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.52 Tuesday, May 27, 2003 Fifty-second Day


The Senate meets pursuant to adjournment and is called to order by the Honorable William V. Irons, President of the Senate, at 4:11 o'clock P.M.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 35 Senators present and 3 Senators absent as follows:

PRESENT - 35: The Honorable President Irons and Senators Algiere, Alves, Badeau, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Ciccone, Connors, Cote, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Gibbs, Goodwin, Issa, Lanzi, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, Montalbano, Parella, Perry, Pichardo, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska.

ABSENT - 3: Senators Damiani, DaPonte, Paiva Weed.

INVOCATION


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

(See Appendix for Invocation)


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG


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

APPROVAL OF RECORD


The Senate Journal of Wednesday, May 21, 2003 proceedings is read in part.

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

GUESTS


Upon suggestion of Senators Lanzi, Goodwin, Ruggerio and Felag, and by unanimous consent, the Honorable President welcomes to the Chamber members of the Big Sisters of Rhode Island along with Executive Director Priscilla Young.

FROM THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


A message from the House of Representatives transmits with announcement of passage:

(03-H 5745) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to indebtedness of towns and cities - municipal deficits.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Also:

(03-H 5844 as amended) An Act relating to towns and cities.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Also:

(03-H 6271) An Act relating to establishing the Westerly Municipal Land Trust.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Also:

(03-H 6273 as amended) An Act relating to the North Tiverton Fire District.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Also:

(03-H 6299) An Act relating to cities and towns - exempting from taxation certain property of the Healing Co-Op, Inc.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Also:

(03-H 6300) An Act exempting from taxation the real, mixed and personal property of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution in Middletown.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Also:

(03-S 127 as amended) An Act relating to solemnization of marriages.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Also:

(03-H 6217) An Act relating to motor vehicles - special registration plate - Coventry - police chief emeritus.

Read and referred to the Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues.

Also:

(03-H 6071) An Act relating to food and drugs - uniform controlled substances act.

Read and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Also:

(03-H 5459) An Act relating to education - the Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

NEW BUSINESS


The following item s are received and referred to committee pending any objection of the body on the next legislative day.

Senator Tassoni presents (03-S 1100) An Act relating to insurance - nonprofit dental service corporations.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Senators Damiani, Polisena and DaPonte present (03-S 1101) An Act relating to motor and other vehicles - operators' and chauffeurs' licenses.

Read and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.

Senator Sosnowski presents (03-S 1102) Senate Resolution congratulating Agnes Doody on her retirement from the University of Rhode Island.

Senator Sosnowski requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

Unanimous consent for immediate consideration is granted.

Upon motion of Senator Sosnowski, 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 Senate Majority Leader Montalbano, seconded by Senator Algiere, the following measures on today's Consent Calendar, by unanimous consent, are read and passed, upon a voice vote:

1.Appointment of Allen P. Durand of Cranston (Representing IBEW Local 99) VICE Thomas Lynch (resigned) to the State Building Codes Standards Committee for a term expiring May 1, 2005.

2. (03-S1097) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of North Smithfield Auto Salvage, Inc.

3. (03-S1099) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Kaiser Tree Preservation Company.

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 Sosnowski announces that the Committee on Environment and Agriculture will meet on Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at 3:00 o'clock P.M. in the Senate Lounge of the State House.

Also:

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

Also:

Senator Roberts announces that the Committee on Health and Human Services will meet on Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at the rise of the Senate in Room 212 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.

ADJOURNMENT


Upon motion of Senator Ruggerio, seconded by Senator Algiere, the Senate adjourns at 4:22 o'clock P.M.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Secretary of the Senate

Appendix



INVOCATION


SENATOR BEATICE A. LANZI


Dear God, we have so much for which we are thankful, for this beautiful state which we live in, for the resources you have given us, for your protection and guidance of all the members of this Senate, as we strive for the public's welfare. Amen.

Appendix



CALENDAR


In order for Wednesday, May 28, 2003:

1. (03-S1025) An Act relating to levy and assessment of local taxes.

Committee on Finance recommends passage.

2. (03-S670) (Substitute "A") An Act exempting from taxation the property of the Pawtucket, RI Young Men's Christian Association.

Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government recommends indefinite postponement of the original bill and passage of Substitute "A".

3. (03-S155) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to water lines and works for the town of Middletown.

Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government recommends indefinite postponement of the original bill and passage of Substitute "A".

4. (03-S283) An Act relating to state affairs and government - Economic Development Corporation.

Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government recommends passage.

5. (03-S1066) An Act relating to taxation - town of Westerly.

Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government recommends passage.

6. (03-S80) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to criminal offenses.

Committee on Judiciary recommends indefinite postponement of the original bill and passage of Substitute "A".

7. (03-S459) (Substitute "A" as amended) An Act relating to property - mechanics' liens.

Committee on Judiciary recommends indefinite postponement of the original bill and passage of Substitute "A" as amended.

8. (03-S479) (Substitute "A" as amended) An Act relating to property - residential landlord and tenant act.

Committee on Judiciary recommends indefinite postponement of the original bill and passage of Substitute "A" as amended.

9. (03-S695 as amended) An Act relating to miscellaneous rules - seat belt use.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage as amended.

10. (03-S1023) An Act relating to Family Court.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage.

11. (03-H5895) (Substitute "A") An Act relating to businesses and professions - confidentiality of health care communications and information act.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage in concurrence.

12. (03-H6216) An Act relating to solemnization of marriages.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage in concurrence.

Appendix



CALENDAR


In order for Thursday, May 29, 2003:

1. (03-S462) (Substitute "A" as amended) An Act relating to property - mechanics' liens.

Committee on Judiciary recommends indefinite postponement of the original bill and passage of Substitute "A" as amended.

2. (03-S1033) An Act relating to domestic relations - solemnization of marriages.

Ordered on the Calendar.

3. (03-S959) An Act relating to the town of Scituate - Juvenile Hearing Board.

Committee on Judiciary recommends passage.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Secretary of the Senate
Tuesday, May 27, 2003



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