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.
The senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
for what reason do you rise?
Well, Madam President, first to say how wonderful it
is to see you on the rostrum and second to say I
doubt the presence of a quorum.
He doubts the presence of a quorum.
[INAUDIBLE] not present.
The court offices will close the doors and ask--
The members to come in.
And ask the members to come in.
A quorum is present.
Will the members take their seats
and subdue their conversations?
The senator from Middlesex, Ms Friedman,
has presented resolutions which the clerk will read.
By Senators Friedman, Lesser, DiDomenico, and others--
resolutions recognizing the Commonwealth's athletes
who were selected to compete in the 23rd Olympic Winter Games.
The question now comes on adoption of the resolutions.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the resolutions are adopted.
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 designating a certain bridge
in the city of Fall River as the Ronald Costa
Bridge, House Number 4031.
Those members voting in the affirmative,
please rise to be counted.
16.
Those opposed, please rise and be counted.
16 members having voted in the affirmative, no members
having voted in the negative, the emergency preamble
is adopted.
A brief recess.
The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure to whom was referred the petition accompanied
by Bill Set Number 112 of Eileen M. Donoghue, Attorney
General Maura Healey, Jennifer L. Benson, [? Denise Provo, ?]
and other members of the general court for legislation
to establish a student tuition recovering fund
reports recommending the same ought
not to pass under Joint Rule 10, the time
within which the petition was tried to be
reported out having inspired.
Senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney,
moves that the rules be suspended so that the matter
may be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
The question comes on accepting the adverse report.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien,
moves that the report be amended as substitution of the bill.
The question comes on the substitution of the report.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is substituted for the report.
First reading of the bill--
An act establishing a student tuition recovery fund,
Senate Number 112.
Under Senate Rule 27, the bill will
be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Report of a committee--
The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure, to whom was referred the petition accompanied
by Bill Set Number 130 of Barbara A L'Italien, Marjorie
C. Decker, James B. Eldridge, Paul R. Hiro, and other members
of the general court for legislation
to remove fees for security freezes and disclosures
of consumer credit reports recommending the same
ought not to pass under the Joint Rule, 10
the time within which the committee had
to bring it out having expired.
The senator from 2nd Essex, Ms. Lovely,
moves that the rules be suspended so the matter may
be considered here forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
The question comes on accepting the adverse report.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien,
moves that the report be amended by substitution
of a new draft, the title of which the clerk will read.
Ms. L'italien moves to amend the report
by substituting a new draft--
"An Act relative to Consumer Protection for Security
Breaches," Senate Number 2304.
The question comes on substitution of the report.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is substituted for the report.
First reading of the bill--
An act relative to consumer protection
from security breaches, Senate Number 2304.
Under Senate Rule 27, the bill will
be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Report of a committee--
The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure to whom was referred the petition accompanied
by Bill Set Number 134 of Barbara A
L'Italien for legislation relative to online lottery
products reports recommending the same
ought not to pass under Joint Rule
10, the time for the committee having
to report having expired.
Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco,
moves that the rules be suspende so
that the matter may be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
The question comes on accepting the adverse report.
Senator for Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien,
moves that the report be amended by substitution of the bill.
The question comes on substitution of the report.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is substituted for the report.
First reading of the bill--
An act relative to online lottery products, Senate Number
134.
Under Senate Rule 27, the bill will
be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Report of a committee--
The Committee on Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate
bill establishing a sick leave for
[? Linda Tourneys Williams, ?] an employee of the Department
of Transitional Assistance, Senate Number 2251, reports
recommending the same ought to pass
with an amendment inserting before the enacting clause
"An emergency preamble," Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
The senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush,
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.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the Ways and Means and the 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.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading the bill--
An act establishing a sick leave bank for
[? Linda Tourneys Williams, ?] an employee
of the Department of Transitional Assistance, Senate
Number 2251 Amended.
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.
Paper from the House.
The house petition of Hannah Kane and Michael O. Moore
by vote of the town for legislation
to authorize the Commissioner of Capital Asset
Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land
to the town of Shrewsbury comes from the house
with the endorsement that Joint Rule 12
has been suspended with reference [INAUDIBLE]
to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory
Oversight.
The Senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Mr. Tran--
oh, OK, excuse me.
The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty--
no, I'm ahead of myself.
I should be here, right?
The question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the petition will be referred to the Committee
on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
It's very hard to hear.
Several matters come before the Senate
for their final passage--
an act further addressing the charter of the town
of Middleton, an act relative to the sewer construction
and private way of maintenance and improvement funded the town
of Barnstable, an act establishing a residency
requirement for the second and subsequent terms of the town
manager of the town of Ipswich, an act exempting
[? Nicholas L. Martone ?] from the maximum age requirement
for firefighters in the town of North Andover.
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.
The bills will be signed by the president
and laid before the governor for his approbation.
Brief recess.
Proceeding with the orders of the [? J. ?]
The chair hears none.
On Page 1, the first item is Calendar Item 133,
Senate Number 2286.
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 order to a third reading.
The next item is Calendar Item 134, House Number 3992.
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 135, House Number 4028.
The question comes on ordering a 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 136, House Number
4077.
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.
Next item is Calendar Item 137 House Number 4078.
The question comes on ordering 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.
Next item this Calendar Item 138, House Number 4079.
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 139, House Number 4084.
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 140, Senate Number 591.
Pass.
The chair hears pass.
The next item is Calendar Item 141, Senate Number 676.
Pass.
The chair hears pass.
Brief recess--
Return to items previously passed--
several amendments have been--
this one?
On Page 2, the first item passed over
is Calendar Item 140, Senate Number 591.
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.
The senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.
Madam President, I'm hoping that we
can get an explanation of the bill that currently
pends before the Senate.
I know that there's a Ways and Means amendment to that bill.
And I'm hoping that we can get an explanation
of that amendment as well prior to us
taking up the various amendments that
have been offered to the bill.
And Madam President, I move the Senate be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
In Session-- senator from second Middlesex and Norfolk,
Ms. Spilka.
Thank you Madam President, and through you to the members.
I would like to first start by thanking the gentleman
from Acton and the gentleman from Springfield who both have
worked on this bill before us in their committees,
and have been so helpful, and worked
hard to help bring this bill to the floor.
Patient confidentiality is a fundamental element
of the patient-provider relationship
and is essential, really essential in helping patients
feel comfortable to access care and communicating
with their health care providers.
Confidentiality is at the core of that relationship.
Individuals are understandably reluctant to share information
with their provider when confidentiality is simply not
assured.
Because they fear that their personal very, very personal
information may be disclosed.
Despite widespread recognition of the importance
of maintaining patient confidentiality,
some private insurers--
not all in the Commonwealth--
some private insurers current billing and claims
communications practices unintentionally but
routinely violate basic confidentiality protections
for anyone that is covered as a dependent on another person's
policy.
Due to fears that a parent may see a summary of payments
formed, some young adults or minors
may choose to forego certain types of treatment.
Alternately, a miner may choose instead
to use a publicly funded community clinic in order
to assure confidentiality which shifts costs
to publicly funded programs that are already
overburdened when private insurance could cover it.
In the cases of domestic violence,
disclosure on confidential health care information
to an abusive partner or a family member
may make that violence worse.
And that is something to note.
This bill came to the forefront.
This issue came to the--
May I ask you to subdue your conversations?
We cannot hear the lady at the rostrum.
Thank you, Madam President.
This issue came to the forefront when
working with the Connors Center for Women
at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The prior head of the Connors Center, Paula Johnson,
who is now President of Wellesley University,
brought this to my attention.
We had been working on some health care
issues for gender disparities.
And she said, you know, we're finding that some women are not
coming to the Center for fear that their explanation
of benefits will go to their spouse or partner who
happens to be abusive.
And they are afraid.
They are simply afraid that their partner will find out
that they sought health care, that they talked to somebody
else about their situation, and that they
will be subject to further and worse abuse.
And so we talked about what can we do
to prevent that from happening.
And this is how we came up with this bill.
It's a simple bill.
But it is a tremendously important bill
that will help hundreds of women,
and folks across the Commonwealth, and kids.
This bill remedies those situations
by requiring that insurance carriers issue
the common summary of payments forms which are usually
called the explanation of benefits or EOB forms
at the member level.
And it allows each member, each insured member,
to choose their preferred method of receiving these forms.
So it could be a person can say, I
would like this to be through my email, please send it to me,
or to a PO box, or whatever.
And that person can designate that information.
If it requires the Division of Insurance to define sensitive
health care services that cannot be identified on the common
summary of payments and allows patients to request suppression
of the summary of payment forms for a specific service
or procedure, the division of insurance is required
to promulgate regulations and develop a plan to educate
providers and consumers so that they are aware of their rights
and their responsibilities to promote and ensure compliance.
This bill is a crucial step to ensure that all residents--
and I stress that word all--
residents of the Commonwealth can not only get access
but ensure access when needed to routinely and secure health
care services.
And I hope that there will be a yes
and people will support this bill.
Thank you.
Yes, the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tar.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, pursuant to Rule 13B,
I move there be a Republican caucus
until the hour of 3:30 PM.
Under Article 13B, it is so ordered.
The Senate will be in session.
Several members that have been filed
will be considered at this time.
Amendment Number 1 which the clerk will read--
It's been withdrawn.
Number 1 has been withdrawn.
Amendment Number 2 offered by the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 2 by Mr. Tarr, consent.
The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
amend--
No, on the amendment.
On the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
A brief recess, Madam President.
A brief recess.
The Senate is in session.
The question now comes on ordering--
the question comes on the Third Amendment
offered by the senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms.
Spilka, the title of which is the corrected amendment which
the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 3 by Ms. Spilka corrective amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is passed to be engrossed.
And remember, Amendment Number 4 has been withdrawn.
And Amendment Number 4 offered by the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, has been withdrawn.
OK.
All right.
Where's the flow sheet?
[INAUDIBLE] on adopting 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.
Go back?
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--
An act to protect access to confidential health care,
Senate Number 2296 Amended.
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.
OK, the next item passed over is Calendar Item 141,
Senate Number 676.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading coming first on an amendment is recommended
by the Committee on Ways and Means.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has offered an amendment the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 1 by Mr. Tarr, Finish Line.
The 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 adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the Ways and Means and the 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.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading.
A brief recess?
Brief recess.
The Senate is now in session.
The chair recognizes the senator from 1st Middlesex,
Ms Donoghue.
Good afternoon, Madam President, and through you to the members.
Senate Bill 2297 broadens the course eligibility requirements
for the Community College Training Incentive Program.
This supports offerings that are aimed
at closing the skills gap.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education,
the Community College Training Incentive Program
encourages public community college training opportunities
that promote workforce development,
minimize the shortage of skilled workers,
and raise economic opportunity.
Grants are awarded through this program
to expand vocationally oriented course offerings
and develop partnerships with Massachusetts employers.
Given the need to keep our workforce pipeline
flowing with ever increasing supplies of talent,
this program sounds about as controversial
as motherhood and apple pie.
But a close reading of the incentive
as described in 15F of Chapter 15A
reveals a fundamental flaw that this bill will correct.
Currently, the Commonwealth can award grants
for not for credit courses, an unnecessary limitation.
Madam President, I can't hear myself talk.
Hold on.
[AUDIO OUT] will be temporarily laid aside.
I wasn't able to hear myself.
The lady cannot hear.
So please, [AUDIO OUT] your conversations.
And let us listen to the lady who is at the rostrum.
And I will just sum up this bill, Madam President.
So what this bill does is it corrects what
was probably unintentional.
But it's a limitation.
Currently, the grant does not provide for credit courses,
only not for credit courses.
There is no sound policy rationale
that exists for making this so.
And for example, it would make a course for a biotechnology
technician ineligible.
This is a degree that is important for our workforce
development.
So this would expand the program to include for credit courses
so that community colleges can more effectively educate
our workforce.
The Senate unanimously passed this bill last session.
To allow community colleges to realize their potential today
in training the workers of tomorrow
that Massachusetts is so desperately in need of,
I urge the passing of this bill.
And Madam President, I would request that when
a vote is taken it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
When a vote is taken, it will be taken--
the senator asks that when a vote
is taken it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please and be counted.
A sufficient number, Madam President.
A sufficient number of members having arisen,
the yeas and nays will be ordered.
This matter, however, will be temporarily laid aside.
A brief recess.
Brief recess.
One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage--
an act designating a certain bridge
in the city of Fall River as the Ronald Costa bridge.
The question comes on passing the bill to be enacted.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is passed to be enacted
and will be signed by the president
and laid before the governor for his approbation.
A brief recess.
Brief recess.
If there is no objection, the senator
from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
asks that no action be taken on Bill Number
2297, Amendment Number 1.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
The senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.
And Madam President, I want to thank
the Committee on Ways and Means and also the gentle lady
from Lowell who is a proponent of the underlying measure that
stands before the Senate.
The redraft that I offer in the hands of the clerk
creates a feasibility study for the creation
of a so-called Finish Line Grant Program.
And the point of such a program, Madam President,
would be to come to the financial aid of students
who are at risk of not being able to finish
their course of study because of a financial incapacity.
And so Madam President, what we would
hope to do through the development of such a grant
program is to ensure that a student that
is at risk of not completing their course of study
be able to do so through supplemental resources that
could be provided after the first year
of any particular course of study.
Now, Madam President, it is a shame
to lose students who we have invested in
and who have done good and diligent
work in their course of study but suddenly find themselves
with an inability to finish that course.
This program, ultimately we hope,
would be a way to make sure that that doesn't happen
and that we don't lose those students on the way
to completion and graduation.
So Madam President, I hope that the redrafted amendment
is adopted.
And I move the Senate be in a brief recess.
Brief recess.
The Senate will be in session.
Amendment Number 1 has been filed as a redrafted amendment.
The title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 1 by Mr. Tarr, Finish Line.
The 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
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--
An act expanding the Community College Training Incentive
Program, Senate Number 2297 Amended.
A brief recess.
Brief recess.
The Senate will come to order.
The senator from 1st Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue,
has asked for a roll call.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
The clerk will call the roll.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yea.
Michael D. Brady.
Yea.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yea.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yea.
Julian Cyr.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yea.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yea.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yea.
James B. Eldridge.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yea.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yea.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Anne M Gobi.
Yea.
Adam G. Hinds.
Donald F. Humason Jr.
Yea.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
John F. Keenan.
Yea.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yea.
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.
Mark R. Pacheco.
Yea.
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
Yea.
Dean A. Tran.
James T. Welch.
Yea.
Have all the members been recorded?
The senator from the Cape and the Islands, Mr. Cyr.
Thank you, Madam President.
[INAUDIBLE]
Julian Cyr votes yea.
The senator from 5th Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
Thank you Madam President.
I'd like to be recorded in the affirmative.
Jason M. Lewis votes yea.
The senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
[INAUDIBLE]
He voted.
Oh, he voted, all right.
Senator Middlesex, Ms. Friedman, 4th Middlesex.
Cynthia Friedman votes yea.
The senator from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge.
Madam President, [? was I recorded? ?]
James B. Eldridge.
Yea.
The senator from Berkshire Hampshire Franklin
and Hampden, Mr. Hinds.
Madam President, [INAUDIBLE]
Adam G. Hinds.
Yea.
The senator from 2nd Norfolk, Ms. Chang-Diaz.
[INAUDIBLE]
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yea.
The senator from 2nd Middlesex, Ms. Jehlen.
[INAUDIBLE]
Patricia D. Jehlen votes yea.
The senator from Middlesex and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico.
Have you already been recorded?
I'm sorry.
That's everybody.
Has everyone been recorded?
Yes, thank you, Madam President.
On this matter, 35 have voted in the affirmative,
one in the negative.
The matter is passed to be engrossed.
Brief recess.
The senator from third Middlesex, Mr. Barrett,
filed an order, the title of which the clerk will read.
Order relative to greeting the Committee on Telecommunications
Utilities and Energy until February, 21, 2018
within which time to make its final report
on certain current Senate documents
relative to monthly minimum reliability contributions.
Under rules, the matter will be referred to the Committee
on Rules.
The report of a committee--
The Committee on Rules [INAUDIBLE] concurrently
to whom it was referred said the Senate audit reports recommend
the same audit to be adopted.
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The question comes on adoption of the order.
Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Madam President, [? I appoint ?] a parliamentary inquiry.
The chair will state his point parliamentary--
I can't--
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I'm hoping the clerk
could inform the membership of the number of bills
that are in this particular order and the length of time
that the order would be extended for if it is to be granted.
The clerk will-- go ahead.
Two bills in the order to be extended for one week.
Madam President?
Two bills to be extended for one week.
Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex--
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.
Madam President, I want to take particular note
of the very judicious use of an extension order in this case.
Again, I think it's a credit to the chair of the committee.
And I think it's certainly of the nature
that we've been trying to encourage
with regard to the very careful and responsible use
of extension orders.
And I do not want that to be overlooked.
And as a result of that Madam President,
I hope that the order is adopted.
The question comes on adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The order is adopted.
The report of a committee.
The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure to whom was referred the petition accompanied
by Bill Set Number 136 of Barbara A. L'Italien, J. R.
[? Kaufman, ?] [? Anne Margaret Filante, ?]
Jennifer L. Flanagan, and other members of the general court
for legislation to restore contract rights to craft
brewers reports that the same ought not to pass under Joint
Rule 10 the time within which the committee was required
to report having expired.
The senator from 1st Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
No, no, no.
I'm sorry, senator from 2nd Essex and Middlesex,
Ms. L'Italien, rules that the rules
be suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
The question comes on accepting the adverse report.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien,
moves that the report be amended as substitution for the bill.
And the senator from 2nd Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Thank you, Madam President.
I agree this is an important issue.
It's been lingering before this body for many years
of legislative sessions.
But I think more compromise and negotiation has to be made.
And with that, I would like to lay this issue on the table.
No?
[AUDIO OUT] 24 that the matter is
laid on the table for the next session.
The senator moves to lay this matter on the table.
And under Rule 24, the matter is laid on the table
'til the next session.
OK, next time, this is it?
Yeah.
The senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush,
moves that when the Senate adjourns today
it adjourn in memory of Robert Q. Crane.
We are honored to have the senator from Norfolk
and Suffolk.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.
The honorable Robert Q. Crane passed away January 5, 2018
at the age of 91 leaving his legacy
as the longest serving constitutional officer
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bob grew up in Boston where he attended the Presentation
School and graduated from Boston English High School in 1943.
In 1944, he joined the United States Marine
Corps, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division,
and fought in the battle of Okinawa.
Bob went on to study at Boston College, graduating in 1949.
In 1956, Bob was elected to the House of Representatives
where he rose through the ranks and was named
assistant majority leader.
Following former treasurer Driscoll's departure,
Bob effectively campaign for votes
in the legislature which elected him
to fill the interim treasury post in 1964.
That fall, he defeated primary candidates.
And he went on to win the first of many general elections.
Treasurer Crane was the first chairman of the state lottery
which was considered the most successful in the nation.
Not only was Bob an outstanding politician,
he gave back to others in many, many ways.
He served as chairman of the democratic state committee
in the early 1970s correcting the organization's
financialship and eliminating its debt.
After retiring as treasurer in 1991,
he became a [? Merket ?] Enterprise executive
and continued providing entertainment
across the Commonwealth with his excellent singing voice
as a member of the Treasury Notes
of which I had the pleasure to accompany him
on many occasions.
Treasurer Crane will truly be missed
by his wife Mary, their five children, and six
grandchildren, and his many, many friends
here in state government and across the Commonwealth.
Thank you.
We ask for a moment of silence in memory of former treasurer
Robert Q. Crane.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the motion prevails.
Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco,
offers an order which the clerk will read.
Order that when the Senate adjourns today
it adjourns to meet again tomorrow
at 11:00 AM, that the clerk be directed
to dispense with the printing of a calendar.
[INAUDIBLE]
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable,
Mr. deMacedo moves that the Senate do now adjourn.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The Senate stands adjourned in memory of former state
treasurer Robert Q. Crane to meet again
on Monday next at 11:00 AM.