

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, for the committee on Energy, on Senate, No. 372 and House, Nos. 540, 2953 and 3146, an Order relative to authorizing the committee on Energy to make an investigation and study of certain Senate and House documents concerning the bottle law (House, No. 3939).

By the same member, for the same committee, on Senate, No. 2020 and House, No. 1080, an Order relative to authorizing the committee on Energy to make an investigation and study of certain Senate and House documents concerning the bottle bill so-called (House, No. 3940) [Representative Speliotis of Danvers dissenting].

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 Mrs. Parente of Milford, for the committee on Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the city of Somerville to issue certain general obligation bonds with level debt service (House, No. 3853).

By Mr. Koczera of New Bedford, for the committee on Public Service, on a petition, a Bill relative to the retirement benefits of certain public employees (House, No. 3587).

By Mr. Hall of Westford, for the committee on State Administration, on a petition, a Bill relative to the supervision of public records (House, No. 625).

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

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the following matters be scheduled for consideration by the House:

Establishing an affordable housing trust fund in the city of Salem (House, No. 3735) [Local Approval Received];

Authorizing the town of Mashpee to convey certain conservation land (House, No. 3846) [Local Approval Received]; and

Designating certain Metropolitan District Commission property in the city of Boston as the Guido Salvucci Bocci Court (House, No. 3883);

Severally placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading.

By Mr. Koczera of New Bedford, for the committee on Public Service, on a petition, a Bill placing the fire department of the town of Dracut under the civil service law (House, No. 3903) [Local Approval Received].

By the same member, for the same committee, on a petition, a Bill relative to the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Acushnet (House, No. 3923) [Local Approval Received].

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

By Mr. Quinn of Dartmouth, for the committee on Banks and Banking, ought NOT to pass, on the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 97) of Bruce J. Ayers that banking and lending institutions be required to issue monthly statements to mortgage loan customers. 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, the question, being on acceptance.

The engrossed Bill relative to certain capital spending authorizations (see House, No. 3941), 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 9 to 0. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Subsequently, the Senate having concurred in adoption of the emergency preamble, the bill (which originated in the House) was passed to be enacted; and it was signed by the acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

Designating a certain bridge in the town of Canton as the John E. Farrington Bridge (House, No. 661); and

Validating the action taken at the annual town meeting held in the town of Winchendon (printed in House, No. 3933) (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 on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M.

At ten minutes after twelve o’clock noon, on motion of Mr. Rushing of Boston (Ms. St. Fleur of Boston being in the Chair)., the House adjourned, to meet on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M.