JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE.
Monday, July 7, 2003.
Met at seven minutes after eleven
o’clock A.M.
Prayer was offered by the
Reverend Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P., Chaplain of the House, as follows:
Eternal God, we believe
in You, we place our trust in You and in Your mysterious ways of dealing
with us, which we often find difficult to understand and accept. As we
live our daily lives, help us to remain faithful to You, our philosophical
ideals, our religious faith and our high ethical standards. Your guidance
and assistance enables us to address correctly and fairly the current
needs of the people and the complex issues of our diverse society. As
legislators, inspire us to build confidence in the relevance of our basic
institutions, which help us to establish peace, civility and stability
in our changing society and culture.
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.
Message
from the Governor.
A message from His Excellency
the Governor recommending legislation relative to authorizing the Department
of Highways to acquire certain parcels of land in the town of Bourne (House,
No. 3943) was filed in the office of the Clerk on Thursday, July 3.
The message was read; and
it was referred, under Rule 30, with the accompanying draft of a bill,
to the committee on State Administration. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.
Statement
Concerning Representative Costello of Newburyport.
A statement of Mr. DiMasi
of Boston concerning Mr. Costello of Newburyport was spread upon the records
of the House, as follows:
MR.
SPEAKER: I
would like to call to the attention of the House the fact that one of
our colleagues, Representative Costello of Newburyport, will not be present
in the House Chamber for today’s sitting due to a death in his family.
Any roll calls that he may miss today will be due entirely to the reason
stated.
Statement
Concerning Representative Dempsey of Haverhill.
A statement of Mr. DiMasi
of Boston concerning Mr. Dempsey of Haverhill was spread upon the records
of the House, as follows:
MR.
SPEAKER: I
would like to call to the attention of the House the fact that one of
our colleagues, Representative Dempsey of Haverhill, will not be present
in the House Chamber for today’s sitting due to a family obligation.
Any roll calls that he may miss today will be due entirely to the reason
stated.
Statement
Concerning Representative Fagan of Taunton.
A statement of Mr. DiMasi
of Boston concerning Mr. Fagan of Taunton was spread upon the records
of the House, as follows:
MR.
SPEAKER: I
would like to call to the attention of the House the fact that one of
our colleagues, Representative Fagan of Taunton, was not present in the
House Chamber for today’s sitting due to a previously scheduled
family obligation. Had he been present for the taking of yea and nay number
137, he would have voted in the negative. On yea and nay numbers 138 through
155, he would have voted, in each instance, in the affirmative. Any roll
calls that he missed today was due entirely to the reason stated.
Resolutions.
Resolutions (filed with
the Clerk by Ms. Rogeness of Longmeadow and other members of the House)
on the occasion of the National Foundation for Women Legislators endorsement
of President George W. Bush’s Access to Recovery Initiative, were
referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules.
Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for
the committee on Rules, then reported that the resolutions ought to be
adopted. Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Ms. Rogeness, the
resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to
be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.
Papers
from the Senate.
Petitions were referred,
in concurrence, as follows:
Petition (accompanied by
bill, Senate, No. 2028) of Michael W. Morrissey and Robert J. Nyman (by
vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Rockland to
increase its hotel-motel tax to six percent to increase its capital improvement
and stabilization funds. To the committee on Taxation.
Petition (accompanied by
bill, Senate, No. 2029) of Stanley C. Rosenberg and Ellen Story (by vote
of the town) for legislation to authorize local voting rights for permanent
resident aliens residing in the town of Amherst. To the committee on Election
Laws.
Engrossed
Bills.
The engrossed Bill validating
the action taken at the annual town meeting held in the town of Winchendon
(see House bill printed in House, No. 3933) (which originated in the House),
having been certified by the Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for
final passage, was passed to be enacted (more than two-thirds of the members
having agreed to pass the same); and it was signed by the Speaker and
sent to the Senate.
The engrossed Bill authorizing
the city of Medford to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic
beverages to be drunk on the premises (see House, No. 3865, amended) (which
originated in the House), having been certified by the Clerk to be rightly
and truly prepared for final passage, was passed to be enacted; and it
was signed by the Speaker and sent to the Senate.
Recesses.
At twenty-three minutes
after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Donato of Medford, the
House recessed until one o’clock P.M.; and at twelve minutes after
one o’clock the House was called to order with the Speaker in the
Chair.
The House thereupon took
a further recess, on motion of Ms. Rogeness of Longmeadow, until two o’clock;
and at twenty-five minutes after two o’clock the House was called
to order with the Speaker in the Chair.
Motion
to Suspend Rule 24(2).
Mr. Peterson of Grafton
moved that Rule 24(2) be suspended so that he might offer the following
order:
Ordered, That
any vetoes by the Governor concerning House Bill 4004, the Fiscal Year
2004 General Appropriation Act, which are reported by the Committee on
Ways and Means for consideration by the House be placed on the Calendar
for consideration by the House at its next formal session.
The motion to suspend Rule
24(2) prevailed.
After remarks on the question on adoption of the
order, the sense of the House was taken by yeas and nays, at the request
of the same member; and on the roll call 24 members voted in the affirmative
and 129 in the negative.
Therefore the order was
rejected.
Reports of a Committee.
Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for
the committee on Ways and Means, on a message from His Excellency the
Governor (for message, see House, No. 4005), returning with His disapproval
of certain items and sections and parts of certain items, and reductions
in certain items contained in the engrossed 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 (see House, No. 4004), reported, in part, in each
instance, that certain items (contained in section 2) and certain sections
stand (as passed by the General Court).
Under suspension of the
rules, in each instance, on motion of the same member, the following sections
were considered; and the sense of the House, in each instance, was determined
by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I, Section I, Article II of the
Constitution, as follows:
Section 129, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 129. The
second paragraph of section 2H of said chapter 29 as appearing in subsection
A of section 13 of chapter 177 of the acts of 2001, is hereby amended
by striking out, in line 2, the figure ‘10’ and inserting
in place thereof the following figure: — 15.”.
After debate, the question on passing said section,
notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas
and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 131
members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore section 129 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 167, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 167. Said
chapter 29 is hereby further amended by striking out section 9C, as amended
by section 3 of chapter 1 of the acts of 2003, and inserting in place
thereof the following section: —
Section 9C. Whenever, in
the opinion of the commissioner of administration, available revenues
as determined by him from time to time during any fiscal year under section
5B will be insufficient to meet all of the expenditures authorized to
be made from any fund, whether by appropriation or distribution, he shall
within 5 days notify in writing the governor and the house and senate
committees on ways and means of the amount of such probable deficiency
of revenue and the governor shall, within 15 days after such notification,
reduce allotments under section 9B, and submit in writing a report stating
the reason for and effect of such reductions, or submit to the general
court specific proposals to raise additional revenues by a total amount
equal to such deficiency. Any action challenging the legality of an allotment
reduction pursuant to this section shall be commenced in the supreme judicial
court for Suffolk county.
Whenever the governor reduces
allotments under the preceding paragraph, the governor shall notify the
house and senate committees on ways and means in writing 15 days before
any alterations to the original allotment reduction plan. Any alterations
to the original allotment reduction plan that would seek to increase an
allotment must provide an equal reduction in other allotments or propose
to raise additional revenues to total the amount of the allotment increase.
As an alternative to the
submission of such proposals to raise additional revenues and to the extent
funds are available, the governor may recommend an appropriation equal
to such deficiency from the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund in the manner
provided in section 2H.”.
After debate, the question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 132 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore section 167 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 163, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 163. Section
5B of said chapter 29, is hereby further amended by striking out the last
paragraph, as amended by section 42 of chapter 184 of the acts of
2002, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—
On or before January 15,
the commissioner shall meet with the house and senate committees on ways
and means and shall jointly develop a consensus tax revenue forecast for
the budget for the ensuing fiscal year which shall be agreed to by the
commissioner and said committees. In developing such a consensus tax revenue
forecast, the commissioner and said committees, or subcommittees of said
committees, are hereby authorized to hold joint hearings on the economy
of the commonwealth and its impact on tax revenue forecasts; provided,
however, that in the first year of the term of office of a governor who
has not served in the preceding year, said parties shall agree to the
consensus tax revenue forecast not later than January 31 of said year.
Said consensus tax estimate shall be net of the amount necessary to transfer,
from the General Fund to the Commonwealth’s Pension Liability Fund,
to fully fund the system according to the schedule established pursuant to paragraph
(1) of section 22C of chapter 32. Said consensus
tax estimate shall also include an estimate of taxes collected pursuant
to chapter 62 for capital gain income, as defined therein. The department
of revenue shall report on a monthly basis to the house and senate committees
on ways and means and the joint committee on taxation the amount of revenues
estimated to be collected in that month from capital gains income. Said
consensus tax revenue forecast shall be included in a joint resolution
and placed before the members of the general court for their consideration.
Such joint resolution, if passed by both branches of the general court,
shall establish the maximum amount of tax revenue which may be considered
for the general appropriation act for the ensuing fiscal year.”.
After debate, the question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 118 members voted in the affirmative and 35 in the negative.
Therefore section 163 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 176, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 176. The
first paragraph of subsection (1) of section 22C of chapter 32 of
the General Laws, as most recently amended by section 5 of chapter 46
of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by striking the first sentence
and inserting in place thereof the following two sentences:— In
each fiscal year, there shall be transferred from the General Fund by
the comptroller, without further appropriation, to the Commonwealth’s
Pension Liability Fund the amount necessary to fully fund the system as
determined by the schedule set forth in this section, including, without
limitation, the amounts required under section 104. The comptroller may
make such transfer in increments during the fiscal year as he deems appropriate
to meet the cash flow needs of the commonwealth.”.
The question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 119 members voted in the affirmative and 35 in the negative.
Therefore section 176 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 177, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 177. Said
subsection (1) of said section 22C of said chapter 32, as most recently
amended by section 5 of said chapter 46, is hereby further amended
by inserting after the word ‘appropriations’, in line 47,
the following words:— or transfers.
The question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 119 members voted in the affirmative and 35 in the negative.
Therefore section 177 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 178, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 178. The
second paragraph of said subsection (1) of said section 22C of said chapter
32, as amended by section 4 of chapter 118 of the acts of 2002, is hereby
further amended by striking out the last sentence and inserting in place
thereof the following sentence:— If said schedule is not so approved
such payments or transfers shall be made in accordance with the most recent
three year actuarial valuation which was so approved; provided, that such
payments shall be an amount which is not less than the then previous year’s
appropriations, or transfers.”.
The question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 131 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore section 178 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 179, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 179. The
last paragraph of said subsection (1) of said section 22C of said chapter
32, added by section 17 of chapter 177 of the acts of 2001, is hereby
amended by inserting after the word ‘appropriations’, in line
2, the following words: — or transfers.”.
The question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 119 members voted in the affirmative and 35 in the negative.
Therefore section 179 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Section 594, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered, as follows:
“SECTION 594. The
amounts transferred pursuant to section 5B of chapter 29, as amended by
this act, shall be made available for the Commonwealth’s Pension
Liability Fund established under section 22 of chapter 32 of the General
Laws. The amounts transferred pursuant to said section 5B of said chapter
29 shall meet the commonwealth’s obligations under section 22C of
said chapter 32, including retirement benefits payable by the state employees’
and the state teachers’ retirement systems, for the costs associated
with a 3 per cent cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to section 102 of
said chapter 32, the reimbursement of local retirement systems for previously
authorized cost-of-living adjustments pursuant to section 102 of said
chapter 32, and for the costs of increased survivor benefits pursuant
to chapter 389 of the acts of 1984. Notwithstanding said section 22C of
said chapter 32, the amounts transferred shall be the scheduled amount
less amounts satisfied by asset transfers for said purpose as required
by this act. Subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the treasurer,
the state retirement board and each city, town, county and district shall
verify the cost thereof and the treasurer may make such payments upon
a transfer of funds to reimburse certain cities and towns for pensions
to retired teachers and including any other obligations which the commonwealth
has assumed on behalf of any retirement system other than the state employees’
or state teachers’ retirement systems and including the commonwealth’s
share of the amounts to be transferred pursuant to section 22B of said
chapter 32 and the amounts to be transferred pursuant to subsection (a)
of the last paragraph of section 21 of chapter 138 of the General Laws.
All payments for the purposes described in this item shall be made only
pursuant to distribution of monies from the fund, and any such distribution
and the payments for which distributions are required shall be detailed
in a written report filed quarterly by the commissioner of administration
with the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee
on public service in advance of such distribution. Such distributions
shall not be made in advance of the date on which a payment is actually
to be made. The state retirement board may expend an amount for the purposes
of the higher education coordinating council’s optional retirement
program pursuant to section 40 of chapter 15A of the General Laws. To the extent that the amount transferred pursuant
to section 5B of said chapter 29 exceeds the amount necessary to adequately
fund the annual pension obligations, the excess amount shall be credited
to the Pension Reserves Investment Trust Fund of the commonwealth for
the purpose of reducing the unfunded pension liability of the commonwealth.”.
The question on passing
said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined
by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call
154 members voted in the affirmative and 0 in the negative.
Therefore section 594 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, in each instance, on motion of Ms. St. Fleur of Boston, the following
items were considered; and the sense of the House, in each instance, was
determined by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I, Section I, Article II of
the Constitution, as follows:
Item 7100-0500 (contained
in section 2), which had been vetoed by the Governor, was considered,
as follows:
“7100-0500 For the operation
of the board of higher education’s Commonwealth College honors program
at the
University of Massachusetts at
Amherst 1,715,000”.
After debate, the question on passing said item, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 143 members voted in the affirmative and 11 in the negative.
Therefore item 7100-0500
was passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Item 7030-1005 (contained
in section 2), which had been vetoed by the Governor, was considered,
as follows:
“7030-1005 For early intervention
individual tutorial literacy programs designed as a pre-special education
referral and short term intervention for children who are at risk of failing
to read in the first grade; provided, that such programs shall be research-based
with proven long term results, including identifying students in need
of additional help not later than mid-first grade, providing ongoing training
and support to program teachers, and including ongoing documentation
and evaluation of results 1,910,788”.
The question on passing said item, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 129 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore item 7030-1005
was passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Item 7030-1003 (contained
in section 2), which had been vetoed by the Governor, was considered,
as follows:
“7030-1003 For the John
Silber early literacy program and teacher training to promote research
based school-wide literacy education and to promote literacy among children
in grades K through three in the commonwealth; provided, that the office
of school readiness shall administer said early literacy grant programs
to improve the quality and effectiveness of literacy education in the
commonwealth to the greatest extent possible, which shall include maintaining
support for existing BayState readers schools and providing additional
funds for new schools to participate in said program; provided further,
that such early literacy education programs shall be based on a scientifically-based
reading research program consistent with the federal Reading First Initiative,
so-called, may be correlated to the National
Reading Panel’s Report on Teaching Children
to Read, may be integrated easily into the classroom by managing automatic
student rotation, and may provide for authentic assessments including
recorded portfolios of student’s oral reading; provided further,
that such school-wide literacy education programs shall provide for the
evaluation and tracking of all students’ reading and writing skills
annually for at least three years, shall include measurable goals and
benchmarks, shall be lead by a school-based planning team which includes
teaching faculty and the school principal, shall provide for the training
of teachers in effective strategies for reading instruction and shall
include a school-wide literacy coordinator who shall be responsible for
the coordination and training of other school staff; provided further,
that $225,000 shall be expended for JFY.net, so-called, a Jobs for Youth
initiative for high technology, literacy and job skill instruction to
youth and adults through advanced software and existing infrastructure
capacity in schools and community agencies; provided further, that the
department shall establish guidelines for said grant programs consistent
with the federal Reading First Initiative, so-called; provided further,
that any grant funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with
the treasurer of such city, town or regional school district and held
in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of
such city, town or regional school district, without further appropriation,
notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary;
provided further, that funds shall be expended for the BayState Readers
Initiative, so-called, modeled on the research-based best practices of
the Alabama Reading Initiative; provided further, that said initiative shall provide for the training of teachers in effective strategies for reading instruction and shall
otherwise be consistent with the overall purpose of this item and with
the Reading First Initiative, so-called; provided further, that in its
evaluation of applications for said initiative, said office may take into
consideration schools’ cumulative grade four MCAS scores; provided
further, that funds appropriated herein for said initiative may be expended
through August 31, 2004; provided further, that not more than $500,000
shall be made available for matching grants to fund the Reach Out and
Read program, so-called, to provide books to at-risk children in the commonwealth
through book distribution programs established in community health centers,
medical practices and hospitals for at-risk children; provided further,
that the funds distributed through the Reach Out and Read program shall
be contingent upon a match of not less than $1 in private or corporate
contributions for every dollar in state funding distributed through said
grant program; and provided further, that such program shall supplement
currently funded local, state and
federal programs at the school
or district 3,892,994”.
The question on passing said item, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 138 members voted in the affirmative and 15 in the negative.
Therefore item 7030-1003
was passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Item 7030-1002 (contained
in section 2), which had been reduced by the Governor, was considered,
as follows:
“7030-1002 For kindergarten
development grants to provide ongoing grant awards to continue quality
enhancement of existing full day kindergarten classrooms and to encourage
the transition of half day classrooms into full day kindergarten classrooms;
provided, that the office of school readiness shall administer a grant
program to encourage the voluntary expansion of high quality, full day
kindergarten education throughout the commonwealth; provided further,
that grants of not more than $18,000 per classroom shall be made available
to public schools for the enhancement of existing full day kindergarten
classrooms and for the transition of existing half day kindergarten classrooms
into full day kindergarten classrooms; provided further, that said grants
shall be awarded pursuant to guidelines established by the department
relative to the application and award process which shall include eligibility
criteria, allowable grant expenditures and grant recipient obligations;
provided further, that guidelines for transition grants shall require
applicants for such grants to identify obstacles that impede the transition
to full day kindergarten; provided further, that the guidelines shall
require grant recipients to identify the anticipated date by which the
implementation of quality enhancement or transition projects shall commence;
provided further, that the guidelines shall detail the range of permissible
grant expenditures which shall include, but not be limited to, the expenditure
of funds for facility improvements or other expenses necessary to provide
adequate space for the transition from half day kindergarten classrooms
into full day kindergarten classrooms; provided further, that grants funded
through this appropriation shall not annualize to more than $18,000 per
classroom in subsequent fiscal years; provided further, that preference
shall be given to grant applicants with high percentages of students scoring
in levels 1 or 2 on the Massachusetts comprehensive assessment system
exam, so-called, as determined by the department based on available data;
provided further, that any grant funds distributed from this item shall
be deposited with the treasurer of such city, town or regional school
district and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school
committee of such city, town or regional school district without further
appropriation, notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special
law to the contrary; provided further, that such program shall supplement
and shall not supplant currently funded local, state and federal programs
at the school or district; provided further, that not later than January
15, 2004 the department shall report to the house and senate committees
on ways and means on the total number of enhancement and transition grants
requested and awarded; provided further, that the report shall detail
common factors associated with both successful and unsuccessful applications
and shall include the total number of full day and half day kindergarten
classrooms projected to be in operation in Massachusetts public schools
in fiscal year 2005; provided further, that funds appropriated in this
item for transition grant awards may be expended through August 31, 2004
for the purposes of transition projects scheduled for the school year
beginning in September, 2004; and provided further, that the department
may expend not more than $200,000 to administer
the grants program established
herein 23,000,000”.
[The Governor reduced the
item to $13,000,000 and disapproved the following wording: “; provided
further, that not later than January 15, 2004 the department shall report
to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the total number
of enhancement and transition grants requested and awarded; provided further,
that the report shall detail common factors associated with both successful
and unsuccessful applications and shall include the total number of full
day and half day kindergarten classrooms projected to be in operation
in Massachusetts public schools in fiscal year 2005;
After debate the question
on passing said item, notwithstanding the reductions of the Governor,
was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and
on the roll call 141 members voted in the affirmative and 12 in the negative.
Therefore item 7030-1002
was passed, notwithstanding the reductions of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, on motion of Mr. Pedone of Worcester, item 7007-0500 (contained
in section 2), which had been vetoed by the Governor, was considered;
and the sense of the House was determined by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I,
Section I, Article II of the Constitution,
as follows:
“7007-0500 For the operation
and maintenance of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Institute
for the purpose of promoting the commercialization of new, academic-based
research and development, and raising the scientific awareness of the
communities of the commonwealth
200,000”.
The question on passing
said item, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined
by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call
135 members voted in the affirmative and 19 in the negative.
Therefore item 7007-0500
was passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, on motion of Mr. Correia of Fall River, item 1599-3857 (contained
in section 2), which had been vetoed by the Governor, was considered;
and the sense of the House was determined by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I,
Section I, Article II of the Constitution,
as follows:
“1599-3857 For capital lease
payments from the university of Massachusetts to the Massachusetts development
finance agency and for annual operations of the advanced technology and
manufacturing
center in Fall River 550,442”.
The question on passing said item, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 130 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore item 1599-3857
was passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, on motion of Ms. St. Fleur of Boston, item 7066-0009 (contained
in section 2), which had been vetoed by the Governor, was considered;
and the sense of the House was determined by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I,
Section I, Article II of the Constitution,
as follows:
“7066-0009 For the New England
Board of Higher Education 367,402”.
The question on passing said item, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 133 members voted in the affirmative and 20 in the negative.
Therefore item 7066-0009
was passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than
two-thirds of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative).
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, on motion of Mr. Koczera of New Bedford, item 1108-5200 (contained
in section 2), which had been reduced by the Governor, was considered;
and the sense of the House was determined by yeas and nays, as required
by Chapter I, Section I, Article II of the Constitution, as follows:
“1108-5200 For the commonwealth’s
share of the group insurance premium and plan costs incurred in fiscal
year 2004; provided, that the secretary of administration and finance
shall charge the division of unemployment assistance and other departments,
authorities, agencies and divisions, which have federal or other funds
allocated to them for this purpose, for that portion of insurance premiums
and plan costs as the secretary determines should be borne by such funds,
and shall notify the comptroller of the amounts to be transferred, after
similar determination, from the several state or other funds and amounts
received in payment of all such charges or such transfers shall be credited
to the General Fund; provided further, that prior year costs incurred
by the state indemnity health insurance plan and the preferred provider
organization shall be funded from this item; provided further, that the
group insurance commission shall report quarterly to the house and senate
committees on ways and means the amounts expended from this item for said
prior year costs; provided further, that the group insurance commission
shall obtain reimbursement for premium and administrative expenses from
other agencies and authorities not funded by state appropriation; provided
further, that the secretary of administration and finance may charge all
agencies for the commonwealth’s share of the health insurance costs
incurred on behalf of any employees of those agencies who are on leave
of absence for a period of more than one year; provided further, that
the amounts received in payment for such charges shall be credited to
the General Fund; provided further, that notwithstanding section 26 of
chapter 29 of the General Laws, the commission may negotiate, purchase
and execute contracts before July 1 of each year for policies of group
insurance as authorized by chapter 32A of the General Laws; provided further,
that notwithstanding chapter 150E of the General Laws and as provided
in section 8 of said chapter 32A and for the purposes of section 14 of
said chapter 32A, the commonwealth’s share of the group insurance
premium for state employees who have retired before July 1, 1994 shall
be 90 per cent and the commonwealth’s share of the group insurance
premium for state employees who have retired on or after July 1, 1994
shall be 85 per cent; provided further, that the commonwealth’s
share of the group insurance premium for active employees upon retirement
shall be 85 per cent; provided further, that notwithstanding section 8
of chapter 32A of the General Laws, the commonwealth’s share of
such premiums for active state employees and their dependents whose salary,
as determined by the group insurance commission in consultation with the
human resources division and the office of the state comptroller, is between
$0 and $34,999 shall be 85 per cent of such premiums and rates; provided
further, that the commonwealth’s share of such premiums for active
state employees and their dependents whose salary, as determined by the
group insurance commission in consultation with the human resources division
and the office of the state comptroller, is $35,000 and greater shall
be 80 per cent of such premiums and rates; provided further, that the
preceding provisions pursuant to employee contributions shall sunset June
30, 2005 at which time the commonwealth’s share of such premiums
for active state employees and their dependents shall be 85 per cent;
provided further, that the commonwealth’s share of such premiums
for active state employees and their dependents who are hired after June
30, 2003 shall be 75 per cent of such premiums and rates; provided further,
that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, during
fiscal year 2004, said commission shall continue to provide health insurance
coverage for employees and members of the board of bar examiners, both
full-time and part-time, that were employed by said board as of January
1, 2003 consistent with coverage provided to state employees pursuant
to this item; and provided further, that the commission shall notify the
house and senate committees on ways and means by March 15 of each year
of the cost of the commonwealth’s projected share of group insurance
premiums for the next fiscal
year 756,569,003”.
[The Governor reduced the
item to $756,539,003 and disapproved the following
wording: “; provided further, that the preceding provisions pursuant
to employee contributions shall sunset June 30, 2005 at which time the
commonwealth’s share of such premiums for active state employees
and their dependents shall be 85 per cent”; and “; provided
further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary,
during fiscal year 2004, said commission shall continue
to provide health insurance coverage for employees and members of the
board of bar examiners, both full-time and part-time, that were employed
by said board as of January 1, 2003 consistent with coverage provided
to state employees pursuant to this item”.]
After debate, the question on passing said item, notwithstanding the reductions of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 130 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore item 1108-5200
(contained in section 2) was passed, notwithstanding the reductions of
the Governor (more than two-thirds of the members present and voting having
voted in the affirmative). Sent to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, on motion of Mr. Rogers of Norwood, section 161, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered; and the sense of the House was
determined by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I, Section I, Article
II of the Constitution, as follows:
“SECTION 161. Said
chapter 29 is hereby further amended by striking out section 3A and inserting
in place thereof the following section:—
Section 3A. Any officer
having charge of any state agency which receives a periodic appropriation
from the commonwealth, or any officer of a state authority or commission,
shall upon the request of any standing committee of the house or senate,
or of any joint standing committee of the general court, furnish in writing
to such committee, in a format prescribed by such committee, any information
requested by such committee that is necessary for the committee to perform
its duties. The information shall include, but not be limited to, historical,
current or proposed operational costs funded through any appropriation,
capital accounts, federal grants, trust funds or other funding sources,
the officer’s estimate of the cost of proposed legislation affecting
activities which are or would be under his supervision, estimates of and
reasons for any supplemental funding that is projected to be needed during
the fiscal year, estimates of revenue collections, estimates of proposed
changes in fees or taxes, and any other such information as may be required
by the committee. Such estimates shall be provided to such committee within
10 days of the receipt of such a request by the officer. If the officer
fails to respond within 10 days, the matter shall be referred to the house
or senate committee on post audit and oversight which shall, in conjunction
with the committee that originally requested the information, determine
if further action is necessary.”.
After debate, the question
on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor,
was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and
on the roll call 131 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore section 161 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Under suspension of the
rules, on motion of Ms. St. Fleur of Boston, section 683, which had been
vetoed by the Governor, was considered; and the sense of the House was
determined by yeas and nays, as required by Chapter I, Section I, Article
II of the Constitution, as follows:
“SECTION 683. Chapter
15A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 4, as
appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof
the following section:—
Section 4. (a) The board
of higher education, hereinafter referred to as the board, shall be composed
of 11 voting members, consisting of the commissioner of education, ex
officio, 7 members appointed by the governor reflecting regional geographic
representation, and 3 members chosen to represent public institutions
of higher education. Of the appointed members, at least 1 shall be a representative
of organized labor, at least 1 shall be a representative of the business
community, and 1 shall be a member whom the governor shall choose from
among not more than 3 full-time undergraduate students who shall be nominated,
and who are currently enrolled in a public institution set forth in section
5. Nominated students shall have maintained satisfactory academic progress
as determined by the policy of the institution at which such student is
enrolled. Nominations shall be submitted by student members of the board
of trustees for each such institution who, for the purpose of this section,
shall be referred to as the student advisory committee. Such nominations
may include, but not be limited to, students elected as trustees in accordance
with the provisions of section 21. Of the 3 members chosen to represent
public institutions of higher education, 1 shall be a member of the board
of trustees of the state university selected by the chair of the board
of trustees for the university, 1 shall be a member of a board of trustees
of a state college chosen by vote of the chairs of the boards of trustees
of each of the state colleges, and 1 shall be a member of a board of trustees
of a community college chosen by vote of the chairs of the boards of trustees
of each of the community colleges. For the purposes of this section the
Massachusetts College of Art and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy shall
be deemed to be state colleges. There shall be an office of the board
consisting of a chancellor and employees appointed by the board.
(b) Members of the board
shall be appointed to serve 5-year terms, except that the undergraduate
student members shall be appointed annually to serve terms of 1 year commencing
initially upon appointment by the governor and expiring on April 30 and
each year thereafter commencing on May 1 and expiring on April 30 as long
as the member remains a full-time undergraduate throughout his 1-year
term. Within 3 consecutive years, the student appointee shall in the first
year be a student attending the state university, in the second year,
shall be a student attending a community college and, in the third year,
shall be a student attending a state college. This cycle shall repeat.
Each of the student government associations at each of the public institutions
may submit to the student advisory committee an individual nominated to
be the undergraduate student member of the board. All guidelines for procedures
and deadlines for the selection process of the undergraduate board members
shall be established by the student advisory committee, except as provided
in this section. No member shall be appointed for more than 2 consecutive
terms, except that a student member may serve for only 1 term. Upon expiration
of the term of office of a member, a successor shall be appointed in like
manner. A vacancy shall be filled by the governor for the remainder of
the term, except that if a member chosen to represent the public institutions
of higher education ceases to be a member, the resultant vacancy shall
be filled for the remainder of the term by the chairs of the boards of
trustees of the public institutions in the same manner as in paragraph
(a). The chairperson of the board, who shall be appointed by the governor,
shall notify the governor whenever a vacancy exists. The board shall have
an executive committee and such other committees as the board may from
time to time establish.
(c) The members of the board
shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all expenses
reasonably incurred in the performance of their duties.
(d) No member of the board
shall be principally employed within the public higher education system
of the commonwealth. Not more than one third of the members shall be principally
employed by the commonwealth. A member of the board shall cease to be
a member if such member ceases to be qualified for appointment or if he
is absent from 5 regularly scheduled meetings during a calendar year.
(e) A person affiliated
with an independent institution of higher education shall be eligible
for membership on the board. No member of the board shall be found to
be in violation of section 6 of chapter 268A for conduct which involves
his participation, as a member of the board, in a particular matter before
the board which may affect the financial interest of an independent institution
of higher education with which he is affiliated; provided, however, that
the member, his immediate family or partner has no personal and direct
financial interest in the particular matter; and provided further, that
such affiliation is disclosed to the board and recorded in the minutes
of the board.
(f) The board shall meet
6 times per year, and at least once every 2 months, omitting meetings
in the months of July and August; the chair may call additional meetings
at other times.
(g) Six members of the board
shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of 6 members shall
be necessary for any action taken by the board.
(h) All members of the board
appointed by the governor shall be appointed according to section 18B
of chapter 6.”.
The question on passing said section, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, was determined by yeas and nays, as required by the Constitution; and on the roll call 130 members voted in the affirmative and 23 in the negative.
Therefore section 683 was
passed, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor (more than two-thirds
of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative). Sent
to the Senate for its action.
Mr. Larkin of Pittsfield,
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 contained in Senate document
numbered 2014) of the House Bill providing relief and flexibility to municipal
officials (House, No. 4003), reported, in part, a Bill providing relief
and flexibility to municipal officials (House, No. 3944).
Placed in the Orders of
the Day for the next sitting, the question being on acceptance.
Order.
On motion of Mr. Flynn of
Bridgewater,—
Ordered, That
when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet tomorrow at twelve o’clock
noon.
 |
Mr. Nyman of Hanover then
moved that the House adjourn; and the motion prevailed. Accordingly, without
proceeding to consideration of the matter in the Orders of the Day, at
twenty-nine minutes after six o’clock P.M. the House adjourned,
to meet tomorrow at twelve o’clock noon.