The Senate will come to order.
The Chair will ask all members, guests, and staff
to please rise and recite the Pledge of 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.
Somebody here.
1st Essex and Middlesex, for what purpose do you rise?
Well, first of all, Madam President, to say it
is delightful to be here with you
and to see you on the rostrum presiding.
Thank you.
And Madam President, in the second instance
to say that I think we all should be together
this afternoon, and so I doubt the presence of a quorum.
The presence of a quorum has been questioned.
The Chair.
There is no quorum present.
The Chair will ask the court officers to lock the doors
and call the members.
Quorum is present.
Several resolutions have been presented,
which the clerk will read.
By Ms. Chandler, resolutions congratulating
Patrick L. Muldoon on his retirement and by Mr. Lewis.
Resolutions congratulating Timothy F. Gens
on being honored by the Massachusetts Health
and Hospital Association Inc.
Now comes on adoption of the resolutions.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the House
bill designating May as Asian American Pacific Islander
month, House number 3360, reports the matter
be placed in the orders of the day for the next session.
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Senator Tran,
asks unanimous consent that the rules
be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The Chair hears none.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading.
The bills to a third reading.
Is it single?
Yes.
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 designating May as Asian American Pacific Islander month
House number 3360.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Brief recess.
The senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney,
is invited to come to the rostrum for the mere purpose
of introducing some guests.
Mr. Feeney.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to this body.
I appreciate the opportunity to take
a moment in our thoughtful debate
here today to recognize some constituents that
are very, very important to me and that
have visited with us today.
I'm proud to be joined here today
by several seniors from the New Pond Village Independent
Living Center in Walpole.
New Pond Village is a benchmark senior living
continuing care retirement community that truly offers
the highest quality care and independent assisted living
as well as a soon to be completed memory care center.
I have toured their center in Walpole, Madam President,
and I can tell you that the building is spectacular,
but the people, the staff, the volunteers,
the residents, some of whom join us today,
make it a truly, truly special place in the Bristol
and Norfolk district.
Madam President, they wanted to come
see their government in action, so I made sure
they came to the Senate.
I'm happy to have them with us today,
and I ask you to join me in welcoming them
to our Senate chamber.
[APPLAUSE]
We welcome your guests and we hope
that they will enjoy the proceedings
of the great and general court in the Senate.
A report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the House
bill authorizing the Deerfield area fire protection
district to continue the employment of Fire Chief
Chester Yazwinski, House number 3957,
reports the matter be placed in the orders of the day
for the next session.
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
Senator from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge,
asks unanimous consent that the rules
be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there any objection?
The Chair hears none and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading.
Senator from Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester,
Mr. Rosenberg, has presented an amendment
which the clerk will read.
Mr. Rosenberg moved to amend the bill
by striking out section two and inserting in place
thereof the following section, section two.
This act shall take effect as of May 3, 2017.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The question now comes on ordering the bill as amended
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 authorizing the Deerfield area fire protection district
to continue the employment of Fire Chief Chester Yazwinski,
House number 3957.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the House
bill further regulating the Massachusetts Port Authority
Community Advisory Committee, House number 4088,
reports that the matter be placed
in the orders of the day for the next session, Mark C.
Montigny for the committee.
The Senator from the 4th Middlesex, Ms. Friedman,
asks unanimous consent that the rules
be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there any objection?
Hearing none, the Chair asks that the question now
comes on order 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 further regulating the Massachusetts Port Authority
Community Advisory Committee House number 4088.
It has been read it a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The bill is passed to be engrossed.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the House
bill establishing regional commissions on the status
of women, House number 1110, reports recommend the same
marked to pass with an amendment in section one
by inserting after the word appointed
in line 14 the following words, and qualified,
by inserting after the word since in line 16
the following words, the conclusion of.
In section two, by inserting after the word
appointed and line 62 the following words and qualified.
In section two, by inserting after the word since in line
64 the following words, the conclusion of.
And in section three, by inserting after the word
appointed in line 105 the following words, and qualified.
And in section three, by inserting after the word
since in line 107 the following words, the conclusion of.
And by striking out section four.
Karen E. Spilka For the committee.
Brief recess.
Senate is now in order.
The Senator from 2nd Middlesex, Ms. Jehlen
asks unanimous consent that the rules
be suspended 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.
Coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee
on Ways and Means.
Wait a minute.
The Senator from 2nd Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady.
Thank you, Madam President through you to the members.
This Senate bill establishes three new commissions
on the status of women and girls,
and it will work to create three new commissions will
be responsible for studying the issues that women
and girls face throughout their respective areas
and reporting their findings to the Mass Commission on Women's
Issues.
These commissions will provide support and resources
to empower women and girls to make their voices heard
and advocate on important issues that
are very important to them.
The bill establishes an upper Middlesex commission
on status of women and girls issues,
east and regional commission in a Plymouth County commission,
and these will fulfill the three commissions
in counties that have not had commissions on women's issues.
OK.
So we're here.
Now what do I do?
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Oh, excuse me.
Can I continue?
All right.
All those in favor, say aye.
This is the adoption of the amendment.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
All right.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to 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.
Third reading of the bill.
All right.
Does he want to speak?
An act establishing regional commissions
on the status of women House number 1110 amended.
The Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.
1st Essex and Middlesex, there is so much
talking in this chamber.
So please sit down.
I'm sure he has something very important to say.
Thank you, Madam President, and through the members.
I appreciate the explanation of this bill that
was provided by my good friend, the champion
of the city of Brockton here in this chamber.
And Madam President, I do hope in fact
that we move today to engross this particular measure.
And I move that when a vote is taken on that matter,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Where am I?
Essex and Middlesex.
The Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex
has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with him please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number having arisen.
Wait a minute.
The yeas and nays will be taken.
The clerk will call the roll.
Michael J. Barrett.
Yes.
Joseph Boncore.
Yea.
Michael D. Brady.
Yea.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yea.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yea.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yea.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yea.
Julian Cyr.
Yea.
Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Sal DiDomenico.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yea.
James B. Eldridge.
Yea.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yea.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yea.
Linda Dorcena-Forry.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yea.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yea.
Adam.
G. Hinds.
Yea.
Donald F. Humason Jr. Yea.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yea.
John F. Keenan.
Yea.
Eric P. Lesser.
Jason M. Lewis.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yea.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yea.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yea.
Michael O. Moore.
Yea.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yea.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yea.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yea.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yea.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yea.
Richard J. Ross.
Yea.
Michael F. Rush.
Karen Spilka.
Yea.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yea.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yea.
Dean A. Tran.
Yea.
James T. Welch.
Yea.
Linda Dorcena-Forry.
Yes.
The senator from fifth Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
Jason M. Lewis votes yea.
The senator from 1st Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
Eric P. Lesser votes yes.
The Senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush.
Michael F. Rush votes yes.
The Senator from Middlesex and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico.
Sal N. DiDomenico votes yea.
Do we have everybody now?
OK.
On this matter, 38 have voted in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The bill is passed to be engrossed.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Ways and Means to whom
was referred the Senate bill relative to the use of vehicle
record book Senate number 1982 reports that the same ought
to pass with an Amendment substituting
a new draft with the same title Senate number 2269.
Karen E. Spilka For the committee.
Senator for Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
has presented an order which the clerk will read.
Order that notwithstanding Senate rule
seven or any other rule to the contrary, the Senate
bill relative to the used vehicle record book Senate
number 1982, the Committee of Ways and Means
having recommended the bill be amended
by substituting a new draft, Senate number 2269
shall be placed in the orders of the day for a second reading
on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
All amendments shall be filed electronically
in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate
by 5:00 PM on Monday, January 29, 2018.
All such amendments shall be second reading amendments
of Senate 2269, but further amendments
in the third degree to such amendments shall be in order.
The clerk shall further specify the procedure and format
for filing all amendments consistent with this order.
After the bill is amended, it's ordered to a third reading
and shall immediately be read a third time,
and the question shall then immediately
be on passing it to be engrossed and no amendment
shall be in order at the third reading the bill
unless recommended by the Committee
on bills in the third reading.
The senator from 1st Middlesex, under the rules
referred to the Committee on Rules, report of the committee.
The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred said Senate order,
reports recommending the same ought to be adopted,
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
Senator from the Cape and the Islands,
Mr. Cyr moves that the rules be suspended so the matter may
be considered forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on the adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the order is adopted.
Report of a committee.
The Committees on Rules of the two branches acting
concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate
petition of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation
to establish an early retirement incentive for Charles Mark
Brown reports recommending that Joint Rule 12 be suspended
with reference thereto, Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney,
rules that the Senate rule 36 be suspended so that the matter
may be taken up forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.
The question now comes on suspending--
Please subdue your conversations.
It's very hard to hear.
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 Service.
Papers from the House.
Several House petitions come from the House
with the endorsement that joint rule 12 has been suspended
with reference thereto in each instance,
and they've been referred to their various committees.
The question comes on suspension of joint rule 12.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.
The petitions will severally be referred to various committees.
One matter comes before the Senate
for its final passage requiring the adoption of an emergency
preamble.
And under the Constitution, there
is required a standing vote.
An act establishing a sick leave bank
for Elizabeth O'Brien, an employee of the Department
of the Attorney General.
This is Senate bill number 2176.
Those members voting in the affirmative please
rise to be counted.
Please be seated.
Those opposed, please rise.
Since there are eight members in the affirmative, none
in the negative, the emergency preamble is adopted.
Several matters come before the Senate for their final passage.
An act designating the town administrator and the Director
of Municipal Finance as town meeting members
at large in the town of Milford.
An act relative to a certain license
for the sale of all alcoholic beverages
to be drunk on the premises in the city of Beverly.
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.
Brief recess.
We'll come to order.
Is there any objection to proceeding
with the orders of the day?
The Chair hears none.
On page one, the first item is calendar item 109,
Senate number 2152.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, say no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Go to the next one right here.
No, no.
No?
OK.
The next item is calendar item 110, Senate number 2223.
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 111, house number 3513.
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 112, House number 3725.
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.
It's hard to hear.
Please keep your conversations down.
On page two, the next item is calendar item 113,
house number 3753.
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 115, House number 3918.
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 116, House number 3958.
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 117, House number 3978.
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 118, House number 4016.
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 Senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis,
moves that the rules be suspended so that the matter
may be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The Chair hears none.
Third reading of the bill.
An act authorizing the appointment of special police
officers in the city of Malden, House number 4016 amended.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
The next item is calendar item 119, House number 4055.
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 three, calendar item 120, Senate number 784.
The Chair hears pass.
OK.
The next item is calendar item 121, Senate number 2139.
The Chair hears pass.
Returning to passed items on the calendar.
We're going back to page three, calendar
number 120, Senate number 784.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
Coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee
on Ways and Means, the Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk,
Ms. Creem, has offered an amendment
which the clerk will read.
Amendment number two by Ms. Creem.
Repeal archaic laws on adultery and fornication.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
I guess there's nothing.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The question now comes on 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.
The question now comes on ordering the bill as amended
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 negating archaic statutes targeting young women,
Senate number 2260 amended.
Brief recess.
Senate is now in session.
The Senate from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Madam President through the members.
My understanding is that we are currently
on calendar item 120, which is Senate bill 784.
And I'm hoping that we can get an explanation
of the matter that now pends before the Senate.
I guess it's now Senate bill 2260 as amended.
And we will ask the Senator from 1st Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms.
Creem, to give that explanation to you.
Thank you, Madam President.
I do want to start by thanking you
for your leadership on this bill,
and for being the author of the Nasty bill
and for your standing up for women.
And this is just another example.
But this bill would make sure that our laws do not
contain outdated and even unconstitutional
language regarding a woman's right
to make decisions about her own body,
including the right to complete control over her medical care
and decisions about contraception and abortion.
We had many so-called archaic laws on the books.
These laws were written centuries or decades ago and no
longer apply to our society.
They do not meet our 21st century understanding of terms
like privacy, individual freedom, and choice.
In fact they conflict with the federal laws that we have.
But today we are taking the opportunity
to update laws of particular importance to women.
As you, Madam President, have made
it clear in these times right now across our nation,
there are renewed and constant threat
to women's health services.
By repealing the laws here, we will be ensuring they cannot be
called into use in the future, and we will be signaling
to the federal government and the public exactly what
our values are.
First, the legislation would repeal a law
from mid 1800s that had banned all abortions.
Repealing the archaic language, we
will remove potential legal weapon
and ensure then in the future a woman, and her doctor,
and whoever she decides to talk to,
and her care provider will continue
to be able to make private medical decisions
about her pregnancy.
The bill would also remove an unconstitutional law which
mandates that all non-emergency abortions after the 12th week
of pregnancy must be performed in a hospital, a provision
not medically necessary, but one that
was enacted to interfere with private decision-making.
That does not say whether or not the procedure can happen.
It only relates to the fact of where it has to take place.
So we would be lifting the ban for unmarried couples as well.
And third, the bill will lift a ban
on contraception for unmarried couples.
Currently the state has an unconstitutional law
that bans unmarried people from using contraception.
This law was held invalid by the US court
and contrary, by holding that the Constitution's right
to privacy extends to reproductive decisions
of unmarried people as well as married people.
Some may be wondering why the legislation is even necessary
if these statues aren't being used.
But just because some of these laws are not being enforced now
does not mean they cannot be in the future.
We hear members of Congress talk of reversing Roe versus Wade,
and we see from new regulations and budget requests
that defunding family planning and allowing health insurers
not to cover prescription contraceptives
is a real possibility in the future.
Just recently, we saw the implementation
of the gag rule, whereby many, many women
in many, many countries no longer had
the privacy of making choices with regard to their bodies.
We need to ensure that the laws that we have on our books
now that conflict with a federal law, that are unconstitutional,
that they are removed permanently.
We need to take a stand and show the rest of the nation
that Massachusetts stands with the right to choose
and stands for progress.
I urge my fellow colleagues to support this legislation.
Thank you, Madam President.
The Senator from fourth Middlesex, Ms. Friedman.
For what reason do you stand?
The Senator from fourth Middlesex,
Ms. Friedman has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number having risen, when the vote is called,
the yeas and nays will be ordered.
The clerk will call the roll.
Michael J. Barrett.
Yea.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yea.
Michael D. Brady.
Yea.
William M. Brownsberger.
Yea.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yea.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yea.
Julian Cyr.
Yea.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yea.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yea.
James B. Eldridge.
Yea.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yea.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yea.
Linda Dorcena-Forry.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yea.
Ann M. Gobi.
Yea.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yea.
Donald F. Humason Jr. Yea.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yea.
John F. Keenan.
Yea.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yea.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yea.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yea.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yea.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yea.
Michael O. Moore.
Yea.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yea.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yea.
Mark R. Pacheco.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yea.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yea.
Richard J. Ross.
Yea.
Michael F. Rush.
Yea.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yea.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yea.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yea.
Dean A. Tran.
Yea.
James T. Welch.
Yea.
Linda Dorcena-Forry.
Yes.
Anybody else?
Senator from second Suffolk, Ms. Chang-Diaz.
Sonia Chang-Diaz votes yes.
Anybody else?
The Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco.
Mark R. Pacheco Votes yes.
All members had been recorded.
On this matter, 38 in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The bill is passed to be engrossed.
All right, we're along here.
Right here?
Right there.
[INAUDIBLE]
On page three, the first item passed.
The next item passed over is calendar item 121,
Senate number 2139.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading, coming first on an amendment
as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means.
OK.
The question now comes on 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.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading as amended.
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.
An act providing for the licensing
of certain motor vehicle inspection
stations Senate number 2261.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
I'm sorry.
Senator from 1st Suffolk and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore.
Thank you, Madam President.
I rise to give a brief explanation of this bill.
I'd also like to think the filer of this bill.
The gentleman from Plymouth could not be with us today,
Senator deMacedo.
But he should know that we're all with him today
and his time lost and time of need.
This legislation would create a statutory requirement
for the Registry of Motor Vehicles
to grant an inspection facility license to Class I dealerships
that have done construction or reconstruction
on their facility in excess of $2.5 billion.
The current law that stands today
requires the facility to be licensed
by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
Under the current inspection contract,
they RMV instituted a waiting list
for public light duty and public mobile inspection stations.
Under the waiting list, the RMV will not grant any license
from the list unless it was determined that the facility
was in an underserved area.
The problem with this is that there is no true definition
of what an underserved area is.
And since the establishment of the waiting list,
there have only been 15 licenses granted
to new dealerships, Madam President.
In spite of the expiration of the previous contract,
the total number of licenses remains capped,
and creates an onerous bureaucratic burden
on small businesses.
At the depths of the recession in Massachusetts,
there was franchised 405 dealerships.
And since then, the numbers have increased.
With these arbitrary restrictions in place,
these dealers are unable to affix an inspection sticker
to cars, new or used, that they are selling, requiring them
to go off site and creating a burden financially and time
burden to both them and the person
who purchased the vehicle.
This bill, as I stated previously,
would qualify Class A and Class B inspection stations
for a license automatically if their dealership has
made an investment of $2.5 million in construction
to renovations to their facility.
I hope that all my colleagues will support this bill.
Thank you, Madam President.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
The Senator from second Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien,
do you rise for any purpose?
I'm sorry.
All those in favor of the bill, on passing the bill
to be engrossed, please say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules of the two branches acting
concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate
petition of Eileen M. Donoghue for legislation
to regulate online gaming, daily fantasy
sports, and online sports betting, Senate docket number
2480, reports recommend that Joint Rule 12
be suspended with reference thereto, Mark C.
Montigny for the committee.
The Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco,
moves that Senate rule 36 suspended so that the matter
may be taken up forthwith.
All 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.
And the ayes have it, and the rules are suspended.
The petition will be referred to the Committee
on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
Brief recess.
Mr. Moore offers an order which the clerk will read.
Ordered that when the Senate adjourns today,
it adjourns to meet again on Monday next at 11 o'clock AM,
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.
The Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
Move that with the Senate adjourned today,
it adjourn in memory of Stephanie
Mercandetti of Framingham.
Thank you, Madam President.
Ms. Mercandetti passed away on January 14, 2018.
She was 42 years old.
Ms. Mercandetti's life may have been tragically cut too short,
but it was really full.
Born and raised in New York, she moved to Boston
to attend Northeastern University.
As a political science student, she
was recommended by former governor Michael Dukakis, who
praised her intelligence, for an internship
in the Massachusetts State Senate.
She worked in the office of former Senator David
Magnani, my predecessor, for the second Middlesex
and Norfolk district.
Upon graduation, Senator Magnani smartly
hired her as his local affairs director
for the second Middlesex and Norfolk district,
and her lifelong commitments to both public service
and the metro west region were born.
Ms. Mercandetti, who received her Master's
in Public Administration from UMass Boston,
served in a number of planning and economic development roles
throughout the state.
She worked as Regional Municipal Coordinator
in the Norfolk County Commissioner's Office
from 2002 until 2007, and then as the economic development
and grants officer for the town of Walpole.
From 2014 on, she served as the Economic Development Director
for the town of Medway.
She was utterly passionate about this work.
In 2012, Ms. Mercandetti was first
elected to the Framingham Planning Board
as a write in candidate.
She continued to serve in this capacity until her passing.
In the days since her passing, many of Ms. Mercandetti's
friends and colleagues have used similar words to describe her.
She was a light, a star, and she set the world on fire.
She was revered for her kindness and integrity.
Although she was strongly committed
to the democratic town committee and she
was a member of the state committee, for examples,
Republicans volunteered for her campaign.
She was unique in her ability to bring people together,
to animate lively discussions around planning
and development, and to affect positive change
in the communities in which she worked.
She was also a beloved sister, cousin, aunt, daughter,
and friend, as well as an artist, runner, and advocate.
In this political moment, may Ms. Mercandetti's memory
serve as a reminder to all of us that we are neighbors first
and our political designations second.
Let us remember that a laugh and a kind word
can go a long way towards bringing disparate parties
closer together.
In treating each other with dignity and respect,
Ms. Mercandetti's work will continue
throughout the commonwealth.
The Chair asks for a moment of silence
in Ms. Mercandetti's memory.
Thank you.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.
The Senator from 1st Suffolk, Ms. Forry,
moves that the Senate do now adjourn.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
And the Senate stands adjourned in memory
of Stephanie Mercandetti to meet again on Monday next
at 11 o'clock AM.
Thank you.