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. 9 Wednesday, January 26, 2000 Ninth Day


The House of Representatives meets at the State House in Providence, Wednesday, January 26, 2000, and is called to order at 4:11 o'clock P.M., by the Honorable John B. Harwood, Speaker.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 96 members present and 3 members absent as follows:

PRESENT - 96: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah.Odiase, Aiken, Ajello, Almeida, Anderson, M., Anderson, 5., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Costantino, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, 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, 6., Lewiss, Lima, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Montanaro, Moura, Mumford, Munschy, Murphy, Naughton, Palangio, Palumbo, Picard, Fires, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Savage, Schadone, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Thompson, Vieira, Voccola, Wasylyk, Watson, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

ABSENT - 3: Representatives Amaral, Cambio, Scott.

INVOCATION



The Honorable Speaker presents Representative Shavers, 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 19, 2000, is approved as printed.


NEW BUSINESS


Representatives Pisaturo, Bramley, Lanzi, Williams, Carroll and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6947) An Act relating to licensing and monitoring of child care providers.

Read and referred to the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare.

Representatives Barr, Watson, Winfield, Menard, Vieira and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6948) An Act relating to parks and recreational areas general provisions.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Naming State Constructions.

Representatives Pisaturo, Bramley, Moura, Lanzi, Costantino and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6949) An Act relating to labor and labor relations division of occupational safety.

Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.

Representatives Vieira, Palumbo, San Bento, Sullivan, Corvese and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6950) An Act relating to alcoholic beverages - Sunday sales.

Read and referred to the Committee on Special Legislation.

Representatives Faria and Farrell introduce (2000-H 6951) An Act relating to public officers and employees - retirement system - contributions and benefits.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Flaherty and Menard introduce (2000-H 6952) An Act relating to relief of injured and deceased firefighters and police officers - salary payment.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Flaherty, Voccola, Russo and Schadone introduce (2000-H 6953) An Act relating to liability insurance - interest on judgment.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Flaherty introduces (2000-H 6954) An Act relating to insurance continuing education requirements.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives McNamara, Hogan and Knickle introduce (2000-H 6955) An Act relating to education - Board of Regents - elementary and secondary education.

Read and referred to the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare.

Representatives Flaherty and Menard introduce (2000-H 6956) An Act relating to state affairs and government - Corrections Department.

Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.

Representatives Flaherty and Farrell introduce (2000-H 6957) An Act relating to law enforcement officers' bill of rights.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Flaherty and Farrell introduce (2000-H 6958) An Act relating to state affairs and government.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative S. Anderson introduces (~H 6959) An Act relating to municipal police -incentive pay.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Lanzi, Smith, Pisaturo, DeSimone and Lima introduce (2000-H 6960) An Act relating to towns and cities optional retirement for members of police force and fIrefighters.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Cicilline, Williams, Almeida, Carpenter and Fox introduce (2000-H 6961) Joint Resolution to approve and publish and submit to the electors a proposition of amendment to the Constitution of the State (name of the state).

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Flaherty introduces (2000-H 6962) An Act relating to commercial law -consumer protection.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Flaherty introduces (2000-H 6963) An Act relating to insurance - bad faith refusal to pay.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative S. Anderson introduces (2000-H 6964) An Act relating to motor vehicles -miscellaneous rules.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Flaherty and Menard introduce (2000-H 6965) An Act relating to relief of firefighters and police officers.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Kennedy, Scott, Garvey, Carroll, George and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6966) An Act relating to education - foundation level school support.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Kennedy, Scott, Garvey, Carroll, George and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6967) An Act relating to education.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Faria introduces (2000-H 6968) Joint Resolution extending the reporting date of the special legislative commission to study the feasibility of allowing unionized classified employees at all higher education institutions to be able to negotiate directly with Rhode Island Board of Governors.

Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.

Representatives Menard, Ferguson, Coderre, Burlingame and Iwuc introduce (2000-H 6969) An Act relating to holidays and days of special observance - combat veterans.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Representatives Faria and Farrell introduce (2000-H 6970) An Act relating to criminal offenses - laser pointer.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Hetherington, Carpenter, Cicilline, Williams, Barr and several other members of the House introduce (~H 6971) An Act relating to education - health and salty of pupils.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Vieira, San Bento, Faria, Sullivan, Corvese and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6972) An Act relating to alcoholic beverages.

Read and referred to the Committee on Special Legislation.

Representatives Coderre, Benoit, Fox, Slater, Moura and Hetherington introduce (2000-H 6973) An Act relating to state affairs and government - Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Gorham, Carroll, Scott, Garvey, Kennedy and George introduce (2000-H 6974) An Act relating to foundation level school support.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Gorham, Mumford, S. Anderson, Barr and Kennedy introduce (2000-H 6975) An Act relating to bridle and hiking trails.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Environment and Energy.

Representatives Gorham, Mumford, Savage and Kennedy introduce (2000-H 6976) An Act relating to workers' compensation - covered workers.

Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.

Representatives Shavers, Benoit, Crowley, Abdullah-Odiase, Benson and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6977) An Act relating to the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Cicilline, Ajello, Hetherington, Dennigan and Williams introduce (2000-H 6978) An Act relating to health and safety - safety of access to facilities endangered.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Kennedy, Moura and Lally introduce-~000-H 6979) An Act relating to contractor's registration.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Martineau and Watson introduce (2000-H 6980) Joint Resolution inviting His Honor, the Presiding Officer of the Senate, and the Honorable Senate to join the House of Representatives in Joint Session for the purpose of receiving the State of the State Address of His Excellency the Governor.

Representative Martineau requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

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

Representative Lanzi introduces (2000-H 6981) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Profile Jewelry Manufacturing Inc.

Representative Lanzi requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Lanzi, seconded by Representatives Martineau and Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a roll call vote, 70 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 70: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Ajello, Anderson, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Caprio, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Costantino, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Fleury, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Henseler, Hogan, Inman, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, 6., Lewiss, Long, Lopes, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Montanaro, Moura, Munschy, Palangio, Picard, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Savage, Shavers, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Thompson, Voccola, Watson, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS -0.

REQUEST


Representative Mumford requests the journal to reflect that if she had voted on (2000-H 6981), she would have voted in the affirmative.

There is no objection.

TRANSMITTAL



By unanimous consent, all matters on the Clerk's desk are ordered to be transmitted to His Excellency, the Governor, and to the Honorable Senate forthwith.


NEW BUSINESS


Representatives Carter, Faria, Flaherty, Benson and Henseler introduce (2000-H 6982) House Resolution designating May 15th of each year as Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

Representative Carter requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

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

Representatives McNamara, Martineau and Watson introduce (2000-H 6983) House Resolution respectfully requesting the Rhode Island Department of Health Office of Facility Regulation and licensing investigate power failures at Rhode Island, Hasbro Children's and Women & Infants Hospitals.

Representative McNamara requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

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

Representative Garabedian introduces (2000-H 6984) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of P&E Associates, Inc.

Representative Garabedian requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Garabedian, seconded by Representative Martineau, and by unanimous consent, on a roll call vote, 67 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 67; The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Aiken, Ajello, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Caprio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Costantino, Dennigan, DeSimone, maria, Flaherty, Fleury, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Inman, Iwuc, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Lima, Long, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Montanaro, Moura, Munschy, Naughton, Palangio, Picard, Pisaturo, Rabideau, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Savage, Shavers, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Voccola, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS -0.

Representatives Kelley, Rabideau, Benson, M. Anderson, Watson and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6985) House Resolution congratulating Scott Nixon for outstanding service as URI's Rhode Island Seagrant College Program Director.

Representative Kelley requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

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

Representative Rabideau introduces (2000-H 6986) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of the Burrillville Junior Hockey League and Booster Club.

Representative Rabideau requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Rabideau, seconded by Representative Martineau, and by unanimous consent, on a roll call vote, 71 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 71: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Aiken, Ajello, Anderson, S., Ban, Benson, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Carpenter, Carroll, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Costantino, Dennigan, DeSimone, Fleury, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Gorham, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Inman, Iwuc, Kelley, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, 6., Lima, Long, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Montanaro, Moura, Munschy, Naughton, Palangio, Palumbo, Picard, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Savage, Schadone, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Sullivan, Thompson, Vieira, Voccola, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS -0.

REQUEST


Representative M. Anderson requests the journal to reflect that if she had voted on (2000-H 6986), she would have voted in the affirmative.

There is no objection.

TRANSMITTAL



By unanimous consent, all matters on the Clerk's desk are ordered to be transmitted to His Excellency, the Governor, and to the Honorable Senate forthwith.


NEW BUSINESS


Representatives Smith, Lima, DeSimone, McCauley, Abdullah-Odiase and several other members the House introduce (2000-H 6987) House Resolution congratulating Paul E. Vorro on his retirement after many years of distinguished service to the citizens of Providence.

Representative Smith requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Smith, seconded by Representatives Lima and Moura, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.

Representative Callahan introduces (2000-H 6988) An Act relating to solemnization of marriages.

Representative Callahan requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Callahan, seconded by Representative Martineau, and by unanimous consent, on a roll call vote, 78 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 78: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benson, Bramley, B Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, C~. Costantino, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Henseler, Hetherington, Hogan, Iwuc, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, 6., Less, Lima, Long, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Montanaro, Moura, Munschy, Naughton, Palangio, Picard, Pisaturo, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Savage, Schadone, Shavers, Sherlock, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Thompson, Vieira, Wasylyk, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

NAYS -0.

REQUEST


Representative Mumford requests the journal to reflect that if she had voted on (2000-H 6988), she would have voted in the affirmative.

There is no objection.


NEW BUSINESS


Representatives Montanaro, C. Levesque, Martineau and Sherlock introduce (2000-H 6989) House Resolution urgently requesting the Department of Environmental Management to investigate the gasoline additive MBTE and determine if the state should regulate or ban its use in Rhode - Island.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

Representatives Ferguson, Coderre, Winfield, Lanzi, Millard and several other members of the House introduce (2000-H 6990) An Act relating to military affairs and defense - extension of veteran's benefits.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


Representative Coderre announces that the Committee on Corporations will meet today at the rise of the House in Room 203 of the State House.

Also: Majority Leader Martineau announces that the Healthcare Commission meeting that was cancelled yesterday due to weather is rescheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2000, in Room 35.

Also: Majority Leader Martineau announces that the extension of deadlines due to the weather are as follows: for the request pieces, extended to January 31, 2000, and for bill drafting, extended to Thursday, February 3, 2000, at noon instead of Tuesday.

ADJOURNMENT


At 4:33 o'clock P.M. on motion of Representatives Quick, Benson, Carter and Henseler, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of former Representative Harold Cutting; on motion of Representatives Inman, S. Anderson, Gorham and George, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of former Senator Leo Blais; on motion of Representatives Carter, Quick, Wasylyk, Watson, Lopes and Giannini, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of John Zuccarelli; on motion of Representatives Costantino and Giannini, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Adeline Mansolillo; on motion of Representatives Vieira, Barr and San Bento, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Ethel Tassone; on motion of Representative Burlingame, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Mary Longtin; seconded by Representatives Martineau and Watson, the House adjourns, on a unanimous rising vote.

LINDA McELROY
Recording Clerk

Appendix



INVOCATION

REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE L. SHAVERS

Dear God, bless our efforts as we labor in this chamber to solve the problems and meet the needs of the people of Rhode Island. Strengthen our resolve to do that which is best for all the people, even though it may not be popular. Amen.



Appendix



CALENDAR


In order for Tuesday, February 1, 2000:

1. (2000-H 6989) House Resolution urgently requesting the Department of Environmental Management to investigate the gasoline additive MBTE and determine if the state should regulate or ban its use in Rhode Island.

Ordered on the Calendar.

LOUIS D'ANTUONO
Reading Clerk
Wednesday, January 26, 2000



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