HOUSE JOURNALS 03-25-1999

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. 32 Thursday, March 25, 1999 Thirty-second Day

The House of Representatives meets at the State House in Providence, Thursday, March 25, 1999, and is called to order at 4:08 o'clock P.M., by the Honorable Edward 5. Inman, III, Deputy Speaker.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 90 members present and 9 members absent as follows:

PRESENT - 90: Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Aiken, Ajello, Almeida, Amaral, Anderson, M., Anderson, 5., Barr, Benoit, Benson, Burlingame, Callahan, Cambio, Carpenter, Carroll, Carter, Cicilline, Coderre, Coelho, Corvese, Crowley, Dennigan, DeSimone, Faria, Farrell, Ferguson, Flaherty, Fox, Garvey, George, Giannini, Ginaitt, Gorham, Heffner, Henseler, Hogan, Inman, Iwuc, Jacquard, Kelley, Kelso, Kennedy, Kilmartin, Knickle, Lally, Lanzi, Levesque, C., Levesque, G., Lewiss, Lima, Long, Lopes, Lowe, Maher, Malik, Martineau, McCauley, McNamara, Menard, Millard, Monta naro, Mumford, Munschy, Naughton, Palangio, Palumbo, Ficard, Fires, Pisaturo, Quick, Rabideau, Reilly, Rose, Russo, San Bento, Schadone, Scott, Shavers, Simonian, Slater, Smith, Sullivan, Thompson, Vieira, Voccola, Wasylyk, Watson, Williams, Williamson, Winfield.

ABSENT - 9: The Honorable Speaker Harwood and Representatives Bramley, Costantino, Fleury, Garabedian, Hetherington, Moura, Murphy, Sherlock.

INVOCATION

The Honorable Deputy Speaker presents Representative George, who introduces His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Boston, who delivers the invocation and leads the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CORRECTION

By unanimous consent, the House Journal of Wednesday, March 24, 1999, is hereby corrected on page 4, column 1, by deleting lines 13-20, and inserting the following after line 26:

"(99-H 5794) An Act relating to physician assistants."

Also:

On page 9, column 2, by deleting lines 4-6, and inserting:

"1. (99-H 5794) An Act relating to physician assistants.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage."

APPROVAL OF RECORD

By unanimous consent, the House Journal of Wednesday, March 24, 1999, is approved as corrected.

COMMUNICATION FROM THE SENATE

A message from the Honorable Senate transmits with announcement of passage, of the following measures:

(99-S 402) An Act relating to criminal offenses - assaults.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

(99-S 503) An Act relating to criminal offenses -assaults.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

(99-S 602) (Substitute "A" as amended) An Act relating to health and safety - residential care facility licensing act.

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

(99-S 746 as amended) An Act relating to domestic relations- divorce and separation.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES TRANSFER OF BILLS

Representative Flaherty, for the Committee on Judiciary, reports back the following measure, with recommendation of transfer to the Committee on Finance:

(99-H 5563) An Act relating to alcohol boating safety.

Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Benoit, for the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, reports back the following measure, with recommendation of transfer to the Committee on Finance:

(99-H 5249) An Act relating to taxation -nursing home residents.

Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Palangio, for the Committee on Corporations, reports back the following measures, with recommendation of transfer to the Committee on Finance:

(99-H 5432) An Act relating to towns and cities - public housing authorities.

Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.

(99-H 6177) An Act relating to motor and other vehicles - computation of use tax on lease vehicles.

Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.

(99-H 5688) An Act relating to the Rhode Island small business regulatory flexibility act.

Received and referred to the Committee on Finance.

(99-H 5220) An Act relating to health and safety - the State of Rhode Island Cancer Council, Inc.

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-H 6245) An Act relating to agriculture and forestry - tree wardens.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-H 6148) An Act relating to elective meetings.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-H 6206) An Act relating to the Harrisville Fire District.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-H 6208) An Act establishing the Coventry land trust.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-H 6247) An Act relating to taxation -collection of taxes generally.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-H 6250) An Act exempting from taxation the real, mixed and personal property of the Little Flower Home.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-S 828) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.

Received and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(99-S 831) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of R.W.O., Inc.

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 cities and towns.

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 Fox gives notice that on the next legislative day, he will introduce a measure concerning taxation.

This notice is given in compliance with House Rule 42.

GORDON FOX
Representative, District 5

Received and ordered to be placed on file.

Representative Reilly gives notice that on the next legislative day, he will introduce a measure concerning school aid.

This notice is given in compliance with House Rule 42.

DONALD 0. REILLY, JR.
Representative, District 67

Received and ordered to be placed on file.

NEW BUSINESS

Representatives Kelley, Watson, Amaral, Thompson, Lewiss and several other members of the House introduce (99-H 6309) An Act relating to motor and other vehicles - registration fees.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Carpenter, San Bento, Fox, Cicilline and Pisaturo introduce (99-H 6310) An Act relating to criminal injuries compensation.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Watson introduces (by request) (99-H 6311) An Act permitting Bruce R. Mastracchio to purchase credits in the teachers' retirement system.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representatives Smith, Pisaturo, 5. Anderson, Montanaro, Long and Lanzi introduce (99-H 6312) House Resolution respectfully requesting the Chief Justice to conduct a forensic audit of the Traffic Court.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Kilmartin introduces (99-H 6313) An Act relating to cities and towns - zoning ordinances.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representatives Henseler, Carter and Naughton introduce (99-H 6314) House Resolution creating a special House commission to evaluate police equipment, safety equipment for police vehicles and the locations of such equipment.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Representative C. Levesque introduces (99-H 6315) An Act relating to code of ethics.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Reilly, Carpenter, McNamara, Palumbo and Ginaitt introduce (99-H 6316) An Act relating to parole truth in sentencing.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representative Palangio introduces (99-H 6317) An Act relating to state affairs and government - administrative procedures.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Representatives Coderre, Henseler, Giannini, Menard and Quick introduce (99-H 6318) House Resolution proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Representative Coderre requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

Read and passed, on motion of Representative Coderre, seconded by Representatives Martineau, Watson and Amaral, and by unanimous consent, onavoicevote.

Representatives Benoit, Lowe and Burlingame introduce (99-H 6319) House Resolution proclaiming May 15th-22nd as Alpha I Awareness Week in the state of Rhode Island.

Representative Benoit requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

There is no objection.

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

Representatives Heffner, Sullivan, Lopes, Coelho and Rose introduce (99-H 6320) An Act relating to elections.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 Flaherty announces that the Committee on Judiciary will meet today at the rise of the House in Room 205 of the State House.

Also:

Representative Benoit announces that the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare will meet today at the rise of the House in the House Lounge of the State House.

Also:

Representative Lopes announces that the Committee on Special Legislation will meet today at the rise of the House in Room 201 of the State House.

Also:

Representative Kennedy announces that the Committee on Corporations will meet today at 5:00 o'clock P.M. in Room 203 of the State House.

Also:

The Honorable Deputy Speaker Inman and Representative Kilmartin wish Representative Mabel Anderson a Happy "39th" Birthday.

Also:

Representative Rabideau wishes his grandmother Marie Anne Bessette a Happy "100th" Birthday.

Also:

Majority Leader Martineau reminds everyone of the get together upstairs in the Leader's Lounge today at 4:00 o'clock P.M.

GUESTS

Representative Naughton welcomes to the House as a guest Richard Rhodes, III, Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Rhode Island, and Michael Rice, Ph.D., Associate Professor of the Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Rhode Island.

Also:

At 4:21 o'clock P.M. the Honorable Deputy Speaker yields the rostrum to Representative George to deliver the Greek Toast.

By unanimous consent, Representative George delivers the Greek Toast.

(For Toast, see Appendix, this Journal).

At 4:24 o'clock P.M. the Honorable Deputy Speaker returns to the rostrum.

ADJOURNMENT

At 4:25 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

REPRESENTATIVE MYRNA C. GEORGE

GREEK TOAST

178 years ago, on March 25, 1821, the Bishop of Patras Germanos was getting ready to make the announcements at the end of the Liturgy. Everyone was anxious and tense to hear what he had to say. Suddenly, with trembling hands, the Bishop raised the "Lavaron", the Revolutionary Flag, and called every Greek to fight for "Freedom or Death". The bells of every Church echoed his signal and the Revolution was on its way.

It took 8 devastating, agonizing and bloody years till freedom was finally theirs. The same Church bells that sounded in the biginning of the war now sounded in the freedom of the Greek Nation.

We gather here today to honor all the heroes of the Revolution, those known and unknown, who gave their lives for our freedom. We owe them our utmost respect, admiration and appreciation.

Appendix

CONSENT CALENDAR

In order for Thursday, April 1, 1999:

1. (99-H 6245) An Act relating to agriculture and forestry- tree wardens.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage.

2. (99-H 6148) An Act relating to elective meetings.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage.

3. (99-H 6206) An Act relating to the Harrisville Fire District.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage.

4. (99-H 6208) An Act establishing the Coventry land trust.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage.

5. (99-H 6247) An Act relating to taxation -collection of taxes generally.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage.

6. (99-H 6250) An Act exempting from taxation the real, mixed and personal property of the Little Flower Home.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage.

7. (99-S 828) An Act reinstating and restoring forfeited or revoked corporate charters.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage in concurrence.

8. (99-S 831) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of R.W.O., Inc.

Committee on Corporations recommends passage in concurrence.

LOUIS D'ANTUONO
Reading Clerk
Thursday, March 25, 1999

Appendix

CALENDAR

In order for Wednesday, March 31, 1999:

1. (99-H 5794) An Act relating to physician assistants.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

2. (99-H 5499) An Act relating to animals and husbandry - dogs.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

3. (99-H 5330) An Act relating to state affairs and government- health care for children and pregnant women.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

4. (99-H 5484) An Act relating to education.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

5. (99-H 5285) An Act relating to health and safety - registration of nursing assistants.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

6. (99-H 5854) An Act relating to human services - community health centers.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

7. (99-H 5836) An Act relating to health and safety - maternal and child health services.

Committee on Health, Education and Welfare recommends passage.

LOUIS D'ANTUONO
Reading Clerk
Thursday, March 25, 1999

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