House Journal, September 8, 2003

JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE.

Monday, September 8, 2003

Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. Donato of Medford 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:

Gracious God, the Ultimate Source of Forgiveness and Truth, we depend upon You and Your assistance in our struggle to meet current and future needs and the reasonable expectations of the people in our districts. In this changing world with countless daily challenges and opportunities, teach us to utilize our talents and strengths and to recognize our limitations and biases in evaluating issues fairly. Let our desire to seek truth and accurate information be guiding lights as we examine the legislative suggestions of constituents and others. Grant us the wisdom to help all people live in peace and security and to achieve personal happiness and meaning in their daily lives.

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

At the request of the Chair (Mr. Donato), the members, guests and employees joined with him in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Silent Prayer.

At the request of Mr. Cabral of New Bedford, the members, guests and employees stood in a moment of silent prayer in memory of Army Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Camara. Sergeant Camara was killed in Iraq last week when a land mine exploded under the humvee in which he and two others were traveling. Sergeant Camara was forty years old, married, the father of three, and a native of New Bedford.

Message from the Governor.

A message from His Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to repeat drunk driver offenders (House, No. 4155) was filed in the office of the Clerk on Friday, September 5.

The message was read; and it was referred, under Rule 30, with the accompanying draft of a bill, to the committee on Criminal Justice. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Resolutions.

The following resolutions (filed with the Clerk) were referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules:

Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Golden of Boston and Honan of Boston) honoring Attorney Joseph H. Hogan on the twentieth anniversary of the Allston-Brighton Parade; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Leary of Worcester) commemorating the tenth anniversary celebration of the Notre Dame Long-Term Care Center of Worcester;

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 Miss Gary of Dracut, 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.

A Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Sharon Melvin-James, an employee of the Trial Court (Senate, No. 1958) (on a petition), passed to be engrossed by the Senate, was read; and it was referred, under Rule 33, to the committee on Ways and Means.

Bills

Authorizing the town of Tewksbury to establish an affordable housing trust fund (Senate, No. 1182) (on a petition) [Local Approval Received];

Authorizing the conservation commission of the town of Andover to grant an easement (Senate, No. 1183) (on a petition) [Local Approval Received];

Severally passed to be engrossed by the Senate, were read; and they were referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

Petitions were referred, in concurrence, as follows:

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2071) of Marc R. Pacheco and David L. Flynn (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Bridgewater to establish a revolving account for the police department; and

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2074) of Stephen M. Brewer and Lewis C. Evangelidis (by vote of the town) for legislation to establish a preservation fund in the town of Hubbardston;

Severally to the committee on Local Affairs and Regional Government.

Reports of Committees.

By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules, that Joint Rule 7B be suspended on the petition of Daniel E. Bosley that the town of Florida be authorized to lease certain land to New England Wind, LLA for the development of a wind farm. Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mrs. Walrath of Stow, the report was considered forthwith. Joint Rule 7B was suspended; and the petition (accompanied by bill) was referred to the committee on Local Affairs and Regional Government. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Bosley of North Adams, for the committee on Government Regulations, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4120) of John F. Quinn, Paul J. Donato and Mary S. Rogeness relative to the licensure and regulation of pawnbrokers,— and recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Banks and Banking. Under Rule 42, the report was considered forthwith; and it was accepted. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, that the Bill authorizing Daniel P. Murphy to withdraw from a certain retirement program (House, No. 4140) 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 Mr. Hynes of Marshfield, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

Emergency Measure.

The engrossed Hill establishing a sick leave bank for Emanuel Roque an employee of the Department of Correction (see House, No. 3916), 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 LXVIII) of the Amendments to the Constitution; and the preamble was adopted, by a vote of 10 to 0. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Engrossed Bill.

The engrossed Bill designating the chief of police of the town of East Bridgewater as the appointing authority for the police department (see Senate, No. 2000) (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.

Orders of the Day.

House bills

Relative to the municipal election in the city of Malden in the year 2003 (House, No. 3877);

Relative to police examinations (House, No. 3942); and

Relative to the powers of the Devens Enterprise Commission (House, No. 4144);

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

Order.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

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

At seventeen minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Cabral of New Bedford (Mr. Donato of Medford being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Thursday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.