State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Journal of the Senate

JANUARY SESSION of the General Assembly begun and held at the State House in the City of Providence on Tuesday, the seventh day of January in the year of Our Lord two thousand and three.
Volume 130, No.35 Tuesday, April 8, 2003 Thirty-fifth Day


The Senate meets pursuant to adjournment and is called to order by the Honorable William V. Irons, President of the Senate, at 4:35 o'clock P.M.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 37 Senators present and 1 Senator absent as follows:

PRESENT - 37:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Badeau, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

ABSENT - 1: Senator Damiani.

INVOCATION


The Honorable President, by unanimous consent, presents Senator Tassoni, to deliver the invocation.

(See Appendix for Invocation)


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG


The Honorable President, by unanimous consent, presents Senator Tassoni, to lead the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

APPROVAL OF RECORD


The Senate Journal of Thursday, April 3, 2003 proceedings is read in part.

Upon suggestion of Senator Tassoni, and by unanimous consent, further reading of the Journal is dispensed with and the Journal approved as recorded.

GUESTS


Upon suggestion of Senator Alves, and by unanimous consent, the Honorable President welcomes to the Chamber Linda Soderberg, Director of School to Career, Ruth Ricciarelli, Industry Field Coordinator of Health, and Sharon Petrarca, School to Career Office.

CONSENT CALENDAR


In order for the day is taken up as follows:

Upon motion ofSenate Majority Leader Montalbano, seconded by Senator Algiere, the following measure on today's Consent Calendar, by unanimous consent, is read and passed, upon a voice vote:

1. (03-S1000) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Blue Dory Resorts, Inc.

CALENDAR


In order for the day is taken up as follows:

1. (03-S33) An Act relating to boxing and wrestling.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

Senator Celona moves passage, seconded by Senators Tassoni, Goodwin and Caprio.

The act is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 34 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 34:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

2. (03-S34) An Act relating to the General Assembly Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

Senator Paiva Weed moves passage, seconded by Senators Roberts, Felag, Gallo, Goodwin and Gibbs.

The act is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 35 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 35:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

3. (03-S106) Joint Resolution creating a special legislative commission to study services to persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

Upon suggestion of Senator Perry, and without objection, ordered to be placed on the Calendar for Thursday, April 10, 2003.



4. (03-S406) Joint Resolution proclaiming 2003 to be the "Year of the Woonasquatucket" in Rhode Island.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

Senator Celona moves passage, seconded by Senator Tassoni,Senate Majority Leader Montalbano, Senators Walaska, Fogarty and others.
The resolution is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 36 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 36:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

5. (03-S591) Joint Resolution declaring June as "Rivers Month" in the State of Rhode Island.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

Senator Sosnowski moves passage, seconded by Senators Issa, Roberts, Celona, Lenihan and Sheehan.

The resolution is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a voice vote.

6. (03-S685) Senate Resolution proclaiming a Sister State Alliance with the Province of Taiwan, Republic of China.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

Senator Issa moves passage, seconded by Senators Walaska, Blais and Raptakis.

The resolution is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 36 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 36:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

7. (03-S390) An Act relating to health and safety.

Committee on Finance recommends passage.

Senator Blais moves passage, seconded by Senator Breene.

The act is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 35 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 35:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

8. (03-S779) An Act relating to Human Services - burials.

Committee on Finance recommends passage.

Senator Blais moves passage, seconded by Senator Breene.

The act is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 36 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 36:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

9. (03-S448) An Act relating to medical parole.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage.

Senator Blais moves passage, seconded by Senators Perry, Paiva Weed and Parella.

The act is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 36 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 36:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

10. (03-S664) An Act relating to criminal procedure - Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage.

Senator Polisena moves passage, seconded by Senators Perry, Roberts, Gallo, Blais, Goodwin, Paiva Weed, Tassoni and others.

The act is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 36 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 36:

The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, DaPonte, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

NAYS - 0.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE


Senator Alves, from the Committee on Finance, reports back, with recommendation of passage of the following measure:

(03-S 955) An Act authorizing the Bristol Warren Regional School District to finance construction of a new elementary school in Bristol, Rhode Island and additions, improvements and renovations to Hugh Cole Elementary School in Warren, Rhode Island, Byfield Elementary School in Bristol, Rhode Island, including site infrastructure and improvements, the furnishing and equipping thereof and the provision of architectural, engineering, surveying and other services necessary or appropriate therefor, and to issue not more than $38,000,000 bonds and notes therefor.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Desk.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


Senator Gallo announces that the Committee on Education will meet today at the rise of the Senate in Room 212 of the State House.

Also:

Senator Felag announces that the Committee on Finance will meet today at the rise of the Senate in Room 211 of the State House.

Also:

Senator Bates announces that the Committee on Financial Services, Technology and Regulatory Issues will meet on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the rise of the Senate in the Senate Lounge of the State House.

Also:

Senator Sheehan announces that the Committee on Health and Human Services will meet on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 2:30 o'clock P.M. in the Senate Lounge of the State House.

Also:

Senator Raptakis announces that the Committee on Judiciary will meet today at the rise of the Senate in Room 313 of the State House.

TRANSMITTAL


By unanimous consent, all matters on the Clerk's desk are ordered to be transmitted to His Excellency, the Governor or to the Honorable House of Representatives forthwith.

ADJOURNMENT


Upon motion of Senator DaPonte, seconded by Senator Algiere, the Senate adjourns at 4:51 o'clock P.M.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Secretary of the Senate


Appendix



INVOCATION


SENATOR JOHN J. TASSONI, JR.


Dear God, when the way is hard and the people's decisions difficult, may we be patient in prayer, perceive what is Thy will and have the courage to see it through. Amen.

Appendix



CALENDAR


In order for Thursday, April 10, 2003:

1. (03-S106) Joint Resolution creating a special legislative commission to study services to persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues recommends passage.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Secretary of the Senate
Tuesday, April 8, 2003



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