SB 79 (1997): prohibiting the sale of certain gift certificates containing an expiration date, relative to unclaimed and abandoned property, and relative to liens on personal property.

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“SB 79 (1997): prohibiting the sale of certain gift certificates containing an expiration date, relative to unclaimed and abandoned property, and relative to liens on personal property.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/1997/sb79. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. “SB 79 (1997): prohibiting the sale of certain gift certificates containing an expiration date, relative to unclaimed and abandoned property, and relative to liens on personal property.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/1997/sb79.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-1997-sb79, title = {SB 79 (1997): prohibiting the sale of certain gift certificates containing an expiration date, relative to unclaimed and abandoned property, and relative to liens on personal property.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/1997/sb79}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 79 (1997)

prohibiting the sale of certain gift certificates containing an expiration date, relative to unclaimed and abandoned property, and relative to liens on personal property.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 1997-1998
  • House committee: Commerce
  • Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
  • Subject: Miscellaneous
  • Chapter law: 302

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 1997 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 30, 1997. The committee voted unanimously, 8–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes. On March 13, 1997 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the House on March 19, 1997 and was referred to the House Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 3, 1997. The committee held work sessions on April 22, 1997 and May 1, 1997. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes, by a vote of 13–1. The report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 20, 1997 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the House Finance committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 21, 1997. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes by a vote of 13–6. On May 28, 1997 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 29, 1997 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote. On May 29, 1997 the House adopted “Accede to Request for Committee of Conference”. A committee of conference met on June 3, 1997 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 10, 1997 the House adopted “Conference Committee Report”. On June 10, 1997 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. An enrolled bill amendment () was adopted on June 10, 1997. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on June 10, 1997 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 20, 1997, making it Chapter 302 of the session laws. It took effect on January 1, 1998.

Sponsors

  • Sen. Rubens (SD5) (prime sponsor)
  • Rep. Herman (Hills 13)
  • Rep. Hunt (Ches 10)

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 30, 1997, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, RM104,LOB
  • April 3, 1997, 10:00 AM: hearing, House Commerce, RM302,LOB
  • April 22, 1997, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce, RM302,LOB
  • May 1, 1997, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce, RM302,LOB
  • May 21, 1997, 1:30 PM: hearing, House Finance, RMS210-211,LOB
  • June 3, 1997, 9:00 AM: committee of conference, RM302,LOB

Votes

  • March 13, 1997, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • May 20, 1997, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • May 28, 1997, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • May 29, 1997, Senate: Nonconcur and Request Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
  • June 10, 1997, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 9, 1997: INTRODUCED AND REF TO EXEC DEPTS+ADMIN; SJ2, P26
  • January 30, 1997: HEARING JAN30 01:00 RM104,LOB FOR: ED+A
  • March 10, 1997: COMM REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAR13 (VOTE 8-0)
  • March 10, 1997: PROP COMM AM<0660>(NEW TITLE); SC19,P6-7
  • March 13, 1997: COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; SJ8,P125-126 + 148
  • March 19, 1997: INTRODUCED AND REF TO COMMERCE; HJ42,P1316
  • March 20, 1997: COPY TO CHAIRMAN ON 03/20/97 DUE ON 04/29/97
  • April 3, 1997: HEARING APR03 10:00 RM302,LOB FOR: COMMERCE
  • April 22, 1997: SUBCOM WORK SESS APR22 09:30 RM302,LOB FOR: COMMERCE
  • April 30, 1997: DEADLINE CHANGED TO 05/15/97, AM TO HOUSE RULES ADOPTED VV
  • May 1, 1997: SUBCOM WORK SESSION MAY01 09:30 RM302,LOB FOR: COMMERCE
  • May 14, 1997: MAJ REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAY20 (VOTE 13-1;CC)
  • May 14, 1997: PROP MAJ COMM AM<1369>; HC62,P1776-1777
  • May 14, 1997: MIN REPORT OTP/AM
  • May 14, 1997: PROP MIN COMM AM<1443>(NEW TITLE); HC62,P1777
  • May 20, 1997: MAJ COMM AM<1369>, AA VV; MIN AM<1443>, AL DIV(68-259); PASSED WITH AM AND REF TO FINANCE VV; HJ66,P1909-1911
  • May 21, 1997: HEARING MAY21 1:30 RMS210-211,LOB FOR: FINANCE
  • May 22, 1997: FIN COMM MAJ REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAY28 (VOTE 13-6)
  • May 22, 1997: PROP FIN COM AM<1545>; HC65,P1882
  • May 23, 1997: CORRECTED FIN COMM AM<1561>; HC67,P1965
  • May 28, 1997: CORRECTED COMM AM<1561>, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; HJ70,P2011+ 32
  • May 29, 1997: SEN NONC WITH HOUSE AM REQ CONF COMM, SEN J KING MA VV; SJ22,P473
  • May 29, 1997: (PRES APPTS SENS: J KING, RUBENS & FRANCOEUR)
  • May 29, 1997: HOUSE ACCEDED TO REQ FOR CONF COMM, REP LOZEAU MA; HJ70,P2039
  • May 29, 1997: (SPKR APPTS REPS: HUNT, HERMAN, KLEMM & RUSSELL)
  • June 3, 1997: CONF COMM MEETING JUN03 9:00 RM302,LOB
  • June 5, 1997: CONF COMM REPORT(H AM + NEW AM<0047C) FILED
  • June 10, 1997: CONF COMM REPORT ADOPTED; HJ73,P2074-2075
  • June 10, 1997: CONF COMM REPORT ADOPTED VV; SJ23(I),P561-562
  • June 10, 1997: ENROLLED AM, ADOPTED; (SEE PERM JOURNAL)
  • June 10, 1997: ENROLLED AM<0061E>(NEW TITLE), AM ADOPTED; HJ76,P2121
  • June 10, 1997: ENROLLED; (SEE PERM JOURNAL)
  • June 10, 1997: ENROLLED; SJ23(II),P624
  • June 20, 1997: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 06/20/97 EFF: 01/01/98 CHAP.0302

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court