Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H2023 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 142
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 27 FILED ON: 1/31/2023
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2023
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	House of Representatives, January 31, 2023.
6	6	_______________
7	7	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
8	8	(2023-2024)
9	9	_______________
10	10	1 Ordered, That the rules of the House of Representatives for the years 2023-2024 be
11	11	2adopted, as follows:
12	12	3SPEAKER.
13	13	4 1. The Speaker shall take the Chair at the hour to which the House stands adjourned, call the
14	14	5members to order, and, on the appearance of a quorum, proceed to business. [1.]
15	15	6 1A. The House shall not be called to order before the hour of ten o'clock A.M. nor meet
16	16	7beyond the hour of midnight unless by unanimous consent of the Members present. If there is
17	17	8unanimous consent to continue meeting past midnight then, the House shall return to the
18	18	9business then pending; and if no business was pending, to the next order of business. However, if
19	19	10there is not unanimous consent of the members present to meet beyond the hour of midnight, the 2 of 142
20	20	11Speaker shall forthwith, and without further debate, adjourn or recess the House to a time not
21	21	12earlier than ten o'clock A.M. on the next succeeding calendar day.
22	22	13 [Adopted Jan. 12, 1983; Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 14, 1997; May 16,
23	23	142000.]
24	24	15 2. The Speaker shall preserve decorum and order in the House Chamber. While in the House
25	25	16Chamber, members, staff and guests shall be required to dress in proper and appropriate attire
26	26	17and be courteous and professional when using electronic devices.
27	27	18Members, staff and guests shall not take photographs or videos of, or in, the House Chamber
28	28	19during formal or informal sessions unless otherwise permitted by this Rule. Members may take
29	29	20photographs at their assigned seats in the chamber during formal or informal sessions; provided,
30	30	21however that any photographs or video taken by members during formal or informal sessions
31	31	22shall not include images of any other member, staff or guest without their express written
32	32	23consent.
33	33	24The Speaker may permit photographs or videos during special occasions, which shall include,
34	34	25but shall not be limited to, swearing-in ceremonies and addresses by constitutional officers or
35	35	26other dignitaries. The use of audio-visual aids including, without limitation, videos, computers,
36	36	27posters, displays or charts shall be permitted only upon approval of the Speaker.
37	37	28The Speaker also may speak to points of order in preference to other members; and shall decide
38	38	29all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the House. [2.] (2.) [With regard to appeals, see
39	39	30Rule 77.]
40	40	31 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 20, 2011; Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019.] 3 of 142
41	41	32 3. The Speaker shall declare all votes, subject to verification as hereinafter provided. [3.] (55.)
42	42	33[See Rules 49 to 53, inclusive.]
43	43	34 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
44	44	35 4. In all cases the Speaker may vote. [4.] (3.)
45	45	36 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
46	46	37 4A. The Speaker shall appoint a Speaker pro Tempore. The Speaker pro Tempore shall
47	47	38assist the Speaker in the coordination of policy development and the ceremonial functions of the
48	48	39House and shall perform such duties assigned to them by the Speaker. Upon a vacancy in the
49	49	40office of Speaker, the office of Speaker pro Tempore shall be considered vacant.
50	50	41 [Adopted Jan. 26, 2005, Amended, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 30, 2019.]
51	51	42 4B. (a) As used in this Rule, the following words shall have the following meanings:-
52	52	43"Earned income", income derived from salaries, wages, tips and commissions for performing
53	53	44services as an employee of an employer.
54	54	45"Unearned income", all other income that is not earned income.
55	55	46(b) The Speaker shall not receive earned income for:
56	56	47(1) affiliating with or being employed by a firm, partnership, association, corporation or other
57	57	48entity that provides professional services involving a fiduciary relationship;
58	58	49(2) permitting their name to be used by such a firm, partnership, association, corporation or
59	59	50other entity; 4 of 142
60	60	51(3) receiving compensation for practicing a profession that involves a fiduciary relationship; or
61	61	52(4) serving as an officer or member of the board of an association, corporation or other entity.
62	62	53(c) The provisions of this rule shall take effect on August 1, 2017.
63	63	54 [Added Feb. 2, 2017; Amended Jan 30, 2019.]
64	64	55 5. The Speaker may appoint a member to perform the duties of the Chair. In the event the
65	65	56Speaker fails to appoint a member to perform the duties of the Chair, the Speaker pro Tempore
66	66	57shall be the Acting Speaker until the Speaker otherwise provides or until a vacancy in the office
67	67	58of Speaker occurs. In the event that the Speaker pro Tempore is absent or is unable to perform
68	68	59the duties of Acting Speaker, the Majority Leader, the Assistant Majority Leader, the Second
69	69	60Assistant Majority Leader or other designee shall be the Acting Speaker. [7.] (4.)
70	70	61 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 26, 2005.]
71	71	62 6. In case of a vacancy in the office of Speaker, or in case the Speaker or the member named
72	72	63by said Speaker in accordance with the preceding rule is absent at the hour to which the House
73	73	64stands adjourned, the senior member present shall call the House to order, and shall preside until
74	74	65a Speaker is elected, which shall be the first business in order. [8.] (5.)
75	75	66 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985, Amended, Jan. 23, 2007.]
76	76	67 7. At the beginning of the first year of the two-year General Court, the Speaker may, unless
77	77	68the House otherwise directs, appoint a Chaplain; and the Speaker may fill any vacancy in the
78	78	69office of Chaplain. [7A.] (4.)
79	79	70 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 29, 2015.] 5 of 142
80	80	71SCHEDULING.
81	81	72 7A. There shall be appointed a standing committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling
82	82	73consisting of eleven members. The committee shall not be subject to the provisions of Rule
83	83	7417A,but shall be authorized to meet from time to time at the call of the Chair for the purpose of
84	84	75assisting the members of the House of Representatives in identifying the major matters pending
85	85	76before the General Court, the relative urgency and priority for consideration of such matters, and
86	86	77alternative methods of responding to such matters by the General Court. Said committee shall
87	87	78schedule legislative matters in a manner that will provide for an even distribution and orderly
88	88	79consideration of reports of legislative committees on the daily Calendar.
89	89	80 The committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling shall not be authorized to recommend
90	90	81changes or amendments to legislation or recommend that a matter ought to pass or ought not to
91	91	82pass, but shall only report asking to be discharged from further consideration of a bill, and
92	92	83recommending that it be referred or recommitted to another committee; provided, however, that
93	93	84it shall not recommend that a matter be referred or recommitted to the committee on Rules or the
94	94	85committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, or what date a matter shall be
95	95	86scheduled for consideration by the House and placed in the Orders of the Day. All reports by the
96	96	87committee on petitions filed or approved by the voters of a city or town, or by the mayor and city
97	97	88council, or other legislative body of a city or the town meeting of a town with respect to a law
98	98	89relating to that city or town shall be read and considered by the House at a formal or informal
99	99	90session before being accepted, rejected or otherwise acted upon. Any such petition and any
100	100	91attachment to the petition shall be filed in both paper and electronic format approved by the
101	101	92Clerk. 6 of 142
102	102	93 All matters received from the Senate or reported from standing committees of the House and
103	103	94joint standing committees of the General Court shall, unless subject to provisions of any other
104	104	95House or joint rules, be referred to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. All
105	105	96matters reported by said committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommending that a
106	106	97matter shall be scheduled for consideration by the House shall be placed in the Orders of the Day
107	107	98for the next sitting. Said committee may report on a legislative matter within thirty days
108	108	99following the day the matter was referred. If the committee fails to report a matter within thirty
109	109	100days following the date of its reference, the Clerk shall place the matter on the Calendar of the
110	110	101House as if it had been scheduled for consideration by said committee on Steering, Policy and
111	111	102Scheduling.
112	112	103 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997; Amended Jan. 26, 1999; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005.]
113	113	104 7B. The committee on Rules shall be authorized to originate and report special orders for the
114	114	105scheduling and consideration of legislation on the floor of the House. Said committee shall not
115	115	106be subject to the notification provisions contained in Rule 17A but may hold public hearings and
116	116	107shall accept testimony only from the members of the House. A majority of the members
117	117	108appointed to the committee shall constitute a quorum. When reported, such orders may be
118	118	109amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, and shall be subject to
119	119	110approval by a majority of the members of the House present and voting. Debate on the question
120	120	111on adoption of such orders shall be limited to one hour. No orders adopted pursuant to this
121	121	112paragraph shall limit the powers of the Speaker as provided in Rules 1 to 6, inclusive. Such
122	122	113orders shall not be subject to reconsideration. 7 of 142
123	123	114The committee on Rules shall not be subject to the provisions of Rule 17A, but may meet in
124	124	115private to discuss or consider the appointment, discipline or dismissal of any individual the
125	125	116committee is authorized by law or rule to appoint, discipline or dismiss.
126	126	117 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997; Amended Jan. 24, 2001; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
127	127	118 7C. The committee on Rules may consider and make recommendations designed to improve
128	128	119and expedite the business and procedures of the House and its committees, and to recommend to
129	129	120the House any amendments to the Rules deemed necessary; provided that a majority of the
130	130	121members of the House present and voting shall be required to approve such recommendations.
131	131	122 The committee shall be privileged to report at any time.
132	132	123 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997.]
133	133	124 7D. The Speaker shall, in consultation with the committee on Rules and the committee on
134	134	125Steering, Policy and Scheduling, establish a committee scheduling system that would minimize
135	135	126to the greatest extent possible scheduling conflicts for members of committees.
136	136	127 The Speaker shall determine a schedule for the House for each week relative to formal and
137	137	128informal sessions and shall make such schedule available to the members in writing or by
138	138	129electronic mail by 5pm on Friday of the preceding week; provided, however, that the Speaker
139	139	130may make, notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 7A, changes in the schedules to facilitate the
140	140	131business of the House in an efficient and timely fashion. The Speaker shall communicate notice
141	141	132of any such scheduling change to the members in writing or by electronic mail as soon as
142	142	133practicable, and whenever possible, the Speaker shall provide such notice not less than twenty-
143	143	134four hours before the event so rescheduled is set to commence. 8 of 142
144	144	135 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997; January 9, 2003; Jan. 30, 2019.]
145	145	136MONITORS.
146	146	137 8. Two monitors shall be appointed by the Speaker for each division of the House, whose
147	147	138duty it shall be to see to the due observance of the rules, and, on request of the Speaker, to return
148	148	139the number of votes and members in their respective divisions. [9.]
149	149	140 9. If a member transgresses any of the rules after being notified thereof by a monitor, it shall
150	150	141be the duty of such monitor to report the case to the House.
151	151	142 It shall be the duty of a monitor to report their knowledge of the occurrence of a member
152	152	143voting for another member, in their division of the House, to the Speaker of the House and to the
153	153	144Minority Leader. [10.] [See Rules 16 and 16A.]
154	154	145 [Amended Jan. 9, 1991; May 5, 1993; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
155	155	146 9A. There shall be established a Floor Division Committee for each of the four divisions of
156	156	147the House. The Speaker shall appoint a Floor Division chairperson for each of the four divisions.
157	157	148Said committee shall consist of the members assigned to the respective divisions.
158	158	149 In order to create a continuous flow of debate, each chairperson shall be responsible for
159	159	150reviewing the daily Calendar and providing advance notice to committee members in the
160	160	151respective divisions of all matters scheduled for consideration in the Orders of the Day. Said
161	161	152committee chairpersons shall provide information to members of their committees on pending
162	162	153legislation and other matters of business before the House.
163	163	154 In addition to the legislative duties, chairpersons shall oversee the physical appearance of the
164	164	155Chamber and the various areas under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives. Said 9 of 142
165	165	156chairpersons shall be authorized to act as a committee and may meet at any time at the request of
166	166	157at least two chairpersons. Said chairpersons, as a committee, shall be authorized to meet with the
167	167	158appropriate agencies and historical commissions of the Commonwealth for the purpose of
168	168	159requesting expeditious appraisals and necessary repairs and renovations to the interior and
169	169	160exterior of the State House. The committee of chairpersons shall report directly to the Speaker
170	170	161the results of all consultations.
171	171	162 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997.]
172	172	163CLERK.
173	173	164 10. The Clerk shall keep the Journal of the House. The Clerk shall enter therein a record of
174	174	165each day's proceedings and, whenever practicable, submit it to the Speaker and the Minority
175	175	166Leader before the hour fixed for the next sitting, and shall cause the same to be available daily in
176	176	167a format to be determined by the Clerk; and provided further that a copy of said Journal shall
177	177	168also be made available to each member of the House. Any objection to the Journal shall be made
178	178	169before the House proceeds to the consideration of the Orders of the Day. [11.] (6.)
179	179	170 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan 11, 1985; Jan. 17, 1995; Jan. 9, 2003.]
180	180	171 10A. The Clerk shall be the official parliamentarian of the House of Representatives.
181	181	172 [Adopted Jan. 9, 1991.]
182	182	173 10B. The Clerk shall be the official keeper of records of the House of Representatives for
183	183	174legislative records that remain in the office of said Clerk at the end of each biennial session, and
184	184	175until such time as said records are transferred to the State Archives or destroyed in accordance
185	185	176with law. [Adopted Jan. 29, 2015.] 10 of 142
186	186	177 11. Every question of order with the decision thereof shall be entered at large in the Journal,
187	187	178and shall be noted in an appendix, which shall also contain the rules of the House and of the two
188	188	179branches. [12.] (6.)
189	189	180 12. The Clerk shall prepare and make available on each day of formal session a Calendar of
190	190	181matters in order for consideration and such other memoranda as the House or the Speaker may
191	191	182direct. The Clerk shall prepare a Calendar on which shall appear any question on passage of a
192	192	183bill or resolve notwithstanding the objections of Their Excellency the Governor which may be
193	193	184considered forthwith at the direction of the House or Speaker.
194	194	185 When, in the determination of the Clerk, a volume of matters exists for the next legislative
195	195	186day, the Clerk shall be authorized to prepare and cause to be made available an advance calendar
196	196	187of the matters in order of consideration for the next legislative day and such other memoranda as
197	197	188the House or Speaker may direct. The Clerk may indicate on the advance calendar that the
198	198	189matters contained therein are subject to change.
199	199	190 The Clerk shall be authorized to dispense with preparing and making available a Calendar for
200	200	191designated formal sessions of the House only after two-thirds of the members present and voting
201	201	192consent thereto on a recorded yea and nay vote. Debate on this question shall be limited to fifteen
202	202	193minutes, no member shall speak more than three minutes, and such question shall not be subject
203	203	194to reconsideration.
204	204	195 The Clerk shall dispense with preparing and making available a Calendar for designated
205	205	196Informal Sessions of the House.
206	206	197 As soon as practicable whenever the Clerk prepares a Calendar or advance Calendar under
207	207	198this rule, they shall also cause a true copy thereof to be posted on the website of the General 11 of 142
208	208	199Court that is generally available to all members and their staff, and reasonably promptly
209	209	200thereafter the Clerk shall cause the members and their staff to be notified of the same by way of
210	210	201electronic mail. [13.] (7.)
211	211	202 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; May 5, 1993; Jan. 17, 1995; Jan. 24,
212	212	2032001; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 30, 2019.]
213	213	204 13. Any objection to the Calendar shall be made and disposed of before the House proceeds to
214	214	205the consideration of the Orders of the Day. [14.]
215	215	206 13A. The Clerk shall make available to all members electronically and, to the public via the
216	216	207website of the General Court, the text of all dockets and bills introduced and admitted for
217	217	208consideration in the House.
218	218	209[Adopted, Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
219	219	210COUNSEL
220	220	21113B. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Counsel pursuant to section 51 of chapter 3 of the
221	221	212General Laws. The committee on Rules shall appoint a qualified person to act as Counsel at such
222	222	213compensation as the committee on Rules shall approve.
223	223	214Counsel shall serve a term of two years from the date of appointment, unless the Counsel sooner
224	224	215resigns, retires or is removed; provided, however, that the Counsel may only be removed: (i) for
225	225	216misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance, as determined by agreement of the Equal Employment
226	226	217Opportunity Officer appointed pursuant to Rule 89 and the Director of Human Resources
227	227	218appointed pursuant to Rule 90 and approved by a majority vote of the committee on Rules; or (ii)
228	228	219by a majority roll call vote of the House. 12 of 142
229	229	220Counsel may employ such legal and other assistants as may be necessary in the discharge of
230	230	221Counsel’s duties, subject to the approval of the committee on Rules, and may expend with like
231	231	222approval such sums as may be necessary for the discharge of their duties.
232	232	223(b) Counsel shall be the chief legal officer of the House and shall perform all duties generally
233	233	224required of a counsel to an organization and specifically those required pursuant to any general
234	234	225or special law, rule, regulation, or order of the House. Counsel shall provide legal and legislative
235	235	226drafting services to all members regardless of party or seniority.
236	236	227 [Added Jan. 30, 2019.]
237	237	228MEMBERS.
238	238	229 14. No member shall stand up, to the inconvenience of others, while a member is speaking; or
239	239	230be involved in disturbing conversation while another member is speaking in debate; or pass
240	240	231unnecessarily between the Speaker of the House and the member speaking; or stand in the
241	241	232passages, or in the area in front of the Chair; or stand at the Clerk's desk while a roll call is in
242	242	233progress. [16.] [Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1989; Jan. 26, 1999.]
243	243	234 14A. [Adopted Feb. 11, 2009; Omitted Jan. 29, 2015.]
244	244	235 15. When it appears to the Chair that the presence of a quorum is endangered, the Chair shall
245	245	236order the doors closed. If a quorum is doubted the Chair shall order the doors closed and
246	246	237thereafter no member shall enter or leave the House until an initial determination has been made
247	247	238as to the presence of a quorum or lack thereof; and thereafter, provided that no quorum is
248	248	239present, no member shall leave the House unless by permission of the Chair, but members shall
249	249	240be admitted, at any time. 13 of 142
250	250	241 Upon the doubting of a quorum and after ascertaining that a quorum is not present, the
251	251	242Speaker may order a recorded attendance roll call to be taken by use of the electronic roll call
252	252	243system.
253	253	244 Said roll call, if ordered, shall be taken at a time determined by the Speaker.
254	254	245 Members answering a quorum call shall vote "YES" on the roll call system. [17.] (11.)
255	255	246 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Feb. 22, 1982; Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991.]
256	256	247ETHICS.
257	257	248 16. There shall be appointed a committee on Ethics as authorized by Rule 17. The committee
258	258	249shall consist of 11 members, 7 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker, 4 of whom shall be
259	259	250appointed by the Minority Leader.
260	260	251 A member appointed to the committee shall not be considered to be a member of the committee
261	261	252subsequent to the declaration of candidacy for any other state or federal elective office.
262	262	253 The committee shall investigate and evaluate, at the direction of the Speaker, by a sworn written
263	263	254complaint filed and delivered by a member, officer or employee to the chair, or by a majority
264	264	255vote of the members appointed to the Ethics committee, any matters relative to alleged violations
265	265	256of Rule 16A by a member, officer or employee.
266	266	257 Upon the receipt of said sworn written complaint, at the direction of the Speaker or by a
267	267	258majority vote of the members appointed to the Ethics committee, the committee shall notify any
268	268	259person named of the nature of the alleged violation and a list of prospective witnesses, and also
269	269	260shall notify said person of the final disposition and the recommendations, if any, of the
270	270	261committee. 14 of 142
271	271	262 Any member, officer, or employee of the House named relative to an alleged violation shall
272	272	263be afforded the opportunity to appear before the committee on Ethics with counsel.
273	273	264 All proceedings including the filing of the initial complaint shall be considered confidential
274	274	265information.
275	275	266 If the alleged violation received in the manner described above is deemed to have merit by a
276	276	267majority vote of the members appointed to the committee, the committee shall file a report with
277	277	268the Clerk of the House. Said report shall be a public document. The committee shall not disclose
278	278	269any allegation deemed to be frivolous or without merit.
279	279	270 If a majority appointed finds that any member, officer, or employee of the House has violated
280	280	271any provision of Rule 16A, a majority appointed may, in the case of a member, recommend a
281	281	272reprimand, censure, removal from position of authority, including leadership, chair or vice chair,
282	282	273or expulsion; and in the case of an officer or employee, a majority appointed may recommend a
283	283	274reprimand, suspension, or removal from employment.
284	284	275 Should such an alleged violation be filed with the committee regarding a member or members
285	285	276of the House Ethics committee, said member or members shall not participate in the committee
286	286	277deliberations on said alleged violation.
287	287	278 Any member, officer, or employee of the House may request in writing from the House
288	288	279committee on Ethics or from the Counsel to the House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B a
289	289	280confidential written advisory opinion on the requirements of chapters 268A and 268B of the
290	290	281General Laws as well as an opinion on any other general or special law, rule or regulation
291	291	282applicable to their official position or concerning any contemplated personal action which may 15 of 142
292	292	283conflict with their official position. The committee on Ethics or the Counsel to the House shall
293	293	284issue confidential written advisory opinions and clarification in response to said written request.
294	294	285 No member, officer or employee of the House shall be penalized in any manner for having
295	295	286acted within the guidelines of a written advisory opinion from the House committee on Ethics or
296	296	287from the Counsel to the House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B, provided that all pertinent facts
297	297	288are stated in the request for an advisory opinion.
298	298	289A written advisory opinion from the House committee on Ethics or from the Counsel to the
299	299	290House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B shall be a defense in any proceeding arising from said
300	300	291opinion or advice unless material facts were omitted or misstated by the person in the request of
301	301	292the opinion.
302	302	293 The chair of the Ethics committee may convene the committee at any time.
303	303	294 The chair shall also convene the committee at the written request of at least 5 members of the
304	304	295committee.
305	305	296 The Committee may, upon the written and signed report of two-thirds of the members of the
306	306	297committee, file a special report containing legislation without said legislation being founded
307	307	298upon petition which shall be referred under the provisions of Rule 24 and consistent with the
308	308	299provisions of Joint Rule 13, to the appropriate joint standing committee. Any special report
309	309	300containing legislation filed pursuant to this paragraph shall be germane to subject matters
310	310	301regularly considered by the committee. The committee shall not include in any such special
311	311	302report a bill that would have a fiscal impact as described in Rule 33. 16 of 142
312	312	303 Upon convening of the first annual session of the General Court and after the adoption of
313	313	304rules, all members, officers and employees of the House shall be provided with a current copy of
314	314	305the Code of Ethics contained in Rule 16A. [19.] (12A.)
315	315	306 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987; May 5, 1993; Jan. 17, 1995; Mar. 6, 1995; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 20,
316	316	3072011; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019.]
317	317	308CODE OF ETHICS.
318	318	309 16A. (1.) While members, officers and employees should not be denied those opportunities
319	319	310available to all other citizens to acquire and retain private, economic and other interests;
320	320	311members, officers, and employees should exercise prudence in any and all such endeavors and
321	321	312make every reasonable effort to avoid transactions, activities, or obligations, which are in
322	322	313substantial conflict with or will substantially impair their independence of judgment.
323	323	314 (2.) No member, officer or employee shall solicit or accept any compensation or political
324	324	315contribution other than that provided for by law for the performance of official legislative duties.
325	325	316 (3.) No member, officer or employee shall serve as a legislative agent as defined in Chapter 3
326	326	317of the General Laws regarding any legislation before the General Court.
327	327	318 (4.) No member, officer or employee shall receive any compensation or permit any
328	328	319compensation to accrue to their beneficial interest by virtue of influence improperly exerted from
329	329	320their official position in the House.
330	330	321 (5.) No member, officer or employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or
331	331	322professional activity, which will require the disclosure of confidential information gained in the
332	332	323course of, and by reason of, their official position. 17 of 142
333	333	324 (6.) No member, officer or employee shall willfully and knowingly disclose or use
334	334	325confidential information gained in the course of their official position to further their own
335	335	326economic interest or that of any other person.
336	336	327 (7.) Except as provided in Rule 49, no member shall cast a vote for any other member, nor
337	337	328shall any officer or employee vote for any member, except that the Clerk or an assistant Clerk
338	338	329may record a vote for a member who votes late under the provisions of Rule 52, or is prohibited
339	339	330from voting from his desk due to a malfunction of the electronic roll call voting system; provided
340	340	331the Clerk's action shall not be construed as voting for said member.
341	341	332 (8.) No member shall use profane, insulting, or abusive language in the course of public
342	342	333debate in the House Chamber or in testimony before any committee of the General Court.
343	343	334 (9.) No member, officer or employee shall employ anyone from public funds who does not
344	344	335perform tasks which contribute substantially to the work of the House and which are
345	345	336commensurate with the compensation received. Unless their personnel record indicates
346	346	337otherwise, no officer or full-time employee of the House shall engage in any outside business
347	347	338activity during regular business hours, whether the House is in session or not, and all employees
348	348	339of the House are assumed to be full-time.
349	349	340 (10.) No member, officer or employee shall accept or solicit compensation for non-legislative
350	350	341services which is in excess of the usual and customary value of such services.
351	351	342 (11.) No member, officer or employee shall accept or solicit an honorarium for a speech,
352	352	343writing for publication, or other activity from any person, organization or enterprise having a
353	353	344direct interest in legislation or matters before any agency, authority, board or commission of the
354	354	345Commonwealth which is in excess of the usual and customary value of such services. 18 of 142
355	355	346 (12.) No member, officer or employee shall knowingly accept any gifts from any legislative
356	356	347or executive agent as prohibited by law. No member, officer or employee shall knowingly
357	357	348accept any gift from any person or entity having a direct interest in legislation before the General
358	358	349Court as prohibited by law. (For the purposes of this paragraph, the terms "gift" and "person"
359	359	350shall be the same as their definitions in section 1 of chapter 268B of the General Laws).
360	360	351 (13.) No member shall convert campaign funds to personal use in excess of reimbursements
361	361	352for legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures. Members shall consider all proceeds from
362	362	353testimonial dinners and other fundraising activities as campaign funds.
363	363	354 ((14.) No member shall serve on any committee or vote on any question in which their private
364	364	355right is immediately concerned, distinct from the public interest. [19.]
365	365	356 (15.) No member, officer or employee shall violate the confidentiality of any proceeding
366	366	357before the Ethics committee. [19A.]
367	367	358 (16.) Members, officers and employees may utilize public resources to support charitable
368	368	359and community service activities consistent with the Conflict of Interest Law, G.L. c. 268A,
369	369	360pursuant to policies established by Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement
370	370	361pursuant to Rule 90(h)(2).
371	371	362 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; May 5, 1993; Jan. 24, 2001; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30,
372	372	3632019.]
373	373	364 16B. The Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall develop and
374	374	365conduct an ethics law training program for every member, officer and employee of the House;
375	375	366provided further, that said training program shall include, without limitation, a review of the 19 of 142
376	376	367requirements and prohibitions of chapter 268A and chapter 268B of the General Laws, and the
377	377	368regulations of the State Ethics Commission, as they apply to legislators and legislative staff; and
378	378	369provided further, that said training program shall be offered virtually or in-person and shall be
379	379	370mandatory for all members, officers and employees.
380	380	371 [Adopted Jan. 9, 2003, Amended Feb. 11, 2009; Jan 20, 2011.]
381	381	37216C. Bills involving lobbyists' reporting laws, and laws pertaining to the ethical conduct of
382	382	373public officials shall, after their first reading, be referred to the committee on Ethics, for report
383	383	374on their relation to the ethics laws of the Commonwealth. No new provisions shall be added to
384	384	375such measures by the committee, unless directly pertaining to ethics. [Adopted Feb. 11, 2009.]
385	385	376COMMITTEES.
386	386	377 17. At the beginning of the first year of the two-year General Court, standing committees
387	387	378shall be appointed as follows:
388	388	379 A committee on Rules;
389	389	380 (to consist of 15 members).
390	390	381 A committee on Ways and Means;
391	391	382 (to consist of 35 members).
392	392	383 A committee on Bills in the Third Reading;
393	393	384 (to consist of 3 members).
394	394	385 A committee of each Floor Division; 20 of 142
395	395	386 (to consist of the members of each division).
396	396	387 A committee on Ethics;
397	397	388 (to consist of 11 members).
398	398	389 A committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement;
399	399	390 (to consist of 13 members).
400	400	391 A committee on Post Audit and Oversight;
401	401	392 (to consist of 11 members).
402	402	393 A committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling;
403	403	394 (to consist of 11 members).
404	404	395 A committee on Global Warming and Climate Change;
405	405	396 (to consist of 11 members).
406	406	397 A committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight;
407	407	398(to consist of 11 members).
408	408	399 A committee on Operations, Facilities and Security;
409	409	400(to consist of 11 members).
410	410	401 A committee on Intergovernmental Affairs;
411	411	402(to consist of 11 members). 21 of 142
412	412	403 Committee meetings, insofar as practicable, shall not be scheduled in conflict with formal
413	413	404sessions of the House of Representatives. [20.] (12, 12A, 12B.)
414	414	405 [Amended March 6, 1979; Sept. 16, 1981; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; May 5, 1993; Oct. 6,
415	415	4061993; May 23, 1996; Jan. 14, 1997; Jul. 17, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29, 2015.]
416	416	407 17A. (a) For the purposes of this rule, the following terms shall, unless the context clearly
417	417	408requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
418	418	409 "Deliberation", a verbal exchange between a quorum of members of a committee attempting
419	419	410to arrive at a decision on any public business within its jurisdiction.
420	420	411 "Emergency", a sudden generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding
421	421	412immediate action.
422	422	413 "Executive conference", any meeting or part of a meeting of a committee which is closed to
423	423	414certain persons for deliberation on certain matters.
424	424	415 "Executive session", any meeting or part of a meeting of a committee wherein the committee
425	425	416is voting on legislation and where public participation is limited to observance.
426	426	417 "Meeting", any corporal convening and deliberation of a committee for which a quorum is
427	427	418required in order to make a decision at which any public policy matter over which the committee
428	428	419has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power is discussed or considered; provided,
429	429	420however, that "meeting" shall not include an on-site visitation or inspection of any project or
430	430	421program. 22 of 142
431	431	422 "Quorum", a simple majority of a committee unless otherwise defined by constitution, rule or
432	432	423law applicable to such committee; provided further, that a quorum shall be presumed to be
433	433	424present unless otherwise doubted.
434	434	425 (b) All meetings, except executive conferences, of House standing and special committees,
435	435	426shall be open to the public and any person shall be permitted to attend any meeting except as
436	436	427otherwise provided pursuant to this rule or Rule 7A. All meetings, except executive conferences,
437	437	428of House standing and special committees shall be conducted in-person with the option of remote
438	438	429participation available to both members of such committees and the public; provided, however,
439	439	430that the chair of such committees shall be physically present at the hearing location where in-
440	440	431person public testimony is offered. All House standing and special committees, in the conduct of
441	441	432their hearings, shall utilize, to the extent practicable, online platforms or systems that allow for
442	442	433synchronous, audio-visual communication between the chair of the committee and individuals
443	443	434offering testimony remotely. All hearings of House standing and special committees shall be
444	444	435publicly livestreamed on the website of the General Court and shall display and transmit, in real-
445	445	436time, the audio-visual attributes of public testimony offered remotely; provided further, that said
446	446	437livestream shall be archived on the website of the General Court for the duration of the
447	447	438legislative session. Members of House standing and special committees may participate
448	448	439remotely and shall have the same privileges, rights and responsibilities as if the member were
449	449	440physically present at the hearing location, and other members of the House may offer remote
450	450	441testimony before said committees of which they are not a member. The chair of any House
451	451	442standing or special committee conducting a hearing shall use best efforts to prioritize the
452	452	443testimony of those physically present at the hearing location and may, in their discretion, allow
453	453	444individuals participating in-person a greater amount of time to testify than those participating 23 of 142
454	454	445remotely. All notices of hearings shall include instructions on how to offer testimony both in-
455	455	446person and remotely.
456	456	447 No quorum of a committee shall meet in private for the purpose of deliberation except as
457	457	448provided pursuant to this rule.
458	458	449 No executive session shall be held until: (i) the committee has first convened in an open
459	459	450session for which notice has been given; (ii) the presiding officer has stated the authorized
460	460	451purpose of the executive session; (iii) a majority of the members of the committee present have
461	461	452voted to go into executive session and the vote of each member has been recorded on a roll call
462	462	453vote and entered into the minutes: and (iv) the presiding officer has stated before the executive
463	463	454session if the committee will reconvene after the executive session.
464	464	455 (c) Executive conferences shall be held only for the following purposes: (i) to discuss the
465	465	456reputation, character, physical condition or mental health rather than the professional
466	466	457competence of a member, officer or employee; (ii) to consider the discipline or dismissal of, or to
467	467	458hear complaints or charges brought against a member, officer or employee; (iii) to discuss
468	468	459strategy with respect to litigation if an executive session or other open meeting may have a
469	469	460detrimental effect on the legal position of the committee; or (iv) to consider the purchase,
470	470	461exchange, lease or value of real property, if such discussions may have a detrimental effect on
471	471	462the negotiating position of the Commonwealth or a person, firm or corporation.
472	472	463 A member, officer or employee subject to an executive conference pursuant to clause (i) or
473	473	464clause (ii) shall be notified in writing no less than 48 hours prior to the proposed executive
474	474	465conference; provided, however, that upon agreement of the parties involved, the notification
475	475	466requirements of clause (i) and clause (ii) may be waived. Upon request of the member, officer or 24 of 142
476	476	467employee subject to an executive conference pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) the executive
477	477	468conference shall be open to the public.
478	478	469 A member, officer or employee subject to an executive conference pursuant to clause (i) or
479	479	470clause (ii) shall have the right to: (a) be present at such executive conference during discussions
480	480	471or considerations which involve that member, officer or employee; (b) have counsel or a
481	481	472representative of their own choosing present and attending for the purpose of advising said
482	482	473member, officer or employee; provided, however, that said counsel or representative shall not
483	483	474actively participate in the executive conference; and (c) to speak on their own behalf to the
484	484	475committee assembled in executive conference.
485	485	476 (d) This rule shall not apply to any chance meeting or social meeting at which matters relating
486	486	477to official business are discussed so long as no final agreement is reached. No chance meeting or
487	487	478social meeting shall be used in circumvention of the spirit or requirements of this section to
488	488	479discuss or act upon a matter over which the committee has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or
489	489	480advisory power.
490	490	481 (e) Except pursuant to an emergency, a notice and agenda of every meeting of a committee
491	491	482subject to this rule shall be filed with the Clerk of the House, publicly posted by the Clerk on the
492	492	483bulletin board outside the Clerk's Office and in such other places as are designated in advance for
493	493	484such purpose by said Clerk, made available to all members electronically and made available to
494	494	485the public via the website of the General Court at least forty-eight hours, including Saturdays,
495	495	486but not Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of such meeting and a list of the bills,
496	496	487petitions, and resolutions to be considered for a vote or other action by the committee. The notice
497	497	488shall include the date, time and place of such meeting. Such filing and posting shall be the 25 of 142
498	498	489responsibility of the committee scheduling such meeting. If public testimony is being solicited,
499	499	490agendas may include an electronic mail address and physical mail address for the submission of
500	500	491testimony and the committee shall make reasonable efforts to ensure diversity among those from
501	501	492whom testimony is solicited. The notice and posting requirements shall not apply to executive
502	502	493conferences held pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) of part (c) of this rule unless the member,
503	503	494officer or employee subject to the executive conference requests that the executive conference be
504	504	495open to the public.
505	505	496 (f) A committee shall maintain accurate records of its meetings and hearings setting forth the
506	506	497date, time and place thereof, and recording any action taken at each meeting, hearing, executive
507	507	498conference or executive session. All votes requested to be taken in executive sessions shall be
508	508	499recorded roll call votes and shall become a part of the record of said executive sessions. The
509	509	500record of each meeting shall become a public record and be available to the public; provided,
510	510	501however, that the records of any executive conference shall remain confidential as long as
511	511	502publication may defeat the lawful purposes of the executive conference.
512	512	503 (g) Upon prior notification and approval of the chair, a meeting of a committee may be
513	513	504recorded by a person in attendance by means of a recorder or any other means of audio/visual
514	514	505reproduction; provided, however, that said recording shall not interfere with the conduct of the
515	515	506meeting. Executive conferences conducted pursuant to clause (i) or clause (11) of part (c) of this
516	516	507rule shall not be recorded unless upon the request of the member, officer or employee who is
517	517	508subject to said executive conference, and then only at such member's, officer's or employee's
518	518	509expense. Executive conferences conducted pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) of part (c) of this rule
519	519	510may be recorded at the discretion of the chair. 26 of 142
520	520	511 (h) Copies of all redrafted bills that are to be voted on at an executive session by the House
521	521	512Ways and Means Committee shall be available to all members of the committee electronically in
522	522	513the form they will be considered no less than twenty-four hours prior to their consideration;
523	523	514provided, however, that said committee may vote on a bill that has not been available for said
524	524	515period of time by vote of a majority of the committee members present.
525	525	516 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; May 5, 1993; Jan. 17, 1995;
526	526	517Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 9, 2003, Jan. 23, 2007, Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
527	527	518 17B. Whenever any member of a House committee present at the committee meeting so
528	528	519requests, the vote to give any legislation a favorable or adverse report shall be a recorded vote of
529	529	520the full committee. Such votes shall be recorded on appropriate forms that show all votes for and
530	530	521against the particular committee action; provided, that votes may also be recorded in LAWS. The
531	531	522record of all such roll calls shall be kept in the offices of the committee and shall include the
532	532	523aggregate tally of members voting in the affirmative, members not voting or members reserving
533	533	524their rights, and the names of members voting in the negative on an individual bill, and shall be
534	534	525posted on the website of the General Court within 48 hours of the vote for public inspection.
535	535	526 No report of a House committee on any legislation shall be final until those members of the
536	536	527committee present and voting with the majority have been given the opportunity to sign such
537	537	528appropriate forms before the report is made to the House. No signature shall be valid unless the
538	538	529forms to which the signatures are affixed include the substantially complete text of the legislation
539	539	530being reported.
540	540	531 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 12, 1987, Amended Jan. 29, 2015.] 27 of 142
541	541	532 17C. There shall be a committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement on the part
542	542	533of the House consisting of thirteen members.
543	543	534 Said committee shall discharge its duties pursuant to the Rules, including Rule 16B and Rules
544	544	53588 through 100, and shall also be responsible for the allocation of office space as equitably as
545	545	536possible among the various members and joint and standing committees. The committee shall
546	546	537allocate space among the various committees on the part of the House taking into account the
547	547	538work load, duties and responsibilities and size of staff of each.
548	548	539 The Speaker may make temporary office assignments in accordance with the foregoing
549	549	540principles.
550	550	541 The committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement may from time to time make
551	551	542changes in the assignment of office space for committees and the various staffs in accordance
552	552	543with the established standards.
553	553	544 Said committee shall establish the staffing levels and positions for each joint and standing
554	554	545committee of the House together with a classification plan for all employees of the House of
555	555	546Representatives.
556	556	547 For each person who is employed or is to be employed by a joint or standing committee on
557	557	548the part of the House, each committee chair shall nominate each such person and the House
558	558	549members of the committee by a majority vote shall vote on whether to approve each said
559	559	550nominee. The House members of the committee shall approve such persons whose character and
560	560	551qualifications are acceptable to the majority of the House members of the committee and are in
561	561	552accordance with the qualifications established by the Human Resources and Employee
562	562	553Engagement committee. 28 of 142
563	563	554 The House staff members of each committee shall be appointed solely on the basis of fitness
564	564	555to perform the duties of their respective positions and consistent with section 4 of chapter 151B
565	565	556of the General Laws. The committee staff shall not:
566	566	557 (1) engage in any work other than legislative business during business hours unless pursuant
567	567	558to the pro-bono service policy or charitable and community service activity policy established by
568	568	559the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement pursuant to Rule 90(h)(2); and
569	569	560 (2) be assigned any duties other than those pertaining to legislative business.
570	570	561 The committee shall meet on request of the chair or any 3 members of the committee. Any
571	571	562such meeting requested shall be convened on or within the fifth business day following such
572	572	563request. All such requests shall be in writing and forwarded to the chair and each member of the
573	573	564committee.
574	574	565 Funds shall be allocated from the budget to carry out the determination of the committee.
575	575	566 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 16, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Feb. 11, 2009;
576	576	567Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019.]
577	577	568 17D. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
578	578	569 17E. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
579	579	570 17F. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
580	580	571 18. The Speaker shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, the Speaker pro
581	581	572Tempore, the Majority Floor Leader, Assistant Majority Floor Leader and two Second Assistant
582	582	573Majority Floor Leaders. The Minority Leader shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, 29 of 142
583	583	574the Assistant Minority Floor Leader, Second Assistant Minority Floor Leader, and two Third
584	584	575Assistant Minority Floor Leaders, Ranking minority member of Ways and Means, Assistant
585	585	576Ranking minority member of the Ways and Means committee, Ranking minority member of the
586	586	577committee on Rules, Ranking minority member of the committee on Financial Services, Ranking
587	587	578minority member of the committee on Health Care Financing, Ranking minority member of the
588	588	579committee on the Judiciary, Ranking minority member of the committee on Bonding, Capital
589	589	580Expenditures, and State Assets, Ranking minority member of the committee on Public Safety
590	590	581and Homeland Security, Ranking minority member of the committee on Transportation and
591	591	582Ranking minority member of the committee on Economic Development and Emerging
592	592	583Technologies. The Minority Leader shall be that member of the minority party who is selected
593	593	584for that position by the members of their party.
594	594	585 Each of the foregoing appointments or removals shall be ratified by a majority vote of the
595	595	586respective party caucus. In the event that an appointment is rejected by such caucus another
596	596	587appointment shall be made by the person designated to make the initial appointment, which shall
597	597	588also be subject to ratification in the same manner.
598	598	589 The Speaker shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, the chair of each standing
599	599	590committee. The Speaker shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, the vice chair and
600	600	591assistant vice chair of the Ways and Means committee, the vice chair of the Post Audit and
601	601	592Oversight committee, the vice chair of the committee on Rules, the vice chair of the committee
602	602	593on Revenue, the vice chair of the committee on Financial Services, the vice chair of the
603	603	594committee on Health Care Financing, the vice chair of the committee on Bonding, Capital
604	604	595Expenditures, and State Assets, the vice chair of the committee on State Administration and 30 of 142
605	605	596Regulatory Oversight, and the vice chair of the committee on Economic Development and
606	606	597Emerging Technologies.
607	607	598 The majority party shall then vote to accept or reject each such appointment or
608	608	599recommendation for removal by a majority vote.
609	609	600 In the event that any such appointment is rejected by the caucus, the procedure of this rule
610	610	601shall be repeated until an appointment for the said position has been approved by the caucus. A
611	611	602vacancy in any position to which the provisions of this section apply shall be filled in the same
612	612	603manner as provided in this section for original appointment.
613	613	604No member shall receive more than one stipend pursuant to section 9B of chapter 3 of the
614	614	605General Laws.
615	615	606 The Speaker and the Minority Leader may, without a majority vote of their respective
616	616	607parties, remove a member appointed to a leadership position from said position pursuant to this
617	617	608rule if the member has been criminally indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
618	618	609 [Amended Jan. 16, 1979; Nov. 17, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 23,
619	619	6102007; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan 23, 2013; Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 19, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019.]
620	620	611 18A. There shall be 1 member of the minority party on all committees of conference and 1 on
621	621	612the committee on Bills in the Third Reading. On all other standing and joint committees, the
622	622	613percent of minority party membership shall be at least equal to the percent of minority party
623	623	614membership in the House of Representatives as of the first day of the session; provided, further,
624	624	615that where such percentage results in a fraction of a number, the fraction shall be rounded off to
625	625	616the nearest whole; provided, however, that the minority party shall under no circumstances have 31 of 142
626	626	617less than 4 members on the committee on Ethics, 4 on the committee on Human Resources and
627	627	618Employee Engagement , 3 on the committee on Rules and 7 on the committee on Ways and
628	628	619Means. In no case shall minority party representation be less than 2 members on all other
629	629	620standing and joint committees.
630	630	621 The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall appoint the members of their respective party
631	631	622caucuses to be assigned to each standing committee. The Speaker shall appoint the vice chair of
632	632	623each standing committee. The appointments, except those to which Rule 18 applies, shall be
633	633	624voted upon together and shall be subject to ratification by majority vote of the appropriate party
634	634	625caucus.
635	635	626No member shall be removed from a standing committee except upon the recommendation of the
636	636	627Speaker or Minority Leader, as the case may be, subject to the ratification by their respective
637	637	628caucuses; provided, however, that the Speaker and the Minority Leader may, without a majority
638	638	629vote of their respective parties, remove a member appointed to a standing committee pursuant to
639	639	630this rule if the member has been criminally indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction; and
640	640	631provided further, that if any vacancy occurs in a position to which Rule 18 does not apply,
641	641	632subsequent to the initial ratification, the Speaker or Minority Leader shall fill such vacancy.
642	642	633 The Speaker shall announce committee appointments of majority party members, and the
643	643	634member first named shall be chair, and the second named member shall be vice-chair. The
644	644	635Minority Leader shall announce committee appointments of minority party members. (13.)
645	645	636 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 14, 1997; Feb. 11, 2009;
646	646	637Jan. 30, 2019.] 32 of 142
647	647	638 18B. All votes on ratification by the caucus required by these rules shall be by written ballot
648	648	639and shall require a majority of those present and voting; provided, however, that if a motion to
649	649	640ratify the appointments by acclamation is made and seconded, no written ballot shall be required.
650	650	641[Adopted Jan. 11, 1985.]
651	651	642 18C. [Adopted, Jan. 11, 1985, Omitted Jan. 24, 2001.]
652	652	643 19. A majority and minority party caucus may be called by the Speaker or Minority Leader,
653	653	644respectively, or upon petition of 25 percent of the members of the respective party caucus. A
654	654	645caucus may entertain resolutions, motions, or other means of ascertaining the sense of the
655	655	646respective party members on any subject. (13B.)
656	656	647 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 29, 2015.]
657	657	648 19A. The majority party and minority party shall establish caucus rules that shall dictate the
658	658	649procedures of each caucus.
659	659	65019B. Any member caucus or group of members organized around a common legislative agenda
660	660	651that utilizes House resources, including staff time, shall register with the House Committee on
661	661	652Rules as a Legislative Member Organization, unless it is a party caucus. The chair of the House
662	662	653Committee on Rules shall notify the Clerk of the House of any Legislative Member Organization
663	663	654registering with the Committee and shall maintain a list of all Legislative Member Organizations.
664	664	655Registration shall include the name of the Legislative Member Organization, its statement of
665	665	656purpose, identification of its members and officers, and a certification signed by its chair that any
666	666	657state resources used for the purposes of the Legislative Member Organization shall be not be
667	667	658used for any partisan political end. 33 of 142
668	668	659A Legislative Member Organization may not include a non-legislator. Senators may belong to
669	669	660the Legislative Member Organization, but in order to use House resources at least one House
670	670	661member shall be an officer of the Legislative Member Organization. A Legislative Member
671	671	662Organization may, without limitation, sponsor informational or educational events, may invite
672	672	663outside speakers and groups to make presentations to the members of the Legislative Member
673	673	664Organization and others, and may distribute any report, analysis, or other research material
674	674	665prepared by others provided that the identity of the person or organization authoring the work is
675	675	666fully disclosed.
676	676	667A member’s official stationery may list his or her membership in a Legislative Member
677	677	668Organization.
678	678	669 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 14, 1997.]
679	679	670 20. The committee on Ways and Means shall report in appropriation bills the total amount
680	680	671appropriated. The General Appropriation Bill shall be available to the members at least 7
681	681	672calendar days prior to consideration thereof by the House. [25.] (27A.)
682	682	673 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Mar. 24, 1986; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 29, 2015.]
683	683	674 20A. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 33A, amendments to the General
684	684	675Appropriation Bill shall be properly filed with the Clerk in an electronic format to be determined
685	685	676by the Clerk as directed by the Speaker; provided that the Clerk shall notify by electronic
686	686	677communication the primary sponsor of each amendment of the receipt of such amendment and
687	687	678the number assigned by said Clerk to the amendment; provided further, that the Clerk shall print
688	688	679each amendment so filed electronically and such printed copy shall be considered to be the
689	689	680official amendment for that bill. Amendments to said General Appropriation Bill shall be filed 34 of 142
690	690	681with the Clerk by 5 o’clock P.M. on the third business day subsequent to the bill being made
691	691	682available in a format to be determined by the Clerk as directed by the Speaker pursuant to Rule
692	692	68320B and release of said bill by said Clerk; provided, that if the release of said bill by said Clerk
693	693	684occurs before the hour of 2 o’clock P.M., then the same day in which said bill was released shall
694	694	685be considered the first business day. Otherwise, the day following the release shall be considered
695	695	686the first business day.
696	696	687 (b)(1) The Clerk, with the assistance of the committee on Ways and Means, shall categorize
697	697	688the subject-matter of the amendments and arrange such amendments for consideration
698	698	689sequentially by subject as appearing in the published version of the General Appropriation Bill,
699	699	690or the Clerk, with the assistance of the committee on Ways and Means, shall categorize the
700	700	691subject-matter of the amendments and arrange such subject matters for consideration as
701	701	692determined by the committee on Ways and Means. Debate on the General Appropriation Bill
702	702	693shall not commence until a date and time to be determined by the House which is subsequent to
703	703	694the designated time established for filing of amendments pursuant to subsection (a) of this rule.
704	704	695 (2) Before the main question on the General Appropriation Bill is placed before the House, an
705	705	696amendment may be withdrawn at the request of the primary sponsor of the amendment or
706	706	697postponed by the committee on Ways and Means; provided, that further consideration of any
707	707	698amendment so postponed shall take place immediately subsequent to consideration of the
708	708	699amendments within the particular subject-matter to which the postponed amendment was
709	709	700assigned according to the provisions of this subparagraph; provided, that if more than one
710	710	701amendment is so postponed, subsequent consideration of said amendments shall be in the order
711	711	702determined by the committee on Ways and Means; provided further, an amendment so postponed
712	712	703shall not be subsequently considered outside of its assigned subject-matter; and provided further, 35 of 142
713	713	704that notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 33A; and provided further, that perfecting or
714	714	705substitute amendments, including, but not limited to an amendment consolidating more than one
715	715	706amendment, may be submitted by the committee on Ways and Means during consideration of the
716	716	707subject category to which the amendment or amendments were assigned. Any amendment may
717	717	708be removed from a consolidated amendment by the primary sponsor of the amendment. Any
718	718	709such amendment so removed from a consolidated amendment shall be offered as an amendment
719	719	710to the General Appropriation Bill, to be acted upon in the first degree before action is taken on
720	720	711the consolidated amendment, except that any amendment so removed from the consolidated
721	721	712amendment may be moved by the committee on Ways and Means from one subject category to
722	722	713another subject category not yet disposed of in the General Appropriation Bill.
723	723	714 (3) A consolidated amendment to the General Appropriation Bill, offered by the committee on
724	724	715Ways and Means, shall contain a fiscal note indicating its total expenditures.
725	725	716 (4) Notwithstanding Rule 74, a consolidated amendment offered by the committee on Ways
726	726	717and Means, may not be divided.
727	727	718(c) Except for consolidated amendments or perfecting amendments offered by the committee on
728	728	719Ways and Means, no proposition on a subject different from the amendment under consideration
729	729	720shall be admitted under color of a further amendment to the General Appropriation Bill. A
730	730	721consolidated amendment to the General Appropriation Bill, offered by the committee on Ways
731	731	722and Means, shall be a motion offering an amendment in the second degree.
732	732	723(d) Any amendment to the General Appropriation Bill not complying with this rule shall be
733	733	724considered withdrawn; provided that, any such amendments shall be published as part of the
734	734	725amendment list published by the committee on Ways and Means. 36 of 142
735	735	726 20B. When the General Appropriation Bill is reported by the committee on Ways and Means, it
736	736	727shall be made available to all members electronically and to the public via the website of the
737	737	728General Court in a format to be determined by the Speaker in consultation with the Clerk. The
738	738	729committee on Ways and Means shall provide the membership with an electronic copy of its
739	739	730proposed text of said General Appropriation Bill, and an executive summary which shall include
740	740	731a list of outside sections, and a short summary of each outside section prior to full House
741	741	732consideration of such bill. When the House considers said General Appropriation Bill, it shall be
742	742	733read a second time; provided further that amendments relative to enhancing or reducing revenue
743	743	734shall only be considered prior to the third reading of said bill to be in order, and that all other
744	744	735amendments to the General Appropriations Bill shall only be considered subsequent to the third
745	745	736reading of said bill.
746	746	737 21. Whenever the committee on Ways and Means reports an appropriation bill or capital
747	747	738outlay bill, it shall make available to the members a report which includes an explanation of any
748	748	739increase or decrease of five percent or more which results in an increase or decrease of one
749	749	740million dollars or more for any item for which the Governor has made a recommendation, and an
750	750	741explanation for the deletion of an item recommended by the Governor, and for the addition of an
751	751	742item for which the Governor has made no recommendation. [25A.] (27A.)
752	752	743 22. Bills and resolves when ordered to a third reading shall be referred forthwith to the
753	753	744committee on Bills in the Third Reading, which shall examine and correct them, for the purpose
754	754	745of avoiding repetitions and unconstitutional provisions, and insuring accuracy in the text and
755	755	746references, and consistency with the language of existing statutes; but any change in the sense or
756	756	747legal effect, or any material change in construction, shall be reported to the House as an
757	757	748amendment. 37 of 142
758	758	749 The committee on Bills in the Third Reading may consolidate into 1 bill any 2 or more related
759	759	750bills referred to it, whenever legislation may be simplified thereby.
760	760	751 Resolutions received from and adopted by the Senate or introduced or reported into the House,
761	761	752after they are read and before they are adopted, shall be referred to the committee on Bills in the
762	762	753Third Reading.
763	763	754 Amendments of bills, resolves and resolutions adopted by the Senate and sent to the House
764	764	755for concurrence, shall, subsequently to the procedure required by Rule 35 in respect to
765	765	756amendments, also be referred, in like manner, to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
766	766	757 When a bill, resolve or resolution has been so referred, no further action shall be taken until a
767	767	758report thereon has been made by the committee. Accompanying said report shall be a written
768	768	759explanation prepared by the committee defining any changes made in a bill, resolve or resolution
769	769	760so as to facilitate the proceedings of the House.
770	770	761 If a bill or resolve referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading requires a two-
771	771	762thirds vote because it contains an emergency preamble, or if it provides for the borrowing of
772	772	763money by the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 3 of Article LXII of
773	773	764the Amendments to the Constitution, or provides for the giving, loaning or pledging of the credit
774	774	765of the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 1 of Article LXII (as amended
775	775	766by Article LXXXIV) of the Amendments to the Constitution, or provides, upon recommendation
776	776	767of the Governor, for a special law relating to an individual city or town and comes within the
777	777	768provisions of clause (2) of Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to the Constitution
778	778	769or provides for environmental protection within the provisions of Article XLIX as amended by 38 of 142
779	779	770Article XCVII, the committee shall plainly indicate the fact on the outside of the bill or resolve,
780	780	771or on a wrapper or label attached thereto. [26.] (33.)
781	781	772 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; May 5, 1993; Jan. 29, 2015.]
782	782	773 23. Bills and resolves prepared for final passage shall be certified by the Clerk of the House,
783	783	774after comparison, to be the same as the bills or resolves passed to be engrossed; and if found to
784	784	775be properly prepared, the Clerk shall so endorse on the envelope thereof; and the question on
785	785	776enactment or final passage or adopting an emergency preamble shall be taken thereon, without
786	786	777further reading, unless specifically ordered.
787	787	778 When a bill prepared for final passage contains an emergency preamble or when it provides
788	788	779for the borrowing of money by the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 3
789	789	780of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution, or provides for the giving, loaning or
790	790	781pledging of the credit of the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 1 of
791	791	782Article LXII (as amended by Article LXXXIV) of the Amendments to the Constitution, or
792	792	783provides, upon recommendation of the Governor, for a special law relating to an individual city
793	793	784or town and comes within the provisions of clause (2) of Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the
794	794	785Amendments to the Constitution, or provides for environmental protection within the provisions
795	795	786of Article XLIX as amended by Article XCVII, the Clerk shall plainly indicate the fact on the
796	796	787envelope thereof. [27.] (34.) [See Rule 40.]
797	797	788 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 29, 2015.]
798	798	789 23A. No member of the House, except the Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, Majority Leader,
799	799	790Assistant Majority Leader, Second Assistant Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Assistant
800	800	791Minority Leader, Second Assistant Minority Leader, Third Assistant Minority Leader, Vice- 39 of 142
801	801	792Chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, Assistant Vice-Chairperson of the
802	802	793Committee on Ways and Means and committee chairs with respect to committee business, shall
803	803	794receive privileges or compensation for postage which is greater than seventy-five percent of the
804	804	795amount allowed as standard practice during the 186th biennial session of the General Court, as
805	805	796determined by the House Business Manager.
806	806	797 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 20, 2011.]
807	807	798 24. (a) (1)Petitions, recommendations and reports of state officials, departments,
808	808	799commissions including legislative commissions, and boards, special reports including legislation
809	809	800initiated by the Committee on Ethics pursuant to rule 16, and reports of special committees and
810	810	801commissions including legislative commissions, shall be filed with the Clerk in a format to be
811	811	802determined by said Clerk, who shall, unless they are subject to other provisions of these rules or
812	812	803the rules of the two branches, refer them, with the approval of the Speaker, to the appropriate
813	813	804committees, subject to such change of reference as the House may make. The reading of all such
814	814	805documents may be dispensed with, but they shall be entered in the Journal of the same or the
815	815	806next legislative day after such reference except as provided in Joint Rule 13.
816	816	807 (2) All orders, including motions or orders proposed for joint adoption, resolutions and other
817	817	808papers intended for presentation, except those hereinbefore mentioned, shall be filed with the
818	818	809Clerk in a format to be determined by said Clerk, who shall, prior to the procedure required by
819	819	810other provisions of these rules or of the rules of the two branches, refer them to the committee on
820	820	811Rules. 40 of 142
821	821	812 (b) Resolutions for adoption by the House only or resolutions for joint adoption shall
822	822	813only be considered for adoption in the House if the resolution meets the criteria set forth in this
823	823	814rule.
824	824	815(c) Resolutions shall consist of: (i) no more than 5 clauses beginning with the word
825	825	816“WHEREAS”, which shall contain statements of facts or opinions; and (ii) no more than 2
826	826	817clauses beginning with the word “RESOLVED”.
827	827	818(d) Resolutions shall recognize, honor, commend, celebrate or commemorate a momentous
828	828	819achievement, special occasion or significant event or date; provided, however, that the following
829	829	820resolutions shall not be considered for adoption:
830	830	821(i) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating the birthday
831	831	822of a person under the age of 80;
832	832	823(ii) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating a wedding
833	833	824anniversary of a married couple of less than 50 years,
834	834	825(iii) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating an
835	835	826anniversary of an organization of less than 20 years;
836	836	827(iv) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating a class
837	837	828reunion;
838	838	829(v) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating a for-profit
839	839	830organization;
840	840	831(iv) resolutions proclaiming certain days, weeks or months; 41 of 142
841	841	832(vii) resolutions that includes a statement of policy or ideology.
842	842	833(e) Suspension of clauses (b) through (d) of subsection (2) of this rule shall require unanimous
843	843	834consent of the members present.
844	844	835 (3) Petitions and other papers so filed which are subject to the provisions of Joint Rule 7A,
845	845	8367B, or 9 shall be referred by the Clerk to the committee on Rules. Petitions and other papers so
846	846	837filed, which are subject to the provisions of the second paragraph of Joint Rule 12, shall, prior to
847	847	838the procedure required by said rule, be referred by the Clerk to the committee on Rules. The
848	848	839reading of all such papers may be dispensed with, but they shall be entered in the Journal of the
849	849	840same or the next legislative day after such reference.
850	850	841 (4) Matters which have been placed on file during the preceding year may be taken from the
851	851	842files by the Clerk upon request of any member or member-elect; and matters so taken from the
852	852	843files shall be referred or otherwise disposed of as provided above.
853	853	844 (5) Recommendations and special reports of state officials, departments, commissions and
854	854	845boards, reports of special committees and commissions, bills and resolves accompanying
855	855	846petitions, recommendations and reports, and resolutions shall be made available under the
856	856	847direction of the Clerk, who may cause to be made available, with the approval of the Speaker,
857	857	848any other documents filed as herein provided.
858	858	849 (6) All such legislation and reports filed with the Clerk shall be submitted in a format
859	859	850prescribed by said Clerk. Said documents shall contain the name or names of the primary
860	860	851sponsors and a list of the names of all petitioners praying for the legislation. Additional names
861	861	852may be added to the list of the petitioners; provided, however, that, such additional names shall
862	862	853be submitted in a format to be determined by the Clerk. 42 of 142
863	863	854 (7) Any petition so submitted that is a refile of a measure submitted in a previous session shall
864	864	855include, in the appropriate space provided, the session year for which the measure was filed and
865	865	856the House or Senate bill number or docket number assigned to such measure in such previous
866	866	857session.
867	867	858 (8) Debate upon the suspension of this rule shall be limited to 10 minutes, 3 minutes for each
868	868	859member, and the Speaker shall recognize the member presenting the order, resolution or petition
869	869	860first; provided, however, that suspension of this rule shall require unanimous consent of the
870	870	861members present. Any order, except such order that would amend the Rules of the House,
871	871	862resolution or petition referred to the committee on Rules after the question of suspension of this
872	872	863rule has been negatived, or any order, resolution or petition filed after the beginning of the
873	873	864session and referred to the committee on Rules, shall not be discharged from said committee
874	874	865except by unanimous consent of the House. Motions to discharge the committee on Rules shall
875	875	866be subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Rule 28. [28.] (20.) [See Rules 36 and 85.]
876	876	867 [Amended April 27, 1981; Jan. 9, 1989; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 26, 2005; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29,
877	877	8682015; Jan. 30, 2019.]
878	878	869 25. Every petition for legislation shall be accompanied by a bill or resolve embodying the
879	879	870legislation prayed for. [29.] [See Joint Rule 12.]
880	880	871 26. When the object of an application can be secured without a special act under existing
881	881	872laws, or, without detriment to the public interests, by a general law, the committee to which the
882	882	873matter is referred shall report such general law or ought not to pass, as the case may be. The
883	883	874committee may report a special law on matters referred to it upon (1) a petition filed or approved
884	884	875by the voters of a city or town, or the mayor and city council, or other legislative body, of a city, 43 of 142
885	885	876or the town meeting of a town, with respect to a law relating to that city or town; (2) a
886	886	877recommendation by the Governor; or (3) matters relating to erecting and constituting
887	887	878metropolitan or regional entities, embracing any two or more cities and towns, or established
888	888	879with other than existing city or town boundaries, for any general or special public purpose or
889	889	880purposes. [30.] (16.) [See Joint Rule 7.]
890	890	881 [Amended Feb. 11, 2009.]
891	891	882 27. With the exception of matters referred to the committee on Rules under the provisions of
892	892	883paragraph (3) of Rule 24, committees shall report on all matters referred to them. The committee
893	893	884on Ways and Means shall report the General Appropriation Bill not later than the second
894	894	885Wednesday of May; and provided further that said committee shall make available to the
895	895	886members all data compiled for justification of budgetary recommendations in all appropriation
896	896	887bills. [33.]
897	897	888 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 29, 2015.]
898	898	889 27A. [Omitted Jan. 23, 2007.]
899	899	890 28. (1) Motions directing the committee on Ways and Means to report certain matters to the
900	900	891House, or motions discharging said committees from further consideration of certain matters,
901	901	892shall not be considered until the expiration of seven calendar days and shall require a majority
902	902	893vote of the members present and voting for adoption. Committees so directed to report shall file
903	903	894a report with the Clerk within 4 legislative days. The committee on Ways and Means may not be
904	904	895directed to report or be discharged from further consideration of any appropriation or capital
905	905	896outlay measure. 44 of 142
906	906	897 (2) The committee on Rules, except as provided in Rule 24, and the committee on Bills in the
907	907	898Third Reading shall not be discharged from consideration of any measure or be directed to report
908	908	899on any measure within 10 calendar days of its reference without the unanimous consent of the
909	909	900House, or after such 10 day period except by a vote of a majority of the members present and
910	910	901voting thereon.
911	911	902 (3) Matters discharged under the provisions of this rule shall be placed in the Orders of the
912	912	903Day for the next sitting. Petitions discharged under the provisions of this rule shall be considered
913	913	904as favorably reported and the bill, resolve, resolution or order accompanying such petitions shall
914	914	905be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting.
915	915	906 (4) During the last week of the session, the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (3) of this rule
916	916	907shall be inoperative.
917	917	908 (5) A second motion to discharge a matter from a committee or a second motion to direct a
918	918	909committee to report a matter shall not be entertained until the first such motion has been disposed
919	919	910of.
920	920	911 (6) As an alternative procedure to that provided under the provisions of this rule, the members
921	921	912of the House may, by filing a petition signed by a majority of the members elected to the House,
922	922	913discharge the House committee on Ways and Means, the House committee on Bills in the Third
923	923	914Reading, and the House committee on Rules from further consideration of a legislative matter.
924	924	915Seven days following the filing of the petition with the House Clerk, the committee shall be
925	925	916discharged from further consideration of the legislative matter specified in the petition and the
926	926	917House Clerk shall place the matter in the Orders of the Day for the next calendar day that the
927	927	918House is meeting. 45 of 142
928	928	919 (7) For the purpose of this rule, matters not appearing on the Calendar which are not before
929	929	920any committee shall be deemed to be before the Rules committee. Notwithstanding the previous
930	930	921sentence, a bill which has been engrossed by the House and Senate shall be placed before the
931	931	922House for enactment. Any member may request to the House that a matter engrossed in the
932	932	923House and Senate, returned for final passage by the engrossing division, and reviewed and
933	933	924released by the Committee on Bills in Third Reading be placed before the House for enactment.
934	934	925The Speaker shall, in response to such a request of a member, put the matter before the House at
935	935	926the conclusion of the matter then pending.
936	936	927 (8) This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
937	937	928(27C, 32A.)
938	938	929 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; April 27, 1981; Jan. 12, 1983; Nov. 17, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 9,
939	939	9301989; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 29, 2015.]
940	940	931 28A. The committee on Bills in the Third Reading shall report on a legislative matter not later
941	941	932than 45 days following the day the matter was referred to it. The Clerk shall indicate on the
942	942	933Calendar entry of every matter before the committee on Bills in the Third Reading the date that
943	943	934said matter was referred to said committee.
944	944	935 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 29, 2015.]
945	945	936REGULAR COURSE OF PROCEEDINGS.
946	946	937Petitions.
947	947	938 29. The member presenting a petition shall endorse their name thereon; and the reading
948	948	939thereof shall be dispensed with, unless specially ordered. [37.] (18.) 46 of 142
949	949	940 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 30, 2019.]
950	950	941Motions Contemplating Legislation, etc.
951	951	942 30. All motions contemplating legislation shall be founded upon petition, except as follows:
952	952	943 The committee on Ways and Means may originate and report appropriation bills as provided
953	953	944in Rule 20. Messages from the Governor shall, unless otherwise ordered, be referred to the
954	954	945appropriate committee, which may report by bill or otherwise thereon. A similar disposition
955	955	946shall, unless otherwise ordered, be made of reports by state officers and committees authorized to
956	956	947report to the Legislature, and similar action may be had thereon.
957	957	948 Messages from the Governor returning appropriation bills, or parts of appropriation bills, with
958	958	949objections or reductions of sections or items thereof, shall be reconsidered subsequent to a report
959	959	950of the committee on Ways and Means. Messages or recommendations from the Governor shall
960	960	951be filed with the Clerk in a format to be determined by the Clerk. [40.] (19.)
961	961	952 [Amended Jan. 24, 2001.]
962	962	953Bills and Resolves.
963	963	954 31. Bills shall be drafted in a format approved by the Counsel to the House and submitted in a
964	964	955format to be determined by the Clerk. Bills amending existing laws shall not provide for striking
965	965	956words from, or inserting words in, such laws, unless such course is best calculated to show
966	966	957clearly the subject and nature of the amendment. No repealed law, and no part of any repealed
967	967	958law, shall be re-enacted merely by reference. [42.] (17.)
968	968	959 [Amended Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 29, 2015.] 47 of 142
969	969	960 32. If a committee to which a bill is referred reports that the same ought not to pass, the
970	970	961question shall be "Shall this bill be rejected?". If the question on rejection is negatived, the bill, if
971	971	962it has been read but once, shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a
972	972	963second reading without question; otherwise it shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the
973	973	964next sitting, pending the question on ordering to a third reading, or to engrossment, as the case
974	974	965may be. [43.] (30.)
975	975	966 [Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
976	976	967 32A. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
977	977	968 33. Bills involving an expenditure of public money or grant of public property, or otherwise
978	978	969affecting the state finances, unless the subject matter has been acted upon by the joint committee
979	979	970on Ways and Means, shall, after their first reading, be referred to the committee on Ways and
980	980	971Means, for report on their relation to the finances of the Commonwealth.
981	981	972 New provisions shall not be added to such bills by the committee on Ways and Means, unless
982	982	973directly connected with the financial features thereof.
983	983	974 Orders reported in the House or received from the Senate involving the expenditure of public
984	984	975money for special committees, shall, before the question is taken on the adoption thereof, be
985	985	976referred to the committee on Ways and Means, whose duty it shall be to report on their relation
986	986	977to the finances of the Commonwealth.
987	987	978 Every such bill involving a capital expenditure for new projects, or an appropriation for
988	988	979repairs, or any legislation, the cost of which, in the opinion of the committee, exceeds the sum of
989	989	980one hundred thousand dollars when reported into the House by the committee on Ways and 48 of 142
990	990	981Means, shall be accompanied by a fiscal note indicating the amount of public money which will
991	991	982be required to be expended to carry out the provisions of the proposed legislation, together with
992	992	983an estimate of the cost of operation and maintenance for the first year if a new project is
993	993	984involved. [44.] (27.)
994	994	985 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1981; Jul. 17, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005.]
995	995	986 33A. Copies of all bills shall be available, in a format to be determined by the Speaker in
996	996	987consultation with the Clerk, to all members of the House and the public electronically via the
997	997	988website of the General Court; provided, however, that any bill or resolve to be considered by the
998	998	989House at a formal session shall be available to all members electronically and to the public via
999	999	990the website of the General Court no later than P.M. the day prior to consideration thereof by the
1000	1000	991House in a formal session; provided further that, to the extent practicable, a summary of any bill
1001	1001	992containing meaningful policy changes to be considered by the House in a formal session shall be
1002	1002	993made available by the chair of the committee reporting the bill, to all members of the House prior
1003	1003	994to the commencement of roll calls for the formal session in which the bill will be considered.
1004	1004	995 All amendments offered by members to any legislative matter in the House shall be submitted
1005	1005	996in a format to be determined by the Clerk in consultation with the Speaker; provided, however,
1006	1006	997that an amendment to any bill or resolve to be considered by the House at a formal session shall
1007	1007	998be filed by 5:00 P.M. on the day the bill or resolve is made available to the members pursuant to
1008	1008	999the first paragraph of this rule. Amendments shall be considered by the House chronologically as
1009	1009	1000submitted to the Clerk, except for an amendment in the second degree; provided that all
1010	1010	1001amendments shall be drafted in proper form acceptable to the clerk; and provided further that the
1011	1011	1002Clerk shall print each amendment so filed and such printed copy shall be considered to be the 49 of 142
1012	1012	1003official amendment for that bill and there shall be available to the members a duplicate copy of
1013	1013	1004each amendment. (33A.)
1014	1014	1005 When the House considers any bill or resolve, other than the General Appropriations Bill, it
1015	1015	1006shall be read a second time and, subsequent to the consideration of any amendments
1016	1016	1007recommended by a committee or committees, it shall forthwith be considered by the House, the
1017	1017	1008question being on ordering it to a third reading, without any other amendments. A bill or resolve
1018	1018	1009so ordered to a third reading shall be immediately referred to the committee on Bills in the Third
1019	1019	1010Reading and, upon being released by said committee, it shall be read a third time and shall then
1020	1020	1011be open to amendments, the main question being on passing the bill or resolve to be engrossed.
1021	1021	1012Except for consolidated amendments or perfecting amendments offered by the committee on
1022	1022	1013Ways and Means, no proposition on a subject different from the amendment under consideration
1023	1023	1014shall be admitted under color of a further amendment to any bill or resolve. A consolidated
1024	1024	1015amendment to any bill or resolve, offered by the committee on Ways and Means, shall be a
1025	1025	1016motion offering an amendment in the second degree.
1026	1026	1017 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Nov. 28, 1984; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 17,
1027	1027	10181995l; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1028	1028	1019 33B. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1029	1029	1020 33C. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1030	1030	1021 33D. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1031	1031	1022 33E. No consolidated amendment offered by the committee on Ways and Means shall be
1032	1032	1023considered by the House until the expiration of at least 30 minutes after the consolidated 50 of 142
1033	1033	1024amendment shall have been first filed with the Clerk and made available to the members. This
1034	1034	1025rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
1035	1035	1026 [Added Feb. 4, 2010; Amended Jan. 29, 2015.]
1036	1036	102733F. No consolidated amendment shall be adopted except by a roll call vote.
1037	1037	1028 [Added Feb. 2, 2017.]
1038	1038	1029 34. Bills from the Senate, after their first reading, shall be referred to a committee of the House.
1039	1039	1030[45.] (26.)
1040	1040	1031 [Amended Jan. 26, 1999.]
1041	1041	1032 35. Amendments proposed by the Senate, and sent back to the House for concurrence, shall
1042	1042	1033be referred to the committee on Bills in Third Reading, provided that the journal shall reflect the
1043	1043	1034referral; and provided further that subsequent to a report from said committee, the amendments
1044	1044	1035shall be considered forthwith. [46.] (36.)
1045	1045	1036 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 23, 2013.]
1046	1046	1037 36. No bill shall be proposed or introduced unless received from the Senate, reported by a
1047	1047	1038committee, or moved as an amendment to the report of a committee. [47.] (36.)
1048	1048	1039 37. Bills, resolves and other papers that have been, or, under the rules or usage of the House,
1049	1049	1040are to be made available in a format to be determined by the Speaker in consultation with the
1050	1050	1041Clerk, shall be read by their titles only, unless the full reading is requested by vote of a majority
1051	1051	1042of those members present and voting.
1052	1052	1043 [Amended Jan. 9, 2003, Amended, Jan. 23, 2007.] [48.] (29.) 51 of 142
1053	1053	1044 38. When a bill, resolve, order, petition or memorial has been finally rejected or disposed of
1054	1054	1045by the House, no measure substantially the same shall be introduced by any committee or
1055	1055	1046member during the same session. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent
1056	1056	1047of the members present. [49.] (54.)
1057	1057	1048 39. No bill shall be passed to be engrossed without having been read on three separate
1058	1058	1049legislative days. [51.] (28.)
1059	1059	1050 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
1060	1060	1051 40. No engrossed bill shall be amended, except by striking out the enacting clause. A motion
1061	1061	1052to strike out the enacting clause of a bill shall be received when the bill is before the House for
1062	1062	1053enactment. If the bill contains an emergency preamble, a motion to suspend this rule may be
1063	1063	1054received before the adoption of the emergency preamble and, if suspended, the amendment may
1064	1064	1055contain a new emergency preamble. This rule shall not apply to a bill or resolve returned by the
1065	1065	1056Governor with a recommendation of amendment in accordance with the provisions of Article
1066	1066	1057LVI of the Amendments to the Constitution; nor shall it apply to amendments of engrossed bills
1067	1067	1058proposed by the Senate and sent to the House for concurrence, which amendments shall be
1068	1068	1059subject to the provisions of Rule 35, provided, however, that an affirmative vote on a motion to
1069	1069	1060suspend this rule shall be required in order to offer an amendment to such an engrossed bill when
1070	1070	1061the question before the House is on adoption of an emergency preamble, re-enactment or
1071	1071	1062enactment, as the case may be. [53.] (49.)
1072	1072	1063 [Amended, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 20, 2011; Jan. 23, 2013; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1073	1073	1064 41. Bills received from the Senate and bills reported favorably by committees, when not
1074	1074	1065referred to another standing committee of the House, shall, prior to being placed in the Orders of 52 of 142
1075	1075	1066the Day, be referred to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Resolutions received
1076	1076	1067from and adopted by the Senate, or reported in the House by committees, shall, if proposed for
1077	1077	1068joint adoption, be referred to said committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. [56.] (26.)
1078	1078	1069 [Amended Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 26, 1999.]
1079	1079	1070 42. Reports of committees, not by bill or resolve, including orders if proposed for joint
1080	1080	1071adoption, after they are received from the Senate, or made in the House, as the case may be,
1081	1081	1072shall, unless subject to the provisions of any other House or joint rules, be referred to the
1082	1082	1073committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling; provided that the report of a committee asking to
1083	1083	1074be discharged from further consideration of a subject, and recommending that it be referred or
1084	1084	1075recommitted to another committee, or a report of a committee recommending that a matter be
1085	1085	1076placed on file, shall be immediately considered. Reports of committees on proposals for
1086	1086	1077amendments to the Constitution shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Joint
1087	1087	1078Rule 23. [57.] (36.)
1088	1088	1079 [Amended Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1089	1089	1080 42A. The Clerk shall, prior to 3 o'clock P.M., on the day preceding a session, make available
1090	1090	1081by electronic communication or other means, a list of all reports of the committee on Steering,
1091	1091	1082Policy and Scheduling, asking to be discharged from further consideration of subjects, and
1092	1092	1083recommending that the subjects be referred to other committees.
1093	1093	1084 [Adopted Jan. 26, 2005; Amended Jan. 29, 2015.]
1094	1094	1085 43. Bills ordered to a third reading shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next day
1095	1095	1086for such reading. [58.] (32.) 53 of 142
1096	1096	1087Special Rules Affecting the Course of Proceedings.
1097	1097	1088 44. The Speaker may designate when an informal session of the House shall be held provided
1098	1098	1089said Speaker gives notice of such informal session at a prior session of the House. The Speaker
1099	1099	1090may, in cases of emergency, cancel a session or declare any session of the House to be an
1100	1100	1091informal session. At an informal session the House shall only consider reports of committees,
1101	1101	1092papers from the Senate, bills for enactment or resolves for final passage, bills containing
1102	1102	1093emergency preambles and the matters in the Orders of the Day. Motions to reconsider moved at
1103	1103	1094such informal session shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the succeeding day, and no
1104	1104	1095new business shall be entertained, except by unanimous consent.
1105	1105	1096 Formal debate, or the taking of the sense of the House by yeas and nays shall not be
1106	1106	1097conducted during such informal session.
1107	1107	1098 Upon the receipt of a petition signed by at least a majority of the members elected to the
1108	1108	1099House, so requesting, the Speaker shall, when the House is meeting in informal session under the
1109	1109	1100provisions of Joint Rule 12A, designate a formal session, to be held within seven days of said
1110	1110	1101receipt, for the purpose of considering the question of passage of a bill, notwithstanding the
1111	1111	1102objections of the Governor, returned pursuant to Article 2, Section 1, Chapter1, Part 2 of the
1112	1112	1103Massachusetts Constitution. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1113	1113	1104members present. [59.] (5A.)
1114	1114	1105 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 17, 1995; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9,
1115	1115	11062003; Feb. 11, 2009.]
1116	1116	1107 45. After entering upon the consideration of the Orders of the Day, the House shall proceed
1117	1117	1108with them in regular course as follows: Matters not giving rise to a motion or debate shall first be 54 of 142
1118	1118	1109disposed of in the order in which they stand in the Calendar; after which the matters that were
1119	1119	1110passed over shall be considered in like order and disposed. The provisions of this paragraph shall
1120	1120	1111not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
1121	1121	1112 Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, during consideration of the Orders of the Day, the
1122	1122	1113committee on Ways and Means and the committee on Bills in the Third Reading may present
1123	1123	1114matters for consideration of the House after approval of two-thirds of the members present and
1124	1124	1115voting, without debate. [59.] (37.) [See Rule 47.]
1125	1125	1116 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 12, 1983; Feb. 11, 2009.]
1126	1126	1117 46. When the House does not finish the consideration of the Orders of the Day, those which
1127	1127	1118had not been acted upon shall be the Orders of the Day for the next and each succeeding day
1128	1128	1119until disposed of, and shall be entered in the Calendar, without change in their order, to precede
1129	1129	1120matters added under Rule 7A; provided, however, that all other matters shall be listed in
1130	1130	1121numerical order by Calendar item.
1131	1131	1122 The unfinished business in which the House was engaged at the time of adjournment shall
1132	1132	1123have the preference in the Orders of the Day for the next day. [60.] (35.)
1133	1133	1124 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 26, 1999.]
1134	1134	1125 47. No matter which has been duly placed in the Orders of the Day shall be discharged
1135	1135	1126therefrom, or considered out of the regular course. [61.] (38.) [See Rule 45.]
1136	1136	1127Voting.
1137	1137	1128 48. Members desiring to be excused from voting shall make application to that effect before
1138	1138	1129the division of the House or the taking of the yeas and nays is begun. Such application may be 55 of 142
1139	1139	1130accompanied by a brief statement of reasons by the member. The Clerk shall, prior to the first
1140	1140	1131roll call of the sitting, announce the name of any member who has informed the Clerk to not call
1141	1141	1132their name or lock their voting station. The Clerk shall also announce prior to any subsequent
1142	1142	1133roll call of the sitting the name of any member who had informed said Clerk not to call their
1143	1143	1134name or lock their voting station since the taking of the immediately preceding roll call.
1144	1144	1135A member absent from the House for a formal session period of a day or longer shall notify the
1145	1145	1136Clerk in writing of the intended absence. A member absent during a formal session for an
1146	1146	1137extended period or for the remainder of the session shall notify the Clerk in person. The Clerk
1147	1147	1138shall provide a written notice to any such absent member.
1148	1148	1139The Clerk shall disable the voting station of any such member notifying the Clerk of an absence
1149	1149	1140pursuant to this Rule. The Clerk shall also disable the voting station of any member failing to
1150	1150	1141answer the first non-quorum roll call of a legislative sitting; provided, however, that the Clerk
1151	1151	1142shall reactivate the voting station upon receiving notification of the member's return to the House
1152	1152	1143Chamber. ([64.] (57.)
1153	1153	1144 [Amended Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1154	1154	1145 49. If the presence of a quorum is doubted, a count of the House shall be made. When a yea
1155	1155	1146and nay vote is taken, the members, with the exception of the Speaker, shall vote only from their
1156	1156	1147seats. A member who has been appointed by the Speaker to perform the duties of the Chair, or a
1157	1157	1148person who has been elected Speaker pro Tempore, may designate some member or a court
1158	1158	1149officer to cast a vote for said member on any vote taken on the electronic voting system while
1159	1159	1150such member is presiding. Said designated member performing the duties of the Chair, or 56 of 142
1160	1160	1151Speaker pro Tempore, may, if the Speaker is in the State House, cast a vote for the Speaker. The
1161	1161	1152Speaker shall state the pending question before opening the system for voting.
1162	1162	1153 The Speaker may direct the Clerk to cast a vote for a member who is in the House Chamber,
1163	1163	1154but who is unable to vote due to a malfunction of their voting station or inability to open their
1164	1164	1155voting station.
1165	1165	1156 Except in the case of a vote to ascertain the presence of a quorum, if a member is prevented
1166	1166	1157from voting personally using the electronic voting system because of physical disability, said
1167	1167	1158member shall, if present in the State House, be excused from so voting and the Speaker shall
1168	1168	1159assign a court officer to cast said member's vote so long as said physical disability continues;
1169	1169	1160provided that the Speaker shall announce the action of the Chair to the membership prior to
1170	1170	1161assigning a court officer to cast the member's vote and provided further that the Speaker shall
1171	1171	1162announce the action to the membership the first time a vote is cast for that member on each
1172	1172	1163successive day.
1173	1173	1164A member serving on active reserve military duty may participate remotely in a formal session,
1174	1174	1165subject to the requirements and limitations of federal law and regulation, including, but not
1175	1175	1166limited to, United States Department of Defense Directive 1344.10. A member serving on active
1176	1176	1167reserve military shall notify the Clerk of such service as soon as practicable.
1177	1177	1168A member diagnosed with a serious medical condition may, upon submission of a request for an
1178	1178	1169accommodation to participate remotely to Counsel appointed pursuant to Rule 13B, accompanied
1179	1179	1170by documentation from said member’s medical provider that an accommodation is necessary,
1180	1180	1171may participate remotely in a formal session. Upon receipt and approval of a request for
1181	1181	1172accommodation to participate remotely Counsel shall notify the Clerk that the member filing the 57 of 142
1182	1182	1173request has been authorized to participate remotely. Other than the notification provided to the
1183	1183	1174Clerk, Counsel shall maintain any request for accommodation pursuant to this rule as
1184	1184	1175confidential.
1185	1185	1176A member authorized to participate remotely in a formal session pursuant to this Rule shall have
1186	1186	1177the same privileges, rights and responsibilities as if the member were physically present in the
1187	1187	1178House Chamber, including without limitation, the right, privilege and responsibility to cast votes
1188	1188	1179on all questions or other matters brought to a vote and the ability to take the oath required
1189	1189	1180pursuant to Part the Second, Chapter VI, Article I of the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
1190	1190	1181The Journal of the House for any formal session of the House where a member is participating
1191	1191	1182remotely in a formal session pursuant to this Rule shall not specify which members participated
1192	1192	1183remotely. [65.]
1193	1193	1184 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 20, 2011; Feb. 11,
1194	1194	11852009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1195	1195	1186 50. When a question is put, the sense of the House shall be taken by the voices of the
1196	1196	1187members, and the Speaker shall first announce the vote as it appears to the Speaker by the sound.
1197	1197	1188If the Speaker is unable to decide by the sound of the voices, or if the announcement made
1198	1198	1189thereupon is doubted by a member rising in their place for that purpose, the Speaker shall order a
1199	1199	1190division of the number voting in the affirmative and in the negative, without further debate upon
1200	1200	1191the question. [66.] (55.)
1201	1201	1192 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.] 58 of 142
1202	1202	1193 51. When a return by division of the members voting in the affirmative and in the negative is
1203	1203	1194ordered, the members for or against the question, when called on by the Speaker, shall rise in
1204	1204	1195their places, and stand until they are counted. If, upon the taking of such a vote, the presence of a
1205	1205	1196quorum is doubted, a count of the House shall be had, and if a quorum is present the vote shall
1206	1206	1197stand. [67.]
1207	1207	1198 52. The sense of the House shall be taken by yeas and nays whenever required by ten percent
1208	1208	1199of the members elected. The Speaker shall, after waiting up to an interval of twelve minutes,
1209	1209	1200state the pending question and, after opening the electronic voting system, instruct the members
1210	1210	1201to vote for not less than two minutes and no more than twenty-two minutes, the Speaker shall
1211	1211	1202close said system and cause totals to be displayed and a record made of how each member
1212	1212	1203present voted; provided, that if at any time during said voting period any standing, joint or
1213	1213	1204conference committee is meeting in public or executive sessions, the Speaker shall leave the
1214	1214	1205electronic voting machine open for not less than 5 minutes.
1215	1215	1206 Any member desiring to be recorded as being "present" when a yea and nay vote is taken on
1216	1216	1207the electronic roll call system shall so notify the Clerk in person after said vote is ordered and
1217	1217	1208before the vote is announced.
1218	1218	1209 In the event the electronic voting system is not in operating order, the roll of the House shall
1219	1219	1210be called in alphabetical order; provided, however, that no member shall be allowed to vote or to
1220	1220	1211answer "present" who was not on the floor before the vote is declared; provided, however, that a
1221	1221	1212member, who was in the State House on a previous roll call, may be recorded by reporting to the
1222	1222	1213Clerk within five minutes after such vote is closed, unless objection is made thereto and it is
1223	1223	1214seconded; and provided further that the presiding officer shall not, for said purpose, interrupt the 59 of 142
1224	1224	1215member who is speaking on the floor; provided, however, that such request may be announced to
1225	1225	1216the House subsequent to the five minutes. The Speaker shall not entertain any requests beyond
1226	1226	1217said five-minute period. Once the voting has begun it shall not be interrupted except for the
1227	1227	1218purpose of questioning the validity of a member's vote before the result is announced. Except as
1228	1228	1219heretofore provided, any member who shall vote or attempt to vote for another member or any
1229	1229	1220person not a member who votes or attempts to vote for a member, or any member or other person
1230	1230	1221who willfully tampers with or attempts to impair or destroy in any manner whatsoever the voting
1231	1231	1222equipment used by the House, or change the records thereon shall be punished in such manner as
1232	1232	1223the House determines; and provided further, that such a violation shall be reported to the Ethics
1233	1233	1224Committee. [68.] (56, 57.)
1234	1234	1225Upon completion of the tally by the Clerk and the announcement of the vote by the Speaker, the
1235	1235	1226results of all roll calls conducted shall be conspicuously posted on the website of the General
1236	1236	1227Court.
1237	1237	1228 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9,
1238	1238	12292003; Jan. 26, 2005; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan 20, 2011.]
1239	1239	1230 53. The call for yeas and nays shall be decided without debate. If the yeas and nays have been
1240	1240	1231ordered before the question is put, the proceedings under Rules 50 and 51 relative to verification
1241	1241	1232of the vote by the voices of the members or by a return of divisions shall be omitted; if not, they
1242	1242	1233may be called for in lieu of a return by divisions when the Speaker's announcement is doubted by
1243	1243	1234a member rising in their place, and, if then ordered, the proceedings under Rules 50 and 51 shall
1244	1244	1235be omitted. [69.] (52.)
1245	1245	1236 [Amended Jan. 26, 1999; Jan. 30, 2019.] 60 of 142
1246	1246	1237Reconsideration.
1247	1247	1238 54. No motion to reconsider a vote shall be entertained unless it is made on the same day on
1248	1248	1239which the vote was taken, or before the Orders of the Day have been taken up on the next day
1249	1249	1240thereafter on which a quorum is present. If reconsideration is moved on the same day, the motion
1250	1250	1241shall be placed first in the Orders of the Day for the succeeding day; but, if it is moved on the
1251	1251	1242succeeding day, the motion shall be considered forthwith except that if said motion is moved on
1252	1252	1243a day on which an informal session has been designated, it shall be placed in the Orders of the
1253	1253	1244Day for the succeeding day. If reconsideration is moved after July first of the second annual
1254	1254	1245session and thereafter, on any main question, it shall be considered forthwith. This rule shall not
1255	1255	1246prevent the reconsideration of a vote on a subsidiary, incidental or dependent question at any
1256	1256	1247time when the main question to which it relates is under consideration; and provided, further,
1257	1257	1248that a motion to reconsider a vote on any subsidiary, incidental or dependent question shall not
1258	1258	1249remove the main subject under consideration from before the House, but shall be considered at
1259	1259	1250the time when it is made. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1260	1260	1251members present. [70.] (53.)
1261	1261	1252 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981, Jan. 23, 2007.]
1262	1262	1253 55. When a motion for reconsideration is decided, that decision shall not be reconsidered, and
1263	1263	1254no question shall be twice reconsidered; nor shall any vote be reconsidered upon any of the
1264	1264	1255following motions:
1265	1265	1256 to recess,
1266	1266	1257 to adjourn, 61 of 142
1267	1267	1258 on sustaining a ruling of the Chair,
1268	1268	1259 to close debate at a specified time,
1269	1269	1260 to postpone if voted in the negative,
1270	1270	1261 to discharge or direct a committee to report,
1271	1271	1262 to commit or recommit,
1272	1272	1263 for second or subsequent legislative days,
1273	1273	1264 for the previous question, or
1274	1274	1265 for suspension of rules.
1275	1275	1266 This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [71.]
1276	1276	1267(53.)
1277	1277	1268 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 9, 1991.]
1278	1278	1269 56. Debate on motions to reconsider shall be limited to fifteen minutes, and no member shall
1279	1279	1270occupy more than three minutes, but on a motion to reconsider a vote upon any subsidiary or
1280	1280	1271incidental question, debate shall be limited to ten minutes, and no member shall occupy more
1281	1281	1272than three minutes.
1282	1282	1273 If the House has voted to close debate on any question, a motion to reconsider said question
1283	1283	1274shall be decided without debate. [72.] (52.)
1284	1284	1275 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 12, 1987.]
1285	1285	1276RULES OF DEBATE. 62 of 142
1286	1286	1277 57. Every member, when about to speak, shall rise and respectfully address the Speaker and
1287	1287	1278shall confine themselves to the question under debate. [73.] (39.)
1288	1288	1279 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
1289	1289	1280 58. Every member while speaking shall avoid personalities; and shall sit down when finished.
1290	1290	1281No member shall speak out of their place without leave of the Speaker. [73.] (39.)
1291	1291	1282 When two or more members rise at the same time, the Speaker shall name the member
1292	1292	1283entitled to the floor, preferring one who rises in their place to one who does not. [74.] (40.)
1293	1293	1284 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1294	1294	1285 59. If a member repeatedly violates any of the rules of the House, or disrupts the orderly
1295	1295	1286procedure of the House, the Speaker, after warning the member of such violations, shall call the
1296	1296	1287member to order, and order that member to take their seat. A member so called to order shall lose
1297	1297	1288the right to speak on the pending subject-matter but shall not be debarred from voting. A member
1298	1298	1289so called to order shall remain seated until the House begins consideration of another subject-
1299	1299	1290matter or unless the Speaker earlier returns to the member their rights to the floor.
1300	1300	1291 If a member so called to order refuses to immediately take their seat, the Speaker shall
1301	1301	1292immediately name that member, who shall be escorted from the Chamber under escort of the
1302	1302	1293Sergeant-at-Arms. The matter shall thereupon, on motion, be referred to a special committee of
1303	1303	1294three to be appointed by the Speaker. Said special committee shall make a report to the House of
1304	1304	1295its recommendations, which report shall be read and accepted.
1305	1305	1296 Having been named, a member shall not be allowed to resume their seat until said member
1306	1306	1297has complied with the recommendations of the committee as accepted by the House. 63 of 142
1307	1307	1298 If, after a member is seated or named, the action of the Speaker is appealed, the House shall
1308	1308	1299decide the case by a majority vote of the members present and voting, but if there is no
1309	1309	1300immediate appeal, the decision of the Speaker shall be conclusive.
1310	1310	1301 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 11, 1985; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1311	1311	1302 60. No member shall interrupt another while speaking except by rising to a point of order, to a
1312	1312	1303question of personal privilege, to doubt the presence of a quorum, or to ask the person speaking
1313	1313	1304to yield.
1314	1314	1305 Members may rise to explain matters personal to them by leave of the presiding officer, but
1315	1315	1306shall not discuss pending questions in such explanations.
1316	1316	1307 Questions of personal privilege shall be limited to questions affecting the rights, reputation, and
1317	1317	1308conduct of the member in their representative capacities.
1318	1318	1309 Members may rise to ask questions of parliamentary inquiry concerning the pending matter by
1319	1319	1310leave of the presiding officer, but shall not debate the pending questions. [75.] (42.)
1320	1320	1311 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1321	1321	1312 61. No member shall speak more than once to the prevention of those who have not spoken
1322	1322	1313and desire to speak on the same question.
1323	1323	1314 This prohibition shall not apply to those members designated by the committee or committees
1324	1324	1315reporting the bill.
1325	1325	1316 No member shall occupy more than thirty minutes at a time while speaking on any question
1326	1326	1317where debate is unlimited. 64 of 142
1327	1327	1318 Unless the operation of another rule provides to the contrary (such as previous question,
1328	1328	1319limitation of debate, etc.), no member shall be prohibited from speaking more than once on any
1329	1329	1320question when no other member who has not spoken is seeking recognition by the Chair. [76.]
1330	1330	1321(41.)
1331	1331	1322Motions.
1332	1332	1323 62. Every motion shall be reduced to writing, if the Speaker so directs. [77.] (44.)
1333	1333	1324 63. A motion need not be seconded, except an appeal from the decision of the Chair, and may
1334	1334	1325be withdrawn by the mover if no objection is made. [78.] (44.)
1335	1335	1326 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1336	1336	1327Limit of Debate.
1337	1337	1328 64. A motion to recess or adjourn shall always be first in order, and shall be decided without
1338	1338	1329debate; and on the motions to close debate at a specified time, to postpone to a time certain, to
1339	1339	1330commit or recommit, not exceeding ten minutes shall be allowed for debate, and no member
1340	1340	1331shall speak more than three minutes. On the motion to discharge any committee, or on a motion
1341	1341	1332directing any committee to report matters before it, not exceeding fifteen minutes shall be
1342	1342	1333allowed for debate, and no member shall speak more than three minutes.
1343	1343	1334 If the main motion is undebatable, any subsidiary or incidental motion made relating to it
1344	1344	1335shall also be decided without debate. [79.] (52.) [See Rules 56 and 83.]
1345	1345	1336 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.] 65 of 142
1346	1346	1337 64A. Debate on the question on adoption of orders for second and subsequent legislative days
1347	1347	1338shall be limited to ten minutes, and no member shall speak more than three minutes. After
1348	1348	1339entering into a second or subsequent legislative day, the House shall immediately proceed to
1349	1349	1340consideration of engrossed bills, reports of committees, papers from the Senate or the Orders of
1350	1350	1341the Day. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
1351	1351	1342 [Adopted Jan. 12, 1983.]
1352	1352	1343 65. When a question is before the House, until it is disposed of, the Speaker shall receive no
1353	1353	1344motion that does not relate to the same, except the motion to recess or adjourn or some other
1354	1354	1345motion that has precedence either by express rule of the House, or because it is privileged in its
1355	1355	1346nature; and the Speaker shall receive no motion relating to the same, except,—
1356	1356	1347 for the previous question, . . . . .
1357	1357	1348 to close debate at a specified time, . . . . .
1358	1358	1349 to postpone to a time certain, . . . . .
1359	1359	1350 to commit (or recommit), . . . . .
1360	1360	1351 to amend, . . . . . . . See Rules 66, 67 and 68
1361	1361	1352 See Rules 64, 69 and 70
1362	1362	1353 See Rules 64 and 70
1363	1363	1354 See Rules 64 and 71
1364	1364	1355 See Rules 72, 73, 74 and 75 66 of 142
1365	1365	1356 — which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are arranged in
1366	1366	1357this rule. [80.] (46.)
1367	1367	1358 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
1368	1368	1359Previous Question.
1369	1369	1360 66. Any member may call for the previous question on the main question.
1370	1370	1361 The previous question shall be put in the following form: "Shall the main question be now
1371	1371	1362put?" and all debate on the main question shall be suspended until the previous question is
1372	1372	1363decided.
1373	1373	1364 The adoption of the previous question shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
1374	1374	1365members present and voting and shall put an end to all debate, and bring the House to direct vote
1375	1375	1366upon pending amendments, if any, in their regular order, and then upon the main question.
1376	1376	1367 A motion to reconsider the vote on any of the pending amendments shall be decided without
1377	1377	1368debate. [81.]
1378	1378	1369 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1379	1379	1370 67. Any member may call for the previous question on any pending amendment.
1380	1380	1371 The previous question shall be put in the following form: "Shall the question on adoption of
1381	1381	1372the amendment be now put?" and all debate shall be suspended until the previous question is
1382	1382	1373decided. 67 of 142
1383	1383	1374 The adoption of the previous question on a pending amendment shall require the affirmative
1384	1384	1375vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting and shall put an end to all debate and bring
1385	1385	1376the House to a direct vote upon the pending amendment.
1386	1386	1377 A motion to reconsider the vote on the pending amendment shall be decided without debate.
1387	1387	1378 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1388	1388	1379 68. The previous question shall be decided without debate.
1389	1389	1380Motion to Close Debate at a Specified Time.
1390	1390	1381 69. Debate may be closed at any time not less than thirty minutes from the adoption of a
1391	1391	1382motion to that effect. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1392	1392	1383members present. [85.] (47.)
1393	1393	1384Motion to Postpone to a Time Certain.
1394	1394	1385 70. When a motion is made to postpone to a time certain, and different times are proposed,
1395	1395	1386the question shall first be taken on the most remote time; and the time shall be determined before
1396	1396	1387the question is put on postponement, which may then be rejected if the House sees fit. [87.] (51.)
1397	1397	1388Motion to Commit.
1398	1398	1389 71. When a motion is made to commit, and different committees are proposed, the question
1399	1399	1390shall be taken in the following order:
1400	1400	1391 a standing committee of the House,
1401	1401	1392 a select committee of the House, 68 of 142
1402	1402	1393 a joint standing committee,
1403	1403	1394 a joint selected committee;
1404	1404	1395 and a subject may be recommitted to the same committee or to another committee at the
1405	1405	1396pleasure of the House. [88.] (48.)
1406	1406	1397Motion to Amend.
1407	1407	1398 72. A motion to amend an amendment is a motion offering an amendment in the second
1408	1408	1399degree and may be received; a motion to amend an amendment in the second degree is a motion
1409	1409	1400offering an amendment in the third degree and shall not be allowed. This rule shall not be
1410	1410	1401suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [89.]
1411	1411	1402 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983.]
1412	1412	1403 73. No motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration shall be
1413	1413	1404admitted under color of amendment. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous
1414	1414	1405consent of the members present. [90.] (50.)
1415	1415	1406 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987.]
1416	1416	1407 73A. No motion to amend a report from the committee on Ways and Means or a report from
1417	1417	1408the committee on Bills in the Third Reading, when such an amendment contains an expenditure
1418	1418	1409of public money or an increase or decrease in taxes, shall be considered unless a brief
1419	1419	1410explanation of the amendment is stated.
1420	1420	1411 [Adopted Jan. 17, 1995; Amended Jan. 26, 1999.] 69 of 142
1421	1421	1412 74. A question containing two or more propositions capable of division shall be divided
1422	1422	1413whenever desired by any member, if the question includes points so distinct and separate that,
1423	1423	1414one of them being taken away, the other will stand as a complete proposition. The motion to
1424	1424	1415strike out and insert shall be considered as one proposition and therefore indivisible. The
1425	1425	1416question on ordering a bill or resolve to a third reading, or to be engrossed, or to be enacted, or
1426	1426	1417similar main motions shall be considered as indivisible under this rule. This rule shall not be
1427	1427	1418suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [91.] (45.)
1428	1428	1419 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983.]
1429	1429	1420 75. In filling blanks, the largest sum and longest time shall be put first. [92.] (51.) [See Rule
1430	1430	142170.]
1431	1431	1422Declaration of Recess.
1432	1432	1423 76. The Speaker may declare a recess of 15 minutes duration, or less.
1433	1433	1424 [Amended Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1434	1434	1425Appeal.
1435	1435	1426 77. No appeal from the decision of the Speaker shall be entertained unless it is seconded; and
1436	1436	1427no other business shall be in order until the question on the appeal has been disposed of. Debate
1437	1437	1428shall be limited to 15 minutes on the question of sustaining a ruling by the Chair, and no member
1438	1438	1429shall occupy more than three minutes. [94.] (43A.) [See Rule 2.]
1439	1439	1430 [Amended Jan. 9, 1989; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1440	1440	1431Resolves. 70 of 142
1441	1441	1432 78. Such of these rules as are applicable to bills, whether of the House or of the Senate, shall
1442	1442	1433apply likewise to such resolves as require the concurrence of the Senate and approval by the
1443	1443	1434Governor in order to become law and have force as such. [95.]
1444	1444	1435Seats.
1445	1445	1436 79. (1) The desk on the right of the Speaker shall be assigned to the use of the Clerk and such
1446	1446	1437persons as they may employ to assist said Clerk, and that on the left to the use of the chair and
1447	1447	1438vice-chair of the committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
1448	1448	1439 (2) The Speaker shall assign members to vacant seats. The seat assigned to any member, other
1449	1449	1440than seats assigned under paragraph (1) of this rule, shall be their seat for the year and for such
1450	1450	1441additional years as said member may elect so long as service in the House remains continuous.
1451	1451	1442An exchange of seats may be made with the approval of the Speaker. [98.]
1452	1452	1443 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; May 5, 1993; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1453	1453	1444Privilege of the Floor.
1454	1454	1445 80. The following persons shall be entitled to admission to the House of Representatives,
1455	1455	1446during the session thereof, to stand in an area designated by the Speaker in the rear of the
1456	1456	1447Chamber, unless otherwise invited by said Speaker to occupy seats not numbered:
1457	1457	1448 (1) The Governor and the Lieutenant-Governor, members of the Executive Council, Secretary
1458	1458	1449of the Commonwealth, Treasurer and Receiver-General, Auditor of the Commonwealth,
1459	1459	1450Attorney-General, Librarian and Assistant Librarian;
1460	1460	1451 (2) The members of the Senate; 71 of 142
1461	1461	1452 (3) Authorized employees of the House and persons in the exercise of an official duty directly
1462	1462	1453connected with the business of the House; or
1463	1463	1454 (4) Contestants for seats in the House, whose papers are in the hands of a special committee
1464	1464	1455of the House, may be admitted, while their cases are pending, to seats to be assigned by the
1465	1465	1456Speaker.
1466	1466	1457 No other person shall be admitted to the floor during the session, except upon the permission
1467	1467	1458of the Speaker.
1468	1468	1459 No legislative agent or counsel may be admitted to the floor of the House Chamber during a
1469	1469	1460session unless that part of the session is ceremonial in nature in which no other legislative
1470	1470	1461business is conducted.
1471	1471	1462 The legislative reporters shall be entitled to the privileges of the reporters' galleries.
1472	1472	1463 This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [99.] (60,
1473	1473	146461.)
1474	1474	1465 [Amended Jan. 9, 1991, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1475	1475	1466Representatives' Chamber and Adjoining Rooms.
1476	1476	1467 81. (a) Use of the Representatives' Chamber members' corridor or adjoining rooms shall be
1477	1477	1468for official business or educational purposes only and shall be subject to the approval of the
1478	1478	1469Speaker or the committee on Rules. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply if the
1479	1479	1470purpose of admittance is to attend a meeting in an adjoining room to which members of the
1480	1480	1471general public are allowed to attend. 72 of 142
1481	1481	1472 (b) No legislative agent or counsel shall be admitted to the members' corridor or adjoining
1482	1482	1473rooms. No other person shall be admitted to the members' corridor or adjoining rooms, except
1483	1483	1474persons entitled to the privileges of the floor of the House unless upon written invitation of a
1484	1484	1475member bearing the name of the member and the person the member invites. Upon entering, the
1485	1485	1476invitation shall be given to the court officer assigned to the area. The provisions of this paragraph
1486	1486	1477shall not apply if the purpose of admittance is to attend a meeting in an adjoining room to which
1487	1487	1478members of the general public are allowed to attend.
1488	1488	1479 (c) No person shall be admitted to the north gallery of the House except upon a card of the
1489	1489	1480Speaker.
1490	1490	1481 (d) Subject to the approval and direction of the committee on Rules during the session and of
1491	1491	1482the Speaker after prorogation, the use of the reporters' galleries of the House Chamber shall be
1492	1492	1483under the control of the organization of legislative reporters known as the Massachusetts State
1493	1493	1484House Press Association and the State House Broadcasters Association.
1494	1494	1485 (e) Every legislative reporter desiring admission to the reporters' galleries shall state in
1495	1495	1486writing that they are not the agent or representative of any person or corporation interested in
1496	1496	1487legislation before the General Court, and will not act as representative of any such person or
1497	1497	1488corporation while retaining a place in the galleries; but nothing herein contained shall prevent
1498	1498	1489such legislative reporter from engaging in other employment, provided such other employment is
1499	1499	1490specifically approved by the committee on Rules and reported to the House.
1500	1500	1491 (f) All formal and informal sessions of the House of Representatives shall be open to both
1501	1501	1492commercial and public radio and television, except designated times during such sessions, as
1502	1502	1493determined by the House, reserved for the consideration of non-controversial business which 73 of 142
1503	1503	1494does not give rise to debate. The manner and conditions of such broadcasts shall be established
1504	1504	1495by the Speaker. Television, radio or web-broadcasts may be prohibited on any given day by the
1505	1505	1496Speaker.
1506	1506	1497 All formal and informal sessions shall be broadcast live on House television and
1507	1507	1498livestreamed on the General Court website. Audio or video recordings of prior formal and
1508	1508	1499informal sessions for the current biennial session shall be made available to the public on the
1509	1509	1500General Court website.
1510	1510	1501 The Speaker may arrange for a limited number of remote connections at a location
1511	1511	1502outside of the Representatives' Chamber for commercial and public radio and television to obtain
1512	1512	1503audio and visual feeds of formal sessions being recorded or streamed by the House. Video or
1513	1513	1504audio obtained from such feed shall be used only for reporting purposes. Access to the
1514	1514	1505connections provided shall be on a first-come-first serve basis; provided, however, that
1515	1515	1506commercial and public radio and television acquiring access shall be required to share the audio
1516	1516	1507or video feeds with other any other commercial and public radio and television station seeking
1517	1517	1508access. The manner and conditions of access shall be established by the Speaker with the
1518	1518	1509approval of the House. Access may be prohibited by the Speaker with the approval of the House.
1519	1519	1510 Clauses (a) through (e) of this rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1520	1520	1511members present. [100.] (59.)
1521	1521	1512 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 26, 1999, Jan. 23,
1522	1522	15132007; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1523	1523	1514Quorum. 74 of 142
1524	1524	1515 82. Eighty-one members present shall constitute a quorum for the organization of the House
1525	1525	1516and the transaction of business. [See amendments to the Constitution, Art. XXXIII.]
1526	1526	1517 In the event that a quorum is not present, the presiding officer shall compel the attendance of
1527	1527	1518a quorum. During the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted or motions
1528	1528	1519entertained except a declaration of adjournment or a recess by the Speaker. [105.]
1529	1529	1520 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 14, 1997.]
1530	1530	1521Debate on Motions for Suspension of Rules.
1531	1531	1522 83. The question of suspension of House Rules 45, 47, 56, 61, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 77 and 83
1532	1532	1523shall be decided without debate. Debate upon the motion for the suspension of any other House
1533	1533	1524rule, unless otherwise indicated, or any joint rule shall be limited to fifteen minutes and no
1534	1534	1525member shall occupy more than three minutes. This rule shall not be suspended unless by
1535	1535	1526unanimous consent of the members present. [102.] (52.)
1536	1536	1527 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 9, 1989.]
1537	1537	1528 84. Unless otherwise indicated, nothing in the House rules or joint rules shall be suspended,
1538	1538	1529altered or repealed unless two-thirds of the members present and voting consent thereto. This
1539	1539	1530rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [103.] (63.)
1540	1540	1531 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1541	1541	1532 84A. The Clerk may, due to technical limitations or upon exigent circumstances, elect to
1542	1542	1533waive any requirement relative to the electronic availability and posting on the website of the
1543	1543	1534General Court of any bills, resolves, summaries or other documents contained herein; provided,
1544	1544	1535however, that if the Clerk so waives any such requirement he shall make paper copies of the 75 of 142
1545	1545	1536documents available to all members and the public within the limitation established for the
1546	1546	1537electronic availability and posting on the website of the General Court of any bills, resolves,
1547	1547	1538summaries or other documents contained herein.
1548	1548	1539 [Adopted Feb. 11, 2009.]
1549	1549	1540Reference to Committee on Rules.
1550	1550	1541 85. All motions or orders authorizing committees of the House to travel or to employ
1551	1551	1542stenographers, all propositions involving special investigations by committees of the House, all
1552	1552	1543resolutions presented for adoption by the House only, and all motions and orders except those
1553	1553	1544which relate to the procedure of the House or are privileged in their nature or are authorized by
1554	1554	1545Rule 65, shall be referred without debate to the committee on Rules, which shall report thereon,
1555	1555	1546recommending what action should be taken. The committee shall not recommend suspension of
1556	1556	1547Joint Rule 9, unless evidence satisfactory to the committee is produced that the petitioners have
1557	1557	1548previously given notice, by public advertisement or otherwise, equivalent to that required by
1558	1558	1549Chapter 3 of the General Laws. [104.] (13A.)
1559	1559	1550 [Amended Jan. 29, 2015.]
1560	1560	1551 85A. The House Business Manager, with the approval of the Counsel appointed pursuant to
1561	1561	1552Rule 13B, shall provide that outside, independent audits of House financial accounts be
1562	1562	1553conducted for each fiscal year upon receipt of the fiscal year end appropriation activity with
1563	1563	1554balance report from the comptroller of the Commonwealth. The audit shall be conducted in
1564	1564	1555accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the
1565	1565	1556standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by
1566	1566	1557the Comptroller General of the United States. The House Business Manager shall provide the 76 of 142
1567	1567	1558independent auditor with requested documents for such audit. A copy of such audit shall be filed
1568	1568	1559with the Clerk of the House and said copies shall be made available to the members and the
1569	1569	1560general public upon request. The procurement of an independent auditor pursuant to this rule
1570	1570	1561shall not be subject to rule 87.
1571	1571	1562 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985, Amended Jan. 20, 2011; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1572	1572	1563Parliamentary Practice.
1573	1573	1564 86. The rules of parliamentary practice shall govern the House in all cases to which they are
1574	1574	1565applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these rules or the joint rules of the two
1575	1575	1566branches. (62.)
1576	1576	1567Procurement.
1577	1577	1568 87. (a) All procurements for goods or services shall be completed by the House Business
1578	1578	1569Manager.
1579	1579	1570(b) All procurements for goods or services shall, to the extent practicable, be made pursuant to a
1580	1580	1571statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division.
1581	1581	1572 (c) Upon certification by the House Business Manager that a necessary procurement cannot be
1582	1582	1573made using a statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division, the
1583	1583	1574House Business Manager may procure the required goods or services pursuant to the following:
1584	1584	1575 (i) for a procurement of a supply or service in an amount of less than $10,000, the House
1585	1585	1576Business Manager shall use sound business practices; 77 of 142
1586	1586	1577 (ii) for a procurement of a supply or service in an amount of $10,000, but less than $100,000,
1587	1587	1578the House Business Manager shall seek written or oral quotations from no fewer than 3 persons
1588	1588	1579customarily providing such supply or service. The House Business Manager shall record the
1589	1589	1580names and addresses of all persons from whom quotations were sought, the names and addresses
1590	1590	1581of all persons submitting quotations and the date and amount of each quotation. The House
1591	1591	1582Business Manager shall transmit all quotes to House Counsel with the House Business
1592	1592	1583Manager’s recommendation as to what quotation offers the needed quality of supply or service at
1593	1593	1584the best value for the House. House Counsel shall review the quotations to ensure compliance
1594	1594	1585with this rule. Upon completion of the review by the House Counsel, the House Business
1595	1595	1586Manager shall award the contract to the responsible person whose quotation offers the needed
1596	1596	1587quality of supply or service and which represents the best value for the House;
1597	1597	1588 (iii) for a procurement of a supply or service in an amount exceeding $100,000, the House
1598	1598	1589Business Manager shall seek proposals through a competitive bid process established by House
1599	1599	1590Counsel; provided, however, that House Counsel shall file the competitive bid process with the
1600	1600	1591Clerk of the House no later than March 31st of the first year of the session.
1601	1601	1592 (d) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (c), all procurements for legal consulting services
1602	1602	1593and legal resources shall be handled exclusively by Counsel in compliance with the provisions of
1603	1603	1594this rule.
1604	1604	1595 (e) The House Business Manager shall maintain a file on each contract not executed using a
1605	1605	1596statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division and in excess of
1606	1606	1597$10,000 and shall include in such file a copy of all documents constituting the agreement for
1607	1607	1598goods and services and all documents evidencing compliance with this rule. The House Business 78 of 142
1608	1608	1599Manager shall make the file available for inspection within said office by members of the House
1609	1609	1600for at least 3 years from the date of final payment under the contract; provided, however, that the
1610	1610	1601Business Manager, in consultation with Counsel, shall redact from said file any information
1611	1611	1602which (i) is legally privileged; (ii) is proprietary; (iii) is related to individual members or House
1612	1612	1603personnel; or (iv) is otherwise protected by state or federal law.
1613	1613	1604 (f) Whenever the time required to comply with a requirement of this rule would endanger the
1614	1614	1605health, safety or convenience of the members, staff or visitors to the House of Representatives,
1615	1615	1606the House Business Manager may make an emergency procurement without satisfying the
1616	1616	1607requirements of this rule; provided, however, that both the House Business Manager and Counsel
1617	1617	1608certify in writing: (i) that an emergency exists and explain the nature thereof; (ii) that said
1618	1618	1609emergency procurement is limited to only supplies or services necessary to meet the emergency;
1619	1619	1610(iii) that said emergency procurement conforms to the requirements of this rule to the extent
1620	1620	1611practicable under the circumstances; and (iv) shall include each contractor's name, the amount
1621	1621	1612and the type of each contract, the supplies or services provided under each contract, and (vii) the
1622	1622	1613basis for determining the need for an emergency procurement. Such certification shall be filed
1623	1623	1614with the Clerk of the House prior to an emergency procurement. [Adopted Jan. 20, 2011,
1624	1624	1615Amended Jan. 23, 2013; Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 19, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1625	1625	1616Professional Standards and Conduct
1626	1626	1617 88. (a) As used in Rules 88 to 100, inclusive, the following terms shall, unless the context
1627	1627	1618clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-
1628	1628	1619"Authorized party", a party authorized to receive a complaint of harassment or retaliation
1629	1629	1620pursuant to Rule 93. 79 of 142
1630	1630	1621"Counsel", Legal Counsel to the House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B.
1631	1631	1622"Director", the Director of Human Resources appointed pursuant to Rule 90.
1632	1632	1623"Discriminatory harassment", verbal or physical conduct that:
1633	1633	1624 (1) demeans, stereotypes, or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because
1634	1634	1625of the individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, age,
1635	1635	1626disability status, genetic information, gender identity, active military personnel status,
1636	1636	1627transgender status or membership in any other protected class and;
1637	1637	1628 (2) (i) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating or offensive
1638	1638	1629working environment;
1639	1639	1630 (ii) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a member, officer, intern or
1640	1640	1631employee's work performance or official duties; or
1641	1641	1632 (iii) otherwise adversely affects a member, officer, intern or employee's employment
1642	1642	1633opportunities or ability to fulfill their official duties or conduct business before the House.
1643	1643	1634"EEO Officer", the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer appointed pursuant to Rule 89.
1644	1644	1635"Harassment", discriminatory harassment or sexual harassment engaged in by a member, officer,
1645	1645	1636intern or employee of the House or by a third party.
1646	1646	1637 "Sexual harassment", sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and verbal or physical conduct
1647	1647	1638of a sexual nature when:
1648	1648	1639 (1) submission to or rejection of such advances, requests or conduct is made either explicitly or
1649	1649	1640implicitly a term or condition of employment or as a basis for employment decisions, or as a 80 of 142
1650	1650	1641term, condition or basis for the support of certain policy objectives, political aspirations or
1651	1651	1642business before the House; or
1652	1652	1643 (2) such advances, requests or conduct have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering
1653	1653	1644with a member, officer, intern or employee's work performance or official duties by creating an
1654	1654	1645intimidating, hostile, humiliating or sexually offensive work environment.
1655	1655	1646Under this definition, direct or implied requests for sexual favors in exchange for actual or
1656	1656	1647promised (i) employment benefits such as favorable reviews, salary increases, promotions,
1657	1657	1648increased benefits or continued employment or (ii) support for certain policy objectives, political
1658	1658	1649aspirations or business before the House, shall constitute sexual harassment.
1659	1659	1650The definition of sexual harassment is broad and may include other sexually oriented conduct,
1660	1660	1651whether or not it is intended to violate this Rule, that is unwelcome and has the effect of creating
1661	1661	1652a workplace environment that is hostile, offensive, intimidating or humiliating to a member,
1662	1662	1653officer, intern or employee of the same or different gender, or those who do not identify as
1663	1663	1654gender binary.
1664	1664	1655"Supervisor", a member, officer or employee having direct authority or oversight over one or
1665	1665	1656more employees.
1666	1666	1657"Third party", any person visiting the House of Representatives, or conducting official business
1667	1667	1658or work with any member, officer or employee of the House.
1668	1668	1659(b) The House is committed to providing fair and equal opportunity for employment and
1669	1669	1660advancement to all employees and applicants. 81 of 142
1670	1670	1661It is our policy and practice to assign, promote and compensate employees on the basis of
1671	1671	1662qualifications, merit, and competence. Employment practices shall not be influenced nor
1672	1672	1663affected by virtue of an applicant's or employee's race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
1673	1673	1664ancestry, sexual orientation, age, disability status, genetic information, gender identity, active
1674	1674	1665military personnel status, transgender status or membership in any other protected class.
1675	1675	1666This policy governs all aspects of recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion,
1676	1676	1667transfer, discharge and all other terms and conditions of employment.
1677	1677	1668Without limiting the applicability of the foregoing, the House is committed to creating and
1678	1678	1669maintaining a work environment in which all members, officers, interns and employees of the
1679	1679	1670House, and all third parties, are treated with respect and free from any form of harassment,
1680	1680	1671including harassment based on an individual's membership in any protected class. To that end,
1681	1681	1672the House will not tolerate harassment of any kind by any member, officer, intern, employee or
1682	1682	1673third party in the workplace or otherwise in connection with the official duties or employment
1683	1683	1674responsibilities of a member, officer, third party, intern or employee. Any individual who
1684	1684	1675believes that they may have been the object of harassment, or any individual who witnesses
1685	1685	1676something they think may be harassment, is strongly encouraged to report that information to an
1686	1686	1677authorized party.
1687	1687	1678The House shall promote the safety and respectful treatment of all members, officers, interns and
1688	1688	1679employees of the House, and all third parties, by establishing uniform procedures for making and
1689	1689	1680receiving complaints of harassment and initiating, conducting and concluding investigations into
1690	1690	1681complaints of harassment. 82 of 142
1691	1691	1682A violation of this policy will subject the member, officer, employee or intern to discipline
1692	1692	1683pursuant to Rule 95 and Rule 96.
1693	1693	1684(c) (1) Discriminatory harassment may include, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
1694	1694	1685(i) epithets, slurs, insults or negative stereotyping related to the protected classes;
1695	1695	1686(ii) acts or jokes that are hostile or demeaning with regard to the protected classes;
1696	1696	1687(iii) threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to the protected classes;
1697	1697	1688(iv) displays of written or graphic material that demean, ridicule or show hostility toward an
1698	1698	1689individual or group because of membership in a protected class, including material circulated or
1699	1699	1690displayed in the workplace, including District Offices, such as on an employee's desk or
1700	1700	1691workspace, or on House equipment or bulletin boards, including but not limited to House-issued
1701	1701	1692computers, laptops and personal device assistants;
1702	1702	1693(v) verbal or non-verbal innuendo, and micro-aggressions; and
1703	1703	1694(vi) other conduct that falls within the definition of discriminatory harassment set forth above.
1704	1704	1695(2) Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
1705	1705	1696(i) gender-based bullying, including bullying based on transgender or non-gender binary status;
1706	1706	1697(ii) attempts to coerce an unwilling person into a sexual relationship;
1707	1707	1698(iii) repeatedly subjecting a person to unwelcome sexual or romantic attention;
1708	1708	1699(iv) punishing a person's refusal to comply with a request for sexual conduct; and
1709	1709	1700(v) conditioning a benefit on submitting to sexual advances. 83 of 142
1710	1710	1701(3) Conduct that, if unwelcome, and depending upon the totality of the circumstances, including
1711	1711	1702the severity of the conduct and its pervasiveness, may constitute sexual harassment includes, but
1712	1712	1703is not limited to, the following:
1713	1713	1704(i) unwelcome sexual advances, flirtations or propositions, whether they involve physical
1714	1714	1705touching or not;
1715	1715	1706(ii) sexual "kidding," epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct;
1716	1716	1707(iii) gossip regarding one's sex life;
1717	1717	1708(iv) comment on a person's body or an individual's sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess;
1718	1718	1709(v) displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, posters or cartoons;
1719	1719	1710(vi) unwelcome leering or staring at a person;
1720	1720	1711(vii) sexual gestures and suggestive or insulting sounds, such as whistling or comments with
1721	1721	1712sexual content or meaning;
1722	1722	1713(viii) uninvited physical contact, such as touching, hugging, purposely brushing against the body,
1723	1723	1714patting or pinching;
1724	1724	1715(ix) indecent exposure;
1725	1725	1716(x) inquiries into one's sexual experiences;
1726	1726	1717(xi) discussion of one's sexual activities;
1727	1727	1718(xii) sexual emails; and 84 of 142
1728	1728	1719(xiii) sexting, or sexual messages or images posted on social media, for example, texts, instant
1729	1729	1720messages, Facebook posts, tweets, Snapchat, Instagram or blog entries.
1730	1730	1721(d) No member, officer or employee of the House shall retaliate, including against a member,
1731	1731	1722officer, intern, or employee of the House who has complained about harassment or participated
1732	1732	1723in an investigation into an allegation of harassment or retaliation. Any person who believes that
1733	1733	1724they may have been the subject of retaliation for having complained of harassment or retaliation,
1734	1734	1725or for having participated in an investigation related to an allegation of harassment or retaliation,
1735	1735	1726is strongly encouraged to report that information to an authorized party.
1736	1736	1727 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1737	1737	172889. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. The
1738	1738	1729committee on Rules shall appoint a qualified person with expertise in harassment prevention,
1739	1739	1730conduct of investigations, and identifying barriers to equal employment opportunity to act as the
1740	1740	1731EEO Officer at such compensation as the committee on Rules shall approve.
1741	1741	1732The EEO Officer shall serve a term of two years from the date of appointment, unless the EEO
1742	1742	1733Officer sooner resigns, retires or is removed; provided, however, that the EEO Officer may only
1743	1743	1734be removed: (i) for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance, as determined by agreement of
1744	1744	1735Counsel and the Director, and approved by a majority vote of the committee on Rules; or (ii) by
1745	1745	1736a majority roll call vote of the House.
1746	1746	1737The EEO Officer may employ such assistants as may be necessary in the discharge of the EEO
1747	1747	1738Officer's duties, subject to the approval of the committee on Rules, and may expend with like
1748	1748	1739approval such sums as may be necessary for the discharge of their duties. 85 of 142
1749	1749	1740(b) The EEO Officer shall receive, review and investigate all complaints alleging a violation of
1750	1750	1741Rule 88, the House Anti-Harassment Policy, or the House Equal Employment Policy, including,
1751	1751	1742but not limited to complaints alleging harassment or retaliation. Complaints shall be received,
1752	1752	1743reviewed and investigated pursuant to Rules 93 to 96, inclusive.
1753	1753	1744The EEO Officer shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for receiving,
1754	1754	1745investigating, resolving and maintaining records of complaints against members, officers, interns
1755	1755	1746or employees of the House, or against third parties, made in accordance with Rules 93 to 98,
1756	1756	1747inclusive.
1757	1757	1748(c) (1) The EEO Officer, in conjunction with the committee on Human Resources and Employee
1758	1758	1749Engagement and the Director, shall provide for training of members. Training shall include,
1759	1759	1750without limitation, instruction on: (i) House equal employment policies, including the complaint
1760	1760	1751and investigation process; (ii) workplace harassment specifically, including techniques for
1761	1761	1752bystander intervention and other best practices; (iii) prohibition on retaliation; (iv) best
1762	1762	1753management practices; (v) professionalism and respect; and (vi) practices for monitoring the
1763	1763	1754workplace for issues and identifying risk factors. Each member shall make a signed, written
1764	1764	1755acknowledgement of the member's completion of the training, which shall be retained by the
1765	1765	1756EEO Officer.
1766	1766	1757 (2) The EEO Officer, in conjunction with the committee on Human Resources and Employee
1767	1767	1758Engagement and the Director, shall provide for annual training for all appointed officers and
1768	1768	1759employees. Training shall include, without limitation, instruction on (i) House equal employment
1769	1769	1760policies, including the complaint and investigation process; (ii) workplace harassment 86 of 142
1770	1770	1761specifically, including techniques for bystander intervention and other best practices; (iii)
1771	1771	1762prohibition on retaliation; and (iv) professionalism and respect.
1772	1772	1763Separate trainings shall be held for those appointed officers and employees who are supervisors
1773	1773	1764and those appointed officers and employees who are not supervisors. The content of the training
1774	1774	1765shall be tailored appropriately to the recipients. Supervisors shall be specifically trained on best
1775	1775	1766management practices.
1776	1776	1767Each appointed officer and employee shall make a signed, written acknowledgement of their
1777	1777	1768completion of the training, which shall be retained by the EEO Officer, who shall provide a copy
1778	1778	1769to the Director to be maintained in their personnel file.
1779	1779	1770 (3) The EEO Officer shall provide for appropriate additional training to members, officers or
1780	1780	1771employees at any time that the EEO Officer deems necessary or appropriate, including upon the
1781	1781	1772request of a member, officer or employee.
1782	1782	1773 (4) The EEO Officer, in conjunction with the Director, shall provide for training for interns
1783	1783	1774during the intern orientation process. The training shall include without limitation, instruction
1784	1784	1775on: (i) House equal employment policies, including the complaint and investigation process; (ii)
1785	1785	1776workplace harassment specifically, including techniques for bystander intervention and other
1786	1786	1777best practices; (iii) prohibition on retaliation; and (iv) professionalism and respect. Each intern
1787	1787	1778shall make a signed, written acknowledgement of the intern's completion of the training, which
1788	1788	1779shall be retained by the EEO Officer, who shall provide a copy to the Director to be maintained
1789	1789	1780in the Director's records.
1790	1790	1781(d) The EEO Officer shall develop practices and procedures for auditing House offices, including
1791	1791	1782random audits, to ensure the maintenance of best practices. Audits may include interviews and 87 of 142
1792	1792	1783in-office observation. All members, officers, interns and employees shall comply with a request
1793	1793	1784from the EEO Officer to conduct an audit. [Adopted Mar. 15, 2018.]
1794	1794	178590. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Director of Human Resources. The committee on
1795	1795	1786Rules shall appoint a qualified person to act as the Director at such compensation as the
1796	1796	1787committee on Rules shall approve.
1797	1797	1788The Director shall serve a term of two years from the date of appointment, unless the Director
1798	1798	1789sooner resigns, retires or is removed; provided, however, that the Director may only be removed:
1799	1799	1790(i) for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance, as determined by agreement of the EEO Officer
1800	1800	1791and Counsel and approved by a majority vote of the committee on Rules; or (ii) by a majority
1801	1801	1792roll call vote of the House.
1802	1802	1793 (b) The Director may employ such assistants as may be necessary in the discharge of the
1803	1803	1794Director's duties, subject to the approval of the committee on Rules, and may expend with like
1804	1804	1795approval such sums as may be necessary for the discharge of their duties.
1805	1805	1796 (c) The Director shall develop and oversee standardized practices and procedures, which shall
1806	1806	1797apply to all applications for employment. The practices and procedures shall include, but shall
1807	1807	1798not be limited to: (i) a standard application for employment; (ii) mandatory background and
1808	1808	1799reference checks, the results of which shall be reported by the Director to the applicant's
1809	1809	1800prospective appointing authority; and (iii) a standard offer letter for each position within the
1810	1810	1801House.
1811	1811	1802 (d) The Director shall develop and oversee standardized practices and procedures, which shall
1812	1812	1803apply to all employees and appointed officers of the House. These practices and procedures shall
1813	1813	1804include or address, without limitation: (i) regular meetings between the Director, the EEO 88 of 142
1814	1814	1805Officer and employees who are supervisors, including an initial meeting within 14 days of the
1815	1815	1806employee assuming such a role; (ii) guidelines for conducting employee performance reviews;
1816	1816	1807(iii) a program of progressive discipline; and (iv) separations from employment including exit
1817	1817	1808interviews for terminated employees.
1818	1818	1809 (e) The Director shall develop employee classifications, which shall include written job
1819	1819	1810descriptions, salary ranges and schedules. The classifications shall be published in the employee
1820	1820	1811and supervisor handbooks. The Director may develop a seniority system on which employee
1821	1821	1812salaries may be based. A seniority system shall be published in the employee handbook.
1822	1822	1813 (f) The Director shall develop practices and procedures for receiving, investigating and
1823	1823	1814resolving personnel complaints unrelated to Rule 88, the House Anti-Harassment Policy, or the
1824	1824	1815House Equal Employment Policy.
1825	1825	1816 (g) The Director shall annually publish: (i) an Employee Handbook; and (ii) an Intern
1826	1826	1817Handbook. Each handbook shall be developed with the advice and approval of the EEO Officer
1827	1827	1818and Counsel, and shall be submitted to the committee on Human Resources and Employee
1828	1828	1819Engagement for review and approval at least 14 days prior to publication.
1829	1829	1820The handbooks shall be available as follows:
1830	1830	1821(i) the Director shall post both handbooks on the human resources web portal;
1831	1831	1822(ii) the Director shall email an electronic copy of the Employee Handbook to each employee
1832	1832	1823within 10 days of its publication and require that each employee sign a written acknowledgement
1833	1833	1824of receipt and return such acknowledgement to the Director within 5 days; 89 of 142
1834	1834	1825(iii) the Director shall email an electronic copy of the Employee Handbook to each new
1835	1835	1826employee within 5 days of the employee's start date and require that the employee sign a written
1836	1836	1827acknowledgement of receipt and return such acknowledgement to the Director within 5 days;
1837	1837	1828 (iv) the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall provide an Intern
1838	1838	1829Handbook to each intern on the first day of their internship. Upon receipt of the Intern
1839	1839	1830Handbook the intern shall sign a written acknowledgement of receipt that day, which shall be
1840	1840	1831maintained by the committee, with a copy sent to the Director;
1841	1841	1832(vi) hard copies of each handbook shall be available in the offices of the Director, the EEO
1842	1842	1833Officer, Counsel and the Clerk;
1843	1843	1834(vi) the Director shall cause electronic copies of each handbook to be downloaded onto the
1844	1844	1835desktop of each House computer; and
1845	1845	1836(vii) in formats accessible to all members, officers and employees.
1846	1846	1837(h) (1) The Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement, in consultation with
1847	1847	1838the Director, shall develop policies to address individuals who provide services to the House in a
1848	1848	1839volunteer capacity or otherwise without receiving compensation
1849	1849	1840(2) The Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement, in consultation with the
1850	1850	1841Director and subject to the approval of Counsel, shall develop policies pro-bono service and
1851	1851	1842charitable and community service activities by members, officers and employees of the House.
1852	1852	1843 [Added Mar. 15. 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
1853	1853	184491. The Director shall, in consultation with the EEO Officer, create and maintain an internal web
1854	1854	1845portal for members, officers and employees. The web portal shall provide relevant information 90 of 142
1855	1855	1846on human resource policies and procedures, including, without limitation, the Rules of the
1856	1856	1847House, each handbook published by the Director, explanations of complaint and investigation
1857	1857	1848procedures, contact information for the Director, the EEO Officer and Counsel, training
1858	1858	1849opportunities and schedules and the directory of committee staff required pursuant to Rule 92.
1859	1859	1850 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
1860	1860	185192. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Director of Employee Engagement. The committee
1861	1861	1852on Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall appoint a qualified person to act as the
1862	1862	1853Director of Employee Engagement at such compensation as the committee on Human Resources
1863	1863	1854and Employee Engagement shall approve.
1864	1864	1855 (b) The Director of Employee Engagement shall, in consultation with the Director of Human
1865	1865	1856Resources: (i) develop methods for enhancing the skills and professional development of
1866	1866	1857employees including skills for providing constituent services and engaging with, and ensuring
1867	1867	1858the privacy of, members of the public who visit the State House; (ii) explore and develop
1868	1868	1859partnerships with national trade organizations to maximize the opportunities for professional
1869	1869	1860development available to employees; and (iv) engage employees in roundtable discussions on
1870	1870	1861issues of importance or concern.
1871	1871	1862 (c) The Director of Employee Engagement shall assist the committee on Human Resources
1872	1872	1863and Employee Engagement with duties as may be assigned by the committee or the Director of
1873	1873	1864Human Resources.
1874	1874	1865(d) The Director of Employee Engagement shall prepare and publish on the house intranet a
1875	1875	1866directory of committee staff. 91 of 142
1876	1876	1867 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
1877	1877	186893. (a) (1) A member who believes that they have been the object of harassment or retaliation,
1878	1878	1869who witnesses harassment or retaliation, or who becomes aware of harassment or retaliation
1879	1879	1870may make a complaint, either orally or in writing with the EEO Officer, Counsel, or the Director.
1880	1880	1871Upon receipt of a complaint pursuant to this subsection, a recipient other than the EEO Officer
1881	1881	1872shall forthwith provide a detailed account of the complaint to the EEO Officer for assessment
1882	1882	1873pursuant to Rule 94.
1883	1883	1874 (2) An appointed officer, employee or intern of the House who believes that they have been
1884	1884	1875the object of harassment or retaliation, who witnesses harassment or retaliation, or who becomes
1885	1885	1876aware of harassment or retaliation may make a complaint, either orally or in writing, to any of
1886	1886	1877the officer's, employee's or intern's supervisors, the Director, the EEO Officer or Counsel. Upon
1887	1887	1878receipt of a complaint pursuant to this subsection, a recipient other than the EEO Officer shall
1888	1888	1879forthwith provide a detailed account of the complaint to the EEO Officer for assessment pursuant
1889	1889	1880to Rule 94.
1890	1890	1881 (3) A third party who believes that they have been the object of harassment, or who witnesses
1891	1891	1882harassment or retaliation may make a complaint, either orally or in writing, with the EEO
1892	1892	1883Officer. Upon receipt of a complaint pursuant to this subsection, the EEO Officer shall assess
1893	1893	1884the complaint pursuant to Rule 94.
1894	1894	1885 (b) The EEO Officer shall provide guidance for authorized parties who may receive
1895	1895	1886complaints under subsection (a), both in the form of the training referenced in Rule 89 and
1896	1896	1887otherwise. The guidance shall instruct authorized parties on the proper way to receive
1897	1897	1888complaints and to advise complainants on issues including, but not limited to, confidentiality, 92 of 142
1898	1898	1889prohibition on retaliation and the availability of additional resources and avenues for action for
1899	1899	1890the complainant, including possible criminal action where appropriate.
1900	1900	1891 (c) If a complaint, made pursuant to subsection (a), is against the EEO Officer or an employee
1901	1901	1892appointed by the EEO Officer, the recipient of the complaint shall notify Counsel, who shall, in
1902	1902	1893consultation with the Director, investigate the complaint pursuant to Rules 94 to 96, inclusive.
1903	1903	1894 (d) If, based on the nature and circumstances of the complaint, the EEO Officer believes that
1904	1904	1895they cannot objectively assess or investigate a complaint made pursuant to subsection (a) the
1905	1905	1896EEO Officer shall refer the matter to Counsel who shall assume responsibility for the assessment
1906	1906	1897or investigation or refer the complaint to outside counsel for investigation. The EEO Officer
1907	1907	1898shall consult with Counsel to establish guidelines used to identify matters that should be referred
1908	1908	1899to Counsel or outside counsel pursuant to this subsection.
1909	1909	1900 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
1910	1910	190194. (a)(1) All complaints alleging harassment or retaliation by or against a member, officer,
1911	1911	1902intern or employee of the House, or by or against a third party, received by any member, officer
1912	1912	1903or employee of the House, shall be immediately referred to the EEO Officer for assessment.
1913	1913	1904(2) Upon receiving a complaint alleging harassment or retaliation by or against a member, officer
1914	1914	1905or employee of the House, or by or against a third party, the EEO Officer shall promptly
1915	1915	1906undertake an assessment to determine whether the complaint is plausible and requires
1916	1916	1907investigation. Such assessment shall be completed within two weeks from the date of receiving a
1917	1917	1908complaint. 93 of 142
1918	1918	1909Upon a determination by the EEO Officer that a complaint is plausible and requires
1919	1919	1910investigation, the EEO Officer shall commence an investigation of the complaint.
1920	1920	1911Upon a determination by the EEO Officer that a complaint is not plausible and does not require
1921	1921	1912investigation, the EEO Officer shall submit a report to Counsel and the Director describing the
1922	1922	1913complaint and the EEO Officer's basis for determining that the complaint lacked plausibility and
1923	1923	1914did not require investigation. If either Counsel or the Director objects to the EEO Officer's
1924	1924	1915determination, the EEO Officer shall commence an investigation of the complaint.
1925	1925	1916(b) The EEO Officer shall assess complaints and conduct investigations pursuant to written
1926	1926	1917policies and procedures, which shall be established by the EEO Officer pursuant to Rule 98 and
1927	1927	1918published on the human resources web portal. The policies and procedures shall ensure that all
1928	1928	1919assessments, investigations and reports are confidential to the fullest extent practicable under the
1929	1929	1920circumstances and shall include, without limitation, the following: trauma-informed techniques;
1930	1930	1921mechanisms for investigating complaints made by witnesses or third parties; standards for
1931	1931	1922collecting and maintaining evidence; consideration of interim measures; and methods to tailor
1932	1932	1923each investigation to the specific needs of the complainant and particular circumstances of the
1933	1933	1924complaint.
1934	1934	1925(c) The EEO Officer shall complete investigations within 90 days; provided, that the EEO
1935	1935	1926Officer may extend the investigation in extraordinary circumstances. The EEO Officer shall
1936	1936	1927regularly, but no less frequently than every 2 weeks, update the complainant on the status of the
1937	1937	1928investigation. If the EEO Officer believes that interim measures are warranted to protect
1938	1938	1929complainants during the investigation, then the EEO shall recommend such measures to the
1939	1939	1930appropriate supervisory individual or body. 94 of 142
1940	1940	1931(d) Upon the conclusion of an investigation, the EEO Officer shall prepare a report summarizing
1941	1941	1932the complaint, the EEO Officer's investigation, findings and recommendations, if any, for
1942	1942	1933disciplinary, remedial or preventative action, or any combination thereof.
1943	1943	1934 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
1944	1944	193595. (a) (1) If after completion of an investigation pursuant to Rule 94, the EEO Officer
1945	1945	1936determines that a member has violated Rule 88, the EEO Officer shall recommend disciplinary,
1946	1946	1937remedial or preventative action, or any combination thereof, as is appropriate and proportional
1947	1947	1938under the circumstances, subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3).
1948	1948	1939(2) Where the EEO Officer's action recommended pursuant to paragraph (1) does not include
1949	1949	1940reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion,
1950	1950	1941prior to imposing such action the EEO Officer shall notify the member of the action and provide
1951	1951	1942the member with a copy of the EEO Officer's report. The member may, within 10 days of
1952	1952	1943receiving notice, request in writing that the Speaker and Minority Leader appoint a special
1953	1953	1944committee pursuant to Rule 96 to review the findings and recommendations of the EEO Officer.
1954	1954	1945Upon receipt of said request, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall convene a special committee
1955	1955	1946pursuant to Rule 96.
1956	1956	1947If the member fails to request the appointment of a special committee pursuant to Rule 96 within
1957	1957	194810 days, the EEO Officer shall implement the recommended action.
1958	1958	1949(3) If the action recommended pursuant to subsection (a) includes reprimand, censure, removal
1959	1959	1950from position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion, the EEO Officer shall
1960	1960	1951request that the Speaker and Minority Leader convene a special committee pursuant to Rule 96
1961	1961	1952to review the findings and recommendations of the EEO Officer. Upon receipt of said request 95 of 142
1962	1962	1953from the EEO Officer, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall appoint a special committee
1963	1963	1954pursuant to Rule 96.
1964	1964	1955(4) Upon the request for a special committee made by the EEO Officer or a member pursuant to
1965	1965	1956this subsection, the EEO Officer shall provide the Speaker and Minority Leader with a copy of
1966	1966	1957the EEO Officer's report.
1967	1967	1958(b) (1) If after completion of an investigation pursuant to Rule 94 the EEO Officer concludes that
1968	1968	1959an appointed officer, intern or employee has violated Rule 88, the EEO Officer shall notify the
1969	1969	1960appointing authority for the appointed officer, intern or employee and recommend and
1970	1970	1961implement remedial, preventative or disciplinary action, or any combination thereof, as is
1971	1971	1962appropriate and proportional under the circumstances, subject to the limitations set forth in
1972	1972	1963paragraph (2). Notwithstanding Rule 97, the appointing authority may inform any other
1973	1973	1964supervisors of the appointed officer, intern or employee of the remedial, preventative or
1974	1974	1965disciplinary action if the appointing authority believes that sharing such information is necessary
1975	1975	1966for maintaining proper supervision of the appointed officer, intern or employee.
1976	1976	1967(2) If after completion of an investigation pursuant to Rule 94 the EEO Officer concludes that an
1977	1977	1968appointed officer, intern or employee has violated Rule 88 and the EEO Officer's action
1978	1978	1969recommended pursuant to paragraph (1) includes termination of employment or internship, the
1979	1979	1970EEO Officer shall forward the recommendation, with all supporting documentation, to Counsel
1980	1980	1971for review and approval. Counsel shall have two business days to review the EEO Officer's
1981	1981	1972recommendation. If Counsel approves the recommendation, Counsel shall notify the EEO
1982	1982	1973Officer and the Director and the Director shall immediately terminate the individual's 96 of 142
1983	1983	1974employment or internship. If Counsel rejects the EEO Officer's recommendation, he shall notify
1984	1984	1975the EEO Officer and the Speaker and the Speaker shall determine the action to be implemented.
1985	1985	1976 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
1986	1986	197796. (a) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to Rule 95, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall
1987	1987	1978confidentially convene a Special Committee on Professional Conduct, which shall consist of 7
1988	1988	1979members, 5 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the
1989	1989	1980Minority Leader. To the extent practicable, membership on the special committee shall be
1990	1990	1981apportioned in a way that takes into account the nature of the complaint and the commitment of
1991	1991	1982the House to providing fair and equal opportunity in employment. The Speaker shall appoint a
1992	1992	1983member to serve as chair. No member who has declared their candidacy for any other local,
1993	1993	1984state or federal office shall be appointed to a special committee. Upon appointment of members
1994	1994	1985to the committee, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall notify the EEO Officer and the member
1995	1995	1986who is the subject of the complaint of the identity of the members appointed. The existence of
1996	1996	1987the committee and the identity of the members appointed to the committee shall otherwise
1997	1997	1988remain confidential.
1998	1998	1989(b) The EEO Officer shall provide the members of the special committee with all records
1999	1999	1990relevant to the investigation. The special committee shall review all records and may further
2000	2000	1991investigate, to the extent that it is necessary to resolve the complaint. The special committee
2001	2001	1992may summon witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and compel the production of books,
2002	2002	1993papers, documents and other evidence in connection with its review.
2003	2003	1994(c) In the case of a special committee convened under this section upon the request for a review
2004	2004	1995by a member pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Rule 95, the committee shall 97 of 142
2005	2005	1996determine whether the EEO Officer's intended action is proportional and appropriate under the
2006	2006	1997circumstances. If a majority of the committee so finds, it shall order that the action
2007	2007	1998recommended by EEO Officer be implemented, along with any additional disciplinary, remedial
2008	2008	1999or preventative action, or any combination thereof, the committee determines to be proportional
2009	2009	2000and appropriate under the circumstances, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (d). If
2010	2010	2001a majority of the committee finds that the intended action was not proportional or appropriate
2011	2011	2002under the circumstances, it may make a new recommendation for disciplinary, remedial or
2012	2012	2003preventative action, or any combination thereof, subject to the limitations set forth in said
2013	2013	2004subsection (d). All determinations of the committee pursuant to this subsection shall be final.
2014	2014	2005(d) (1) If a majority of the committee finds that a member has violated Rule 88, it may take any
2015	2015	2006disciplinary, remedial or preventative action, or any combination thereof, as it determines to be
2016	2016	2007proportional and appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that if the committee
2017	2017	2008determines that reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position of
2018	2018	2009authority, or expulsion is proportional and appropriate under the circumstances, it shall file a
2019	2019	2010report with the Clerk recommending that the House vote to implement the disciplinary action.
2020	2020	2011(2) Upon the filing of a report pursuant to paragraph (1), the Clerk shall promptly: (i) make the
2021	2021	2012report available to all members electronically; (ii) cause the report to be posted on the website of
2022	2022	2013the General Court; and (iii) place the matter in first position in the Orders of the Day for the next
2023	2023	2014calendar day that the House is meeting; provided, however, that no business shall be conducted
2024	2024	2015on that calendar day or any day thereafter until the question of acceptance or rejection of the
2025	2025	2016special committee's recommendation for discipline is decided by a majority of the members
2026	2026	2017voting and present by a recorded roll call vote. If a majority of the members vote to accept the 98 of 142
2027	2027	2018recommendation for discipline, the member shall be disciplined in the manner so recommended.
2028	2028	2019Unless a majority of the members vote to accept the report, the member shall not be disciplined.
2029	2029	2020(3) All findings and determinations of the committee, including instances where the special
2030	2030	2021committee does not file a report with the Clerk pursuant to paragraph (1), shall be reported to the
2031	2031	2022EEO Officer and shall be final. The EEO Officer shall maintain confidential records of such
2032	2032	2023findings and determinations, except that a report filed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be public.
2033	2033	2024(e) The committee may consult with Counsel, the EEO Officer or the Director in discharging its
2034	2034	2025duties pursuant to Rules 88 to 97, inclusive.
2035	2035	2026 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
2036	2036	202797. (a) Any information obtained by a member or employee in their official capacity and relating
2037	2037	2028to a complaint or investigation of harassment pursuant to Rules 93 to 96, inclusive, and any
2038	2038	2029records of such information shall be confidential to the fullest extent possible. Confidentiality
2039	2039	2030shall be specifically subject to subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e).
2040	2040	2031(b) (1) The EEO Officer, in reviewing a complaint and conducting an investigation, shall keep
2041	2041	2032the complaint confidential and shall not disclose the identity of the complainant or the person
2042	2042	2033against whom the complaint is made or any other details of the complaint with any member or
2043	2043	2034employee; provided, however, that the EEO Officer may share information to the extent
2044	2044	2035necessary to interview witnesses or parties to the investigation or to consult with Counsel if the
2045	2045	2036EEO Officer determines that such consultation is required in connection with the investigation.
2046	2046	2037(2) In the case of a complaint against a staff person, the EEO Officer shall maintain
2047	2047	2038confidentiality throughout their investigation and implement all remedial actions and discipline
2048	2048	2039short of termination confidentially, without sharing the identity of the complainant or the person 99 of 142
2049	2049	2040against whom the complaint is made or any other details of the complaint with any member or
2050	2050	2041employee; provided, however, that the EEO Officer may share information to the extent
2051	2051	2042necessary to implement any remedial actions or discipline or to consult with Counsel if the EEO
2052	2052	2043Officer determines that such consultation is required in connection with the investigation. This
2053	2053	2044paragraph shall not limit the EEO Officer's ability to transmit the resolution of a complaint,
2054	2054	2045including any discipline resulting therefrom, to the Director for inclusion in the employee's
2055	2055	2046personnel file.
2056	2056	2047(3) In the case of a complaint against a staff person, where the EEO Officer recommends
2057	2057	2048termination, the EEO Officer shall share information with Counsel for review. If Counsel and
2058	2058	2049the EEO Officer disagree as to whether termination is the appropriate discipline, confidentiality
2059	2059	2050shall only be expanded to the extent needed to inform the Office of the Speaker and reach a
2060	2060	2051resolution.
2061	2061	2052(4) In the case of a complaint against a member, the EEO officer shall maintain confidentiality
2062	2062	2053throughout their investigation by: (i) not disclosing information to any member or employee who
2063	2063	2054is not a witness or party to the investigation, except to consult with Counsel if the EEO Officer
2064	2064	2055determines that such consultation is required in connection with the investigation; and (ii)
2065	2065	2056confidentially recommending all remedial actions short of reprimand, censure, removal from
2066	2066	2057position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion of a member. This paragraph shall
2067	2067	2058not limit the EEO Officer's ability to: (i) share their report with the Office of the Speaker and the
2068	2068	2059Minority Leader upon the request for a special committee pursuant to Rule 95; and (ii) share any
2069	2069	2060records relevant to the investigation with the special committee convened pursuant to Rule 96;
2070	2070	2061provided, that when sharing their report with the Office of the Speaker and the Minority Leader, 100 of 142
2071	2071	2062the EEO Officer may use pseudonyms, redaction and other methods the EEO Officer considers
2072	2072	2063appropriate to address the needs of a complainant or the circumstances of a complaint.
2073	2073	2064(c) (1) The establishment of a special committee pursuant to Rule 96 shall be completely
2074	2074	2065confidential, except that the Speaker and Minority Leader shall disclose the names of their
2075	2075	2066respective appointments to the EEO Officer. The EEO Officer shall maintain a confidential
2076	2076	2067record of the membership of each special committee that is convened.
2077	2077	2068(2) All proceedings of a special committee convened pursuant to Rule 96 shall be confidential
2078	2078	2069and members of the committee shall not share any information about the complaint and
2079	2079	2070investigation for which the committee was convened with any other member or employee,
2080	2080	2071including their own appointed staff; provided, however, that the committee may consult with
2081	2081	2072Counsel if the chair of the committee determines that such consultation is required in connection
2082	2082	2073with the investigation.
2083	2083	2074(3) A special committee convened pursuant to Rule 96 shall implement all actions short of
2084	2084	2075reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion
2085	2085	2076of a member confidentially, except that the special committee shall submit a final report to the
2086	2086	2077EEO Officer and may consult with Counsel if the chair of the committee determines that such
2087	2087	2078consultation is required in connection with their recommended action. The committee's
2088	2088	2079recommendation, if any, for reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other
2089	2089	2080position of authority, or expulsion of a member, shall be a public document; provided, however,
2090	2090	2081that the committee may use pseudonyms to conceal the identity of the complainant if the
2091	2091	2082circumstances of the complaint so warrant. 101 of 142
2092	2092	2083(d) All authorized parties shall keep complaints confidential, except to share the complaint with
2093	2093	2084the EEO Officer.
2094	2094	2085(e) Nothing in this Rule shall limit the ability of the EEO Officer to share information with a
2095	2095	2086complainant, to the extent appropriate, in order to properly conclude the complaint or
2096	2096	2087investigation process.
2097	2097	2088 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
2098	2098	208998. The EEO Officer and the Director shall establish all policies, procedures and guidelines
2099	2099	2090required by Rules 88 to 97, inclusive, and may develop supplemental policies, procedures and
2100	2100	2091guidelines necessary to implement or enforce Rules 88 to 97, inclusive; provided, that no policy,
2101	2101	2092procedure or guideline shall take effect without the prior review and written approval of Counsel
2102	2102	2093and the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement. Where appropriate, these
2103	2103	2094policies, procedures and guidelines shall be included in the handbooks.
2104	2104	2095The EEO Officer and the Director may consult with each other, Counsel, and the committee on
2105	2105	2096Human Resources and Employee Engagement to carry out the requirements of Rules 88 to 97,
2106	2106	2097inclusive.
2107	2107	2098 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
2108	2108	209999. In the event of a vacancy in the office of EEO Officer appointed pursuant to Rule 89,
2109	2109	2100Counsel may, notwithstanding House Rule 87 and utilizing sound business practices, procure the
2110	2110	2101services of an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, hereinafter the Contract EEO Officer, to
2111	2111	2102perform the duties of the EEO Officer established in Rules 88 to 100, inclusive, during said
2112	2112	2103vacancy as required. 102 of 142
2113	2113	2104Notwithstanding Rules 88 to 100, inclusive, all complaints alleging a violation of Rule 88, the
2114	2114	2105House Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, or the House Equal
2115	2115	2106Employment Policy, including, but not limited to complaints alleging harassment or retaliation
2116	2116	2107shall be referred to the Contract EEO Officer for review and, if necessary, investigation pursuant
2117	2117	2108to Rules 88 through 100.
2118	2118	2109Counsel shall consult with the Chair of the House Committee on Rules prior to executing a
2119	2119	2110contract for services pursuant to this Rule.
2120	2120	2111 [Added March 15, 2018.]
2121	2121	2112100. (a) No member, officer or employee shall execute any agreement to settle any legal claim or
2122	2122	2113potential legal claim by any current or former member, officer or employee unless said
2123	2123	2114agreement is executed pursuant to this rule.
2124	2124	2115(b) No member, officer or employee shall execute any agreement to settle any legal claim or
2125	2125	2116potential legal claim brought by any current or former member, officer or employee without the
2126	2126	2117approval of Counsel, the Director and the EEO Officer. Counsel, the Director and the EEO
2127	2127	2118Officer shall each independently review the claim or potential legal claim brought by any current
2128	2128	2119or former member, officer or employee and confirm that the claim or potential claim does not
2129	2129	2120relate to sexual harassment or retaliation based on a claim of sexual harassment. Counsel, the
2130	2130	2121Director and the EEO Officer shall not approve any settlement of a legal claim or potential legal
2131	2131	2122claim brought by any current or former member, officer or employee pursuant to this subsection
2132	2132	2123if Counsel, the Director or the EEO Officer reasonably believes such legal claim or potential
2133	2133	2124legal claim relates to sexual harassment or retaliation based on a claim of sexual harassment. 103 of 142
2134	2134	2125(c) No member, officer or employee shall execute any agreement to settle any legal claim or
2135	2135	2126potential legal claim of sexual harassment, or retaliation based on a legal claim or potential legal
2136	2136	2127claim of sexual harassment, by any current or former member, officer or employee unless said
2137	2137	2128agreement is executed pursuant to this subsection.
2138	2138	2129No member, officer or employee shall execute any agreement to settle a legal claim or potential
2139	2139	2130legal claim of sexual harassment, or retaliation based on a legal claim or potential legal claim of
2140	2140	2131sexual harassment, by any current or former member, officer or employee unless:
2141	2141	21321. the request to negotiate said agreement was initiated, in writing, by the person filing or eligible
2142	2142	2133to file the legal claim or potential legal claim or a person legally authorized to represent that
2143	2143	2134person;
2144	2144	21352. the person filing the legal claim or eligible to file the legal claim is given 15 days to review
2145	2145	2136and consider the agreement;
2146	2146	21373. the duration of any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of the agreement to settle
2147	2147	2138the legal claim or potential legal claim is for a finite period of time as agreed to by the parties;
2148	2148	21394. the agreement to settle the legal claim or potential legal claim specifically provides that no
2149	2149	2140provision of the agreement, including any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of the
2150	2150	2141agreement, shall preclude any party from participating in an investigation by Counsel, the
2151	2151	2142Director, the EEO Officer, a Committee on Professional Conduct or any law enforcement
2152	2152	2143agency; and
2153	2153	21445. the agreement is approved in writing by Counsel, the Director and the EEO Officer. 104 of 142
2154	2154	2145(d) In the case of an agreement to settle any legal claim or potential legal claim of sexual
2155	2155	2146harassment pursuant to this Rule by a member, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall appoint a
2156	2156	2147Special Committee on Professional Conduct pursuant to Rule 96 to determine if the member
2157	2157	2148shall be required to personally reimburse the House for all or part of the settlement amount.
2158	2158	2149Upon a determination by the Special Committee that the member shall be required to personally
2159	2159	2150reimburse the House for all or part of the settlement amount, it shall determine the amount to be
2160	2160	2151reimbursed and immediately notify the member of that amount
2161	2161	2152(e) Upon request of the party described in paragraph numbered 1 above or the complainant,
2162	2162	2153Counsel shall waive any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of any agreement
2163	2163	2154executed prior to the effective date of this Rule by the House and any current or former member,
2164	2164	2155officer or employee, to allow said current or former member, officer or employee to report or
2165	2165	2156discuss a claim of sexual harassment or retaliation based on sexual harassment.
2166	2166	2157 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
2167	2167	2158101. Notwithstanding Rule 7C, the Speaker may, upon recommendation of a majority of the
2168	2168	2159committee on Rules, activate remote rules for the operation of the House of Representatives:
2169	2169	2160Remote Rules for the Operation of the House of Representatives
2170	2170	2161 Remote Rule 1. As used in Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, the following terms shall have
2171	2171	2162the following meanings:-
2172	2172	2163“Clerk”, the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
2173	2173	2164“Formal session”, a formal session of the House.
2174	2174	2165“House”, the House of Representatives. 105 of 142
2175	2175	2166“House Chamber”, the House Chamber within the Massachusetts State House in Boston or the
2176	2176	2167location to which the House at its previous formal or informal session adjourned to meet.
2177	2177	2168“Member”, a member of the House of Representatives.
2178	2178	2169“Monitor”, one of the members appointed by the Speaker pursuant to Standing Rule 8.
2179	2179	2170“Participating remotely” or “remotely present”, participating by telephone, teleconference, video
2180	2180	2171conference or other means.
2181	2181	2172 “Present”, a member either physically present in the House Chamber for a formal session or
2182	2182	2173remotely present, and participating in a formal session.
2183	2183	2174“Quorum”, eighty-one members present for a formal session.
2184	2184	2175 “Speaker”, the Speaker of the House or the member presiding at the formal session of the House
2185	2185	2176after being appointed by the Speaker to perform the duties of the Chair pursuant to Standing Rule
2186	2186	21775.
2187	2187	2178 “Standing rules”, House Rules 1 through 100, inclusive.
2188	2188	2179Remote Rule 2. (a)(1) , The House may assemble in a formal session with members participating
2189	2189	2180remotely. Members participating remotely in a formal session may vote on any question or other
2190	2190	2181matter before the House. Members participating remotely in a formal session shall be considered
2191	2191	2182present and in attendance at the formal session for all purposes, including for purposes of
2192	2192	2183determining a quorum pursuant to Article XXXIII of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
2193	2193	2184Commonwealth or any standing rules and for purposes of appearing before the Governor and
2194	2194	2185council pursuant to Part the Second, Chapter VI, Article I of the Constitution of the
2195	2195	2186Commonwealth. 106 of 142
2196	2196	2187 (2) A member participating remotely in a formal session shall have the same privileges, rights
2197	2197	2188and responsibilities as if the member were physically present in the House Chamber, including
2198	2198	2189without limitation, the right, privilege and responsibility to cast votes on all questions or other
2199	2199	2190matters brought to a vote and the ability to the take the oath required pursuant to Part the Second,
2200	2200	2191Chapter VI, Article I of the Constitution of the Commonwealth
2201	2201	2192(3) At the commencement of a formal session, the Speaker shall take the Chair at the hour to
2202	2202	2193which the House stands adjourned, call the House to order and immediately order a quorum roll
2203	2203	2194call.
2204	2204	2195(3) (i) The House shall not be called to order before the hour of 10:00 A.M. nor meet beyond the
2205	2205	2196hour of midnight unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
2206	2206	2197 (ii) All votes taken on the enactment of any bill or resolve during any formal session where
2207	2207	2198members are participating remotely shall be by roll call vote.
2208	2208	2199(5) The Clerk shall prepare a Journal for the House for any formal session of the House held
2209	2209	2200remotely. The Journal for the House may reflect that the formal session was convened pursuant
2210	2210	2201to remote rules, but shall not deviate in any substantive manner from the Journal of the House
2211	2211	2202required to be prepared by the Clerk pursuant to Standing Rule 10. The Journal of the House for
2212	2212	2203any formal session of the House held during the state of emergency within the House shall not
2213	2213	2204specify which members participated remotely.
2214	2214	2205(b)(1) The Speaker shall preside from within the House Chamber over any formal session of the
2215	2215	2206House where any member is participating remotely. The Minority Leader, Chair of the
2216	2216	2207committee on Ways and Means, Ranking Minority Member of the committee on Ways and
2217	2217	2208Means, the House Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the joint committee from which any 107 of 142
2218	2218	2209bill being debated at the formal session has been reported, or their designees, and the division
2219	2219	2210monitors may also be physically present. All other members are strongly encouraged to
2220	2220	2211participate remotely in a formal session.
2221	2221	2212 (2) Officers and employees essential to the conduct of the formal session may be present in the
2222	2222	2213House Chamber during a formal session with the express authorization of the Speaker in
2223	2223	2214consultation with the Minority Leader. The Speaker and Minority Leader may have one
2224	2224	2215employee from their office present in the House Chamber during a formal session. No other
2225	2225	2216officer or employee shall be physically present in the House Chamber unless deemed essential to
2226	2226	2217the conduct of the formal session by the Speaker.
2227	2227	2218 (3) All members, officers and employees physically present in the House Chamber during a
2228	2228	2219formal session shall, at the direction of the Speaker, undertake any mitigation measures ordered
2229	2229	2220by the Speaker. Court Officers shall strictly enforce mitigation measures directed by the Speaker
2230	2230	2221by and between members, officers and employees in and around the House Chamber. Any
2231	2231	2222member, officer or employee in violation of the mitigation measures ordered by the Speaker
2232	2232	2223shall be removed from the House Chamber.
2233	2233	2224Remote Rule 3. (a) A member participating remotely may make any motion authorized pursuant
2234	2234	2225to the standing rules, raise a point of order, raise a point of personal privilege, or raise a point of
2235	2235	2226parliamentary inquiry. Members participating remotely shall notify their division monitor of their
2236	2236	2227desire to make a motion, raise a point of order, raise a point of personal privilege or raise a point
2237	2237	2228of parliamentary inquiry. The division monitor shall immediately notify the Speaker who shall
2238	2238	2229recognize the member seeking to make a motion, raise a point of order, raise a point of personal
2239	2239	2230privilege or raise a point of parliamentary inquiry. No member shall interrupt another member 108 of 142
2240	2240	2231while that member is speaking, including to request that the member speaking yield, except for
2241	2241	2232the reasons authorized herein.
2242	2242	2233 (b) A vote on any motion made pursuant to subsection (a) shall be conducted by voice vote as
2243	2243	2234prescribed by subsection (b) of Remote Rule 5, unless the Constitution or the standing rules
2244	2244	2235specifically require a roll call vote.
2245	2245	2236 (c) A motion made by a member participating remotely may be made and submitted by the
2246	2246	2237division monitor for the floor division of the House wherein the seat assigned to said member
2247	2247	2238pursuant to Standing Rule 79 is located.
2248	2248	2239Remote Rule 4. (a) A member participating remotely wishing to speak on any question before
2249	2249	2240the House shall notify the monitor for the floor division of the House wherein the seat assigned
2250	2250	2241to said member pursuant to Standing Rule 79 is located as follows:
2251	2251	2242(i) A member wishing to speak on a bill, resolve or the General Appropriation Bill, or an
2252	2252	2243amendment thereto, shall notify their floor division monitor no later than 10:00 A.M. on the day
2253	2253	2244that the bill, resolve, General Appropriation Bill, or amendment thereto, is scheduled to be
2254	2254	2245considered by the House. Said notification shall include: (1) the number of the bill, resolve
2255	2255	2246General Appropriation Bill, or amendment thereto, that the member wishes to speak to; and (2)
2256	2256	2247whether the member wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the bill, resolve, General
2257	2257	2248Appropriation Bill, or amendment thereto.
2258	2258	2249(ii) A member wishing to speak on a consolidated amendment shall notify their floor division
2259	2259	2250monitor no later than 45 minutes after the consolidated amendment shall have been first filed
2260	2260	2251with the Clerk and made available electronically to the members. Said notification shall include: 109 of 142
2261	2261	2252(1) the number or letter of the consolidated amendment the member wishes to speak to; and (2)
2262	2262	2253whether the member wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the consolidated amendment.
2263	2263	2254(iii) A member wishing to speak on a conference committee report filed pursuant to Joint Rule
2264	2264	225511B shall notify their floor division monitor no later than 10:00 A.M. on the day the conference
2265	2265	2256committee report is scheduled to be considered by the House. Said notification shall include: (1)
2266	2266	2257the bill number of the conference committee report; and (2) whether the member wishes to speak
2267	2267	2258in favor of, or in opposition to the report. The provisions of this paragraph shall be inoperative if
2268	2268	2259the conference committee report is filed later than 8:00 P.M. on the day preceding its
2269	2269	2260consideration by the House.
2270	2270	2261 (b) The monitor for each division shall prepare a list of members of their division notifying the
2271	2271	2262monitor of said member’s desire to speak in favor of a question before the House and a list of
2272	2272	2263members of their division notifying the monitor of said member’s desire to speak in opposition
2273	2273	2264to a question before the House. Each list shall be arranged in order of the time the monitor
2274	2274	2265received the notification with the notification received the earliest being first.
2275	2275	2266(c) Upon completion of the lists required pursuant to subsection (b), the monitors for each
2276	2276	2267division shall transmit the lists to the Speaker and the Minority Leader. The Speaker shall
2277	2277	2268combine the lists received from each of the division monitors and, in consultation with the
2278	2278	2269Minority Leader, shall prepare a consolidated list of members notifying their monitor of the
2279	2279	2270member’s desire to speak in favor of a question before the House and a consolidated list of
2280	2280	2271members of their division notifying the monitor of said member’s desire to speak in opposition
2281	2281	2272to a question before the House. 110 of 142
2282	2282	2273(d) The Speaker shall distribute the lists compiled pursuant to subsection (c) to all members
2283	2283	2274electronically prior to the commencement of the formal session. The Speaker shall distribute the
2284	2284	2275list compiled pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) as soon as practicable upon completion.
2285	2285	2276(e) The consolidated lists prepared by the Speaker pursuant to subsection (c) and distributed to
2286	2286	2277the membership pursuant to subsection (d) shall be the order in which members are recognized
2287	2287	2278during the debate of the respective question. In recognizing members from said lists, the Speaker
2288	2288	2279shall, to the extent practicable, alternate between members wishing to speak in favor of the
2289	2289	2280question and members wishing to speak in opposition to the question.
2290	2290	2281 (f) A member participating remotely may, in lieu of speaking on a bill, resolve, amendment,
2291	2291	2282consolidated amendment or a conference committee report, submit written remarks in favor of,
2292	2292	2283or in opposition to, any bill, resolve, amendment, consolidated amendment or conference
2293	2293	2284committee report to the Clerk before the adjournment of the formal session in which said bill,
2294	2294	2285resolve, amendment, consolidated amendment or conference committee report was considered by
2295	2295	2286the House. Said remarks shall be transmitted to the Clerk electronically in a format prescribed by
2296	2296	2287the Clerk. The Clerk shall include any remarks submitted by a member participating remotely
2297	2297	2288pursuant to this section in the Journal of the House required to be kept by the Clerk pursuant to
2298	2298	2289Standing Rule 10 and Remote Rule 2.
2299	2299	2290Remote Rule 5. (a) Notwithstanding Standing Rules 50 through 52, inclusive, during a formal
2300	2300	2291session where members are participating remotely a vote on any question shall be by either a
2301	2301	2292voice vote of the members present and voting pursuant to subsection (b) or a roll call vote of the
2302	2302	2293members present and voting pursuant to subsection (c). Any question that would require a 111 of 142
2303	2303	2294standing vote under the Standing Rules shall be decided by a voice vote of the members present
2304	2304	2295and voting pursuant to subsection (b).
2305	2305	2296 (b) When a question is put, the sense of the House shall be taken by the voices of the members,
2306	2306	2297and the Speaker shall first announce the vote as it appears to the Speaker by the sound. If the
2307	2307	2298Speaker is unable to decide by the sound of the voices, or if the announcement made thereupon is
2308	2308	2299doubted by a member, the Speaker shall order the division monitors to ascertain the number of
2309	2309	2300members within in their division voting in the affirmative and the number of members within in
2310	2310	2301their division voting in the negative, without further debate upon the question. The division
2311	2311	2302monitors shall report the total vote of their division count to the Speaker. After receiving the
2312	2312	2303reports of the total vote counts from each of the division monitors, the Speaker shall tally said
2313	2313	2304votes and then announce the vote.
2314	2314	2305(c) The sense of the House shall be taken by yeas and nays whenever required by 10 percent of
2315	2315	2306the members elected or when required pursuant to the Constitution of the Commonwealth. The
2316	2316	2307Speaker shall state the pending question and shall order the division monitors to commence the
2317	2317	2308roll call of the members. The division monitors shall call the roll of the members assigned to said
2318	2318	2309division in alphabetical order. The division monitors shall record the votes of each member on a
2319	2319	2310form prescribed by the Clerk. Upon completion of the roll call, the division monitors shall sign
2320	2320	2311the form upon which the roll call for their division was recorded and submit the completed form
2321	2321	2312to the Clerk. The Clerk shall tally the votes of the members of each division and shall enter the
2322	2322	2313votes into the electronic roll call machine. Upon completion of the tally and the entry of the votes
2323	2323	2314into the electronic roll call machine, the Clerk shall notify the Speaker that the vote has been
2324	2324	2315completed. Upon instruction from the Speaker, the Clerk shall display the tally of the vote on the
2325	2325	23162 monitors in the House Chamber. The Speaker shall then announce the vote. 112 of 142
2326	2326	2317 (d) If a member doubts the presence of a quorum, the Speaker shall order the division monitors
2327	2327	2318to ascertain the number of members within in their divisions who are present. Any member
2328	2328	2319confirmed by the division monitor to be participating remotely shall be considered present. The
2329	2329	2320division monitors shall report the total number of members present to the Speaker. After
2330	2330	2321receiving the reports of the total number of members present from each of the division monitors,
2331	2331	2322the Speaker shall tally the numbers and then announce the number of members present. If, after
2332	2332	2323tallying the numbers from each of the division monitors a quorum is not present, the Speaker
2333	2333	2324shall order a roll call vote pursuant to subsection (c).
2334	2334	2325 (e) The call for yeas and nays shall be decided without debate. If the yeas and nays have been
2335	2335	2326ordered before the question is put, the proceedings under subsection (b) shall be omitted.
2336	2336	2327(f) Except as heretofore provided, any member who shall vote or attempt to vote for another
2337	2337	2328member or any person not a member who votes or attempts to vote for a member, or any member
2338	2338	2329or other person who willfully tampers with or attempts to impair or destroy in any manner
2339	2339	2330whatsoever the voting equipment used by the House, or change the records thereon shall be
2340	2340	2331punished in such manner as the House determines; and provided further, that such a violation
2341	2341	2332shall be reported to the committee on Ethics.
2342	2342	2333Remote Rule 6. No consolidated amendment to any bill offered by the committee on Ways and
2343	2343	2334Means shall be considered by the House until the expiration of at least 30 minutes after the
2344	2344	2335consolidated amendment shall have been first filed with the Clerk and made available
2345	2345	2336electronically to the members. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of
2346	2346	2337the members present. 113 of 142
2347	2347	2338Remote Rule 7. No consolidated amendment to any bill offered by the committee on Ways and
2348	2348	2339Means shall be adopted except by a roll call vote.
2349	2349	2340Remote Rule 8. Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, with the approval of the
2350	2350	2341Speaker, a member, officer or employee may take photographs and videos of, and in, the House
2351	2351	2342Chamber provided said photographs or videos are to facilitate the remote participation in the
2352	2352	2343formal session by a member.
2353	2353	2344Remote Rule 9. (a) Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, unless authorized pursuant
2354	2354	2345to subsection (b) or subsection (c), no member participating in a formal session shall be
2355	2355	2346recognized more than once on any question before the House without unanimous consent or on
2356	2356	2347any question before the House for more than 10 minutes without unanimous consent.
2357	2357	2348(b) The following members may, notwithstanding subsection (a), be recognized more than once
2358	2358	2349on any question before the House: (1) the Minority Leader; (2) the member carrying the report of
2359	2359	2350the committee; (3) and the Ranking Minority Member of the committee reporting the bill.
2360	2360	2351(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), after all members have been recognized pursuant to Remote
2361	2361	2352Rule 4, a member who is the primary sponsor of a bill, resolve or an amendment, or a designee
2362	2362	2353of said member, may, in addition to being recognized pursuant to Remote Rule 4, be recognized
2363	2363	2354for purposes of providing rebuttal or further explanation. If a member who is the primary sponsor
2364	2364	2355of a bill, resolve or amendment or their designee is recognized pursuant to this subsection a
2365	2365	2356member from the opposite political party designated by the member carrying the report of the
2366	2366	2357committee or the Ranking Minority Member of the committee reporting the bill may also be
2367	2367	2358recognized in addition to being recognized pursuant to Remote Rule 4. No member shall be
2368	2368	2359recognized pursuant to this subsection for more than 5 minutes without unanimous consent. 114 of 142
2369	2369	2360Remote Rule 10. Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, any formal session where
2370	2370	2361members are participating remotely shall be webcast live on the General Court website. Audio or
2371	2371	2362video recordings of all such sessions shall be made available to the public on the General Court
2372	2372	2363website. All House sessions conducted by electronic means shall be broadcast on House
2373	2373	2364television.
2374	2374	2365Remote 11. Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, no technical failure that breaks
2375	2375	2366the remote connection of a member or members of the House of Representatives participating
2376	2376	2367remotely in a formal session shall invalidate any action taken by the House of Representatives.
2377	2377	2368Remote Rule 12. Notwithstanding Standing Rule 49, members participating remotely may vote
2378	2378	2369in a quorum roll call.
2379	2379	2370Remote Rule 13. Except as otherwise indicated, Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, shall not
2380	2380	2371be suspended unless by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting. Debate upon a motion for
2381	2381	2372the suspension of Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, shall be limited to 15 minutes and no
2382	2382	2373member shall speak for more than 3 minutes.
2383	2383	2374Remote Rule 14. The provisions of any standing or remote rules pertaining to procedures of the
2384	2384	2375House may be suspended and alternative procedures may be used if said alternative methods are
2385	2385	2376approved by a 2/3 majority of the committee on Rules and approved, in writing, by the Speaker
2386	2386	2377and the Minority Leader. The Clerk shall enter any such approvals in the House Journal for the
2387	2387	2378formal session required to be kept by the Clerk pursuant to Standing Rule 10.
2388	2388	2379Remote Rule 15. Except to the extent that they conflict with Remote Rules 1 through 16,
2389	2389	2380inclusive, the standing rules shall remain in full force and effect. 115 of 142
2390	2390	2381Remote Rule 16. Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, shall remain activated for no longer than
2391	2391	238230 days after being activated by the Speaker; provided, that the House of Representative shall not
2392	2392	2383operate under remote rules beyond 30 days without the adoption of an Order by a majority of the
2393	2393	2384House.
2394	2394	2385193nd GENERAL COURT (2023-2024 SESSION).
2395	2395	2386INDEX TO THE HOUSE RULES
2396	2396	2387
2397	2397	2388 [The figures refer to the numbers of the Rules.]
2398	2398	2389 Adjourn, motion to, 55, 64, 65, 82.
2399	2399	2390Adjournment at hour of midnight, unless by unanimous consent, 1A.
2400	2400	2391Admission to the floor, 80.
2401	2401	2392Advance Calendar, 12.
2402	2402	2393Advertising, Joint Rule 9, 85.
2403	2403	2394Advisory opinions of the Ethics Committee, 16.
2404	2404	2395AMENDMENTS:
2405	2405	2396 amendment to amendment, etc., 72.
2406	2406	2397 bill may be moved as, 36.
2407	2407	2398 committee changes, twenty-four hours, 33A. 116 of 142
2408	2408	2399 consolidated, 20A, 33E.
2409	2409	2400 engrossed bill not to be amended, except, 40.
2410	2410	2401 from Senate, sent back for concurrence, 22, 35, 40.
2411	2411	2402 in filling blanks, largest sum, etc., 75.
2412	2412	2403 motions to amend, 65, 72 to 75.
2413	2413	2404 not to be admitted of a different subject, 73.
2414	2414	2405 of rules, 84.
2415	2415	2406 striking out enacting clause, 40.
2416	2416	2407 submission to Clerk, 33A.
2417	2417	2408 to be reduced to writing, 62.
2418	2418	2409 to be referred to committee on Bills in the Third Reading, 22.
2419	2419	2410 to be reported by committee on Bills in the Third Reading, 22.
2420	2420	2411 to General Appropriation Bill, 20A.
2421	2421	2412 when previous question is in order, 66, 67.
2422	2422	2413 when question is divided, 74.
2423	2423	2414
2424	2424	2415Appeals from the decision of the Speaker, 2, 55, 59, 77. 117 of 142
2425	2425	2416Appropriation bill, general, available seven days prior to debate, 20.
2426	2426	2417Appropriation bill, general, procedures for consideration, 20A, 20B.
2427	2427	2418Appropriation bill, general, time for reporting, 27.
2428	2428	2419Appropriation bills, explanations, 20B, 21.
2429	2429	2420Appropriation bills returned by the Governor, 30.
2430	2430	2421Attire, dress in proper and appropriate for all sessions, 2.
2431	2431	2422Audio/visual reproduction of
2432	2432	2423 committee meetings, 17A.
2433	2433	2424 House Chamber, 2.
2434	2434	2425Auditing of House accounts, 85A.
2435	2435	2426
2436	2436	2427Ballot or acclamation ratification in caucus, 18B.
2437	2437	2428BILLS:
2438	2438	2429 1. Preliminary.
2439	2439	2430 accompanying petitions, 24.
2440	2440	2431 availability electronically and on Internet, of, 13A, 20B (GAB).
2441	2441	2432 for special legislation, not to be reported if object is attainable by 118 of 142
2442	2442	2433 general or existing laws, 26.
2443	2443	2434 how to be drafted, 31.
2444	2444	2435how to be introduced, 36.
2445	2445	2436 motions contemplating legislation, etc., to be founded upon petition
2446	2446	2437 or upon bill or resolve, 30.
2447	2447	2438 summaries of to be made available prior to roll call, 33A
2448	2448	2439 to be deposited with Clerk, 24.
2449	2449	2440 to be read by titles only, unless, etc., 37.
2450	2450	24412. As reported by committees.
2451	2451	2442 copies, twenty-four hour availability, 17A, 33A.
2452	2452	2443 general rather than special, 26.
2453	2453	2444 restriction or regulation of reports, 17, 17B, 26, 33A, 38.
2454	2454	24453. Before the second reading.
2455	2455	2446 from the Senate, or from committees, 7A, 41.
2456	2456	2447 if opposed, question on rejection, etc.; otherwise, second reading,
2457	2457	2448 32, 41.
2458	2458	2449 involving expenditures of public money, referred to committee on 119 of 142
2459	2459	2450 Ways and Means, 33.
2460	2460	2451 referred to committee, etc., 34.
2461	2461	24524. Before the third reading.
2462	2462	2453 duties and powers of committee on Bills in the Third Reading, 22,
2463	2463	2454 79(1).
2464	2464	2455 referred to said committee, 22.
2465	2465	2456 placed in Orders of the Day, 43.
2466	2466	24575. After the third reading.
2467	2467	2458 not to be engrossed unless read on three several days, 39.
2468	2468	24596. After engrossment.
2469	2469	2460 certified by Clerk for final passage, 23.
2470	2470	2461 not to be amended, except, 40.
2471	2471	2462 returned by Governor with recommendations of amendment, 40.
2472	2472	24637. Provisions applicable at several stages.
2473	2473	2464 arrangement of matters in Orders of the Day, 12, 46.
2474	2474	2465 consideration of matters in Orders of the Day, 45.
2475	2475	2466final disposition precludes renewal of subject, 38. 120 of 142
2476	2476	2467 matters not to be discharged from Orders of the Day, 47.
2477	2477	2468 motion to strike out enacting clause, when receivable, 40.
2478	2478	2469 provisions respecting bills also applicable to resolves, 78.
2479	2479	2470Bills in the Third Reading, committee on, 17, 18A, 22, 28, 28A, 35, 45, 79(1).
2480	2480	2471 floor amendments, 73A.
2481	2481	2472 motion to discharge or report, 28, 55, 64.
2482	2482	2473 time for reporting, 28A.
2483	2483	2474 written explanation of changes, 22.
2484	2484	2475
2485	2485	2476Blanks, filling of, 75.
2486	2486	2477Business Manager of the House
2487	2487	2478 financial account audits, 85A.
2488	2488	2479 procurement of goods and services, 87.
2489	2489	2480
2490	2490	2481Calendar, 12, 13, 28A, 45, 46, 47.
2491	2491	2482Calendar, dispense with printing of, 12.
2492	2492	2483Capital outlay bills, 20, 21. 121 of 142
2493	2493	2484Caucuses and caucus groups, 17C, 18, 18A, 18B, 19, 19A, 19B.
2494	2494	2485Chairpersons and ranking members, appointment, etc.
2495	2495	2486 nomination and caucus approval, 18, 18A.
2496	2496	2487 removal of if criminally indicted, 18., 18A.
2497	2497	2488Chaplain, may be appointed by Speaker, 7.
2498	2498	2489Charitable and community service, 16A, 17C, 90.
2499	2499	2490Charts, displays, posters and visual aids, regulate use, 2.
2500	2500	2491CLERK, 7A, 10, 10A, 11, 12, 13A, 14, 16A, 17A, 17C, 20, 23, 24, 28, 30, 33B, 42A, 48, 79(1),
2501	2501	249284, 85A, 87A.
2502	2502	2493 amendments, submission to, 33A.
2503	2503	2494 announce members not voting prior to roll calls, 48.
2504	2504	2495 availability of bills, etc., by the, 7D, 10, 12, 17A, 20, 20A, 20B, 21, 24(5), 33A, 37, 42A, 84A,
2505	2505	249685A.
2506	2506	2497 cast votes for members due to malfunction of voting station, 49.
2507	2507	2498 certifying bills for final passage, 23.
2508	2508	2499 disable voting station of certain absent members, 48.
2509	2509	2500 keeper of records, 10B.
2510	2510	2501 Legislative web page Internet posting, 13A, 17A, 20B. 122 of 142
2511	2511	2502Code of Ethics, 16A, 16B.
2512	2512	2503Commit, motion to, 64, 65, 71.
2513	2513	2504COMMITTEES:
2514	2514	2505 Audio/visual reproduction of meetings of, 17A.
2515	2515	2506 bill summaries to be made available prior to roll calls, 33A.
2516	2516	2507 chairpersons of, ratification, 18.
2517	2517	2508 conference, minority member, 18A.
2518	2518	2509 duty of committee on Ways and Means, 20, 20A, 21, 27, 28, 30, 33.
2519	2519	2510 hearings and House sessions, scheduling, 7B, 7D, 17.
2520	2520	2511 members of, ratification, 18A.
2521	2521	2512 motions to discharge, etc., 28, 55, 64.
2522	2522	2513 no member to serve where their private right, etc., 16A(14).
2523	2523	2514 office space, 17C.
2524	2524	2515 on Bills in the Third Reading, 17, 18A, 22, 28, 28A, 45, 79(1).
2525	2525	2516 on each Floor Division, 9A, 17.
2526	2526	2517 on Ethics, 16, 16A.
2527	2527	2518 on Rules, 7B, 7C, 7D, 17, 85. 123 of 142
2528	2528	2519 on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, 7A, 7D, 17, 41, 42, 42A.
2529	2529	2520 open meetings, 17A.
2530	2530	2521 ought not to pass reports on bills, question on rejection, 32.
2531	2531	2522 ranking members of, appointment, etc., 18.
2532	2532	2523 records of to be maintained, 17A.
2533	2533	2524 records of to be published in LAWS and on website, 17B.
2534	2534	2525 remote participation in, 17A.
2535	2535	2526 reports, 17B.
2536	2536	2527 reports on local matters, 7A.
2537	2537	2528 staff directory, 91, 92.
2538	2538	2529 staffing, 17C.
2539	2539	2530 standing, to be appointed, 17.
2540	2540	2531 Testimony solicitation, 17A
2541	2541	2532 time for reporting appropriation bill, 27.
2542	2542	2533 to be appointed by Speaker and Minority Leader, 18.
2543	2543	2534 to discharge or direct to report, 7A, 28, 42A, 55, 64.
2544	2544	2535 to make report on all matters, except, 27. 124 of 142
2545	2545	2536 to report adversely in certain cases, 26, 32, 85.
2546	2546	2537 Travel, propositions for, to committee on Rules, 85.
2547	2547	2538 voting, 16A, 17B.
2548	2548	2539 Voting in House Chamber, period of time if committees are meeting, 52.
2549	2549	2540Community and charitable service, 16A, 17C, 90.
2550	2550	2541Conduct, standards of, 88 to 100.
2551	2551	2542Consolidated amendments, 20A, 33E, 33F.
2552	2552	2543Constitution, proposals for amendment, 42.
2553	2553	2544COUNSEL TO THE HOUSE
2554	2554	2545 Appointment, duties, removal and service of, 13B.
2555	2555	2546 Audits of House financial accounts, 85A.
2556	2556	2547 Procurement of goods and services, 87.
2557	2557	2548 Standards of conduct responsibilities, 88 to 91, 93, 94 to 100.
2558	2558	2549Credit, pledging of, 22, 23, 17A.
2559	2559	2550
2560	2560	2551DEBATE, RULES OF, 57 to 61, 64.
2561	2561	2552 during informal sessions, prohibit, 44. 125 of 142
2562	2562	2553 matters to be disposed of without debate, 45, 47, 48, 50, 53, 56, 61,
2563	2563	2554 64, 66 to 69, 77, 83.
2564	2564	2555 motions for suspension of rules, 83.
2565	2565	2556 motions to be decided without debate, 64, 83.
2566	2566	2557 motions to close debate, 55, 64, 65, 69.
2567	2567	2558 motions to commit or recommit, 64.
2568	2568	2559 motions to discharge or direct committee to report, 64.
2569	2569	2560 motions to postpone to a time certain, 55, 64, 70.
2570	2570	2561 motions to reconsider, 56.
2571	2571	2562 second, etc., legislative days, 55, 64A.
2572	2572	2563 Speaker may speak to points of order, etc., 2.
2573	2573	2564 thirty minute limit, 61, 77.
2574	2574	2565 yielding, 60.
2575	2575	2566Disabled members, voting by, 49.
2576	2576	2567Discharge of a committee, 7A, 24(6), 28, 55, 64.
2577	2577	2568Discharge reports, 7A, 42, 42A.
2578	2578	2569Discharges from Orders of the Day, 47. 126 of 142
2579	2579	2570Discrimination complaints, 99.
2580	2580	2571Displays, charts, posters and visual aids, regulate use, 2.
2581	2581	2572Division of a question, 74.
2582	2582	2573
2583	2583	2574Elections, to fill vacancies, 6.
2584	2584	2575Electronic devices, 2.
2585	2585	2576Electronic mail and Legislative Web Page, 7D, 12, 17A, 42A.
2586	2586	2577Electronic voting system, 15, 49, 52.
2587	2587	2578Emergency preamble, 22, 23, 40.
2588	2588	2579Remote Rules, 101 (Historical note: see House document numbered 4690 of the 191st General
2589	2589	2580Court, and House documents numbered 59 and 3929 of the 192nd General Court).
2590	2590	2581Employee Engagement Officer, 92
2591	2591	2582Employees,
2592	2592	2583 committee staff directory, 91.
2593	2593	2584 charitable and community service, 16A.
2594	2594	2585 classification plan, 17C(b).
2595	2595	2586 partnerships with national trade organizations, 92.
2596	2596	2587 training opportunities and professional development, 91, 92. 127 of 142
2597	2597	2588Enacting clause, when motion to strike out, receivable, 40.
2598	2598	2589Engrossed bills, 23, 28(6), 40.
2599	2599	2590Equal employment complaints, 99.
2600	2600	2591Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer, 13B, 89 to 100.
2601	2601	2592Ethics,16, 16A
2602	2602	2593 advisory opinions, 16.
2603	2603	2594 training, 16B.
2604	2604	2595Ethics, code of, 16A.
2605	2605	2596Ethics committee, 16, 16C, 17, 52.
2606	2606	2597 bills pertaining to certain subjects referred to after first reading, 16C.
2607	2607	2598 candidacy for state or federal office, 16.
2608	2608	2599 create committee bills, 16, 24(1).
2609	2609	2600 voting violations, referred to, 52.
2610	2610	2601Excused from voting, time for application for, 48.
2611	2611	2602Executive conference, 17A.
2612	2612	2603Executive session, 17A.
2613	2613	2604 128 of 142
2614	2614	2605Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight committee, 17.
2615	2615	2606Files, taking of matters from, 24.
2616	2616	2607Final passage, to be certified by Clerk, 23.
2617	2617	2608Financial accounts, auditing, 85A.
2618	2618	2609Fiscal note on bills, 33.
2619	2619	2610Floor leaders, 18.
2620	2620	2611Formal session to consider veto, petition for, 44.
2621	2621	2612Formal sessions, dress code and cellular telephones, 2.
2622	2622	2613
2623	2623	2614General appropriation bill, 20, 20A, 27.
2624	2624	2615General bill rather than special, 26.
2625	2625	2616Global Warming and Climate Change, committee on, 17.
2626	2626	2617GOVERNOR:
2627	2627	2618 messages from, to be referred, unless, 30.
2628	2628	2619 messages setting terms of de-authorizing or authorizing bonds and notes, 17A.
2629	2629	2620 messages or recommendations from, to be filed in a format determined by the Clerk, 30.
2630	2630	2621 return of appropriation bills by, 30. 129 of 142
2631	2631	2622 return of bills and resolves by, 40.
2632	2632	2623 Session to consider vetoes of, 44.
2633	2633	2624Harassment policies, complaints, etc., 88-100
2634	2634	2625Home rule matters, reports on to be considered, 7A.
2635	2635	2626House Chamber, photography or video recording, 2.
2636	2636	2627Hours of meetings, 1A.
2637	2637	2628Human Resources and Employee Engagement, committee on, 16A, 16B, 17, 17C, 18A, 89, 90,
2638	2638	262992, 98.
2639	2639	2630Human Resources Director, 13B, 88, 90, 92, 94.
2640	2640	2631
2641	2641	2632Informal sessions, 12, 44, 54, 81.
2642	2642	2633Internet availability of bills and notices, 13A, 17A, 20B, 84A.
2643	2643	2634Investigations, propositions involving special, by committees, to be
2644	2644	2635 referred to committee on Rules, 85.
2645	2645	2636
2646	2646	2637Journal, 10, 11, 24.
2647	2647	2638
2648	2648	2639Leadership positions, removal upon indictment, 18. 130 of 142
2649	2649	2640Legal Counsel of the House, advisory opinions by, 16.
2650	2650	2641Legal counsel representation at executive conferences, 17A.
2651	2651	2642Legislative days, second or subsequent, 55, 64A.
2652	2652	2643Legislative or executive agents or counsels, 16A, 80, 81.
2653	2653	2644Legislative web page or Internet, 13A, 17A, 20B, 81, 84A.
2654	2654	2645Loan bills, 22, 23.
2655	2655	2646Local matters, reports on to be considered and to be filed in paper and electronic form, 7A.
2656	2656	2647
2657	2657	2648Majority Leader, etc., Acting Speaker, 5.
2658	2658	2649Majority leaders, 18.
2659	2659	2650Meetings
2660	2660	2651 definition of, 17A.
2661	2661	2652 regulating hours of, 1A.
2662	2662	2653MEMBERS, 14, 15.
2663	2663	2654 about to speak, to rise and address the Speaker, etc., 57.
2664	2664	2655 attire of, 2.
2665	2665	2656 desiring to be excused from voting, etc., 48. 131 of 142
2666	2666	2657 first named, to be chair of committee, etc., appointment, 18A.
2667	2667	2658 journal, 10.
2668	2668	2659 may request an enactment, 28(6).
2669	2669	2660 may request the taking of matters from the files, 24.
2670	2670	2661 medical concerns, remote voting, 49.
2671	2671	2662 military obligations, remote voting 49.
2672	2672	2663 monitors, regulating voting, 9.
2673	2673	2664 naming or seating, 59.
2674	2674	2665 not to interrupt another, etc., 60.
2675	2675	2666 not to speak more than once, etc., 61.
2676	2676	2667 not to stand at Clerk's desk during roll call, 14.
2677	2677	2668 not to stand up, etc., 14.
2678	2678	2669 not to serve on committee where their private right, etc., 16A(14).
2679	2679	2670 not to vote for other members, 16A.
2680	2680	2671 not to vote where their private right, etc., 16A(14).
2681	2681	2672 notify Clerk of absences, 48.
2682	2682	2673 number of, on each standing committee, 17. 132 of 142
2683	2683	2674 photography during session, 2.
2684	2684	2675 privilege of the floor, 80. See Voting.
2685	2685	2676 ranking members, appointment, etc., 18.
2686	2686	2677ratification and removal, 18.
2687	2687	2678 remote voting, 49.
2688	2688	2679 seats, 79.
2689	2689	2680 Speaker, recognition of members, 58.
2690	2690	2681 stipends, prohibit more than one, 18.
2691	2691	2682 to deposit petition, etc., with the Clerk, 24.
2692	2692	2683 to endorse name on certain papers, 29.
2693	2693	2684 video recording during session, 2.
2694	2694	2685 voting, recording within five minutes, 52.
2695	2695	2686Messages from the Governor
2696	2696	2687 to be filed in a format determined by the Clerk, 30
2697	2697	2688 to be referred, etc., 30.
2698	2698	2689MINORITY LEADER:
2699	2699	2690 to call a caucus, 19. 133 of 142
2700	2700	2691 to nominate Assistant Minority Floor Leader, etc., 18.
2701	2701	2692 to nominate committee members, 18A.
2702	2702	2693Minority party, caucus rules, 19A.
2703	2703	2694Minority party, percentage of committee membership, 18A.
2704	2704	2695Mobile devices, 2.
2705	2705	2696Monitors, 8, 9.
2706	2706	2697Motions, 62 to 75, 83, 85.
2707	2707	2698 to be reduced to writing, 62.
2708	2708	2699
2709	2709	2700Naming of members, 59.
2710	2710	2701Notice to parties, 85.
2711	2711	2702
2712	2712	2703Office space, 17C.
2713	2713	2704Open meetings, 17A.
2714	2714	2705Operations, Facilities and Security committee, 17.
2715	2715	2706Order. See Questions of Order.
2716	2716	2707Orders: 134 of 142
2717	2717	2708 filing of, 24.
2718	2718	2709 involving expenditures for special committees, 33.
2719	2719	2710 once rejected or disposed of, not to be renewed, 38.
2720	2720	2711 providing that information be transmitted to the House, 85.
2721	2721	2712 reported by committees, 42.
2722	2722	2713Orders of the Day, 12, 13, 28, 41 to 47.
2723	2723	2714
2724	2724	2715Parliamentarian, 10A.
2725	2725	2716Parliamentary inquiry, 60.
2726	2726	2717Personal privilege, 60.
2727	2727	2718PETITIONS, 24, 25, 29, 30.
2728	2728	2719 final disposition precludes renewal, 38.
2729	2729	2720Petitions and other papers, availability, 12, 20, 20A, 24, 33A.
2730	2730	2721Petition for formal session to consider veto, 44.
2731	2731	2722Petitions to discharge a committee, 28(6).
2732	2732	2723Photographs, taking of during session, 2.
2733	2733	2724Placed on file, 24(4), 42. 135 of 142
2734	2734	2725Pledging credit, bills providing for, 22, 23, 17A.
2735	2735	2726Points of order, 2, 11, 60, 77.
2736	2736	2727Political subdivisions, 17A.
2737	2737	2728Postage, regulating, 23A.
2738	2738	2729Post Audit and Oversight, committee on, 17.
2739	2739	2730Posters, charts, displays and visual aids, regulate use, 2.
2740	2740	2731Postpone to a time certain, motion to, 55, 64, 65, 70.
2741	2741	2732"Present", recording of members as being, 52.
2742	2742	2733Previous question, 55, 65 to 68.
2743	2743	2734Privilege of the floor, 80.
2744	2744	2735Procurements, 85A, 87.
2745	2745	2736
2746	2746	2737Question of order, 2, 11, 60, 77.
2747	2747	2738Quorum, 1, 15, 17A, 49, 51, 82.
2748	2748	2739
2749	2749	2740Radio, television broadcasting and web-broadcasting and access of sessions, 81.
2750	2750	2741Ratification in caucus, by ballot or acclamation, 18B. 136 of 142
2751	2751	2742Reading of papers, 24, 29, 37.
2752	2752	2743Recess, 55, 64, 65, 76, 82.
2753	2753	2744Recommendations and reports of state officials, etc., to be referred,
2754	2754	2745 etc., 24, 30.
2755	2755	2746Recommit, motion to, 42, 64, 65, 71.
2756	2756	2747Reconsideration, 54, 55, 56.
2757	2757	2748Records, Clerk official keeper of, 10B.
2758	2758	2749Redrafted bills to be voted on by Ways and Means, availability, 17A.
2759	2759	2750Rejected bills, 32, 38, 41.
2760	2760	2751Remote participation,
2761	2761	2752 Committee meetings, 17A.
2762	2762	2753 House sessions, 49.
2763	2763	2754Repealed laws not to be re-enacted by reference, 31.
2764	2764	2755Reporters' gallery, 80, 81.
2765	2765	2756Reports of committees, 17B, 26, 27, 41, 42. See Bills.
2766	2766	2757Representatives' Chamber and adjoining rooms, 80, 81.
2767	2767	2758Resolutions, 22, 24(2), 41, 85. 137 of 142
2768	2768	2759Roll calls, availability on website, 52.
2769	2769	2760Rules, observance, suspension or transgression of, 8, 9, 24, 55, 83,
2770	2770	2761 84, 86.
2771	2771	2762Rules, committee on, 7B, 7C, 7D, 17, 24(2,3), 27, 28, 81, 85.
2772	2772	2763 motion to discharge, 24, 28.
2773	2773	2764Rules, violations of, 59.
2774	2774	2765Rulings of the Chair, 2, 55, 77.
2775	2775	2766
2776	2776	2767Schedule, House sessions, 7A, 7B, 7D, 44.
2777	2777	2768Seating of a member, 59.
2778	2778	2769Seats, 79.
2779	2779	2770Second, etc., legislative days, 55, 64A.
2780	2780	2771SENATE, papers from, 22, 34, 35, 36, 41, 42.
2781	2781	2772Sessions
2782	2782	2773 informal, 44, 54.
2783	2783	2774 radio, television and web broadcasting of, 81.
2784	2784	2775 regulating hours of, 1A. 138 of 142
2785	2785	2776Sessions and committees, scheduling, 7A, 7B, 7D, 44.
2786	2786	2777SPEAKER, 1 to 7.
2787	2787	2778 adjourn or recess, 2, 82.
2788	2788	2779 appeal of decisions, 77.
2789	2789	2780 Calendar of House, 12.
2790	2790	2781 casting of vote for, 49
2791	2791	2782 committee scheduling, 7D.
2792	2792	2783 consultation with Clerk, bill format and availability, 33A.
2793	2793	2784 consultation with Clerk, budget amendment format, 20A.
2794	2794	2785 consultation with Clerk, budget availability format, 20B.
2795	2795	2786 decorum and order, 2.
2796	2796	2787 income, earned and unearned, 4B.
2797	2797	2788 may declare a recess, 76.
2798	2798	2789 may direct motion to be reduced to writing, 62.
2799	2799	2790 may invite visitors to seats on the floor, 80.
2800	2800	2791 shall assign seats, 79.
2801	2801	2792 to appoint monitors, 8. 139 of 142
2802	2802	2793 to approve reference of petitions, etc., and printing of certain
2803	2803	2794 documents, 24.
2804	2804	2795 to call a caucus, 19.
2805	2805	2796 to declare informal sessions, 44.
2806	2806	2797 to name member entitled to floor, 58.
2807	2807	2798 to nominate committee members, 18A.
2808	2808	2799 to nominate Majority Leader, etc., 18.
2809	2809	2800Speaker pro Tempore, 4A, 5, 18, 23A, 49.
2810	2810	2801Special bills reported by committee, 26.
2811	2811	2802Standing committees, staffing, 17C.
2812	2812	2803State Ethics Commission, 16B.
2813	2813	2804State finances, 33.
2814	2814	2805Steering, Policy and Scheduling, committee on, 7A, 42A.
2815	2815	2806Stenographers, employment of, by committees, 85.
2816	2816	2807Stipends, prohibit more than one, 18.
2817	2817	2808Strike out and insert, motion to, 74.
2818	2818	2809Strike out enacting clause, 40. 140 of 142
2819	2819	2810Summaries of bills, availability prior to roll calls, 33A.
2820	2820	2811SUSPENSION OF RULES, 55, 83, 84.
2821	2821	2812 limit of debate on motion for, 83.
2822	2822	2813
2823	2823	2814Tampering with electronic voting system, 52.
2824	2824	2815Tape recordings, committees, 17A.
2825	2825	2816Television, radio and web broadcasting of all sessions and access, 81.
2826	2826	2817Third Reading, Bills in the, committee on, 17, 18A, 22, 28, 43, 45, 79(1).
2827	2827	2818 motions to discharge or report, 28, 55, 64.
2828	2828	2819 time for reporting, 28A.
2829	2829	2820Title, bills to be read by title only, 37.
2830	2830	2821Travel, orders authorizing committees to, referred to committee on Rules, 85.
2831	2831	2822
2832	2832	2823Undebatable matters and motions, 64. See Debate, Rules of.
2833	2833	2824Unfinished business, 46.
2834	2834	2825
2835	2835	2826Vacancies, filling of, 5, 6, 7. 141 of 142
2836	2836	2827Veto of bill or resolve, printing of Calendar, 12.
2837	2837	2828Veto, petition for formal session to consider, 44.
2838	2838	2829Videos/audio
2839	2839	2830 radio and television access, 81.
2840	2840	2831 recording of during session, 2.
2841	2841	2832 reproduction of committee meetings, 17A
2842	2842	2833Violations of rules and questions of conduct, 16, 52 (voting), 59.
2843	2843	2834Visual aids, charts, displays and posters, regulate use, 2.
2844	2844	2835Votes, roll calls made available on website, 52.
2845	2845	2836VOTING, 3, 4, 9, 16A, 48 to 53.
2846	2846	2837
2847	2847	2838Warning a member, 59.
2848	2848	2839Ways and Means, committee on, 17, 17A, 20, 20A, 21, 27, 28, 30, 33, 45.
2849	2849	2840 consolidated amendments, 20A, 33E.
2850	2850	2841Floor amendments, 73A.
2851	2851	2842Motions directing, to report, etc., 28, 55, 64.
2852	2852	2843Redrafts of, availability, 17A. 142 of 142
2853	2853	2844Web-broadcasting, 81.
2854	2854	2845
2855	2855	2846Yeas and nays, 33F, 48 to 53.
2856	2856	2847Yeas and nays, during informal sessions, prohibition, 44.
2857	2857	2848Yielding floor in debate, 60.