House Journal, December 18, 2003

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

Eternal God, we place our trust and hope in You and in Your personal concern for our total well being. We believe that we live each moment of the day in Your presence and Your assistance is always readily available. Today we join the Jewish Community in observing and celebrating the biblical festival of Chanukah. We pray that the meaning, the spirit and the lights of the festival help us to recognize You as Our Creator and to appreciate the goodwill, good intentions and the generosity of people, especially at this time of year.

At the request of the Chair (Mr. Greene), 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. Galvin of Canton) congratulating James and Anne Marie Magee on the joyous occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary;

Resolutions (filed by Mrs. Paulsen of Belmont) congratulating Harold Roitman on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Rushing of Boston) congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Strong on the occasion of their seventy-fifth wedding anniversary; and

Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Timilty of Milton, Ayers of Quincy and Driscoll of Braintree) congratulating Robert Churchill on the occasion of his retirement from the Randolph Police Department;

Mr. DiMasi of Boston, 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. Connolly of Everett, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

From the Department of Education (under Section 89 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws) submitting a report on the racial, ethnic and social-economic makeup of the student enrollment of each charter school in the Commonwealth;

From the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (under the provisions of item 6000-0100 of Section 2 of Chapter 26 of the Acts of 2003) submitting copies of several quarterly and special reports, including Statewide Transportation Improvement Program funding, Chapter 90 Public Works Economic Development fund, and certain payroll reports;

From the Massachusetts Commission on End of Life Care (under Section 480 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000) submitting a copy of its report relative to the improvement of end of life care services; and

From the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds (under Section KKK of Chapter 29 of the General Laws as inserted by Section 4 of Chapter 4 of the Acts of 2003) submitting a plan for technological improvements at said registry (copies of said communication referred, as required under said law, to the committee on Ways and Means and the committee on Post Audit and Oversight);

Severally were placed on file.

The bi-monthly report of the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (under the provisions of Section 178 of Chapter 653 of the Acts of 1989) submitting an account of the costs incurred in connection with the depression of the Central Artery and construction of the Ted Williams Tunnel, was placed on file.

Petitions were referred, in concurrence, under suspension of Joint Rule 12, as follows:

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2172) of Joan M. Menard, Richard T. Moore, Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation to restore student transportation services. To the committee on Education, Arts and Humanities.

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2173) of Frederick E. Berry, Mary E. Grant and Theodore C. Speliotis for legislation relative to adjustment or recovery of medical assistance. To the committee on the Judiciary.

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2174) of Frederick E. Berry for legislation relative to the computerization of the examination for certification for the practice of public accountancy. To the committee on Government Regulations.

By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the following petitions:

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Matthew C. Patrick, Jeffrey Davis Perry, Therese Murray, Susan Williams Gifford and Eric Turkington (by vote of the town) for legislation to provide reimbursement by the Commonwealth to the town of Bourne for certain school expenses; and

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Susan W. Pope and other members of the House relative to extending the time within which cities and towns are required to repay funds borrowed for certain school building construction projects;

Severally to the committee on Education, Arts and Humanities.

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Phyllis Sands and another relative to prescription fees by veterinarians. To the committee on Health Care.

Petition (accompanied by bill) of William G. Greene, Jr. and other members of the General Court relative to the posting of fish advisories. To the committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Daniel E. Bosley for legislation to further regulate the dates for the operation of motor vehicles with metal studded tires on the roadways of the Commonwealth; and

Petition (accompanied by bill) of David M. Torrisi and other members of the General Court relative to the regulating the use of recording devices in motor vehicles;

Severally to the committee on Public Safety.

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Harold P. Naughton, Jr. for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Christopher Lavele, an employee of the Department of Correction; and

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Matthew C. Patrick and Jeffrey Davis Perry (by vote of the town) relative to the appointment of retired police officers to the police department of the town of Mashpee;

Severally to the committee on Public Service.

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mrs. Paulsen of Belmont, the reports were considered forthwith. Joint Rule 12 then was suspended, in each instance. Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the Senate Bill relative to the public records law (Senate, No. 1671, amended) be scheduled for consideration by the House.

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

Relative to the issuance of certain bonds by the city of Revere (see Senate, No. 2057) (which originated in the Senate);

Exempting the deputy chief of police in the town of Milford from the civil service law (see House, No. 3880);

Relative to the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Fairhaven (see House, No. 3978); and

Relative to the office of town manager in the town of Arlington (see House, No. 4253);

(Which severally originated in the House);

Severally having been certified by the Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for final passage, were passed to be enacted; and they were signed by the acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

The Senate Bill further regulating certificates of birth resulting in stillbirth (Senate, No. 1953), 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.

Relative to veteran’s retirement benefits (printed as Senate, No. 1576);

Establishing a betterment fund in the town of Spencer (House, No. 1326); and

Relative to public works functions in the town of Belmont (House, No. 4084);

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.

The House Bill relative to voting equipment (House, No. 4243) (its title having been changed by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading), reported by said committee to be correctly drawn, was read a third time.

Pending the question on passing the bill to be engrossed, Mr. Straus of Mattapoisett moved that it be amended in section 1, in line 5, by striking out the figures “90” and inserting in place thereof the figures “60”.

The amendment was adopted; and the bill (House, No. 4243, amended) was passed to be engrossed. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

On motion of Mr. DiMasi of Boston,—

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

At nineteen minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Connolly of Everett (Mr. Greene of Billerica being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.