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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1377 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 11
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
proposal for constitutional amendment:
Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for term renewal process.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
01890 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1377 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 11
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by proposal, Senate, No. 11) of Vincent
Lawrence Dixon for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for term renewal process. The
Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 19 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for term renewal process.
A majority of all the members elected to the Senate and House of Representatives, in
joint session, hereby declares it to be expedient to alter the Constitution by the adoption of the
following Article of Amendment, to the end that it may become a part of the Constitution [if
similarly agreed to in a joint session of the next General Court and approved by the people at the
state election next following]:
ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
1 1.)The Constitution of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is hereby, and thus
2amended, to provide for the renewal of terms for judges, and other selected appointed officials,
3every ten years, by specific process of reappointment by the Governor, and reconfirmation by the
4 Honorable Governor’s Council, according to normal processes.
5 2.)The quality of justice, and that of judges, and similar officials, being a public policy
6concern of all persons of Massachusetts, this provision, respecting the continuing evolution of 2 of 2
7our legal systems; therefore these provisions are constructed, to secure those qualities, and the
8continued monitoring, and current updating, of those officials entrusted to such responsibilities.
9 3.)All appointments of judges, members of the Industrial Accident Board, and any other
10appointments, subject to appointment by the Governor of The Commonwealth, and affirmation,
11or confirmation, by the Governor’s Council, shall expire at the end of ten (10) years, subject to
12the proper qualification of their successors.
13 4.)Such individuals may be reappointed by the Governor, may be reviewed by such other
14review and vetting processes as are appropriate, and must be reaffirmed, or reconfirmed, by the
15Governor’s Council. No individual subject to reappointment, may serve in an active role, more
16 than six (6) months beyond their stipulated ten (10) years, without the completion of their
17renewed qualification process, by such Term Renewal provisions.