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The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Session DetailsSenate Session (Full Formal with Calendar)

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Senate Session of January 25, 2018 1/25/2018 2:00 PM 01:35:05
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      The Senate will come to order. The Chair will ask all members, guests, and staff to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Somebody here.

      1st Essex and Middlesex, for what purpose do you rise?

      Well, first of all, Madam President, to say it is delightful to be here with you and to see you on the rostrum presiding.

      Thank you.

      And Madam President, in the second instance to say that I think we all should be together this afternoon, and so I doubt the presence of a quorum.

      The presence of a quorum has been questioned. The Chair. There is no quorum present. The Chair will ask the court officers to lock the doors and call the members.

      Quorum is present. Several resolutions have been presented, which the clerk will read.

      By Ms. Chandler, resolutions congratulating Patrick L. Muldoon on his retirement and by Mr. Lewis. Resolutions congratulating Timothy F. Gens on being honored by the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association Inc.

      Now comes on adoption of the resolutions. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted. Report of a committee.

      The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the House bill designating May as Asian American Pacific Islander month, House number 3360, reports the matter be placed in the orders of the day for the next session. Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

      The senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Senator Tran, asks unanimous consent that the rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The Chair hears none. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. The bills to a third reading. Is it single?

      Yes.

      The bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill.

      An act designating May as Asian American Pacific Islander month House number 3360.

      The bill has been read a third time. The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed. Brief recess. The senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, is invited to come to the rostrum for the mere purpose of introducing some guests. Mr. Feeney.

      Thank you, Madam President, and through you to this body. I appreciate the opportunity to take a moment in our thoughtful debate here today to recognize some constituents that are very, very important to me and that have visited with us today. I'm proud to be joined here today by several seniors from the New Pond Village Independent Living Center in Walpole. New Pond Village is a benchmark senior living continuing care retirement community that truly offers the highest quality care and independent assisted living as well as a soon to be completed memory care center.

      I have toured their center in Walpole, Madam President, and I can tell you that the building is spectacular, but the people, the staff, the volunteers, the residents, some of whom join us today, make it a truly, truly special place in the Bristol and Norfolk district. Madam President, they wanted to come see their government in action, so I made sure they came to the Senate. I'm happy to have them with us today, and I ask you to join me in welcoming them to our Senate chamber.

      [APPLAUSE]

      We welcome your guests and we hope that they will enjoy the proceedings of the great and general court in the Senate. A report of a committee.

      The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the House bill authorizing the Deerfield area fire protection district to continue the employment of Fire Chief Chester Yazwinski, House number 3957, reports the matter be placed in the orders of the day for the next session. Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

      Senator from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, asks unanimous consent that the rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Is there any objection? The Chair hears none and the rules are suspended. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. Senator from Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester, Mr. Rosenberg, has presented an amendment which the clerk will read.

      Mr. Rosenberg moved to amend the bill by striking out section two and inserting in place thereof the following section, section two. This act shall take effect as of May 3, 2017.

      Question comes on adoption of the amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The question now comes on ordering the bill as amended to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill.

      An act authorizing the Deerfield area fire protection district to continue the employment of Fire Chief Chester Yazwinski, House number 3957.

      The bill has been read a third time. The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed. Report of a committee.

      The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the House bill further regulating the Massachusetts Port Authority Community Advisory Committee, House number 4088, reports that the matter be placed in the orders of the day for the next session, Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

      The Senator from the 4th Middlesex, Ms. Friedman, asks unanimous consent that the rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Is there any objection? Hearing none, the Chair asks that the question now comes on order the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it and the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill.

      An act further regulating the Massachusetts Port Authority Community Advisory Committee House number 4088.

      It has been read it a third time. The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is passed to be engrossed. Report of a committee.

      The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the House bill establishing regional commissions on the status of women, House number 1110, reports recommend the same marked to pass with an amendment in section one by inserting after the word appointed in line 14 the following words, and qualified, by inserting after the word since in line 16 the following words, the conclusion of.

      In section two, by inserting after the word appointed and line 62 the following words and qualified. In section two, by inserting after the word since in line 64 the following words, the conclusion of.

      And in section three, by inserting after the word appointed in line 105 the following words, and qualified. And in section three, by inserting after the word since in line 107 the following words, the conclusion of. And by striking out section four. Karen E. Spilka For the committee.

      Brief recess. Senate is now in order. The Senator from 2nd Middlesex, Ms. Jehlen asks unanimous consent that the rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The Chair hears none. And the rules are suspended. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. Coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means. Wait a minute. The Senator from 2nd Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady.

      Thank you, Madam President through you to the members. This Senate bill establishes three new commissions on the status of women and girls, and it will work to create three new commissions will be responsible for studying the issues that women and girls face throughout their respective areas and reporting their findings to the Mass Commission on Women's Issues.

      These commissions will provide support and resources to empower women and girls to make their voices heard and advocate on important issues that are very important to them. The bill establishes an upper Middlesex commission on status of women and girls issues, east and regional commission in a Plymouth County commission, and these will fulfill the three commissions in counties that have not had commissions on women's issues.

      OK. So we're here. Now what do I do?

      Question comes on adoption of the amendment.

      The question comes on adoption of the amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Oh, excuse me. Can I continue? All right. All those in favor, say aye. This is the adoption of the amendment. Opposed, no. The ayes have it and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted. All right. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading, as amended. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill.

      All right.

      Does he want to speak?

      An act establishing regional commissions on the status of women House number 1110 amended.

      The Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.

      Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.

      1st Essex and Middlesex, there is so much talking in this chamber. So please sit down. I'm sure he has something very important to say.

      Thank you, Madam President, and through the members. I appreciate the explanation of this bill that was provided by my good friend, the champion of the city of Brockton here in this chamber. And Madam President, I do hope in fact that we move today to engross this particular measure. And I move that when a vote is taken on that matter, it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.

      Where am I?

      Essex and Middlesex.

      The Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex has asked that when a vote is taken, it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays. Those members joining with him please rise and be counted. A sufficient number having arisen. Wait a minute. The yeas and nays will be taken. The clerk will call the roll.

      Michael J. Barrett. Yes. Joseph Boncore. Yea. Michael D. Brady. Yea. William N. Brownsberger. Yea.

      Harriette L. Chandler. Yea. Sonia Chang-Diaz. Yea. Cynthia Stone Creem. Yea. Julian Cyr. Yea. Viriato M. DeMacedo. Sal DiDomenico. Eileen M. Donoghue. Yea. James B. Eldridge. Yea.

      Ryan C. Fattman. Yea. Paul R. Feeney. Yea. Linda Dorcena-Forry. Cindy F. Friedman. Yea. Anne M. Gobi. Yea. Adam. G. Hinds. Yea. Donald F. Humason Jr. Yea. Patricia D. Jehlen. Yea. John F. Keenan. Yea. Eric P. Lesser.

      Jason M. Lewis. Barbara A. L'Italien. Yea. Joan B. Lovely. Yea. Mark C. Montigny. Yea. Michael O. Moore. Yea. Patrick M. O'Connor. Yea. Kathleen O'Connor Ives. Yea. Marc R. Pacheco. Yea.

      Michael J. Rodrigues. Yea. Stanley C. Rosenberg. Yea. Richard J. Ross. Yea. Michael F. Rush. Karen Spilka. Yea.

      Bruce E. Tarr. Yea. Walter F. Timilty. Yea. Dean A. Tran. Yea. James T. Welch. Yea. Linda Dorcena-Forry. Yes. Yes.

      The senator from fifth Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.

      Jason M. Lewis votes yea.

      The senator from 1st Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.

      Eric P. Lesser votes yes.

      The Senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush.

      Michael F. Rush votes yes.

      The Senator from Middlesex and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico.

      Sal N. DiDomenico votes yea.

      Do we have everybody now? OK.

      On this matter, 38 have voted in the affirmative, none in the negative. The bill is passed to be engrossed. Report of a committee.

      The Committee on Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate bill relative to the use of vehicle record book Senate number 1982 reports that the same ought to pass with an Amendment substituting a new draft with the same title Senate number 2269. Karen E. Spilka For the committee.

      Senator for Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka, has presented an order which the clerk will read.

      Order that notwithstanding Senate rule seven or any other rule to the contrary, the Senate bill relative to the used vehicle record book Senate number 1982, the Committee of Ways and Means having recommended the bill be amended by substituting a new draft, Senate number 2269 shall be placed in the orders of the day for a second reading on Thursday, February 1, 2018.

      All amendments shall be filed electronically in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate by 5:00 PM on Monday, January 29, 2018. All such amendments shall be second reading amendments of Senate 2269, but further amendments in the third degree to such amendments shall be in order. The clerk shall further specify the procedure and format for filing all amendments consistent with this order.

      After the bill is amended, it's ordered to a third reading and shall immediately be read a third time, and the question shall then immediately be on passing it to be engrossed and no amendment shall be in order at the third reading the bill unless recommended by the Committee on bills in the third reading.

      The senator from 1st Middlesex, under the rules referred to the Committee on Rules, report of the committee.

      The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred said Senate order, reports recommending the same ought to be adopted, Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

      Senator from the Cape and the Islands, Mr. Cyr moves that the rules be suspended so the matter may be considered forthwith. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. The question now comes on the adoption of the order. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the order is adopted. Report of a committee.

      The Committees on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate petition of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish an early retirement incentive for Charles Mark Brown reports recommending that Joint Rule 12 be suspended with reference thereto, Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

      The senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, rules that the Senate rule 36 be suspended so that the matter may be taken up forthwith. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. The question now comes on suspending--

      Please subdue your conversations. It's very hard to hear. The question now comes on suspension of joint rule 12. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. the petition will be referred to the Committee on Public Service. Papers from the House.

      Several House petitions come from the House with the endorsement that joint rule 12 has been suspended with reference thereto in each instance, and they've been referred to their various committees.

      The question comes on suspension of joint rule 12. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. The petitions will severally be referred to various committees.

      One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage requiring the adoption of an emergency preamble. And under the Constitution, there is required a standing vote. An act establishing a sick leave bank for Elizabeth O'Brien, an employee of the Department of the Attorney General.

      This is Senate bill number 2176. Those members voting in the affirmative please rise to be counted. Please be seated. Those opposed, please rise. Since there are eight members in the affirmative, none in the negative, the emergency preamble is adopted.

      Several matters come before the Senate for their final passage. An act designating the town administrator and the Director of Municipal Finance as town meeting members at large in the town of Milford. An act relative to a certain license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the city of Beverly.

      The question comes on passing the bills to be enacted. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bills are passed to be enacted. And the bills will be signed by president and laid before the governor for his approbation. Brief recess.

      We'll come to order. Is there any objection to proceeding with the orders of the day? The Chair hears none. On page one, the first item is calendar item 109, Senate number 2152.

      The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, say no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading. Go to the next one right here. Go to the next one right here.

      No, no.

      No? OK. The next item is calendar item 110, Senate number 2223. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      The next item is calendar item 111, house number 3513. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      The next item is calendar item 112, House number 3725. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      It's hard to hear. Please keep your conversations down. On page two, the next item is calendar item 113, house number 3753. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      The next item is calendar item 115, House number 3918. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      The next item is calendar item 116, House number 3958. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      The next item is calendar item 117, House number 3978. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading. The next item is calendar item 118, House number 4016. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      The Senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis, moves that the rules be suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The Chair hears none. Third reading of the bill.

      An act authorizing the appointment of special police officers in the city of Malden, House number 4016 amended.

      The bill has been read a third time. The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed. The next item is calendar item 119, House number 4055. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.

      On page three, calendar item 120, Senate number 784. The Chair hears pass. OK. The next item is calendar item 121, Senate number 2139. The Chair hears pass.

      Returning to passed items on the calendar. We're going back to page three, calendar number 120, Senate number 784. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. Coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means, the Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, has offered an amendment which the clerk will read.

      Amendment number two by Ms. Creem. Repeal archaic laws on adultery and fornication.

      The question comes on adoption of the amendment. I guess there's nothing. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means amendment.

      All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted. The question now comes on ordering the bill as amended to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill.

      An act negating archaic statutes targeting young women, Senate number 2260 amended.

      Brief recess. Senate is now in session. The Senate from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.

      Madam President through the members. My understanding is that we are currently on calendar item 120, which is Senate bill 784. And I'm hoping that we can get an explanation of the matter that now pends before the Senate.

      I guess it's now Senate bill 2260 as amended. And we will ask the Senator from 1st Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, to give that explanation to you.

      Thank you, Madam President. I do want to start by thanking you for your leadership on this bill, and for being the author of the Nasty bill and for your standing up for women. And this is just another example.

      But this bill would make sure that our laws do not contain outdated and even unconstitutional language regarding a woman's right to make decisions about her own body, including the right to complete control over her medical care and decisions about contraception and abortion.

      We had many so-called archaic laws on the books. These laws were written centuries or decades ago and no longer apply to our society. They do not meet our 21st century understanding of terms like privacy, individual freedom, and choice. In fact they conflict with the federal laws that we have. But today we are taking the opportunity to update laws of particular importance to women.

      As you, Madam President, have made it clear in these times right now across our nation, there are renewed and constant threat to women's health services. By repealing the laws here, we will be ensuring they cannot be called into use in the future, and we will be signaling to the federal government and the public exactly what our values are.

      First, the legislation would repeal a law from mid 1800s that had banned all abortions. Repealing the archaic language, we will remove potential legal weapon and ensure then in the future a woman, and her doctor, and whoever she decides to talk to, and her care provider will continue to be able to make private medical decisions about her pregnancy.

      The bill would also remove an unconstitutional law which mandates that all non-emergency abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy must be performed in a hospital, a provision not medically necessary, but one that was enacted to interfere with private decision-making. That does not say whether or not the procedure can happen. It only relates to the fact of where it has to take place. So we would be lifting the ban for unmarried couples as well.

      And third, the bill will lift a ban on contraception for unmarried couples. Currently the state has an unconstitutional law that bans unmarried people from using contraception. This law was held invalid by the US court and contrary, by holding that the Constitution's right to privacy extends to reproductive decisions of unmarried people as well as married people.

      Some may be wondering why the legislation is even necessary if these statues aren't being used. But just because some of these laws are not being enforced now does not mean they cannot be in the future.

      We hear members of Congress talk of reversing Roe versus Wade, and we see from new regulations and budget requests that defunding family planning and allowing health insurers not to cover prescription contraceptives is a real possibility in the future.

      Just recently, we saw the implementation of the gag rule, whereby many, many women in many, many countries no longer had the privacy of making choices with regard to their bodies. We need to ensure that the laws that we have on our books now that conflict with a federal law, that are unconstitutional, that they are removed permanently. We need to take a stand and show the rest of the nation that Massachusetts stands with the right to choose and stands for progress. I urge my fellow colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Madam President.

      The Senator from fourth Middlesex, Ms. Friedman. For what reason do you stand? The Senator from fourth Middlesex, Ms. Friedman has asked that when a vote is taken, it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays. Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, when the vote is called, the yeas and nays will be ordered. The clerk will call the roll.

      Michael J. Barrett. Yea. Joseph A. Boncore. Yea. Michael D. Brady. Yea. William M. Brownsberger. Yea. Harriette L. Chandler. Yea. Sonia Chang-Diaz. Cynthia Stone Creem. Yea. Julian Cyr. Yea. Viriato M. deMacedo. Sal N. DiDomenico. Yea. Eileen M. Donoghue. Yea.

      James B. Eldridge. Yea. Ryan C. Fattman. Yea. Paul R. Feeney. Yea. Linda Dorcena-Forry. Cindy F. Friedman. Yea. Ann M. Gobi. Yea. Adam G. Hinds. Yea. Donald F. Humason Jr. Yea. Patricia D. Jehlen. Yea. John F. Keenan. Yea.

      Eric P. Lesser. Yea. Jason M. Lewis. Yea. Barbara A. L'Italien. Yea. Joan B. Lovely. Yea. Mark C. Montigny. Yea. Michael O. Moore. Yea. Patrick M. O'Connor. Yea. Kathleen O'Connor Ives. Yea. Mark R. Pacheco.

      Michael J. Rodrigues. Yea. Stanley C. Rosenberg. Yea. Richard J. Ross. Yea. Michael F. Rush. Yea. Karen E. Spilka. Yea. Bruce E. Tarr. Yea. Walter F. Timilty. Yea. Dean A. Tran. Yea. James T. Welch. Yea. Linda Dorcena-Forry. Yes. Yes.

      Anybody else? Senator from second Suffolk, Ms. Chang-Diaz.

      Sonia Chang-Diaz votes yes.

      Anybody else? Anybody else? The Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco.

      Mark R. Pacheco Votes yes.

      All members had been recorded. On this matter, 38 in the affirmative, none in the negative. The bill is passed to be engrossed. All right, we're along here. Right here?

      Right there. [INAUDIBLE]

      On page three, the first item passed. The next item passed over is calendar item 121, Senate number 2139. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading, coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means.

      OK. The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading as amended. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill.

      An act providing for the licensing of certain motor vehicle inspection stations Senate number 2261.

      The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. I'm sorry. Senator from 1st Suffolk and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore.

      Thank you, Madam President.

      I rise to give a brief explanation of this bill. I'd also like to think the filer of this bill. The gentleman from Plymouth could not be with us today, Senator deMacedo. But he should know that we're all with him today and his time lost and time of need. This legislation would create a statutory requirement for the Registry of Motor Vehicles to grant an inspection facility license to Class I dealerships that have done construction or reconstruction on their facility in excess of $2.5 billion.

      The current law that stands today requires the facility to be licensed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Under the current inspection contract, they RMV instituted a waiting list for public light duty and public mobile inspection stations. Under the waiting list, the RMV will not grant any license from the list unless it was determined that the facility was in an underserved area.

      The problem with this is that there is no true definition of what an underserved area is. And since the establishment of the waiting list, there have only been 15 licenses granted to new dealerships, Madam President. In spite of the expiration of the previous contract, the total number of licenses remains capped, and creates an onerous bureaucratic burden on small businesses.

      At the depths of the recession in Massachusetts, there was franchised 405 dealerships. And since then, the numbers have increased. With these arbitrary restrictions in place, these dealers are unable to affix an inspection sticker to cars, new or used, that they are selling, requiring them to go off site and creating a burden financially and time burden to both them and the person who purchased the vehicle.

      This bill, as I stated previously, would qualify Class A and Class B inspection stations for a license automatically if their dealership has made an investment of $2.5 million in construction to renovations to their facility. I hope that all my colleagues will support this bill. Thank you, Madam President.

      The bill has been read a third time. The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. The Senator from second Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, do you rise for any purpose? I'm sorry. All those in favor of the bill, on passing the bill to be engrossed, please say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed. Report of a committee.

      The Committee on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate petition of Eileen M. Donoghue for legislation to regulate online gaming, daily fantasy sports, and online sports betting, Senate docket number 2480, reports recommend that Joint Rule 12 be suspended with reference thereto, Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

      The Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco, moves that Senate rule 36 suspended so that the matter may be taken up forthwith. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.

      The question now comes on suspension of joint rule 12. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. And the ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. The petition will be referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Brief recess.

      Mr. Moore offers an order which the clerk will read.

      Ordered that when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourns to meet again on Monday next at 11 o'clock AM, the clerk be directed to dispense with the printing of a calendar.

      The question comes on adoption of the order. Is there an objection? The Chair hears none and the order is adopted. The Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka, Move that with the Senate adjourned today, it adjourn in memory of Stephanie Mercandetti of Framingham.

      Thank you, Madam President. Ms. Mercandetti passed away on January 14, 2018. She was 42 years old. Ms. Mercandetti's life may have been tragically cut too short, but it was really full. Born and raised in New York, she moved to Boston to attend Northeastern University.

      As a political science student, she was recommended by former governor Michael Dukakis, who praised her intelligence, for an internship in the Massachusetts State Senate. She worked in the office of former Senator David Magnani, my predecessor, for the second Middlesex and Norfolk district.

      Upon graduation, Senator Magnani smartly hired her as his local affairs director for the second Middlesex and Norfolk district, and her lifelong commitments to both public service and the metro west region were born.

      Ms. Mercandetti, who received her Master's in Public Administration from UMass Boston, served in a number of planning and economic development roles throughout the state. She worked as Regional Municipal Coordinator in the Norfolk County Commissioner's Office from 2002 until 2007, and then as the economic development and grants officer for the town of Walpole. From 2014 on, she served as the Economic Development Director for the town of Medway. She was utterly passionate about this work.

      In 2012, Ms. Mercandetti was first elected to the Framingham Planning Board as a write in candidate. She continued to serve in this capacity until her passing. In the days since her passing, many of Ms. Mercandetti's friends and colleagues have used similar words to describe her. She was a light, a star, and she set the world on fire.

      She was revered for her kindness and integrity. Although she was strongly committed to the democratic town committee and she was a member of the state committee, for examples, Republicans volunteered for her campaign. She was unique in her ability to bring people together, to animate lively discussions around planning and development, and to affect positive change in the communities in which she worked.

      She was also a beloved sister, cousin, aunt, daughter, and friend, as well as an artist, runner, and advocate. In this political moment, may Ms. Mercandetti's memory serve as a reminder to all of us that we are neighbors first and our political designations second. Let us remember that a laugh and a kind word can go a long way towards bringing disparate parties closer together. In treating each other with dignity and respect, Ms. Mercandetti's work will continue throughout the commonwealth.

      The Chair asks for a moment of silence in Ms. Mercandetti's memory. Thank you. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.

      The Senator from 1st Suffolk, Ms. Forry, moves that the Senate do now adjourn. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. And the Senate stands adjourned in memory of Stephanie Mercandetti to meet again on Monday next at 11 o'clock AM. Thank you.