House Journal, August 28, 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, Our Creator, the Ultimate Source of Goodness and Truth, the Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of the summer season. We are grateful for the blessings, the family days and time for relaxation which we have enjoyed. May we be now focused and strengthened in addressing the tasks ahead. During this weekend, we also celebrate the enormous contribution which all workers — Women and Men — have made to the nation and society. Teach us to recognize the dignity of all workers as they strive to keep our country moving on a daily basis and respond to their own family obligations. Grant us the wisdom to cope with current employment (or unemployment) realities and to hold in the highest esteem and use prudently our vast and talented human resources.

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.

A message from His Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to certain capital spending authorizations (House, No. 4132) was filed in the office of the Clerk on Wednesday, August 27.

The message was read; and it was referred, under Rule 30, with the accompanying draft of a bill, to the committee on Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures.

The House Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Duarte O. Raposo, an employee of the Trial Court. (House, No. 3958) came from the Senate passed to be engrossed, in concurrence, with an amendment adding at the end thereof the following sentence: “Whenever Duarte O. Raposo terminates employment with the trial court or requests to dissolve the sick leave bank, the balance of sick leave shall be transferred to the trial court paid leave bank.”.

Under suspension of Rule 35, on motion of Mr. Toomey of Cambridge, the amendment (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) was considered forthwith; and it was adopted, in concurrence.

By Mr. Straus of Mattapoisett, for the committee on Election Laws, on a petition, a Bill relative to the municipal election in the city of Malden in the year 2003 (House, No. 3877) [Local Approval Received]. 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. Verga of Gloucester, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

By Mr. Greene of Billerica, for the committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture, on House, No. 3010, a Bill relative to the membership of the Lake Quinsigamond Commission (House, No. 4133). 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. Donato of Medford, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, on House No. 2021, reported, in part, a Bill relative to the Prescription Advantage and early retirement incentive programs (House, No. 4134). 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. Demakis of Boston, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

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

The engrossed Bill authorizing the merger of Moby Dick Council, Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America into the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America (see Senate, No. 1993, amended), 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 16 to 0. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

The engrossed Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Duarte O. Raposo, an employee of the Trial Court. (see House, No. 3958, amended), 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.

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.

The engrossed Bill relative to the election of members of the school committee of the Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School from the city of Lowell (see Senate, No. 2069) (which originated in the Senate), 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 acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

The Senate Bill declaring September 11 as Unity Day (Senate, No. 1636, amended), reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn, was read a third time; and it was passed to be engrossed, in concurrence.

At twenty-seven minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., the Chair (Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea) declared a recess until a quarter before twelve o’clock noon; and at ten minutes before twelve o’clock the House was called to order with Mr. O’Flaherty in the Chair.

The Chair thereupon declared a further recess until twelve o’clock noon; and at seventeen minutes after twelve o’clock the House was called to order with Mr. O’Flaherty in the Chair.

The Chair thereupon declared a further recess until a quarter before one o’clock P.M. and at ten minutes after one o’clock the House was called to order with Mr. O’Flaherty in the Chair.

A Bill relative to the prescription advantage program (Senate, No. 2077) (on a part of House bill, No. 4134), passed to be engrossed by the Senate, was read; and it was referred, under Rule 33, to the committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for said committee, reported recommending that the bill 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 the rules, on motion of Mr. Marzilli of Arlington, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

A Bill relative to the early retirement incentive program (Senate, No. 2078) (on a part of House bill, No. 4134), passed to be engrossed by the Senate, was read; and it was referred, under Rule 33, to the committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for said committee, reported recommending that the bill 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 the rules, on motion of Mr. Marzilli of Arlington, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Demakis of Boston, the bill (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) was read a third time; and it was passed to be engrossed, in concurrence.

At twenty-five minutes before two o’clock P.M., the Chair (Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea) declared a recess until two o’clock P.M.; and at two minutes before three o’clock the House was called to order with Mr. O’Flaherty in the Chair.

The Chair thereupon declared a further recess until half past three o’clock; and at nineteen minutes before four o’clock the House was called to order with Mr. O’Flaherty in the Chair.

The engrossed Bill declaring September 11 as Unity Day (see Senate, No. 1636, amended), 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.

The engrossed Bill relative to the prescription advantage program (see Senate, No. 2077), 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.

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

The engrossed Bill relative to the early retirement incentive program (see Senate, No. 2078), 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.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

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

At fourteen minutes before six o’clock P.M., on motion of Mr. Jones of North Reading (Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Tuesday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.