Yes, just a few members present, and they did all this, while PRETENDING that there was a quorum – the big fake. Let’s the rest of them avoid a day at work. They call it an “informal session” and the Democrats and Republicans typically meet every three days for anywhere from 5 minutes to in this case almost a day (if you count all the breaks);
House Session Summary – Thursday, May 30, 2024
- State House News Service
Representatives agreed Thursday to add 205 liquor licenses in Boston, a major expansion in a city known for these licenses being expensive, hard to come by and a major hurdle for entrepreneurs wanting to open restaurants and bars. The majority of the new licenses will be earmarked for historically underserved communities, including Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, East Boston, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Charlestown, Oak Square and Jamaica Plain. After the bill was passed on a voice vote, Rep. Sean Garballey of Arlington shook Rep. Chris Worrell of Boston’s hand on the rostrum, and said “Congratulations.” Rep. Worrell replied “We did it guys!” adding to staffers next to the rostrum, “See you in the Fifth!” referring to his district. Representatives also passed bills to require shipping and delivery companies to track their alcohol shipments more closely and to expand wine delivery directly to residents. The House also picked the three representatives who will be tasked with coming to a compromise with the Senate on a roughly $58 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1: Reps. Aaron Michlewitz of Boston, Ann-Margaret Ferrante of Gloucester, and Todd Smola of Warren. The House adjourned for the weekend to meet again Monday in an informal session, at which point there will be eight weeks remaining left in the formal lawmaking session. – Sam Drysdale
CONVENES: The House convened at 11:05 a.m., Rep. Garballey of Arlington presiding. Rep. Wong of Saugus was on the dais.
PLEDGE: Members, staff and guests recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
RESOLUTIONS: The House adopted four Rep. Hogan resolutions recognizing Eagle Scouts.
AUDIT UNIT WITHIN CCC: The House adopted H 4692, a Rep. Donahue order giving the Cannabis Policy Committee until Monday, July 1 to report on S 58 establishing an internal special audit unit within the Cannabis Control Commission (Sen. Moore), and H 106 establishing an internal special audit unit within the Cannabis Control Commission (Rep. Donahue).
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOND BILL: The House adopted H 4693, a Rep. Parisella order giving the Economic Development Committee until Friday, June 7 to report on H 4459, Gov. Healey’s $3.5 billion economic development bond bill.
WORCESTER POLICE: The House adopted H 4690, a Rep. Gordon order giving the Public Service Committee until Sunday, June 30 to report on H 4590 exempting the office of chief of police and the position of deputy chief of police in Worcester from the civil service law.
ADOPTION: A late-filed Rep. Sabadosa bill relative to adoption outside the commonwealth was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS: A late-filed Rep. Cahill bill relative to financing of qualifying improvements to residential property was referred to the Committee on Revenue.
EMPLOYEE FAIRNESS: The House ordered to third reading H 1941 relative to employee fairness.
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY: The House ordered to third reading H 2318 to enhance child passenger safety.
QUINCY FIREFIGHTER: The House ordered to third reading H 4534 relative to retired Quincy firefighter Kevin Bythrow.
OTHER QUINCY FIREFIGHTERS: The House ordered to third reading H 4666 authorizing the appointment of retired firefighters as special firefighters in the city of Quincy.
LEGAL PARENTAGE EQUALITY: The House ordered to third reading H 4672 to ensure legal parentage equality.
ORDERS OF THE DAY: There was no objection to taking up bills off the House Calendar.
ASHLAND BRIDGE: The House engrossed H 3883 designating a bridge in the town of Ashland as the Harold Wadhams Gates memorial bridge.
PROVINCETOWN CHARTER: The House engrossed H 4091 relative to the charter of the town of Provincetown.
BOSTON POLICE: The House engrossed H 4431 directing the city of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Nuias Daveiga.
GUESTS: Students from the Daley Middle School in Lowell were introduced as guests at 11:27 a.m. and recognized for their work on civic engagement.
RECESS: The House at 11:28 a.m. adopted Rep. Wong’s motion to recess, with the time for returning left to the call of the chair.
RETURNS: Rep. Garballey of Arlington gaveled the House back to order at 2:22 p.m. Reps. Wong of Saugus and Worrell of Boston were also present.
FY2025 BUDGET – TO CONFERENCE: Question came on whether to concur in the Senate amendment (S 2800) to the fiscal 2025 general budget bill (H 4601). The House NON-CONCURRED with the Senate version of the general appropriations act. On a Rep. Michlewitz motion, the House proceeded to appoint a committee of conference on the branches’ disagreeing votes. Chair appointed Reps. Michlewitz of Boston, Ferrante of Gloucester, and Smola of Warren to serve as conferees on the part of the House.
BOSTON ALCOHOL LICENSES: The Committee on Ways and Means recommended a new draft (H 4696) of H 3741 authorizing additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in Boston. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment, then ordered the bill to a third reading as amended.
NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL SERVICE PURCHASES: The Committee on Ways and Means recommended a new draft (H 4699) of H 3977 clarifying and normalizing non-public school service purchases. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment, then ordered the bill to a third reading as amended.
LOWELL LAND: The Committee on Ways and Means recommended a new draft (H 4700) of H 4117 authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain parcels of land to the city of Lowell. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment, then ordered the bill to a third reading as amended.
DIRECT WINE SHIPMENTS: The Committee on Ways and Means recommended a new draft (H 4698) of H 4130 relative to the direct wine shipper license. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment, then ordered the bill to a third reading as amended.
LANCASTER LAND: The Committee on Ways and Means recommended a new draft (H 4701) of H 4300 authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey a certain parcel of land in the town of Lancaster. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment, then ordered the bill to a third reading as amended.
MODEL CARRIER REPORTING: The Committee on Ways and Means recommended a new draft (H 4697) of H 4478 relative to a model carrier reporting requirement. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment, then ordered the bill to a third reading as amended.
RECESS: The House recessed at 2:34 p.m.
RETURN: The House returned 3:16 p.m. with Rep. Garballey presiding and Rep. Worrell on the dais.
BOSTON ALCOHOL LICENSES: The House engrossed H 4696 authorizing additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in Boston. Rep. Garballey shook Rep. Worrell’s hand and said congratulations.
Rep. Worrell said, There you go — we did it guys. See you in the Fifth.
MODEL CARRIER REPORTING: The House engrossed H 4697 relative to a model carrier reporting requirement.
DIRECT WINE SHIPMENTS: The House engrossed H 4698 relative to the direct wine shipper license.
CREDITABLE PUBLIC SERVICE: The House engrossed H 4699 clarifying creditable service buyback for publicly funded non-public schools.
LOWELL LAND: The House engrossed H 4700 authorizing the commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land to the city of Lowell.
LANCASTER LAND: The House engrossed H 4701 authorizing the commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land in the town of Lancaster.
TIME OF MEETING: The Senate adopted an order to meet next on Monday at 11 a.m.
ADJOURNS: The House adjourned at 3:22 p.m. to meet next on Monday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.
