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 fifth day of January in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine.
| Volume 126, No. 27 |
Tuesday, March 16, 1999 |
Twenty-seventh Day |
The House of Representatives meets at the State House in Providence, Tuesday, March 16, 1999, and is called to order at 4:15 o'clock P.M., by the Honorable John 8. Harwood, Speaker.
The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 91 members present and 9 members absent as follows:
PRESENT - 91: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Aiken, Ajello, Almeida, Amaral, Anderson, M., Anderson, S., Barr, Benoit, Bramley, Burlingame, Callahan, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Farrell, Ferguson, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Heffner, Henseler, Hogan, Inman, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kelso, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Larisa, Levesque, C., Levesque, 6., Lewiss, Lima, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Montanaro, Moura, Mumford, Murphy, Naughton, Palangio, Palumbo, Picard, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Schadone, Scott, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Thompson, Vieira, Voccola, Wasylyk, Watson, Williams, Williamson, Winiield.
ABSENT - 9; Representatives Benson, Cambio, Costan
tino, Hetherington, Munschy, Pires, Reilly, Shavers, Sherlock.
INVOCATION
The Honorable Speaker presents Reverend Bernard A. Healey, Associate Pastor of Saint Augustine Church, 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 Thursday, March 11, 1999, is approved as printed.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE SENATE
A message from the Honorable Senate transmits with announcement of passage, of the following measures:
(99-S 818) An Act relating to taxation - levy and assessment of local taxes.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 817) An Act validating and ratifying amendments to the Home Rule Charter of the city of Pawtucket.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 168) Joint Resolution relating to the city of East Providence.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 673) An Act relating to the state building code - Building Code Standards Committee.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 374) (Substitute "A" as amended) An Act relating to the Charlestown Fire District.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 180) An Act relating to public utilities and carriers-
towing storage act.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 136) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to state affairs and government - enterprise zones.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 134 as amended) An Act relating to state affairs and government - distressed areas economic revitalization act.
Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
(99-S 476) An Act relating to human services.
Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.
(99-S 364) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to State Investment Commission.
Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.
(99-S363) An Act relating to public corporations - financial estimates.
Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.
(99-S 237) An Act relating to taxation -collection of taxes generally.
Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.
(99-S 276) An Act relating to state lottery.
Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.
(99-S335) An Act relating to domestic relations.
Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
(99-S 690) An Act relating to domestic relations
- divorce and separation.
Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
(99-S 15) An Act relating to domestic relations
- visitation rights.
Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
(99-S 190 as amended) An Act relating to domestic violence-
confidentiality of victims' addresses.
Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
(99-S 188) An Act relating to Division of Personnel Administration.
Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.
(99-S 298) An Act relating to labor and labor relations - arbitration of school teacher disputes.
Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.
(99-S 241) An Act relating to electricians.
Read and referred to the Committee on Labor.
(99-S 313) Senate Resolution creating a special legislative commission to study urban infrastructure and make recommendations therefor.
Read and referred to the Committee on Special Legislation.
(99-S 755) An Act relating to the Persian Gulf Commission.
Read and referred to the Committee on Special Legislation.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TRANSFER OF BILLS
Representative Benoit, for the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, reports back the following measures, with recommendation of transfer to the Committee on Finance:
(99-H 6039) An Act relating to family independenceact.
Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.
(99-H 6190) An Act relating to guardianship of minors.
Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.
COMMITTEE ON CORPORATIONS
Representative Kennedy, for the Committee on Corporations, reports back the following measures, with recommendation of passage:
(99-S 205) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
(99-H 5245) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Providence Rental Systems, Inc.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
(99-H 6077) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
(99-H 5589) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
(99-H 5537) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
(99-S 296) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
(99-S 257) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of the Little Rhode Division.
Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.
NOTICES OF BILL/RESOLUTION
INTRODUCTION
Representative Kilmartin gives notice that on the next legislative day, he will introduce a measure concerning state affairs and government.
This notice is given in compliance with House Rule 42.
PETER F. KILMARTIN
Representative, District 80
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
Representative Kilmartin gives notice that on the next legislative day, he will introduce a measure concerning courts and civil procedure.
This notice is given in compliance with House Rule 42.
PETER F. KILMARTIN
Representative, District 80
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
Representative Heffner gives notice that on the next legislative day, he will introduce a measure concerning probate practice.
This notice is given in compliance with House Rule 42.
MARK B. HEFFNER
Representative, District 88
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
NEW BUSINESS
Representatives Martineau and Quick introduce (99-H 6265) 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 the entire House of Representatives, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
Representatives Martineau and Quick introduce (99-H 6266) 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 the entire House of Representatives, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
Representatives Martineau and Quick introduce (99-H 6267) 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 the entire House of Representatives, and by unanimous consent, on a rising vote.
Representatives Faria and Farrell introduce (99-H 6268) An Act relating to taxation - levy and assessment of local taxes-
city of Central Falls.
Representative Faria requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.
There is no objection.
Representative Faria moves passage of the act, seconded by Representatives Martineau, Farrell and Moura.
Representatives Picard, Faria and Quick discuss the act.
Read and passed, by unanimous consent, on a roll call vote, 72 members voting in the affirmative and 0 members voting in the negative as follows:
YEAS - 72; The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Aiken, Ajello, Almeida, Anderson, M., Anderson, 5., Barr, Bramley, Callahan, Carpenter, Carter, Coelho, Corvese, Dennigan, Faria, Farrell, Ferguson, Flaherty, Fleury, Fox, Garabedian, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Heffner, Henseler, Hogan, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kelso, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally Lanzi, Larisa, Levesque, G., Lewiss, Lowe, Maher, Malik,' Martineau, McNamara, Menard, Montanaro, Moura, Mum-ford, Naughton, Palangio, Picard, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Schadone, Scott, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Thompson, Vieira, Wasylyk, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.
NAYS -0.
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.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL LEGISLATION
Representative Lopes, for the Committee on Special Legislation, reports back the following measure, with recommendation of passage:
(99-H 5591) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to public officers and employees - unclassified pay board.
Representative Martineau moves to recommit the act, seconded by Representative Menard and several other members of the House.
Representatives Montanaro, Mattineau and C. Levesque discuss the motion.
Representative C. Levesque objects to the motion of recommittal.
Representatives Pisaturo and Moura discuss the motion.
Representative Rabideau rises on a point of order for Representative Moura to speak germane to the motion.
The Honorable Speaker rules for Representative Moura to speak germane to the motion.
Representatives Bramley, Burlingame, Garabedian and Smith discuss the motion.
Representative Moura rises on a point of order for Representative Smith to speak germane to the motion.
The Honorable Speaker rules for Representative Smith to speak germane to the motion.
Representatives Smith, DeSimone, Long, Wasylyk, Palangio and Montanaro discuss the motion.
Representative Moura rises on a point of order for Representative Montanaro to speak germane to the motion.
The Honorable Speaker rules for Representative Montanaro to speak germane to the motion.
Representative G. Levesque objects to the ruling.
The Honorable Speaker overrules Representative G. Levesque's objection.
Representatives Burlingame, Lima and C. Levesque discuss the motion.
Representative Moura rises on a point of order for Representative C. Levesque to speak germane to the motion.
The Honorable Speaker rules for Representative C. Levesque to speak germane to the motion.
Representatives Montanaro, Garabedian, Wasylyk and Martineau discuss the motion.
Representative C. Levesque withdraws his objection to the motion to recommit.
The act is recommited to the Committee on Finance, by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
Representative Burlingame requests the record to show that she does not agree with the recommittal to the Committee on Finance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Representative Kennedy announces that the Committee on Corporations will meet today at 5:30 o'clock P.M. in Room 203 of the State House.
Also:
Representative Moura gives an update on Women and Infants Hospital, and thanks his colleagues and the House Leadership.
Also:
Representative Jacquard reguests to speak after session pursuant to Rule 64.
Also:
Representative Flaherty announces that the Committee on Judiciary will meet today at the rise of the House.
Also:
Representative Slater wishes Representative Giannini a Happy "39th" Birthday.
Also:
Representative Benoit announces that the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare will meet today after the festivities in Room 201 of the State House.
Also:
Representative Slater announces Respresentative Costantino is home from the hospital and wishes him a healthy and speedy recovery.
Also:
Representative Faria announces that the Committee on Labor will meet today at the rise of the House in Room 135 of the State House.
Also:
Representative Crowley announces that the Committee on Finance will meet today at the rise of the House in Room 35 of the State House.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:12 o'clock P.M. on motion of Representative Martineau, seconded by Representative Watson, the House adjourns, on a voice vote.
LINDA McELROY
Recording Clerk
Appendix
INVOCATION
REVEREND BERNARD A. HEALEY
Associate Pastor, Saint Augustine Church
Joseph and Patrick Celebration 1999
Almighty God, Father and Lord of all creation, we gather this day to honor two great Saints, Saint Joseph, the Foster Father of your son, Jesus, and the husband of Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of all your children, and Saint Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland and patron of all Irish men and women.
As we honor these two holy men, we are mindful, 0 Lord, that Joseph was indeed a working man, unafraid to use his energies to provide for his family. He was called to labor, and he did not turn away from his responsibility. Humble and faithful, your servant, Joseph, fully devoted himself to his family with complete love and selflessness.
We are also mindful, 0 Lord, that Patrick was a tireless worker who spread the gospel and brought to a pagan land the great gift of faith. He was a zealous advocate of the poor and champion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Help us, Almighty Father, to carry out the duties and responsibilities we all have in life. Regardless of our vocations and professions, whether scholar or student, laborer or technician or professional career person, whether famous or unknown, young or old, help us all to give our very best and to you and our brothers and sisters in your one human family. Enable us also to appreciate all who help us in our daily lives and make us much aware of how very much we need each other. May we never take for granted the hard work and efforts of others on our behalf. Open our mind and hearts to your will that we may make our contribution to lifting, supporting, and helping one another, especially our sisters and brothers most in need.
Bless our state and all our public servants. Like Saint Joseph, may they inspire us by their fidelity, dedication, honesty and hard work on behalf of our citizens. Like Saint Patrick may they always be steadfast in spirit and zealous in discharging their duties. And may the citizens truly cooperate with them in transforming the city of man into the city of God.
And so Lord, we make our prayer begging Joseph's intercession as we pray:
Preghiamo che per l'intercessione di San Giuseppe, Ia nostra fede continuera' prosperare nelle nostre famiglie, nel nostro stato,enelnostromondo.Amen.
And the intercession of Saint Patrick:
A phadraig ata Parthas mhic de gan locht, a bheir slainte is do ghrasta don te a bhios bocht, thaining me do lathairse agus me lag gan luth, faigh aras dom bparthas, an ait bhfeicfldh me thu.Amen.
Patrick, who are in the paradise of the sinless son of God, who give health and your good favor to anyone who is poor, I have come into your presence, weak, and without vigour, find me a home in paradise, the place where I will see you.Amen.
Appendix
CONSENT CALENDAR
In order for Tuesday, March 23, 1999:
1. (99-S 296) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage in concurrence.
2. (99-S 257) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of the Little Rhode Division.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage in concurrence.
3. (99-S 205) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage in concurrence.
4. (99-H 5589) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage.
5. (99-H 5537) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage.
6. (99-H6077) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage.
7. (99-H 5245) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Providence Rental Systems, Inc.
Committee on Corporations recommends passage.
LOUIS D'ANTUONO
Reading Clerk
Tuesday, March 16, 1999
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