MA
Massachusetts House Bill H4294

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4294

Caption

Order relative to the establishment of a special joint committee on initiative petitions

Impact

The establishment of this joint committee represents a significant procedural development in how initiative petitions are evaluated and processed within the Massachusetts legislature. By creating a dedicated group to oversee these matters, the state aims to streamline the examination of complex issues such as educational standards and labor rights, potentially enhancing legislative efficiency and accountability. The committee is expected to facilitate discussions on a range of proposals, including audits of the legislature and rights for transportation network drivers, indicating a broad scope of legislative focus.

Summary

House Bill 4294 proposes the establishment of a special joint committee tasked with reviewing various initiative petitions that have been submitted to the Massachusetts legislature. The bill outlines the framework for how this committee will be structured, specifying that it will consist of eight members—four from the Senate and four from the House of Representatives, with member appointments made by respective leadership. This joint committee is intended to ensure comprehensive consideration of the proposed initiatives before they proceed through the legislative process.

Contention

While the bill's purpose is to centralize the review of initiative petitions, it may bring about contention regarding the extent of legislative oversight and the priorities of the committee. Advocates for initiative reform might view the creation of this committee either as a step towards responsible governance or as an additional bureaucratic layer that could delay urgent measures. Additionally, specific proposals, such as those related to collective bargaining rights for transportation network drivers and the regulation of psychedelic substances, may evoke differing opinions among legislators on the committee regarding their implications and the desired direction of state policy.

Latest H4294 Activity

Companion Bills

MA H4608

Similar To REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of CHARLES DEWEY ELLISON, III AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT DEFINING AND REGULATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NETWORK COMPANIES AND APP-BASED DRIVERS FOR PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL AND SPECIAL LAWS (see House, No. 4256)

Previously Filed As

MA H4608

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of CHARLES DEWEY ELLISON, III AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT DEFINING AND REGULATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NETWORK COMPANIES AND APP-BASED DRIVERS FOR PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL AND SPECIAL LAWS (see House, No. 4256)

MA H4610

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of CHARLES DEWEY ELLISON, III AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT DEFINING AND REGULATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NETWORK COMPANIES AND APP-BASED DRIVERS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL LAWS (see House, No. 4258)

MA H4609

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of CHARLES DEWEY ELLISON, III AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT ESTABLISHING THAT APP-BASED DRIVERS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES, AND NETWORK COMPANIES ARE NOT EMPLOYERS, FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL LAWS (see House, No. 4257)

MA H4612

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of CHARLES DEWEY ELLISON, III AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT ESTABLISHING THAT APP-BASED DRIVERS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES, AND NETWORK COMPANIES ARE NOT EMPLOYERS, FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL LAWS (see House, No. 4260)

MA H4611

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of CHARLES DEWEY ELLISON, III AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT ESTABLISHING THAT APP-BASED DRIVERS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES, AND NETWORK COMPANIES ARE NOT EMPLOYERS, FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL LAWS (see House, No. 4259)

MA H4606

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of IRENE S. LI AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE FULL MINIMUM WAGE FOR TIPPED WORKERS WITH TIPS ON TOP (see House, No. 4254)

MA H4605

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of ROXANA LORENA RIVERA AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT GIVING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK DRIVERS THE OPTION TO FORM A UNION AND BARGAIN COLLECTIVELY (see House, No. 4253)

MA H4607

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of SARKO GERGERIAN AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE REGULATION AND TAXATION OF NATURAL PSYCHEDELIC SUBSTANCES (see House, No. 4255)

MA H4603

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of DIANA DIZOGLIO AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO AUDIT THE LEGISLATURE (see House, No. 4251)

MA H4604

REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of DEBORAH THERESE MCCARTHY AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT REQUIRING THAT DISTRICTS CERTIFY THAT STUDENTS HAVE MASTERED THE SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATE STANDARDS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE MCAS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT (see House, No. 4252)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.