State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
JOURNAL
-OF THE-
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JANUARY SESSION of the General Assembly begun and held at the State House in the City of Providence on Tuesday, the fourth day of January in the year of Our Lord two thousand.
Volume 127, No. 3 Thursday, January 6, 2000 Third Day


The House of Representatives meets at the State House in Providence, Thursday, January 6, 2000, and is called to order at 4:08 o'clock P.M., by the Honorable John B. Harwood, Speaker.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 97 members present and 3 members absent as follows:

PRESENT - 97: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Ajello, Almeida, Amaral, A nderson, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Cambio, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Costantino, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Farrell, Ferguson, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Heffner, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Inman, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, C., Levesque, G., Lewiss, Lima, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Montanaro, Moura, Mumford, Munschy, Murphy, Palangio, Palumbo, Picard, Pires, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Savage, Schadone, Scott, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Vieira, Voccola, Wasylyk, Watson, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

ABSENT - 3; Representatives Aiken, Naughton, Thompson.

INVOCATION



The Honorable Speaker presents Representative Fleury, who delivers the Invocation and leads the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

(For Invocation, see Appendix, this Journal.)




APPROVAL OF RECORD


By unanimous consent, the House Journal of Wednesday, January 5, 2000, is approved as corrected.

CORRECTION


By unanimous consent, the House Journal of Wednesday, January 5, 2000, is hereby corrected on page 1, column 2, line 8 by deleting 2005) and inserting (00-S 2005). On page 4, line 9, by inserting:


TRANSMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR
(00-S 2005) An Act authorizing the city of Warwick to issue bonds and notes in an amount not to exceed $26,500,000 for school purposes.

COMMUNICATION


The Honorable Speaker announces the receipt of the following communication:

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


ROOM 21, STATE HOUSE PROVIDENCE 02903

Rep. Peter T. Ginaitt District 33 177 Hope Avenue Warwick, R.I. 02888 To; Speaker John Harwood From; Rep. Peter Ginaitt Date; January 6, 2000 Re; Absence from session Dear Mr. Speaker;

Please be advised that I will be out of town at a Federal conference on pharmaceuticals and health care from January 9-12. I will be absent from session on these days. Respectfully, PETER T. GINAITT

Representative District 33

Received and ordered to be placed on file.

ANNOUNCEMENT
January 6, 2000

Representative Aiken will be unable to attend session today, January 6, 2000.


NEW BUSINESS


Representative Pisaturo introduces (2000-H 6730) An Act relating to insurance.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Voccola, Russo and Cambio introduce (2000-H 6731) An Act relating to taxation.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Henseler, Carter and Benson introduce (2000-H 6732) An Act relating to state affairs and government- Economic Development Corporation.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Henseler, 5. Anderson, Shavers, Carter, George and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6733) An Act relating to health insurance coverage the 911 emergency system.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives McNamara and Knickle introduce (2000-H 6734) An Act relating to waters and navigation.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives C. Levesque and Maher introduce (2000-H 6735) House Resolution creating a special legislative commission to study of quasi public corporations with spa focused on the abuse of credit cards.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Pisaturo introduces (2000-H 6736) House Resolution respectfully requesting the Department of Taxation to submit a study report detailing the implementation of a telefile system.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative McNamara introduces (by request) (2000-H 6737) An Act relating to teachers' retirement.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives 5. Anderson and Montanaro introduce (2000-H 6738) An Act relating to health and safety environmental response fund.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Fleury, Savage, Kelley, Mumford, Gorham and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6739) An Act relating to medical savings accounts.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Fleury and Kelley introduce (2000-H 6740) An Act relating to establishment and extension of gambling activities and other facilities - sports, racing and athletics.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives McNamara, Aiken, Ginaitt, Bramley and Knickle introduce (2000-H 6741) An Act relating to criminal offenses.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives McNamara, Fox, Abdullah-Odiase and Almeida introduce (2000-H 6742) An Act relating to equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative S. Anderson introduces (2000-H 6743) An Act relating to criminal offenses -commitment of sexually violent predators.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Fleury and Kelley introduce (2000-H 6~4) An Act relating to gambling and lotteries.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative S. Anderson introduces (2000-H 6745) An Act relating to courts and civil procedure - causes of action.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Barr introduces (2000-H 6746) An Act relating to adoption of children - access to records.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative McNamara introduces (by request) (2000-H 6747) Joint Resolution making an appropriation of $5,637.50 to pay the claim of W. Howard Meegan of Ten Kristen Court, Warwick, Rhode Island 02888.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Accounts and Claims.

Representative Kilmartin introduces (2000-H 6748) An Act relating to delinquent and dependent children proceedings in Family Court.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Kilmartin introduces (2000-H 6749) An Act relating to taxation - personal income tax.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Menard, Barr, Vieira and Winfield introduce (2000-H 6750) An Act relating to homestead exemptions in the town of Lincoln.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Giannini, Abdullah-Odiase, Cambio, Harwood, Kennedy and Burlingame introduce (2000-H 6751) Joint Resolution pro-claiming the month of January cervical health awareness month.

Representative Giannini requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Giannini, seconded by Representatives Watson and the entire House of Representatives, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.

Representative Giannini discusses the resolution.

Representatives Menard, Barr, Vieira, Winfield and Henseler introduce (2000-H 6752) House Resolution congratulating the Lincoln Little League Team.

Representative Menard requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Menard, seconded by Representatives Watson and Barr, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.

Representative Martineau introduces (2000-H 6753) House Resolution extending condolences.

Representative Martineau requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Martineau, seconded by Representative Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a rising vote.

Representative Martineau introduces (2000-H 6754) House Resolution extending congratulations.

Representative Martineau requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Martineau, seconded by Representative Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.

Representatives Garabedian, Henseler and Lanzi introduce (2000-H 6755) House Resolution welcoming Giovanni Ialongo, Mayor of Itri, Italy.

Representative Garabedian requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Garabedian, seconded by Representative Lanzi and the entire House of Representatives, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.

The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Bramley, C. Levesque, Maher, Menard, Carter and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6756) House Resolution congratulating Harry Hoopis on his retirement ~m Legislative Council after over thirty years of dedicated service to the State of Rhode Island.

The Honorable Speaker Harwood requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of the Honorable Speaker Harwood, seconded by Representatives C. Levesque and Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.

Representatives Moura, Jacquard and Heffner congratulate Harry Hoopis on his retirement.

Representative Martineau introduces (2000-H 6757) House Resolution creating a permanent standing House committee on education accountability.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Martineau introduces (2000-H 6758) House Resolution creating a permanent standing House committee on accountability in relation to all aspects of the environment and the conservation and use of the natural resources of the state.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

CALENDAR


From the Calendar are taken:

1. (2000-H 6703) An Act relating to the General Assembly - Fire Safety Issues Commission. Ordered on the Calendar.

Representative Lowe moves passage of the act, seconded by Representatives Martineau, Menard, Murphy, Lewiss, Burlingame, Sullivan, Coderre, Kennedy and Picard.

Received and by unanimous consent ordered to be placed at the bottom of the Calendar as item no. 4.

2. (2000-H 6704) An Act relating to the General Assembly - Fire Safety Issues Commission. Ordered on the Calendar.

Received and by unanimous consent ordered to be placed at the bottom of the Calendar as item no. 5.

3. (2000-H 6705) An Act relating to education - Chariho Regional School District. Ordered on the Calendar.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Kennedy, seconded by Representatives Garvey and Scott, on a roll call vote, 88 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS 88; The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Ajello, Almeida, Amaral, Anderson, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Cambio, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Farrell, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Heffner, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, C., Levesque, G., Lewiss, Lime, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Montanaro, Moura, Mumford, Munschy, Murphy, Palangio, Palumbo, Picard, Fires, Pisaturo, Reilly, Rose, Russo, Savage, Schadone, Scott, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Vieira, Wasylyk, Watson, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS -0.

4. (2000-H 6703) An Act relating to the General Assembly - Fire Safety Issues Commission. Ordered on the Calendar. The act has been moved and seconded supra.

Representatives Lopes, Lowe, Palumbo, Lewiss, Gorham, Mumford, George, Cicilline, Benson, McNamara, Moura and Martineau discuss the act.

Read and passed, on a roll call vote, 81 members voting in the affirmative and 7 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 81; The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Ajello, Almeida, Amaral, Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Cambio, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Crowley, Dennigan, Faria, Farrell, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Heffner, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Levesque, C., Levesque, 6., Lewiss, Lime, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Mumford, Munschy, Murphy, Palangio, Picard, Pires, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, Savage, Schadone, Scott, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Sullivan, Vieira, Wasylyk, Watson, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS - 7; Representatives Anderson, S., Desimone, Lanzi, Montanaro, Moura, Palumbo, Pisaturo.

HOLD ON THE DESK


Representatives Lopes and Moura request to hold (2000-H 6703) on the desk.

There is no objection.

CALENDAR




5. (2000-H 6704) An Act relating to the General Assembly - Fire Safety Issues Commission. Ordered on the Calendar.

Representative Lowe moves passage of the act, seconded by Representative Martineau.

By unanimous consent, Representative Lowe, seconded by Representative Burlingame, offers the following written motion to amend:

FLOOR AMENDMENT

TO

(2000-H 6704)


Mr. Speaker:

I hereby move to amend (2000-H 6704) entitled "AN ACT RELATING TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY


- FIRE SAFETY COMMISSION" as follows:

(1) Page 1, line 14, by deleting the word and number "fifteen (15)" and inserting in place thereof the word and number "sixteen (16)";

(2) Page 1, line 16, by deleting the second word and number "three (3)" appearing on said line, and inserting in place thereof the word and number (4)";

(3) Page 1, line 17, by deleting the word and number "two (2)" and inserting in place thereof the word and number "three (3)".

Respectfully submitted,

ROBERT B. LOWE

Representative District 61

The motion to amend is read and prevails on a roll call vote, 85 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 86; The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Ajello, Almeida, Amaral, Anderson, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Cambio, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Farrell, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Gorham, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, C., Levesque, G., Lewiss, Lime, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Moura, Mumford, Munschy, Murphy, Palangio, Palumbo, Picard, Fires, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, Savage, Schadone, Scott, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Sullivan, Vieira, Wasylyk, Watson, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS -0.

Read and passed, as amended, on a roll call vote, 82 members voting in the affirmative and 2 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 82; The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Ajello, Almeida, Anderson, M., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Cambio, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Farrell, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Gorham, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, C., Levesque, G., Lewiss, Lime, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Mumford, Munschy, Murphy, Palangio, Picard, Fires, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, Savage, Schadone, Scott, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Sullivan, Vieira, Wasylyk, Watson, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS - 2; Representatives Palumbo, Pisaturo.

HOLD ON THE DESK


Representative Lopes requests to hold (2000-H 6704) on the desk.

There is no objection.

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE



By unanimous consent, Representative Kilmartin addresses the members of the House on a point of personal privilege in regard to a newspaper article.

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE



By unanimous consent, Representative Crowley addresses the members of the House on a point of personal privilege in regard to the same newspaper article.

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE



By unanimous consent, Representative Garabedian addresses the members of the House on a point of personal privilege in regard to a newspaper article.

ANNOUNCEMENT


Representative McNamara wishes his mother Katherine Elizabeth McNamara a very Happy Birthday.

The Honorable Speaker wishes Linda McElroy,
Recording Clerk , a very Happy Birthday.

ANNOUNCEMENT


Representative Coderre announces that the Committee on Corporations will meet Tuesday, January 11, 2000, at the rise of the House in Room 203 of the State House.

ADJOURNMENT


At 5:00 o'clock P.M. on motion of Representative Hogan, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Robert Pryor; on motion of Representative Montanaro, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Robert Tassaneri; on motion of Representative Slater, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Retired Providence Fire Department Battalion Chief David Dillon, seconded by Representatives Martineau and Watson, the House adjourns, on a unanimous rising vote.

LINDA McELROY
Recording Clerk

Appendix



INVOCATION


REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD E. FLEURY



Lord, we have been sent to these positions of responsibility by the people. Make us mindful that we are their servants. Give us the wisdom and energy to serve them honestly and well. Amen.

HELD ON THE DESK

(2000-H 6703) An Act relating to the General Assembly - Fire Safety Issues Commission. (January 6) (2000-H 6704 as amended) An Act relating to the General Assembly Fire Safety Issues Commission. (January 6)



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