--to which the Senate having adjourned has come.
The Senate will come to order.
The chair asks all members, and guests,
and staff to please rise and recite the pledge
allegiance to the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.
Several matters come before the Senate today
for the final passage.
An act establishing a town manager
in the town of West Newberry, an act authorizing
the town of Whately to continue the employment of John Lasalle
as a call firefighter, an act authorizing the town of Milford
to grant one additional license for the sale
of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on premises,
an act authorizing the city of Peabody
to grant 20 additional licenses for the sale
of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises.
The question comes on passing the bills to be enacted.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bills are passed to be enacted.
And the Bills will be signed by President
and laid before the governor for his approbation.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
--to order.
Is there any objections with proceeding
with the orders of the day?
The chair hears none.
On page 1, the first item is calendar item number
66, House number 2243.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The next item is calendar item number 67, House number 3862.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The next item is calendar item number 68, House number 3876.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
On page 2, the next item is calendar item number
69, House number 3930.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The next item is calendar item number 65, Senate number 2099.
The Chair hears pass.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in recess until the hour of 1:00 PM.
--in order on page 2.
The first item passed over is calendar item
number 65, Senate bill number 2099.
And the question will come on ordering
the bill to a third reading.
Coming first on an amendment it is recommended by the Committee
on Ways and Means.
Several amendments have been filed,
which will be considered at this time.
The chair recognizes the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
Middlesex, Mr. Ross.
Under the rules, the request has to be
made by the leader himself.
So that cannot be granted at this time.
But the Senate will be in a very brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
The chair recognizes the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross.
Gentleman rise.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue,
for the purposes of explaining the matter that is pending
before the body at this time--
Senate bill 2099.
The Senator from Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the body.
Mr. President, parking placards allow persons with disabilities
accessible places to park their vehicles.
An inspector general's report issued
last year revealed unfortunately rampant abuse
of parking placards.
Some people unjustly claim reserved spaces
for themselves or for people to whom they improperly
transfer the placards.
The Inspector General and the state police
identified more than 300 cars that parked in downtown Boston
using special parking identification placards that
were issued to other people.
Many of these had expired, and many
had gone to individuals who had since died.
I filed this legislation to correct
some of the abuses identified in the Inspector General report
and to reform the efforts to preserve accessibility
to those who depend on it.
I want to thank the Joint Committee on Transportation
and the Committee on Ways and Means
for strengthening the bill that I originally
filed to cover more of the flaws that were highlighted
by the Inspector General.
Specifically, the bill would make the obstruction
of a placard or expiration date of a citable offense
under state law.
It would empower the Registry of Motor Vehicles
to require proper documentation before issuing a handicap
placard.
It would strengthen license suspension
for misusing a handicapped placard.
It would expand the Registry of Motor Vehicles ability
to detect and to punish handicapped placard abuse.
It imposes fines of $500 for a first offense
and then $1,000 for subsequent offenses
for those who lie to obtain or to replace a handicapped
placard, create a $100 fine for those
who do not return a revoked placard or a canceled handicap
placard.
And it allows for fines or imprisonment
for those acting with an intent to distribute the placards that
are obtained illegally.
The misuse of handicap parking placards
robs the municipalities of much needed revenues,
and it prevents people with disabilities
from finding accessible parking.
This bill will have important benefits
for both the disabled individuals
and local governments that we all
represent to strengthen the laws of the Commonwealth
and to protect those who truly need accessibility in their day
to day lives.
Mr. President, I urge the passage of this bill,
and I ask that when it comes to be voted that it be done so
by a call of the yeas and nays.
The lady asked when a vote on the matter
be taken to be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those joining with a rise and be counted?
A sufficient number has arisen, and when the bill is engrossed
it will be done so by a call of the yeas and nays.
Several amendments are pending, the first of which
is a redrafted amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number one but Mr. Barrett--
operating with accessible parking placard.
Is somebody going to offer any explanation?
The question comes on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and it redrafted amendment is adopted.
Number 2 it was offered by Senator Barrett, which has been
withdrawn, as has number 3.
The next is a redrafted amendment
offered by the Senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 4 by Mr. Ross--
state vehicles.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross.
Thank you very much Mr. President.
And I want to thank the gentle lady from Lowell for offering
this bill in its entirety.
A lot of things going on with the handicapped placards
are things that we've seen people either abuse
or not have access to for those that need them.
And I think many of us have tried
to address some of those issues, which I'm trying to do
with this particular amendment.
I ask for your support in this amendment, which
was filed in response to an issue that
was brought to my attention by a constituent--
his son, a resident of DDS Group Home.
And they have run into problems obtaining parking placards
for the drivers to use and to be able to safely deliver
these students to locations where
they can use their placard.
Current law and RMV regulations require
that in order for a state agency vehicle
to use a parking placard, the agency's name
must be prominently displayed on the vehicle.
However, as a policy, DDS refrains
from displaying its name on any houses of vehicles
to protect the safety of its clients
and to avoid stigmatization.
So it isn't able to equip its vehicles with placards.
Divers are also prohibited from using the valid parking
placard of a client who is riding in the vehicle.
The driver would be held liable for wrongful use subject
to penalty of at least $500 and a loss of license
for at least 30 days.
I proposed this amendment to resolve this issue.
It would require the law to allow
RMV to waive the requirement that the agency prominently
display the agency's name on the vehicle
to obtain parking placards.
This change would better equipped state employees
to successfully perform their job
and to serve the clients of DDS.
I hope this amendment passes.
--in the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the redrafted amendment is adopted.
The next is offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Ms. Jehlen a redrafted amendment,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 5 by Ms. Jehlen-- timely decisions
for placards.
The The chair recognizes the senator
from Middlesex, Ms. Jehlen.
Thank you Mr. President.
I wanted to just explain this.
This would begin to hold the Registry of Motor Vehicles
accountable for issuing placards in a timely manner.
It came to my attention this summer
when a constituent of mine diagnosed
with a disability that would require
the use of a placard applied for one
and was told that there was a two months
delay while there was a backlog in issuing placards.
And then after that, when she could apply after two months,
there was another 8 to 10 week wait.
And she would get her placard around Thanksgiving.
That seemed extreme to us.
And so we inquired with the Registry.
They said there's no reason that should have happened,
but it did.
And they said they could probably get it in six weeks.
Instead, they got it in four days after we called them.
So we would like to have the Registry do a study about how
to do it more efficiently but in the meantime
to post information on their web site
about how many applications are filed
and how quickly they are issued.
Thank you, Mr. President.
--comes on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the redrafted amendment is adopted.
The Senate will be in a very brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
One final amendment is pending before us on the matter--
amendment number 6 offered by the Senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 6 by Mr. Tarr--
due process.
The chair recognizes the senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you Mr. President and through you to the members.
Mr. President, I want to compliment you
on what it appears to be somewhat of a muted purple tie
today.
But of course, reflecting on that thought for a moment,
I realize that it is intended to be autumnal.
And so just as the leaves darken in the fall,
so does the tie that the presiding officer wears today.
And as usual, your choice of haberdashery
is completely consistent with seasonality,
and I, for one, appreciate that.
Mr. President, the pending amendment
that is before the Senate is one that
sought to ensure that there was due
process regarding decisions relative to eligibility
for handicapped placards such that if someone
was experiencing what they consider
to be an adverse decision with regard to that eligibility
there would be a process of notice
and an opportunity to be heard relative to that decision.
Well, as it turns out Mr. President,
there are some provisions in the existing general laws
that actually provide that infrastructure for due process.
And so this amendment is no longer necessary,
and I would request unanimous consent to withdraw the pending
amendment.
The gentleman asked for unanimous consent
to withdraw the amendment.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none, and the amendment is withdrawn.
All of the amendments now having been disposed of,
the question will come on the adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
And the question will come on ordering
the below a third reading as amended.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered
to a third reading of the bill.
An act relative to handicap parking,
Senate number 2168 amended.
The bill has been read a third time,
and the question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
The ayes and nays having previously been ordered,
the chair will ask the clerk to call the roll.
--Barrett?
Yes!
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael D. Brady?
Yes!
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger?
Definitely!
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler?
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
Cynthia Stone Creem?
Yes!
Yes.
Julian Cyr?
Yes!
Yes.
Viriato M. DeMacedo?
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico?
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue?
Yes!
Yes.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman?
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Yes!
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman?
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi?
Yes!
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
Yeah.
Senator Hinds?
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr?
Patricia D. Jehlen?
Senator Jehlen?
[INAUDIBLE]
[LAUGHTER]
Yes.
John F. Kennan?
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser?
Jason M Lewis?
Yes!
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien?
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely?
Yes!
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee?
Yes!
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael O. Moore?
Yes!
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor?
Yes!
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives?
Yes!
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco?
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues?
Yes!
Yes.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
Yes!
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka?
Yes!
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes!
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty?
Yes!
Yes.
James T. Welch?
Yes!
Yes.
--deMacdo.
[INAUDIBLE] Have I been recorded?
In the affirmative.
Is it pertinent?
The Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
I thank you Mr. President.
Have I been recorded?
You have not.
Permission [INAUDIBLE] vote and be recorded.
Donald F. Humason Jr.
The Senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
[INAUDIBLE]
Ryan C. Fattman votes yes.
[INAUDIBLE] have I been recorded?
You have not.
Permission to record in the affirmative.
Eric P. Lesser votes yes.
Sonia Chan-Diaz votes yes.
Hold on.
I can't bang.
That's it.
Mr. Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Mr. President, have I been recorded?
You have not sir.
I'd Mr. DeMacedo to be recorded in the affirmative.
Viriato M. deMacdo votes yes.
On this matter, 37 having voted in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The bill is passed to be engrossed.
The Senate will be in a very brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
Paper from the House.
The engrossed bill relative to community benefit District C
House number 3823--
being the text contained in Section 30 of the general
appropriation bill-- see House number 3,800--
and having been returned by His Excellency,
The Governor with recommendation of amendment for his message--
see attachment G of House number 3828--
comes from the House with the endorsement
that the House has rejected the governor's amendment.
The Senator from Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue,
moves that the Governor's amendment be rejected,
and the question will come on the rejection
of that amendment.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue.
And as I do, the chair would respectfully
ask the members to subdue their conversation
so that the important explanation that the Senator is
about to give may be heard and appreciated by all
as we prepare to take a vote.
The Senator from Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the members.
I would urge that the Senate reject
the amendment of the Governor.
This has to do with Community Benefits District, which
we had previously passed.
The Community Benefits District is a very important tool
for communities all across this commonwealth.
In fact, dozens of communities have
signed on in support of this.
And what it does is it gives a very important tool
to communities to determine through grassroots their future
in a particular district.
It is less odious or difficult shall
I say as a bid, which has been on the books for over 20 years.
But we have very few bid districts.
Community Benefits District is one
that could benefit so many communities.
I ask that the Senate reject the amendment.
Of the Governor
--Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the members,
and particularly to the gentle lady who
was just recently in the news reaffirmed her commitment
to the Senate.
I'm very appreciative of that.
Mr. President, I'm hoping that the gentle lady from Lowell
could explain a little bit more about what
the nature of the veto was.
She did an outstanding job of explaining
the program and its utility to cities, and towns, and regions,
but I'm hoping we can understand sort of the divide
here between what was sent to the Governor
and what the Governor sent back so that we can better
understand the impact of the veto or the amendment
and rejecting that amendment as she has requested us to do.
Thank you, Mr. President.
--brief recess?
The Senator asked for a brief recess.
The chair recognizes the senator from Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the members.
The amendment that was proffered by the Governor
essentially created a new bill.
It was an extensively rewritten bill--
one that was not vetted or heard.
It would produce an extreme burden on communities
in order to try and create a Community Benefits District.
The bill, itself, had full hearing both this session
and the last session.
And so I would urge rejection.
It essentially creates an entirely new bill,
and it does not reflect the bill that was passed.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I appreciate the gentle lady's explanation.
And as usual, she never comes to the microphone with the subject
matter expertise.
That is also the case here, and I appreciate that.
I would only offer the members the thought
that if the new benchmark is that anything
in the budget that didn't have a public hearing
should be rejected, then we should
begin going section by section.
And I don't think there'd be much left of the budget.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The question now comes on rejection
of the Governor's amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Governor's amendment
is rejected.
The chair recognizes the senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
--gentlemen rise.
Why, thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, I doubt the vote and ask
that when a vote be taken on this matter,
be taken by a call of the yeas--
The gentlemen doubts the vote and asks
when a vote is taken on the matter
be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
So let's joint in with him.
Rise and be counted.
[INAUDIBLE]
A sufficient number having arisen when the vote is taken,
it will be taken by a call of yeas and nays,
which is right now.
The clerk will call the roll.
I always [INAUDIBLE]
The question before us for clarification-- the
question before us is shall we reject the amendment?
If you wish to reject the amendment you vote "yes."
Michael J. Barrett?
Yes!
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael D. Brady?
Yes!
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger?
Yes!
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler?
Yes!
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
Yes!
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem?
Yes!
Yes.
Julian Cyr?
Yes!
Yes.
Viriato M. DeMacedo?
No!
No.
Sal N. DiDomenico?
Yes!
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue?
Yes!
Yes.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes!
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman?
No!
No.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Yes!
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman?
Yes!
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi?
Yes!
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
Yes!
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr?
No!
No.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
No.
Yes?
Yes or no, Senator.
No.
I don't know what she wants.
She voted no.
Patricia D. Jehlen votes no.
Check with her.
John F. Keenan?
Say again?
Yes!
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser?
Yes!
Yes.
Jason M Lewis?
Yes!
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien?
Yes!
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely?
Yes!
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee?
Yes!
Yes.
MarK C. Montigny?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael O. Moore?
Senator Moore?
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor?
No.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives?
Yes!
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael J Rodrigues?
Yes!
Yes.
Richard J. Ross?
No!
No.
That's six.
Michael F. Rush?
Yes!
Yes.
Karen A. Spilka?
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes!
[INAUDIBLE] Bruce E. Tarr votes no.
Walter F. Timilty?
Yes!
Yes.
James T. Welch?
Yes!
Yes.
29-7.
Have all the members been recorded?
The Senator--
[INAUDIBLE] am I recorded?
You have not, sir.
[INAUDIBLE] Michael O. Moore votes yes.
On this matter, 30 having voted in the affirmative 7
in the negative, the Governor's amendment is rejected.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
For what purpose does the gentleman rise?
Under the rules, the minority leader has requested a caucus.
It is so granted, and it will be a joint caucus in the office
of the Senate President.
And we would ask the members to go directly there.
Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not go to your office.
An important matter needs to be discussed immediately.
One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage,
and under the Constitution is a requirement
of a call of the yeas and nays.
An act authorizing the town of Boylston
to convey a portion of a certain parcel of land, House Bill
number 1120.
The clerk will call the roll.
It's 416?
Michael J. Barrett?
Joseph A. Boncore?
Michael D. Brady?
Yes!
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger?
Yes!
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler?
Yes!
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
Yes!
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem?
Yes!
Yes.
Julian Cyr?
[INAUDIBLE] Viriato M. deMacedo?
Sal N. DiDomenico?
Eileen M. Donoghue?
Yes!
Yes.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes!
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman?
Linda Dorcena Forry?
[INAUDIBLE] Cindy F. Friedman?
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi?
Yes!
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
Yes!
Yes.
Donald F Humason Jr?
Patricia D. Jehlen?
John F. Keenan?
Yes!
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser?
Jason M. Lewis?
Yes!
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien?
Yes!
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely?
Yes!
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee?
Mark C. Montigny?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael O. Moore?
Patrick M. O'Connor?
Kathleen O'Connor Ives?
Yes!
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael J. Roberts?
Yes!
Yes.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
Yes!
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka?
Yes!
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes!
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty?
Yes!
Yes.
James T. Welch?
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
Have all members been recorded?
You got 23?
The Senator from Middlesex, Mr. Barrett.
Mr. President, I wish to be recorded in the affirmative.
Michael J. Barrett votes yes.
The Senator from Suffolk and Middlesex has been recorded.
Mr. President, Joseph A. Boncore wishes
to be recorded in the affirmative.
Joseph A. Boncore votes yes.
The Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Mr. President, have I been recorded?
You have not.
I wish to be recorded in the affirmative.
Michael O. Moore votes yes.
The Senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
Mr. President, have I been recorded?
You have not.
I wish to be recorded yes.
Ryan C. Fattman votes yes.
The Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you Mr. President.
Has Mr. Humason been recorded?
You have not, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to be recorded in the affirmative.
Donald F. Humason Jr. votes yes.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
The Senator from Essex, Mr. McGee.
Mr. President, I wish to be recorded.
Thomas M. McGee?
Yes!
Yes.
The Senator from Hampden, Mr. Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I desire to be recorded in the affirmative.
James T. Welch votes yes.
And now the Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I wish to be recorded in the affirmative.
Eric P. Lesser votes yes.
The Senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I wish to be recorded in the affirmative.
Viriato M. deMacedo votes yes.
The Senator from Cape and the Islands, Mr. Cyr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I wish to be recorded in the affirmative.
Julian Cyr votes yes.
--O'Connor.
Mr. President, I wish to be recorded in the affirmative.
Patrick M. O'Connor votes yes.
The Senator from Suffolk, Ms. Forry.
Mr. President, I wish to be recorded.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Yes!
Yes.
Who?
Senator Jehlen.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
Yes.
--DiDomenico.
Sal N. DiDomenico votes yes.
On this matter 37 having voted in the affirmative, none
in the negative.
The bill is passed to be enacted.
It will be signed by President and laid before the Governor
for his approbation.
The chair would ask all members to approach the rostrum.
Senate will stand in a brief recess.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Ways and Means will refer the House bill
making appropriations for the fiscal year 2017
to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations
and for certain other activities and projects, House number
3951, reports in part a bill with the same title
Senate number 2177-- direct appropriation. $85,317,026.
Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
The Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
asks unanimous consent to suspend
the rules to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none, and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading.
Several amendments have been filed
which will be considered at this time.
--is offered by Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr
and the Senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex,
Mr. Ross, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 1 by Senators Tarr and Ross--
early voting.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I move the Senate be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
The chair would remind the members
that we are on amendment number 1 of the final deficiency
bill as offered by the Senator from Essex,
Mr. Tarr, and the Senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross.
And the title of it is early voting.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the members.
How wonderful it is to be rejoined back here
in our satellite chamber Mr. President.
It is a wonderful autumn afternoon.
And before us, is an amendment to the deficiency budget
that now pends before the Senate which, Mr. President,
would allow us to fulfill our commitment to cities and towns
with regard to early voting.
Mr. President, we have from this building
issued forth a requirement that we conduct early voting
in this Commonwealth.
It is something that has been embraced certainly
by the citizens of the Commonwealth
and is a worthy enterprise.
But, Mr. President, absent the adoption
of an amendment such as this one,
it continues to be an unfunded mandate.
So the case for this amendment Mr. President
is very straightforward and very simple,
and that is to require that we fulfill our commitment if we
believe in early voting.
And I believe many of us do.
And we want to honor the will of our constituents,
and I believe all of us do, then we should provide the funding
to be able to conduct early voting in the Commonwealth.
So Mr. President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
And I hope that when a vote is taken in this matter
be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
The gentlemen asks that when a vote on the matter
be taken to be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those joining with him rise and be counted.
A sufficient number having arisen when the vote is taken.
It will be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Chair recognizes the Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk,
Ms. Spilka.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This amendment provides $86,000 for early voting
in the fiscal year '18, 2018 budget.
We were really proud of the smooth rollout
of early voting in the November 2016 elections
with over 1 million individuals participating
in this inaugural initiative.
We also appreciate and strongly support,
we strongly support the importance
of adequately supporting our cities and towns
in this endeavor.
However, as I have said in the past,
this is a deficiency budget.
This is closing out fiscal year 2017.
We are not adding 2018 funding to this.
We are looking at our funds.
We are making sure that what we include here, we can afford.
And we are not going overboard.
We are just closing out fiscal year 2017.
This is not a supplemental 2018 budget, just
a deficiency budget.
So I'm asking folks to please vote no.
If this is something that we need,
there will be a supplemental to the 2018 budget,
and we can take it up timely then.
Thank you.
--Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I agree with the gentle lady that just took her seat
on most of what she said.
I do think we need to have fiscal discipline,
and I commend the Committee on Ways and Means
for trying to narrowly focus this particularly
spending document, particularly as contrasted
with what we received.
And I think she's right.
I would point out, however, that this particular item would
require funds to be made available
until December 31st of 2017.
So we are trying to wrap up some of the loose ends
in this matter.
And again, I respect the desire for fiscal discipline.
And while this may cause a problem in the minds of some,
it certainly will cause a deficiency
for the cities and towns that are having
to fund these activities.
And I hope we'll give them the benefit of the doubt
and that we will support this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The roll call having been ordered,
the clerk will call the roll.
Ready?
Michael J. Barrett?
No!
No.
Joseph A. Boncore?
No!
No.
Michael D. Brady?
No!
No.
William N. Brownsberger?
No!
No.
Harriette L. Chandler?
No!
No.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
No!
No.
Cynthia Stone Creem?
No!
No.
Juliann Cyr?
No!
No.
Viriato M. deMacedo?
Yes!
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico?
No!
No.
Eileen M. Donoghue?
No!
No.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes!
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman?
Yes!
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
No!
No.
Cindy F. Friedman?
No!
No.
Anne M. Gobi?
Yes!
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
No!
No.
Donald F. Humason Jr?
Yes!
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
Senator Jehlen?
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
No!
No.
John F. Keenan?
No!
No.
Eric P. Lesser?
No!
No.
Jason M. Lewis?
No!
No.
Barbara A. L'Italien?
No!
No.
Joan B. Lovely?
No!
No.
Thomas M. McGee?
No!
No.
Mark C. Montigny?
No!
No.
Michael O. Moore?
Senator Moore?
Senator Moore [INAUDIBLE]
Patrick M. O'Connor?
Yes!
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives?
No!
No.
Marc R. Pacheco?
No!
No.
Michael J. Rodrigues?
No!
No.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes!
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
No!
No.
Karen E. Spilka?
No!
No.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes!
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty?
No!
No.
James T. Welch?
No!
No.
Have all members been recorded?
The Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Mr. President, have I been recorded?
You have not.
I vote in the affirmative.
Michael O. Moore votes yes.
On
This matter nine having voted in the affirmative, 28
in the negative.
The amendment does not prevail.
Amendment number 2 is on hold.
Amendment number 3 offered by the Senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 3 by Ms. L'Italien--
And insurance coverage for dependents
over age 26 with disabilities technical fix.
Chair recognizes the Senator from Essex and Middlesex,
Ms. L'Italien.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the members.
This amendment would fix a mistake
that had been made with regards to allowing families who
have a child who is over the age of 26 who has been carried
because they are a disabled person carried
on their family's plan.
It had been discovered that there is a health insurance
agency out in Western Massachusetts
that has been deciding not to allow families to have
this coverage which, by the way, was approved as part
of the Affordable Care Act.
There were four sections of the law where this
should have been put in place.
Massachusetts decided to do this.
And one place was inadvertently left out.
So one health insurance company is using that loophole
to deny coverage to families who have a child, again,
over the age of 26 who would not be able to afford health
insurance coverage.
And so that's the purpose in filing this amendment.
Are we doing this one?
OK, so it's my understanding that we're not going
to be voting on this today.
But I want to bring this to everyone's attention .
I would like to see this done as soon as we possibly can,
so I will withdraw the amendment.
I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.
--asks unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
It is withdrawn.
The chair would return to amendment number
2 offered by the Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
And the chair is informed that the amendment
has been withdrawn if there is no objection.
And the chair hears no objection.
Amendment number 4 offered by the senator from Norfolk
and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 4 by Senators Kennan and O'Connor--
special education circuit breaker.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 6 is offered by the Senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title of which the clerk--
OK, I'm sorry.
--will read.
Amendment number 6 by Mr. Moore--
item pricing.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
The chair skipped over number 5 unintentionally,
but it is now on hold.
And we now go to amendment number
7 offered by Ms. Gobi, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 7 by Ms. Gobi-- early voting.
Chair recognizes the Senator from Worcester, Hampden,
and Hampshire, and Middlesex, Ms. Gobi.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And this will sound very familiar because this is also
for the reimbursements to the communities
for the costs associated with the mandated
provisions for early voting for November 8th 2016.
And I saw what happened with the last vote,
so I don't have a lot of great hope on this.
However, I will obviously want to work with the Ways and Means
chair lady to make sure that funding does go in
to reimburse our cities and towns for the cost
that they incurred.
And with that, I will withdraw the amendment.
Withdrawn.
So amendment number 7 is withdrawn
if there's no objection.
The chair hears none, and it is withdrawn.
We're no amendment number 8 offered by the Senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 8 by Mr. Tarr-- public service
and commissioned veterans.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 9 is on hold.
Amendment number 10 is on hold.
And amendment number 11 offered by the Senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 11 by Mr. Tarr--
organizational transformation reserve.
Question comes on adoption of that amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
--will be in order.
We'll return to amendment number 5 offered by the Senator
from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment 5 by Ms. Creem-- relative to rapid fire
firearms.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Essex Mr. Tarr.
Mr. President, I move the Senate be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
The chair would remind the members
we're on amendment number 5 offered by the Senator
from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem,
the title will be re-read by the clerk.
Amendment number 5 by Ms. Creem and others--
relative to rapid fire firearms.
The chair recognizes the Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk,
Ms. Creem.
So I'm not going to call it?
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I want to thank you Mr. President
for your understanding of the urgency of this amendment.
All of us and the whole nation were united in horror
at the latest mass shooting in Las Vegas.
And unfortunately, it is a familiar feeling
because we have experienced horror
before in Orlando, in Aurora, and in Newtown
to name just a few recent incidents.
In this latest mass shooting, we have also
had to learn a new term "bump stock," a device that
will make semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic weapons.
Obviously, the bump stock modification
makes guns even more deadly, and lives
might have been saved had this not
have been available to the Las Vegas shooter.
Many people who objected to any restrictions
on the sale of weapons or weapon enhancement
to private individuals are now saying
they support bought the bomb stock ban,
and that's a good thing.
Any movement towards supporting more sensible gun laws
is welcome from all of us.
This amendment provides clear definition of the terms "bump
stock" and "trigger crank," the devices that
be added to semi-automatic weapons
to increase their rate of fire, essentially making fire
like a machine gun.
And it treats the use and ownership of them
the same way we treat machine guns.
That is to say, unless you are a law enforcement, license
to train members of law enforcement,
or a highly regulated and licensed collector,
you may not possess these deadly devices
subject to a penalty of up to life.
Defining them in this way and in the statutory structure
works to alleviate legitimate concerns raised
by the chief of police and others
who sought further clarity on this matter.
From the time that a bill is enacted,
they would be illegal immediately.
And these bump stock and trigger shooters
would not be available to be sold,
and they would need to be disposed of in 90 days.
Does this go far enough?
If you're asking me, I don't think so.
I filed strong gun control bill, but I
believe that will be considered at a later date.
And I think what's important is that we act immediately
on banning the sale of these kinds of devices, which
should have been illegal a long time ago.
This amendment is extremely important
because we need to act quickly on the new information we now
have about the danger of bump stocks.
I urge unanimous support of this item.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Sen-- the senator from--
hm.
the Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
Having seen the gentleman from Essex rise earlier
to address this, the Chair recognizes the senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you to the members.
Mr. President, protecting public safety
and protecting the integrity of our laws
should never be a partisan issue.
And throughout this day, for many hours,
we've worked together to try to come up with a reasonable way
to address what clearly is an issue that presents
the ability for some to circumvent our licensure laws
for firearms.
And I particularly want to thank the gentleman from Fall River.
I want to thank the gentleman from Western Massachusetts,
the gentlelady who just took her seat,
the distinguished Chair Lady of the Committee on Ways
and Means, and several others, Mr. President,
who have been part of a discussion this afternoon
on how to take the appropriate action to address a device
that-- as the gentlelady who just took her seat explained--
was something that wasn't in the mindset--
and certainly was not in the vocabulary--
of the vast majority of people in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts before we saw the very tragic events--
the horrific events that unfolded in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And now that we have that knowledge, Mr. President,
having come to possess it through a very, very
horrendous situation, it's our obligation to act.
And Mr. President, I would be the first to suggest--
and I have suggested to many in this chamber--
that we ought not be pursuing this particular issue
as an amendment to a spending document.
That it needs to have the proper public process.
That it needs to have a public hearing so that this material
change to the law can be fully considered and vetted,
not only through the legislative process,
but also with the benefit of information
from the public that will be affected by it.
Now, Mr. President, I know that today,
that is not going to happen.
But I also know this.
I filed a piece of legislation relative to this
which has many co-sponsors, Mr. President,
not only in this chamber from both parties
but also from the chamber down the hall as well.
And through the good work of the gentleman from New Bedford,
that bill is going to be facilitated for admission.
And through the work of the gentleman from Worcester,
it is going to receive a public hearing.
And Mr. President, were that not the case,
I would not be at the microphone about to utter the following
words.
But it is the case.
And there will be a public hearing.
And I hope the public hearing is well-noticed and well-attended
and inspires a vigorous discussion of the issue that
now lies before us because it is critical.
Now, Mr. President, in the wake of that tragedy that many of us
still try to understand--
and for many of us, it's beyond all comprehension--
we know that we need to take some action, which
is why the members of our caucus filed a bill, which has, again,
been widely supported in this building and both parties
and in both chambers.
And that bill, in many ways, forms
the basis of the amendment that now pends before the Senate.
It is very straightforward.
It says, Mr. President, in essence,
that we have a licensure law in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts which restricts,
if not entirely prohibits, the possession of a fully
automatic firearm, also known as a machine gun.
There are two devices that we know
about today that are not specifically referenced
in that law.
One is the so-called bump start.
The other is something that is known as a trigger crank.
Now, Mr. President, there can be many various marketing
terms for this, but the definitions that
are included in the amendment that now pends
before the Senate is calculated to ensure that, whatever you
call it, if it possesses those traits
and you do not have a license, then, Mr. President,
you are violating the law.
And Mr. President, I know people have
suggested that we should punish that illegal possession
severely.
And I would point out that unlike other proposals that we
have seen, the penalty for violating the law that we amend
is a imprisonment term of between 18 months and life.
People have sought a strict penalty.
This amendment provides a strict penalty.
It also, Mr. President, requires that all lawful gun owners
be notified of these changes in the law
so that this change does not become a trap to the unwary.
And, Mr. President, it provides a delayed effective date
so that folks that may be in possession of these devices
without the appropriate license can
seek to either come into compliance with the law
or detach themselves from possession
of that particular device, which they can no longer
legally possess.
Now, throughout the afternoon, Mr. President,
there was a discussion relative to the manufacturers
of these devices.
And it was that discussion that helped
to make this bill stronger, because one
of the requirements in the amendment that
pends before the Senate is to notify those who manufacture
these devices that they should not be shipping them
into Massachusetts.
Within the confines of our federal constitution
and the Interstate Commerce Clause, that's what we can do.
In this amendment, that is what we do.
So Mr. President, this is a discussion
that certainly needs to have more participation, more
awareness, more engagement, and more due process.
But if we are summoned to act today,
this is a reasonably balanced amendment that will allow us
to respond to those who would try to circumvent our laws
relative to the licensure of fully automatic weapons
and send a message loud and clear that if you are not
appropriately licensed-- as most people in the Commonwealth are
not--
then you better not possess one of these devices on a firearm.
I think that's about as clear as it can be.
And Mr. President, I hope that we will move forward
with this measure.
And Mr. President, I would move that when
a vote is taken on this matter, it be taken by a standing vote.
Gentlemen moves that when the vote on the matter be taken,
it be taken by a standing vote.
Those joining with him rise and be counted.
I'm sorry, we're taking a vote on the [INAUDIBLE]..
The chair misunderstood.
I thought when the vote is taken that he
was asking that it be taken by a standing vote, as opposed
that we take the vote right now.
[INAUDIBLE]
OK.
So if you are in favor of this, rise and be counted.
In favor of the amendment, rise and be counted.
Well, the chair-- the chair has been informed
that this is on the matter itself,
although I think a lot of us thought
it was on the question of when his vote-- when
a vote is taken, it will be taken by a standing vote.
That said, let's complete this process.
And we will go on from there, because I know there
are others who wish to speak.
Thank you.
Those opposed, rise and be counted.
33 having voted in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The amendment is adopted.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in order.
The chair recognizes the senator from Middlesex and Worcester.
Mr. Eldridge, for what purpose does the gentleman rise?
[INAUDIBLE]
The gentleman doubts the vote and asks for a call of the yeas
and nays.
Those rise-- those joining with him, rise and be counted.
A sufficient number having arisen,
the yeas and nays are ordered, and the clerk
will call the roll beginning with the Chair.
[INAUDIBLE]
Call beginning with the chair.
And the question is on adoption of the amendment.
Rosenberg.
Yes.
Michael J. Barrett.
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Sonya Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia's Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Did
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry.
Course
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Ann M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yep.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
Including the--
On this matter, by a roll call vote,
38 having voted in the affirmative, none
in the negative, the amendment is adopted.
The Chair recognizes the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms.
L'Italien, for the purposes of brief remarks,
if there is no objection.
The chair hears none.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Last week, when I stood before you
to offer our collective condolences on behalf
of Rhonda LeRocque, who lived in Tewksbury,
I said that I hoped that we would be doing more than just
paying our condolences and having a moment of silence.
I am grateful to everyone that has worked
on this collaboratively to strike a balance
to allow for public input this coming week, but most
importantly because on Saturday morning,
I am going to go to the memorial service
of this beautiful 41-year-old lady who was cut down
in the prime of her life.
And so I feel that I'm going to be
able to look her family in the eye
and be able to say, with all sincerity,
that we in the Senate have tried to do right by their family
and to do what we can to try to prevent any future mass
shootings.
So again, I just want to thank all of you
for working together on this.
And I will be conveying, you know,
the collective condolences of the entire Senate on behalf
of all of us when I attend that funeral service Saturday
morning.
Thank you.
Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore
asks unanimous consent to make a statement,
if there's no objection.
Does the Chair hear any?
The Chair does not.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I want to thank the body for the vote that we just took.
If you look-- we all know the tragedy that took place
in Nevada and the impact it's had
across the country to our families,
to the families of the people in our country.
But I think we should be proud today
that we are one of the first-- or the first state
in the country to respond as one body.
It's not Democrat, not Republican,
we are one body that responded to this tragedy.
And I think we should be proud of that.
And I want to thank Senator Creem, the minority leader,
Senator Tarr, Senator Hinds, Senator Rodrigues,
and the voices of the Second Amendment advocates and other
[INAUDIBLE] and the Mass. chiefs of police
for coming forward and providing their input so that we can,
as one community, come together and address this issue so
that hopefully, it will never happen again.
Thank you.
The next amendment we'll return to
is a redrafted amendment number 10, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 10 by Mr. Tarr, substance
use disorders services.
The Chair recognizes for comments
the senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you to the members.
Mr. President, folks in this chamber and in this building
have labored long and hard to try
to combat the scourge of opiate abuse
that has confronted our state and this country.
Fortunately, Mr. President, that work
has set the stage for many positive developments,
one of which is the ability to leverage federal funding
to assist us in those efforts.
This particular amendment, Mr. President,
creates the statutory infrastructure and the budget
infrastructure for us to be able to receive as many as $30
million to assist in that process
and in that ongoing effort.
Mr. President, as a result, the ability
to capture those dollars is dependent on the passage
of this amendment.
And I hope that it is adopted.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the redrafted amendment is adopted.
For the edification of the members,
there is one additional amendment pending.
There is a redraft, which is just being finalized.
The Chair is recommending a roll call
on the main question, which will follow immediately
after that amendment.
And there are no further controversial matters
or matters that require a roll call after the roll call is
taken on the main question.
So is the amendment filed?
[INAUDIBLE]
OK.
I'll return to the final amendment.
It's amendment number nine, offered by the senator
from Essex Mr. Tarr, a redrafted amendment,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number nine by Mr. Tarr, gaming Casino employee
registration requirements.
Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
There are provisions included in some documents that
have been moving through the building, relative to allowing
the Gaming Commission to exempt certain individuals
from the requirements of vetting.
And this particular amendment would
require them to report to us on the categories of individuals
that have received that exemption, so that if we make
a collective decision that such action is inappropriate,
we can take corrective action.
Mr. President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
The question is on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the redrafted amendment is adopted.
All of the amendments having been disposed of,
the question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
An act making appropriations for the fiscal year
2017 to provide for supplementing certain existing
appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.
Senate number 2177 amended.
The bill has been read a third time.
And the question will come on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I ask that when a vote be taken, it be taken by--
The vote on the matter be taken, it'll
be taken by a call of the yeas and nays
those joining with the rise and be counted.
--call of the yeas and nays.
A sufficient number having arisen, when the vote is taken,
it will be taken by a call of the yeas and nays, which
is right now.
The clerk will call the roll.
[INAUDIBLE]
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yes.
Michael J. Barrett.
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D Brady.
Yes.
William N Brownsberger.
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Ann M. Gobi
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Mike L. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Mark R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
On this matter, 38 having voted in the affirmative, none
in the negative, the bill is passed to be engrossed.
The senator from Middlesex, Ms. Jehlen, and the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien
move that when the Senate adjourn today,
it do so in memory of Somerville police officer and Tewksbury
resident Louis Remigio.
Officer Remigio was a 30-year veteran of the Somerville
police department who died tragically Monday
after being involved in a motor vehicle accident in New
Hampshire Sunday morning.
Officer Remigio joined the Somerville police department
in March, 1988.
Most recently, he served in the department's traffic unit.
Over his 30 year tenure, officer Remigio
received multiple awards for service to the community,
including two lifesaving awards, a meritorious Service
Award, a beyond the call of duty award,
and numerous commendations, both by his colleagues
and by community members.
He was the beloved husband of the late Amy Lynn Andrews,
cherished father of Danielle and Alexandra Remigio,
both of Tewksbury, loving son of the late Manuel and Francisca
Remigio, dear brother of Anna O'Shea
and her husband John JC the third,
Helena Wickstrom and her husband Timothy,
and Natalie Pereira and her husband Edward.
He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews.
Along with many extended relatives and friends,
he leaves behind numerous devoted fellow officers
in the city of Somerville.
He was a member of the Law Keepers' Motorcycle Club
and a former coach of Tewksbury and Somerville youth sports.
Officer Remigio was a dedicated officer known for his empathy
both on and off duty, and will be remembered
for his tremendous contributions to public safety
and the communities of Somerville and Tewksbury.
Question comes on adoption of the motion.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the motion prevails.
The chair would ask all members and guests and staff
to observe a moment of silent reflection.
[GAVEL STRIKE]
Thank you.
A report of the committee.
The Committee of Ways and Means [INAUDIBLE]
the house bill establishing a sick leave bank for [INAUDIBLE]
An employee of the Department of Corrections
house number 3877 reports recommended
[INAUDIBLE] to pass Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
asks unanimous consent to suspend
the rules to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The Chair hears none, and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on to order the bill
to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no The ayes have it, the bill
is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
And act establishing a sick leave bank
for [INAUDIBLE],, an employee of the Department of Corrections
house number 3877 amended.
Question comes on passing the bill should be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Report of the committee.
The Committee is on rules, the two branches
have to get currently, to whom is referred the Senate
petition of Bruce E. Tarr, Bradley H. Jones, Jr. Richard
J. Ross, Donald F. Humason, Jr., and other members
of general court for legislation to prevent illegal possession
of rapid fire of firearms.
Reports recommend the journal of [? trophies ?]
suspended with reference to Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The senator from Bristol and Plymouth, Mr. Montigny,
moves that the Senate rule 36 b is
suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith.
All of those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.
The question now comes on suspension of joint rule 12.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the rules are suspended.
The petition will be referred to the Committee
on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr,
offers an order, which the clerk will read.
Order that when the Senate adjourns today,
to adjourn to meet again on Monday next at 11:00 AM
and that the clerk be directed to dispense
with the printing of a calendar.
The question comes on adoption of the order.
Is there an objection?
The Chair hears none, and the order is adopted.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr,
moves that the Senate do now adjourn.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Senate stands
adjourned in memory of officer Lewis M. Remigio,
to meet again on Monday next at 11:00 AM.