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NOTICE: - While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data herein, this is NOT the official version of Senate Journal. It is published to provide information in a timely manner, but has not been proofread against the events of the session for this day. All information obtained from this source should be checked against a proofed copy of the Senate Journal. |
Monday,
February 3, 2003.
Met according
to adjournment at eleven o’clock A.M.
The
President, members, guests and employees then recited the pledge of allegiance
to the flag.
The
President then led members, guests and employees in a moment of silence for the
crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia and their families.
Committee
Appointments.
The
President announced the following appointments to the Advisory Commission on Local
Government (established under Section 62 of Chapter 3 of the General Laws), as
follows: Senators Creem of Middlesex and Norfolk, Fargo of Middlesex
and Tarr of Essex and Middlesex.
Petitions.
Petitions
were presented and referred, as follows:
By
Mr. Baddour, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven A. Baddour for legislation
to ensure equitable calculation for mental health services;
By
the same Senator (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James
N. Thivierol for legislation relative to using the word dissolve instead of the
word divorce in domestic relations matters;
By
Mr. Barrios, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jarrett T. Barrios for legislation
to establish a uniform rate of parking fines;
By
Mr. Brewer, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Stephen M. Brewer for legislation
to authorize the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to sell
water to the town of New Braintree;
By
Ms. Chandler (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Harvey Greene
for legislation to require the return of sales tax for returned merchandise;
By
Mr. Hedlund (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Harry Scott
for legislation to eliminate the requirement of motor vehicle inspections;
By
Mr. Knapik, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael R. Knapik and Donald
F. Humason, Jr. (with the approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation
to authorize the Division of Capital Asset Management to convey to the city of
Westfield a certain parcel of land;
By
Mr. Lees, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Brian P. Lees for legislation
relative to the licensing of sign installers;
By
Mr. Rosenberg (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Thomas McGee
for legislation to repeal the pharmacy assessment fee;
By
Mr. Shannon (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ellen Frith
for legislation to provide for volunteers to enforce handicapped parking laws;
By
the same Senator, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Charles E. Shannon,
Pamela P. Resor, Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., J. James Marzilli, Jr. and other members
of the General Court for legislation relative to health insurance for self-employed
individuals;
By Mrs. Sprague,
a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jo Ann Sprague, Robert L. Hedlund and
others for legislation to designate assorted wafers as the official candy of the
Commonwealth;
By the same Senator,
a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jo Ann Sprague and Philip Travis for
legislation relative to a certain retirement elective of Annie Nichols;
By
Mr. Tarr, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation
relative to health insurance purchasing cooperatives;
By
the same Senator, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr, Brian
P. Lees, Michael R. Knapik, Brian A. Joyce and other members of the General Court
for legislation to establish the Massachusetts municipal capital partnership program;
By the same Senator, a petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr, Dianne Wilkerson and Anthony J. Verga
for legislation to establish a preparatory skills program for women and minorities;
By
the same Senator, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr and Anthony
J. Verga for legislation to protect consumers in the issuance of automobile insurance
policy forms;
By the same Senator,
a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr, Brian P. Lees, Richard
R. Tisei, Michael R. Knapik and other members of the General Court for legislation
to exempt certain volunteers from civil damages;
By
Mr. Tisei, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Richard R. Tisei, Michael
E. Festa and Mark V. Falzone for legislation to require the Group Insurance Commission
to cover the cost of blood used during transfusions; and
By
Ms. Walsh, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Marian Walsh and Robert K.
Coughlin for legislation relative to the Dedham-Westwood Water District;
Severally, under Senate Rule 20, to the committees
on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.
Petitions
were presented and referred as follows:
By
Mr. Knapik, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1932) of Michael R. Knapik
and Donald F. Humason, Jr. (with the approval of the mayor and city council) for
legislation to establish a traffic commission within the city of Westfield [Local
approval received];
Under Senate
Rule 20, to the committee on Local Affairs.
By
Mr. Nuciforo, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1934) of Andrea F.
Nuciforo, Jr. and William Smitty Pignatelli (by vote of the town) for legislation
to authorize the town of Lee to enter into contracts for construction, operation
and maintenance, lease and modification of its water and wastewater treatment
facilities [Local approval received];
Under
Senate Rule 20, to the committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.
By
Mr. Havern, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1931) of Robert A. Havern,
Jay R. Kaufman, Anne M. Paulsen and J. James Marzilli, Jr. (by vote of the town)
for legislation to increase the retirement allowance for certain retirees of the
town of Arlington [Local approval received]; and
By
Mr. Morrissey, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1933) of Michael W.
Morrissey, Bruce J. Ayers, Ronald Mariano and A. Stephen Tobin (with the approval
of the mayor and city council) for legislation to authorize and direct the retirement
board of the city of Quincy to grant creditable service to James J. Dentremont
[Local approval received];
Severally,
under Senate Rule 20, to the committee on Public Service.
Severally
sent to the House for concurrence.
PAPER
FROM THE HOUSE.
The
biennial report of the Commissioner of Revenue (under Section 10C of Chapter 58
of the General Laws) submitting an equalization and apportionment upon the several
cities and towns of the amount of property and proportion of every one thousand
dollars of state or county tax which should be assessed upon each city or town
(House, No. 2006),— was referred, in concurrence, to the committee on
Taxation.
Communication.
The
Clerk read the following communication:
COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS
SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133-1053
January
29, 2003.
Mr.
Patrick F. Scanlan
Clerk of
the Massachusetts Senate
State
House, Room 335
Boston, MA 02133
Dear
Mr. Clerk:
I
was out of state attending a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National
Conference of State Legislatures on January 23, 2003 when the Senate met in formal
session to consider the adoption of Senate Rules and Joint Rules for the 2003-2004
legislative session.
Had I been
present, I would have voted in the negative on the proposed amendment #8: Suspension
of Rules-Proposed 13A Amendment; in the negative on the proposed amendment #19:
Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures; I also would have voted in the affirmative
on the main question of adopting Senate Bill 1923, as amended, relative to the
rules of the Senate for the 2003-2004 legislative session. With regard to the
adoption of Joint Rules, had I been present I would have voted in the affirmative
on the proposed amendment #6: Public Hearing — Joint Rule 1B as redrafted.
I
would appreciate your assistance with the printing of this communication in the
Senate Journal. Thank you for your assistance with this request.
Sincerely,
RICHARD T. MOORE,
State Senator,
Worcester and Norfolk District.
On
motion of Mr. Rosenberg, the above communication was ordered printed in the Journal
of the Senate.
Order
Adopted.
On
motion of Mr. Baddour,—
Ordered,
That when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourn
to meet again on Wednesday next at eleven o’clock A.M., and that the Clerk
be directed to dispense with the printing of a calendar.
Recess.
There
being no objection, at three minutes past eleven o’clock A.M., the President
declared a recess subject to the call of the Chair; and at twenty-seven minutes
past three o’clock P.M., the Senate reassembled, Mr. Rosenberg in the Chair.
On motion of Mr. Tarr, at twenty-eight minutes past three o’clock P.M., the Senate adjourned to meet on the following Wednesday at eleven o’clock A.M.