HB 705 (2003): establishing a committee to study the application of the communications services tax and continuing the property tax exemption for wooden poles and conduits.

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@misc{bill-2003-hb705, title = {HB 705 (2003): establishing a committee to study the application of the communications services tax and continuing the property tax exemption for wooden poles and conduits.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2003/hb705}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 705 (2003)

establishing a committee to study the application of the communications services tax and continuing the property tax exemption for wooden poles and conduits.

  • Status: Became law unsigned
  • Term: 2003-2004
  • House committee: Ways and Means
  • Senate committee: Energy and Economic Development
  • Subject: Study Committees and Commissions
  • Chapter law: 270

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2003 and referred to the House Ways and Means committee. The committee held public hearings on March 5, 2003 and March 18, 2003. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 18–0, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 25, 2003 the House adopted “Susp Rules for late ref to Finance” on a voice vote. On March 25, 2003 the House voted to pass it with changes, then referred it on to the House Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 31, 2003. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it by a vote of 21–2. On April 10, 2003 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 231–124. It crossed to the Senate on April 17, 2003 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Economic Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 6, 2003. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it. On May 22, 2003 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 1979). The committee's amendment (1979) was adopted on a voice vote on June 5, 2003, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2025), offered by Sen. Green, was adopted on June 5, 2003, changing the text of the bill. On June 5, 2003 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On June 5, 2003 the Senate adopted “Sen. Clegg Rules Suspension for 3rd Reading and Final Passage” on a voice vote. On June 5, 2003 the House voted to reject the other chamber's changes. On June 5, 2003 the Senate adopted “Sen. Odell Accede to House Request For Committee of Conference” on a voice vote. A committee of conference met on June 13, 2003 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 24, 2003 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. On June 24, 2003 the House adopted “Reconsider” on a voice vote. On June 24, 2003 the House adopted “Conf Comm Report” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 30, 2003 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. It became law without the governor's signature, as Chapter 270. The governor neither signed it nor returned it, and the docket records it as enacted under Part II, Article 44 of the state constitution.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • March 5, 2003, 10:30 AM: hearing, House Ways and Means, RM202,LOB
  • March 18, 2003, 10:00 AM: hearing, House Ways and Means, RM202,LOB
  • March 31, 2003, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Ways and Means, RM212,LOB <Rep Weyler>
  • May 6, 2003, 3:15 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Economic Development, LOB 102
  • June 13, 2003, 9:00 AM: committee of conference, RM202,LOB (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

Votes

  • March 25, 2003, House: Susp Rules for late ref to Finance — voice vote, passed
  • April 10, 2003, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 231, nays 124, passed
  • May 22, 2003, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • June 5, 2003, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendments — voice vote, passed
  • June 5, 2003, Senate: Sen. Clegg Rules Suspension for 3rd Reading and Final Passage — voice vote, passed
  • June 5, 2003, Senate: Sen. Odell Accede to House Request For Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
  • June 24, 2003, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
  • June 24, 2003, House: ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT — yeas 159, nays 172, failed
  • June 24, 2003, House: Reconsider — voice vote, passed
  • June 24, 2003, House: Conf Comm Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 9, 2003: Introduced and ref. to Ways & Means
  • March 5, 2003: Hearing Mar 5 10:30 RM202,LOB
  • March 18, 2003: Continued Hearing Mar 18 10:00 RM202,LOB
  • March 19, 2003: Maj Report OTP/AM for Mar 25 (Vote 18-0;CC)
  • March 19, 2003: Prop Comm Am{0892}(New Title); HC26, p741
  • March 25, 2003: Reps Hess & Nordgren Susp Rules for late ref to Finance, MA 2/3VV
  • March 25, 2003: Passed with Am and ref to Finance
  • March 31, 2003: Fin Div II Subcom Work & Exec Session Mar 31 9:00 RM212,LOB <Rep Weyler>
  • April 2, 2003: Fin Maj Report OTP for Apr 10 (Vote 21-2;Reg)
  • April 10, 2003: Passed DIV(231-124)
  • April 17, 2003: Introduced and Ref. to Energy & Economic Development
  • May 6, 2003: Hearing; May 6, 2003, Room 102, LOB, 3:15 p.m.; SC21
  • May 15, 2003: Committee Report; Ought to Pass [05/22/03]; SC23
  • May 22, 2003: Ought to Pass, MA, VV; Refer to Finance [Rule 26]
  • June 3, 2003: Committee Report; Ought to Pass with Amendment{1979}, (New Title), [06/05/03]; SC25A, Pg.60-61
  • June 5, 2003: Committee Amendment{1979}, (New Title), AA, VV
  • June 5, 2003: Sen. Green Floor Amendment{2005}, (New Title), Withdrawn
  • June 5, 2003: Sen. Green Floor Amendment{2025}, Division 14Y-8N, AA
  • June 5, 2003: Ought to Pass with Amendments{1979}, (New Title), {2025}, MA, VV
  • June 5, 2003: Sen. Clegg Rules Suspension for 3rd Reading and Final Passage 2/3 nec., MA, VV
  • June 5, 2003: House Nonconc with Sen Am req Conf Comm, Rep Whalley MA
  • June 5, 2003: (Spkr appts Reps: Hess, Roessner, Thomas & Hager)
  • June 5, 2003: Sen. Odell Accede to House Request For Committee of Conference, MA, VV
  • June 5, 2003: President Appoints; Senators Green, Odell, D'Allesandro
  • June 13, 2003: Conf Comm Meeting June 13 9:00 RM202,LOB (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
  • June 19, 2003: Committee of Conference Report; Sen. Am{2242}, Filed
  • June 24, 2003: Conference Committee Report{2242}, Adopted, VV
  • June 24, 2003: Conf Comm Report Defeated RC(159-172)
  • June 24, 2003: Rep Mock moved to Reconsider, MA VV
  • June 24, 2003: Conf Comm Report Adopted VV
  • June 30, 2003: Enrolled; (See Permanent Journal)
  • June 30, 2003: Enrolled
  • July 16, 2003: Became Law Without Signature on 7/16/03 Eff: 7/16/03 Chap: 0270

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court