House suspends Joint Rule 12 to refer three petitions; sets adjournment for Thursday at 11 a.m.

The House on a brief motion suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of three petitions and referred each petition to the committees listed, the chair announced.

The action followed a report from the Committee on Rules recommending that Joint Rule 12 be suspended for: a petition from Carmen Lawrence Gentile, Liz Miranda and Samantha Montano to establish LGBTQIA+ parent advisory councils in public schools; a petition from Representative Lindsay Sabadosa relative to school safety, referred to the Committee on Education; and a petition from JD Livingstone and others concerning ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking, referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. "Joint Rule 12 is suspended," the chair declared after the voice vote.

Ms. Paish of Wellesley moved the suspension of the rules. The motion was decided by voice vote: "All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it," the chair said. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or a second for the motion.

Members also adopted several routine orders by voice vote. Representative Mariano of Quincy offered an order that when the House adjourned it should adjourn to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m.; the House adopted that order. Representative Shand of Newburyport moved a special adjournment in memory of former legislator Nicholas J. Costello; that motion was adopted. Mr. Soter of Bellingham moved that the House do now adjourn; the ayes carried and the House stood adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m.

A brief ceremonial introduction and a moment of silence occurred during the session. The chair introduced guests from Weston High School — the girls swim and dive team and head coach Jim McLaughlin — and, at the request of Representative Badger of Plymouth and Representative LaNatra of Kingston, the House observed a moment of silent tribute for Margie Clausen Burgess of Plymouth.

Votes at a glance

- Suspension of Joint Rule 12 (to refer three petitions): moved by Ms. Paish of Wellesley; voice vote; outcome: approved. - Order to adjourn to Thursday next at 11 a.m.: offered by Representative Mariano of Quincy; voice vote; outcome: adopted. - Special adjournment in memory of Nicholas J. Costello: moved by Representative Shand of Newburyport; voice vote; outcome: adopted. - Motion to adjourn: moved by Mr. Soter of Bellingham; voice vote; outcome: adopted.

The session was brief and largely procedural; the suspension of Joint Rule 12 clears the three petitions for committee consideration but does not itself enact policy. The petitions will proceed through the committee process named in the committee report.