The Senate meets pursuant to adjournment and is called to order by His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, Charles J. Fogarty, at 4:07 o'clock P.M.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 48 Senators present and 2 Senator s absent as follows:

PRESENT - 48: Senators Algiere, Badeau, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Cicilline, Coderre, Connors, Cote, Damiani, DaPonte, Donelan, Enos, Felag, Flynn, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Graziano, Igliozzi, Irons, Issa, Izzo, Kells, Kelly, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, McDonald, Montalbano, Oster, Paiva Weed, Parella, Patterson, Perry, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Roney, Ruggeno, Sasso, Sosnowski, Tocco, Walaska, Walsh, Walton.

ABSENT - 2: Senators Alves, Bates.

INVOCATION

His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, presents Senator Enos, to deliver the invocation.

(See Appendix for Invocation)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, presents Senator Enos, to lead the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

ANNOUNCEMENT

His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, announces that there will be no printed copies of the Senate Journal this week, as Brown Printing, the company that produces the printed copies of the Journal was destroyed in a fire on Tuesday evening. Copies of the Journals will be available after the spring recess.

CONGRATULATIONS

Senator Gibbs extends congratulations and best wishes toSenator Algiere on being selected as Citizen of the Year by the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce.

GUESTS

Upon suggestion of Senator Cicilline, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Nadine Diallo, Ante Hanf and Dr. Robert Westlake.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

COMMITTEE ON CORPORATIONS

Senator Irons, from the Committee on Corporations, reports back, with recommendation of passage of the following measures:

(99-S 457) An Act relating to insurance.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 787) An Act relating to credit card lending.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 910) An Act relating to health and safety - licensing of health care facilities.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 930) An Act exempting from taxation the real, mixed and personal property of Mount Hope Trust in Bristol.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-H 6268) An Act relating to taxation - levy and assessment of local taxes - city of Central Falls.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Senator Paiva Weed, from the Committee on Judiciary, reports back, with recommendation of passage of the following measures:

(99-S 16) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to domestic abuse prevention.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 100) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to criminal offenses - theft, embezzlement -misappropriation.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 303) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to criminal offenses - sexually violent predators.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 346) An Act relating to state affairs and government - Corrections Department.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 393) An Act relating to courts and civil procedure - court reporting.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 405) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to criminal offenses - operation of motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 462) An Act relating to motor and other vehicles - motor vehicle offenses.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 638) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to elections.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 640) An Act relating to motor vehicles.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 694) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to the uniform oil response and prevention fee.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 882) An Act relating to courts and civil procedure.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL LEGISLATION

Senator Goodwin, from the Committee on Special Legislation, reports back, with recommendation of passage of the following measures:

(99-S 499) An Act relating to motor and other vehicles - registration of vehicles.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 911) An Act relating to registration of vehicles.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

COMMITTEE ON LABOR

Senator Badeau, from the Committee on Labor, reports back, with recommendation of passage of the following measures:

(99-S 192) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to merit system.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 244 as amended) An Act relating to labor and labor relations - parental and family medical leave.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 799) (Substitute "A" as amended) An Act relating to employment of women and children.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 801) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to minimum wage.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Calendar.

(99-S 802) An Act relating to insurance -workers compensation - group self insurance. Read and ord~red to be placed on the Calendar.

TRANSFER OF BILLS

Senator Paiva Weed, from the Committee on Judiciary, in accordance with Senate Rule 6.14, moves to transfer the following bills from the

Committee on Judiciary to the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare:

(99-S 643) An Act relating to criminal offenses - children.

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

(99-S 934) An Act relating to criminal offenses - children.

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

Senator Goodwin, from the Committee on Special Legislation, in accordance with Senate Rule 6.14, moves to transfer the following bills from theCommittee on Special Legislation to the Joint Committee on Highway Safety:

(99-S 943) An Act relating to motor vehicles -school bus driver licensing.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Highway Safety.

(99-S 944) An Act relating to motor vehicles -school bus licenses.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Highway Safety.

Senator Goodwin, from the Committee on Special Legislation, in accordance with Senate Rule 6.14, moves to transfer the following bill from the Committee on Special Legislation to the Joint Committee on Veterans' Affairs:

(99-S 824) Senate Resolution respectfully requesting the Veterans Administration to restore funding to VISN One.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

NEW BUSINESS

Senator s Badeau, Cote and Kelly present (99-S 970) Senate Resolution congratulating Lucille L. Grochowski as Quotarian of the Year.

Senator Badeau requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

Unanimous consent for immediate consideration is granted.

Upon motion of Senator Badeau, seconded by the entire Senate, and by unanimous consent, read and passed, under suspension of the rules, upon a voice vote.

CONSENT CALENDAR

In order for the day is taken up as follows:

Upon motion of Senator Kelly, seconded by Senator Blais, the following appointment on today's Consent Calendar, by unanimous consent, is given the Advice and Consent of the Senate upon a voice vote: 1. Appointment of John R. Capobianco of Cranston (Representing labor) VICE Joseph Virgiho (Deceased) to the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board for a term expiring August 1, 2002.

CALENDAR

Upon suggestion of Senator Enos, and without objection, the Calendar is deferred to Thursday, April 15, 1999.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Senator Irons announces that the Committee on Corporations will meet on Thursday, April 15, 1999, at 3:00 o'clock P.M. in Room 212 of the State House.

Also:

Senator Lenihan announces that the Committee on Finance will meet on Thursday, April 15, 1999, at the rise of the Senate in Room 211 of the State House.

Also:

Senator Paiva Weed announces that the Committee on Judiciary will meet on Thursday, April 15, 1999, at 2:30 o'clock P.M. in Room 313 of the State House.

Also:

Senator Izzo announces that the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare will meet today at the rise of the Senate in Room 211 of the State House.

Also:

Senator Goodwin announces that the Committee on Special Legislation will meet today at the rise of the Senate in the Senate Lounge of the State House.

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

Senator Irons, recognized on a point of personal privilege, addresses the Senate regarding a recent newspaper article.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion of Senator Kelly, seconded by Senator Algiere, and upon suggestion of Senator Fogarty, the Senate adjourns at 4:22 o'clock P.M., on a unanimous rising vote, as a further mark of respect to the memory of Shannon Gallagher and Katie Broccoli, two beautiful young women who lost their lives in a tragic accident this week. They shall be long remembered.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Clerk of the Senate

Appendix

INVOCATION

SENATOR WILLIAM ENOS

Almighty Father, in daily toil, in private life, or in public ceremony, help us to serve Thee and the people of Rhode Island in a manner which is pleasing to You. Help us to remember that it is only through Your grace and guidance that we can best utilize our talents in serving others. Amen.

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