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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, April 12, 1999.
Met at five minutes past eleven o'clock A.M. (Ms. Melconian in the Chair).
Communications were received from Senator Stephen F. Lynch in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A (received April 12, 1999). The communications were placed on file.
Petitions were presented and referred, as follows:
By Mr. Hedlund, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Robert L. Hedlund and Dianne
Wilkerson for legislation to increase the pay of a trial juror in the Commonwealth; and
By Mr. Lynch, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Stephen F. Lynch for legislation relative to
the creation of job training vouchers; and
By the same Senator, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Stephen F. Lynch and John A. Hart,
Jr., for legislation relative to the inspection of juvenile offender records;
Severally, under Senate Rule 20, to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting
concurrently.
By Ms. Murray, for the committee on Human Services and Elderly
Affairs, on petition, a Bill establishing a special commission on the status of children, youth and
families (Senate, No. 575);
Read and, under Joint Rule 29, referred to the committees on Rules of the two branches,
acting concurrently.
By Ms. Murray, for the committee on Human Services and Elderly
Affairs, on petition, a Bill relative to assisting relatives who care for non-custodial children
(Senate, No. 573); and
By the same Senator, for the same committee, on petition, a Bill creating a home visiting
program for newborns (Senate, No. 635);
Severally read and, under Senate Rule 27, referred to the committee on Ways and
Means.
By Ms. Murray, for the committee on Human Services and Elderly
Affairs, on Senate, Nos. 588, 1734 and 594, a Bill relative to reporting abuse of children (Senate,
No. 588); and
By Mr. Tolman, for the committee on Local Affairs, on petition, a Bill further regulating certain
activities (Senate, No. 939); and
By the same Senator, for the same committee, on petition, a Bill relative to the zoning of adult
entertainment (Senate, No. 964);
Severally read and, under Senate Rule 26, referred to the committee on Steering and
Policy.
Ms. Melconian, for the committees on Rules of the two branches,
acting concurrently, reported, asking to be discharged from further consideration
Of the Senate Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Service to sit during the
recess of the General Court for the purpose of making an investigation and study of a certain
current Senate document numbered 1220, relative to indemnification (Senate, No. 1756);
Of the Senate Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Service to sit during the
recess of the General Court for the purpose of making an investigation and study of certain
current Senate documents numbered 1229, 1278 and 1295, relative to the administration,
funding, and investments of retirement systems (Senate, No. 1757);
Of the Senate Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Service to sit during the
recess of the General Court for the purpose of making an investigation and study of certain
current Senate documents numbered 1253, 1290, 1357 and 1369, relative to group insurance and
leave benefits (Senate, No. 1758);
Of the Senate Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Service to sit during the
recess of the General Court for the purpose of making an investigation and study of certain
current Senate documents numbered 1287, 1289 and 1342, relative to cost of living adjustments
(Senate, No. 1759); and
Of the Senate Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Service to sit during the
recess of the General Court for the purpose of making an investigation and study of a certain
current Senate document numbered 1332, relative to personnel administration (Senate, No.
1760);
And recommending that the same severally be referred to the Senate committee on Rules.
Under Senate Rule 36, the reports were severally considered forthwith and
accepted.
Mr. Antonioni, for the committee on Education, Arts and Humanities,
reported, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill,
Senate, No. 235) of Robert A. Havern for legislation to establish a compensated absences fund
by the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District,— and
recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Public Service.
Under Senate Rule 36, the report was considered forthwith and accepted.
Ms. Murray, for the committee on Human services and Elderly
Affairs, reported, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition
(accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 604) of Michael W. Morrissey for legislation to provide
assistance to victims of domestic abuse through the increase of certain fees,— and
recommending that the same be referred to the Senate committee on Ways and Means.
Under Senate Rule 36, the report was considered forthwith and accepted.
Sent to the House for concurrence in the discharge of the joint committee.
PAPERS FROM THE HOUSE.
A message from His Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to providing incentives for the purchase and use of clean alternative transportation fuels (House, No. 4249),— was referred, in concurrence, to the committee on Transportation.
A petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4250) of Ruth W. Provost, Therese Murray and Nancy J. Caffyn (by vote of the town) relative to the establishment of the Bourne Financial Development Corporation,— was referred, in concurrence, under suspension of Joint Rule 9, to the committee on Local Affairs.
A Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Elizabeth Ann Dyjak, an employee of the trial court of the commonwealth (House, No. 4202, amended,— on House, Nos. 463 and 473),— was read and, under Senate Rule 27, referred to the committee on Ways and Means.
Reports
Of the committee on Housing and Urban Development, asking to be discharged from further
consideration
Of the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 540) of Edward J. Clancy, Jr., for legislation to
repeal the law relative to urea formaldehyde foam insulation testing by homeowners as a
prerequisite for the sale of a dwelling,— and recommending that the same be referred to the
committee on Health Care.
Of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1192) of John H. Stasik and Douglas W.
Petersen for legislation to regulate open space grouped residential development in cities and
towns,— and recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Local
Affairs.
Of the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 560) of Richard R. Tisei, Michael E. Festa and
Paul C. Casey for legislation relative to local reimbursement for land under the control of the
Metropolitan District Commission,— and recommending that the same be referred to the
committee on Taxation.
Of the committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs, asking to be discharged from further
consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4016) of Ruth B. Balser and Kay
Khan relative to access to mental health care,— and recommending that the same be
referred to the committee on Insurance.
Were severally considered forthwith, under Senate Rule 36, and accepted, in
concurrence.
Reports
Of the committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs, asking to be discharged from further
consideration
Of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1365) of Frank M. Hynes for an appropriation
of a certain sum of money for Medicare homecare patients who suffered service cutbacks;
Of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2702) of Walter A. DeFilippi and other
members of the General Court for legislation to allow certain persons to provide homemaker
services to family members; and
Of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4019 of George Rogers relative to the
continuation of home health care services for certain elderly persons; and
Of the committee on Local Affairs, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the
petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1404) of Frank M. Hynes for legislation to further
regulate the imposition of costs on the cities and towns of the Commonwealth;
And recommending that the same severally be referred to the House committee on Ways and
Means.
Were severally considered forthwith, under Senate Rule 36, and accepted, in concurrence,
insomuch as relates to the discharge of the joint committee.
The following resolutions (having been filed with the Clerk) were
severally considered forthwith and adopted, as follows:—
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Antonioni) "congratulating Colonel Valentin Bezborodiy";
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Antonioni) "congratulating Colonel Valentin Dorogiy";
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Antonioni) "congratulating Colonel Ivan Getsyanin";
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Antonioni) "congratulating Colonel Vasyl Rebrei";
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Antonioni) "congratulating Sergiy Ustytch";
Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Antonioni, Brewer, Glodis and Moore) "honoring the role of
human service direct care employees"; and
Resolutions (filed by Ms. Melconian) "commending the West Spring field High School
band."
PAPERS FROM THE HOUSE.
Petitions were referred, in concurrence, as follows:
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4252) of George Rogers and Antonio F . D. Cabral
(with the approval of the mayor and city council) that the city of New Bedford be authorized to
maintain and operate underground wiring systems; and
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4253) of Patrick F. Landers III (by vote of the town)
that the licensing authority of the town of Palmer be authorized to issue an additional license for
the sale of wine and malt beverages to Ronald Domey of said town;
Severally, under suspension of Joint Rule 12, to the committee on Government
Regulations.
There being no objection, the following matter was taken out of the Orders of the Day and considered, as follows:
The Senate Bill authorizing the change of custody and use of certain
land held by the city of Worcester (Senate, No. 1720),— was read a second time.
Pending the question on ordering the bill to a third reading, on motion of Mr. Montigny, the
bill was referred to the committee on Ways and Means.
By Ms. Melconian, for the committees on Rules of the two branches,
acting concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the Senate petition of Michael W.
Morrissey, Stephen F. Lynch, Marc R. Pacheco and Martin J. Walsh for legislation relative to the
installation of electrical wiring.
Senate Rule 36 was suspended, on motion of Ms. Murray, and the report was considered
forthwith. Joint Rule 12 was suspended; and the petition (accompanied by bill) was referred to
the committee on Government Regulations.
By Ms. Melconian, for the committees on Rules of the two branches,
acting concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the Senate petition of Stephen F. Lynch,
Robert E. Travaglini, Martin J. Walsh, John A. Hart, Jr., and other members of the General Court
for legislation relative to a public health study of the impacts of Logan International
Airport.
Senate Rule 36 was suspended, on motion of Ms. Murray, and the report was considered
forthwith. Joint Rule 12 was suspended; and the petition (accompanied by bill) was referred to
the committee on Health Care.
Severally sent to the House for concurrence.
There being no objection, at eight minutes past eleven o'clock A.M., the Chair (Ms. Melconian) declared a recess subject to the call of the Chair; and, at twenty-one minutes before twelve o'clock noon, the Senate reassembled, Ms. Melconian in the Chair.
The Chair (Ms. Melconian) introduced Andrew M. Scibelli, President of Springfield Technical Community College. President Scibelli was at the State House for Community College Day and was the guest of Senator Melconian.
PAPERS FROM THE HOUSE.
A Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 1999 to provide for
supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (House,
No. 4251,— on House, No. 2271, in part),— was read.
There being no objection, the rules were suspended, on motion of Mr. Montigny, and the bill
was read a second time, ordered to a third reading, read a third time and passed to be engrossed,
in concurrence.
There being no objection, at nineteen minutes before twelve o'clock noon, the Chair (Ms. Melconian) declared a recess subject to the call of the Chair; and, at twelve minutes past three o'clock P.M., the Senate reassembled, the President in the Chair.
Engrossed Bill.
An engrossed Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 1999 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (see House, No. 4251) (which originated in the House), having been certified by the Senate Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for final passage, was passed to be enacted and was signed by the President and laid before the Governor for his approbation.
On motion of Mr. Tarr,—
Ordered, That when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourn to meet again on Thursday next
at eleven o'clock A.M., and that the Clerk be directed to dispense with the printing of a
calendar.
On motion of Mr. Tarr, at thirteen minutes past three o'clock P.M., the Senate adjourned to meet on the following Thursday at eleven o'clock A.M.