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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4447 FILED ON: 2/24/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2024
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
House of Representatives, February 24, 2025.
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
1 Ordered, That the rules of the House of Representatives for the years 2025-2026 be
2adopted, as follows:
3SPEAKER.
4 1. The Speaker shall take the Chair at the hour to which the House stands adjourned, call the
5members to order, and, on the appearance of a quorum, proceed to business. [1.]
6 1A. The House shall not be called to order before the hour of ten o'clock A.M. nor meet
7beyond the hour of midnight unless by unanimous consent of the Members present. If there is
8unanimous consent to continue meeting past midnight then, the House shall return to the
9business then pending; and if no business was pending, to the next order of business. However, if
10there is not unanimous consent of the members present to meet beyond the hour of midnight, the 2 of 146
11Speaker shall forthwith, and without further debate, adjourn or recess the House to a time not
12earlier than ten o'clock A.M. on the next succeeding calendar day.
13 [Adopted Jan. 12, 1983; Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 14, 1997; May 16,
142000.]
15 2. The Speaker shall preserve decorum and order in the House Chamber. While in the House
16Chamber, members, staff and guests shall be required to dress in proper and appropriate attire
17and be courteous and professional when using electronic devices. The committee on Operations,
18Facilities and Security, in consultation with the Speaker, may establish policies and procedures
19for the preservation of decorum and order in the galleries of the House Chamber to ensure that
20the House may conduct its business without undue disruption.
21 Members, staff and guests shall not take photographs or videos of, or in, the House Chamber
22during formal or informal sessions unless otherwise permitted by this Rule. Members may take
23photographs at their assigned seats in the chamber during formal or informal sessions; provided,
24however, that any photographs or video taken by members during formal or informal sessions
25shall not include images of any other member, staff or guest without their express written
26consent.
27 The Speaker may permit photographs or videos during special occasions, which shall include,
28but shall not be limited to, swearing-in ceremonies and addresses by constitutional officers or
29other dignitaries. The use of audio-visual aids including, without limitation, videos, computers,
30posters, displays or charts shall be permitted only upon approval of the Speaker. 3 of 146
31 The Speaker also may speak to points of order in preference to other members; and shall
32decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the House. [2.] (2.) [With regard to appeals,
33see Rule 77.]
34 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 20, 2011; Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019.]
35 3. The Speaker shall declare all votes, subject to verification as hereinafter provided. [3.] (55.)
36[See Rules 49 to 53, inclusive.]
37 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
38 4. In all cases the Speaker may vote. [4.] (3.)
39 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
40 4A. There shall be a Speaker pro Tempore. The Speaker pro Tempore shall assist the Speaker
41in the coordination of policy development and the ceremonial functions of the House and shall
42perform such duties assigned to them by the Speaker. Upon a vacancy in the office of Speaker,
43the office of Speaker pro Tempore shall be considered vacant.
44 [Adopted Jan. 26, 2005, Amended, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 30, 2019.]
45 4B. (a) As used in this Rule, the following words shall have the following meanings:-
46 “Earned income”, income derived from salaries, wages, tips and commissions for performing
47services as an employee of an employer.
48 “Unearned income”, all other income that is not earned income.
49 (b) The Speaker shall not receive earned income for: 4 of 146
50 (1) affiliating with or being employed by a firm, partnership, association, corporation or other
51entity that provides professional services involving a fiduciary relationship;
52 (2) permitting their name to be used by such a firm, partnership, association, corporation or
53other entity;
54 (3) receiving compensation for practicing a profession that involves a fiduciary relationship;
55or
56 (4) serving as an officer or member of the board of an association, corporation or other entity.
57 (c) The provisions of this rule shall take effect on August 1, 2017.
58 [Added Feb. 2, 2017; Amended Jan 30, 2019.]
59 5. The Speaker may appoint a member to perform the duties of the Chair. In the event the
60Speaker fails to appoint a member to perform the duties of the Chair, the Speaker pro Tempore
61shall be the Acting Speaker until the Speaker otherwise provides or until a vacancy in the office
62of Speaker occurs. In the event that the Speaker pro Tempore is absent or is unable to perform
63the duties of Acting Speaker, the Majority Leader, the Assistant Majority Leader, the Second
64Assistant Majority Leader or other designee shall be the Acting Speaker. [7.] (4.)
65 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 26, 2005.]
66 6. In case of a vacancy in the office of Speaker, or in case the Speaker or the member named
67by said Speaker in accordance with the preceding rule is absent at the hour to which the House
68stands adjourned, the senior member present shall call the House to order, and shall preside until
69a Speaker is elected, which shall be the first business in order. [8.] (5.) 5 of 146
70 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985, Amended, Jan. 23, 2007.]
71 7. At the beginning of the first year of the two-year General Court, the Speaker may, unless
72the House otherwise directs, appoint a Chaplain; and the Speaker may fill any vacancy in the
73office of Chaplain. [7A.] (4.)
74 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 29, 2015.]
75SCHEDULING.
76 7A. There shall be appointed a standing committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling
77consisting of eleven members. The committee shall not be subject to the provisions of Rule 17A,
78but shall be authorized to meet from time to time at the call of the Chair for the purpose of
79assisting the members of the House of Representatives in identifying the major matters pending
80before the General Court, the relative urgency and priority for consideration of such matters, and
81alternative methods of responding to such matters by the General Court. Said committee shall
82schedule legislative matters in a manner that will provide for an even distribution and orderly
83consideration of reports of legislative committees on the daily Calendar.
84 The committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling shall not be authorized to recommend
85changes or amendments to legislation or recommend that a matter ought to pass or ought not to
86pass, but shall only report asking to be discharged from further consideration of a bill, and
87recommending that it be referred or recommitted to another committee; provided, however, that
88it shall not recommend that a matter be referred or recommitted to the committee on Rules or the
89committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, or what date a matter shall be
90scheduled for consideration by the House and placed in the Orders of the Day. All reports by the
91committee on petitions filed or approved by the voters of a city or town, or by the mayor and city 6 of 146
92council, or other legislative body of a city or the town meeting of a town with respect to a law
93relating to that city or town shall be read and considered by the House at a formal or informal
94session before being accepted, rejected or otherwise acted upon. Any such petition and any
95attachment to the petition shall be filed in both paper and electronic format approved by the
96Clerk.
97 All matters received from the Senate or reported from standing committees of the House and
98joint standing committees of the General Court shall, unless subject to provisions of any other
99House or joint rules, be referred to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. All
100matters reported by said committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommending that a
101matter shall be scheduled for consideration by the House shall be placed in the Orders of the Day
102for the next sitting. Said committee may report on a legislative matter within thirty days
103following the day the matter was referred. If the committee fails to report a matter within thirty
104days following the date of its reference, the Clerk shall place the matter on the Calendar of the
105House as if it had been scheduled for consideration by said committee on Steering, Policy and
106Scheduling.
107 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997; Amended Jan. 26, 1999; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005.]
108 7B. The committee on Rules shall be authorized to originate and report special orders for the
109scheduling and consideration of legislation on the floor of the House. Said committee shall not
110be subject to the notification provisions contained in Rule 17A but may hold public hearings and
111shall accept testimony only from the members of the House. A majority of the members
112appointed to the committee shall constitute a quorum. When reported, such orders may be
113amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, and shall be subject to 7 of 146
114approval by a majority of the members of the House present and voting. Debate on the question
115on adoption of such orders shall be limited to one hour. No orders adopted pursuant to this
116paragraph shall limit the powers of the Speaker as provided in Rules 1 to 6, inclusive. Such
117orders shall not be subject to reconsideration.
118 The committee on Rules shall not be subject to the provisions of Rule 17A, but may meet in
119private to discuss or consider the appointment, discipline or dismissal of any individual the
120committee is authorized by law or rule to appoint, discipline or dismiss.
121 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997; Amended Jan. 24, 2001; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019; Feb. 1, 2023.]
122 7C. The committee on Rules may consider and make recommendations designed to improve
123and expedite the business and procedures of the House and its committees, and to recommend to
124the House any amendments to the Rules deemed necessary; provided that a majority of the
125members of the House present and voting shall be required to approve such recommendations.
126 The committee shall be privileged to report at any time.
127 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997.]
128 7D. The Speaker shall, in consultation with the committee on Rules and the committee on
129Steering, Policy and Scheduling, establish a committee scheduling system that minimizes to the
130greatest extent possible scheduling conflicts for members of committees.
131 The Speaker shall determine a schedule for the House for each week relative to formal and
132informal sessions and shall make such schedule available to the members in writing or by
133electronic mail by 5:00 P.M. on Friday of the preceding week; provided, however, that the
134Speaker may make, notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 7A, changes in the schedules to 8 of 146
135facilitate the business of the House in an efficient and timely fashion. The Speaker shall
136communicate notice of any such scheduling change to the members in writing or by electronic
137mail as soon as practicable, and whenever possible, the Speaker shall provide such notice not
138less than twenty-four hours before the event so rescheduled is set to commence.
139 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997; January 9, 2003; Jan. 30, 2019.]
140MONITORS.
141 8. Two monitors shall be appointed by the Speaker for each division of the House, whose
142duty it shall be to see to the due observance of the rules, and, on request of the Speaker, to return
143the number of votes and members in their respective divisions. [9.]
144 9. If a member transgresses any of the rules after being notified thereof by a monitor, it shall
145be the duty of such monitor to report the case to the House.
146 It shall be the duty of a monitor to report their knowledge of the occurrence of a member
147voting for another member, in their division of the House, to the Speaker of the House and to the
148Minority Leader. [10.] [See Rules 16 and 16A.]
149 [Amended Jan. 9, 1991; May 5, 1993; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
150 9A. There shall be established a Floor Division Committee for each of the four divisions of
151the House. The Speaker shall appoint a Floor Division chairperson for each of the four divisions.
152Said committee shall consist of the members assigned to the respective divisions.
153 In order to create a continuous flow of debate, each chairperson shall be responsible for
154reviewing the daily Calendar and providing advance notice to committee members in the
155respective divisions of all matters scheduled for consideration in the Orders of the Day. Said 9 of 146
156committee chairpersons shall provide information to members of their committees on pending
157legislation and other matters of business before the House, and shall serve as the primary liaison
158between their respective committees and the Speaker of the House. The committee chairpersons
159shall advise the Speaker on operational matters, including session coordination, debate, and
160remote voting, as necessary, and other critical business before the House. Said chairpersons shall
161facilitate discussions among committee members and ensure that committee members are fully
162equipped to engage in informed and productive debate.
163 [Adopted Jan. 14, 1997.]
164CLERK.
165 10. The Clerk shall keep the Journal of the House. The Clerk shall enter therein a record of
166each day's proceedings and, whenever practicable, submit it to the Speaker and the Minority
167Leader before the hour fixed for the next sitting, and shall cause the same to be available daily in
168a format to be determined by the Clerk; and provided further that a copy of said Journal shall
169also be made available to each member of the House. Any objection to the Journal shall be made
170before the House proceeds to the consideration of the Orders of the Day. [11.] (6.)
171 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan 11, 1985; Jan. 17, 1995; Jan. 9, 2003.]
172 10A. The Clerk shall be the official parliamentarian of the House of Representatives.
173 [Adopted Jan. 9, 1991.]
174 10B. The Clerk shall be the official keeper of records of the House of Representatives for
175legislative records that remain in the office of said Clerk at the end of each biennial session, and 10 of 146
176until such time as said records are transferred to the State Archives or destroyed in accordance
177with law.
178 [Adopted Jan. 29, 2015.]
179 11. Every question of order with the decision thereof shall be entered at large in the Journal,
180and shall be noted in an appendix, which shall also contain the rules of the House and of the two
181branches. [12.] (6.)
182 12. The Clerk shall prepare and make available on each day of formal session a Calendar of
183matters in order for consideration and such other memoranda as the House or the Speaker may
184direct. The Clerk shall prepare a Calendar on which shall appear any question on passage of a
185bill or resolve notwithstanding the objections of Their Excellency the Governor which may be
186considered forthwith at the direction of the House or Speaker.
187 When, in the determination of the Clerk, a volume of matters exists for the next legislative
188day, the Clerk shall be authorized to prepare and cause to be made available an advance calendar
189of the matters in order of consideration for the next legislative day and such other memoranda as
190the House or Speaker may direct. The Clerk may indicate on the advance calendar that the
191matters contained therein are subject to change.
192 The Clerk shall be authorized to dispense with preparing and making available a Calendar for
193designated formal sessions of the House only after two-thirds of the members present and voting
194consent thereto on a recorded yea and nay vote. Debate on this question shall be limited to fifteen
195minutes, no member shall speak more than three minutes, and such question shall not be subject
196to reconsideration. 11 of 146
197 The Clerk shall dispense with preparing and making available a Calendar for designated
198Informal Sessions of the House.
199 As soon as practicable whenever the Clerk prepares a Calendar or advance Calendar under
200this rule, they shall also cause a true copy thereof to be posted on the website of the General
201Court that is generally available to all members and their staff, and reasonably promptly
202thereafter the Clerk shall cause the members and their staff to be notified of the same by way of
203electronic mail. [13.] (7.)
204 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; May 5, 1993; Jan. 17, 1995; Jan. 24,
2052001; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 30, 2019; Feb. 1, 2023.]
206 13. Any objection to the Calendar shall be made and disposed of before the House proceeds to
207the consideration of the Orders of the Day. [14.]
208 13A. The Clerk shall make available to all members electronically and, to the public via the
209website of the General Court, the text of all dockets and bills introduced and admitted for
210consideration in the House.
211 [Adopted, Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019; July 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
212COUNSEL.
213 13B. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Counsel pursuant to section 51 of chapter 3 of
214the General Laws. The committee on Rules shall appoint a qualified person to act as Counsel at
215such compensation as the committee on Rules shall approve.
216 Counsel shall serve a term of two years from the date of appointment, unless the Counsel
217sooner resigns, retires or is removed; provided, however, that the Counsel may only be removed: 12 of 146
218(i) for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance, as determined by the Director of Human
219Resources appointed pursuant to Rule 90 and approved by a majority vote of the committee on
220Rules; or (ii) by a majority roll call vote of the House.
221 Counsel may employ such legal and other assistants as may be necessary in the discharge of
222Counsel’s duties, subject to the approval of the committee on Rules, and may expend with like
223approval such sums as may be necessary for the discharge of their duties.
224 (b) Counsel shall be the chief legal officer of the House and shall perform all duties generally
225required of a counsel to an organization and specifically those required pursuant to any general
226or special law, rule, regulation, or order of the House. Counsel shall provide legal and legislative
227drafting services to all members regardless of party or seniority.
228 [Added Jan. 30, 2019.]
229HOUSE BUSINESS MANAGER.
230 13C. (a) The House shall employ a full-time House Business Manager. The committee on
231Operations, Facilities and Security shall appoint a qualified person to act as House Business
232Manager at such compensation as the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security shall
233approve.
234 Subject to the approval of the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, the House
235Business Manager may employ such assistants as may be necessary in the discharge of their
236duties and may expend with like approval such sums as may be necessary for the discharge of
237their duties. 13 of 146
238 (b) The House Business Manager shall be the chief finance manager of the House and shall
239report to the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, which shall provide oversight of
240the House Business Manager generally and approval of any decisions made by the House
241Business Manager having a substantial impact on the House of Representatives, as determined
242by the committee. The House Business Manager shall perform all duties generally required of a
243finance manager to an organization and specifically those required pursuant to House Rules or as
244directed by the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security. Such duties shall include,
245without limitation, overseeing the provision of outside, independent audits of House financial
246accounts pursuant to House Rule 85A; the execution and management of all procurements
247pursuant to House Rule 87; the maintenance of and adherence to internal control policies and
248procedures related to the House’s finances and administration; and the maintenance of House
249invoices, receipts, vouchers, contracts, and related documentation.
250MEMBERS.
251 14. No member shall stand up, to the inconvenience of others, while a member is speaking; or
252be involved in disturbing conversation while another member is speaking in debate; or pass
253unnecessarily between the Speaker of the House and the member speaking; or stand in the
254passages, or in the area in front of the Chair; or stand at the Clerk’s desk while a roll call is in
255progress. [16.]
256 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1989; Jan. 26, 1999.]
257 14A. [Adopted Feb. 11, 2009; Omitted Jan. 29, 2015.]
258 15. When it appears to the Chair that the presence of a quorum is endangered, the Chair shall
259order the doors closed. If a quorum is doubted the Chair shall order the doors closed and 14 of 146
260thereafter no member shall enter or leave the House until an initial determination has been made
261as to the presence of a quorum or lack thereof; and thereafter, provided that no quorum is
262present, no member shall leave the House unless by permission of the Chair, but members shall
263be admitted, at any time.
264 Upon the doubting of a quorum and after ascertaining that a quorum is not present, the
265Speaker may order a recorded attendance roll call to be taken by use of the electronic roll call
266system.
267 Said roll call, if ordered, shall be taken at a time determined by the Speaker.
268 Members answering a quorum call shall vote “YES” on the roll call system. [17.] (11.)
269 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Feb. 22, 1982; Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991.]
270ETHICS.
271 16. There shall be appointed a committee on Ethics as authorized by Rule 17. The committee
272shall consist of 11 members, 7 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker, 4 of whom shall be
273appointed by the Minority Leader.
274 A member appointed to the committee shall not be considered to be a member of the
275committee subsequent to the declaration of candidacy for any other state or federal elective
276office.
277 The committee shall investigate and evaluate, (i) at the direction of the Speaker, (ii) by a
278sworn written complaint filed and delivered by a member, officer or employee to the chair, (iii)
279or by a majority vote of the members appointed to the Ethics committee, any matters relative to
280alleged violations of Rule 16A by a member, officer or employee. 15 of 146
281 Upon the receipt of a sworn written complaint, at the direction of the Speaker or by a majority
282vote of the members appointed to the Ethics committee, the committee shall notify any person
283named of the nature of the alleged violation and a list of prospective witnesses, and also shall
284notify said person of the final disposition and the recommendations, if any, of the committee.
285 Any member, officer, or employee of the House named relative to an alleged violation shall
286be afforded the opportunity to appear before the committee on Ethics with counsel.
287 All proceedings including the filing of the initial complaint shall be considered confidential
288information.
289 If the alleged violation received in the manner described above is deemed to have merit by a
290majority vote of the members appointed to the committee, the committee shall file a report with
291the Clerk of the House. Said report shall be a public document. The committee shall not disclose
292any allegation deemed to be frivolous or without merit.
293 If a majority appointed finds that any member, officer, or employee of the House has violated
294any provision of Rule 16A, a majority appointed may, in the case of a member, recommend a
295reprimand, censure, removal from a committee or position of authority, including leadership,
296chair or vice chair, or expulsion; and in the case of an officer or employee, a majority appointed
297may recommend a reprimand, suspension, or removal from employment.
298 Should such an alleged violation be filed with the committee regarding a member or members
299of the House Ethics committee, said member or members shall not participate in the committee
300deliberations on said alleged violation. 16 of 146
301 Any member, officer, or employee of the House may request in writing from the House
302committee on Ethics or from the Counsel to the House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B a
303confidential written advisory opinion on the requirements of chapters 268A and 268B of the
304General Laws as well as an opinion on any other general or special law, rule or regulation
305applicable to their official position or concerning any contemplated personal action which may
306conflict with their official position. The committee on Ethics or the Counsel to the House shall
307issue confidential written advisory opinions and clarification in response to said written request.
308 No member, officer or employee of the House shall be penalized in any manner for having
309acted within the guidelines of a written advisory opinion from the House committee on Ethics or
310from the Counsel to the House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B, provided that all pertinent facts
311are stated in the request for an advisory opinion.
312 A written advisory opinion from the House committee on Ethics or from the Counsel to the
313House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B shall be a defense in any proceeding arising from said
314opinion or advice unless material facts were omitted or misstated by the person in the request of
315the opinion.
316 The chair of the Ethics committee may convene the committee at any time.
317 The chair shall also convene the committee at the written request of at least 5 members of the
318committee.
319 The committee may, upon the written and signed report of two-thirds of the members of the
320committee, file a special report containing legislation without said legislation being founded
321upon petition which shall be referred under the provisions of Rule 24 and consistent with the
322provisions of Joint Rule 13, to the appropriate joint standing committee. Any special report 17 of 146
323containing legislation filed pursuant to this paragraph shall be germane to subject matters
324regularly considered by the committee. The committee shall not include in any such special
325report a bill that would have a fiscal impact as described in Rule 33.
326 Upon convening of the first annual session of the General Court and after the adoption of
327rules, all members, officers and employees of the House shall be provided with a current copy of
328the Code of Ethics contained in Rule 16A. [19.] (12A.)
329 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987; May 5, 1993; Jan. 17, 1995; Mar. 6, 1995; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 20,
3302011; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019; July 7, 2021.]
331CODE OF ETHICS.
332 16A. (1.) While members, officers and employees should not be denied those opportunities
333available to all other citizens to acquire and retain private, economic and other interests;
334members, officers, and employees should exercise prudence in any and all such endeavors and
335make every reasonable effort to avoid transactions, activities, or obligations, which are in
336substantial conflict with or will substantially impair their independence of judgment.
337 (2.) No member, officer or employee shall solicit or accept any compensation or political
338contribution other than that provided for by law for the performance of official legislative duties.
339 (3.) No member, officer or employee shall serve as a legislative agent as defined in section 39
340of chapter 3 of the General Laws regarding any legislation before the General Court.
341 (4.) No member, officer or employee shall receive any compensation or permit any
342compensation to accrue to their beneficial interest by virtue of influence improperly exerted from
343their official position in the House. 18 of 146
344 (5.) No member, officer or employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or
345professional activity, which will require the disclosure of confidential information gained in the
346course of, and by reason of, their official position.
347 (6.) No member, officer or employee shall willfully and knowingly disclose or use
348confidential information gained in the course of their official position to further their own
349economic interest or that of any other person.
350 (7.) Except as provided in Rule 49, no member shall cast a vote for any other member, nor
351shall any officer or employee vote for any member, except that the Clerk or an assistant Clerk
352may record a vote for a member who votes late under the provisions of Rule 52, or is prohibited
353from voting from his desk due to a malfunction of the electronic roll call voting system; provided
354the Clerk's action shall not be construed as voting for said member.
355 (8.) No member shall use profane, insulting, or abusive language in the course of public
356debate in the House Chamber or in testimony before any committee of the General Court.
357 (9.) No member, officer or employee shall employ anyone from public funds who does not
358perform tasks which contribute substantially to the work of the House and which are
359commensurate with the compensation received. Unless their personnel record indicates
360otherwise, no officer or full-time employee of the House shall engage in any outside business
361activity during regular business hours, whether the House is in session or not, and all employees
362of the House are assumed to be full-time.
363 (10.) No member, officer or employee shall accept or solicit compensation for non-legislative
364services which is in excess of the usual and customary value of such services. 19 of 146
365 (11.) No member, officer or employee shall accept or solicit an honorarium for a speech,
366writing for publication, or other activity from any person, organization or enterprise having a
367direct interest in legislation or matters before any agency, authority, board or commission of the
368Commonwealth which is in excess of the usual and customary value of such services.
369 (12.) No member, officer or employee shall knowingly accept any gifts from any legislative
370or executive agent as prohibited by law. No member, officer or employee shall knowingly accept
371any gift from any person or entity having a direct interest in legislation before the General Court
372as prohibited by law. (For the purposes of this paragraph, the terms “gift” and “person” shall be
373the same as their definitions in section 1 of chapter 268B of the General Laws).
374 (13.) No member shall convert campaign funds to personal use in excess of reimbursements
375for legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures. Members shall consider all proceeds from
376testimonial dinners and other fundraising activities as campaign funds.
377 (14.) No member shall serve on any committee or vote on any question in which their private
378right is immediately concerned, distinct from the public interest. [19.]
379 (15.) No member, officer or employee shall violate the confidentiality of any proceeding
380before the Ethics committee. [19A.]
381 (16.) Members, officers and employees may utilize public resources to support charitable and
382community service activities consistent with the Conflict of Interest Law, G.L. c. 268A, pursuant
383to policies established by committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement pursuant
384to Rule 90(h)(2). 20 of 146
385 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; May 5, 1993; Jan. 24, 2001; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30,
3862019; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
387 16B. The committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall develop and
388conduct an ethics law training program for every member, officer and employee of the House;
389provided further, that said training program shall include, without limitation, a review of the
390requirements and prohibitions of chapter 268A and chapter 268B of the General Laws, and the
391regulations of the State Ethics Commission, as they apply to legislators and legislative staff; and
392provided further, that said training program shall be offered virtually or in-person and shall be
393mandatory for all members, officers and employees.
394 [Adopted Jan. 9, 2003, Amended Feb. 11, 2009; Jan 20, 2011; Jul. 7, 2021.]
395 16C. Bills involving lobbyists’ reporting laws, and laws pertaining to the ethical conduct of
396public officials shall, after their first reading, be referred to the committee on Ethics, for report
397on their relation to the ethics laws of the Commonwealth. No new provisions shall be added to
398such measures by the committee, unless directly pertaining to ethics. [Adopted Feb. 11, 2009.]
399COMMITTEES.
400 17. At the beginning of the first year of the two-year General Court, standing committees
401shall be appointed as follows:
402 A committee on Rules;
403 (to consist of 15 members).
404 A committee on Ways and Means; 21 of 146
405 (to consist of 35 members).
406 A committee on Bills in the Third Reading;
407 (to consist of 3 members).
408 A committee of each Floor Division;
409 (to consist of the members of each division).
410 A committee on Ethics;
411 (to consist of 11 members).
412 A committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement;
413 (to consist of 13 members).
414 A committee on Post Audit and Oversight;
415 (to consist of 11 members).
416 A committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling;
417 (to consist of 11 members).
418 A committee on Climate Action and Sustainability;
419 (to consist of 11 members).
420 A committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability;
421(to consist of 11 members). 22 of 146
422 A committee on Operations, Facilities and Security;
423(to consist of 11 members).
424 A committee on Intergovernmental Affairs;
425(to consist of 11 members).
426 Committee meetings, insofar as practicable, shall not be scheduled in conflict with formal
427sessions of the House of Representatives. [20.] (12, 12A, 12B.)
428 [Amended March 6, 1979; Sept. 16, 1981; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; May 5, 1993; Oct. 6,
4291993; May 23, 1996; Jan. 14, 1997; Jul. 17, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29, 2015;
430Jul. 7, 2021.]
431 17A. (a) For the purposes of this rule, the following terms shall, unless the context clearly
432requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
433 “Deliberation”, a verbal exchange between a quorum of members of a committee attempting
434to arrive at a decision on any public business within its jurisdiction.
435 “Emergency”, a sudden generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding
436immediate action.
437 “Executive conference”, any meeting or part of a meeting of a committee which is closed to
438certain persons for deliberation on certain matters.
439 “Executive session”, any meeting or part of a meeting of a committee wherein the committee
440is voting on legislation and where public participation is limited to observance. 23 of 146
441 “Meeting”, any corporal convening and deliberation of a committee for which a quorum is
442required in order to make a decision at which any public policy matter over which the committee
443has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power is discussed or considered; provided,
444however, that “meeting” shall not include an on-site visitation or inspection of any project or
445program.
446 “Quorum”, a simple majority of a committee unless otherwise defined by constitution, rule or
447law applicable to such committee; provided further, that a quorum shall be presumed to be
448present unless otherwise doubted.
449 (b) All meetings, except executive conferences, of House standing and special committees,
450shall be open to the public and any person shall be permitted to attend any meeting except as
451otherwise provided pursuant to this rule or Rule 7A. All meetings of House standing and special
452committees open to the public shall be conducted in-person with the option of remote
453participation available to the public; provided, however, that the members of such committees
454shall be physically present at the hearing location where in-person public testimony is offered.
455All House standing and special committees, in the conduct of their hearings, shall utilize, to the
456extent practicable, online platforms or systems that allow for synchronous, audio-visual
457communication between the members of the committee and individuals offering testimony
458remotely. All hearings of House standing and special committees shall be publicly livestreamed
459on the official website of the General Court which shall display and transmit, in real-time, the
460audio-visual attributes of public testimony offered remotely; provided further, that said
461livestream shall be archived on the official website of the General Court for the duration of the
462legislative session. The chair of any House standing or special committee conducting a hearing
463shall use best efforts to prioritize the testimony of those physically present at the hearing location 24 of 146
464and may, in their discretion, allow individuals participating in-person a greater amount of time to
465testify than those participating remotely. All notices of hearings shall include instructions on how
466to offer testimony both in-person and remotely. The chair of all House standing and special
467committees shall record the attendance of members during committee hearings and shall cause
468the attendance to be published on the official website of the General Court alongside the
469livestream of the hearing archived on said website.
470 No quorum of a committee shall meet in private for the purpose of deliberation except as
471provided pursuant to this rule.
472 No executive session shall be held until: (i) the committee has first convened in an open
473session for which notice has been given; (ii) the presiding officer has stated the authorized
474purpose of the executive session; (iii) a majority of the members of the committee present have
475voted to go into executive session and the vote of each member has been recorded on a roll call
476vote and entered into the minutes: and (iv) the presiding officer has stated before the executive
477session if the committee will reconvene after the executive session.
478 (c) Executive conferences shall be held only for the following purposes: (i) to discuss the
479reputation, character, physical condition or mental health rather than the professional
480competence of a member, officer or employee; (ii) to consider the discipline or dismissal of, or to
481hear complaints or charges brought against a member, officer or employee; (iii) to discuss
482strategy with respect to litigation if an executive session or other open meeting may have a
483detrimental effect on the legal position of the committee; or (iv) to consider the purchase,
484exchange, lease or value of real property, if such discussions may have a detrimental effect on
485the negotiating position of the Commonwealth or a person, firm or corporation. 25 of 146
486 A member, officer or employee subject to an executive conference pursuant to clause (i) or
487clause (ii) shall be notified in writing no less than 48 hours prior to the proposed executive
488conference; provided, however, that upon agreement of the parties involved, the notification
489requirements of clause (i) and clause (ii) may be waived. Upon request of the member, officer or
490employee subject to an executive conference pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) the executive
491conference shall be open to the public.
492 A member, officer or employee subject to an executive conference pursuant to clause (i) or
493clause (ii) shall have the right to: (a) be present at such executive conference during discussions
494or considerations which involve that member, officer or employee; (b) have counsel or a
495representative of their own choosing present and attending for the purpose of advising said
496member, officer or employee; provided, however, that said counsel or representative shall not
497actively participate in the executive conference; and (c) to speak on their own behalf to the
498committee assembled in executive conference.
499 (d) This rule shall not apply to any chance meeting or social meeting at which matters relating
500to official business are discussed so long as no final agreement is reached. No chance meeting or
501social meeting shall be used in circumvention of the spirit or requirements of this section to
502discuss or act upon a matter over which the committee has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or
503advisory power.
504 (e) Except pursuant to an emergency, a notice and agenda of every meeting of a committee
505subject to this rule shall be filed with the Clerk of the House, publicly posted by the Clerk on the
506bulletin board outside the Clerk’s Office and in such other places as are designated in advance
507for such purpose by said Clerk, made available to all members electronically and made available 26 of 146
508to the public via the website of the General Court at least 72 hours prior to the time of such
509meeting and a list of the bills, petitions, and resolutions to be considered for a vote or other
510action by the committee. The notice shall include the date, time and place of such meeting. Such
511filing and posting shall be the responsibility of the committee scheduling such meeting. If public
512testimony is being solicited, agendas shall include an electronic mail address and physical mail
513address for the submission of testimony and instructions on how the public may participate
514remotely, and the committee shall make reasonable efforts to ensure diversity among those from
515whom testimony is solicited. The notice and posting requirements shall not apply to executive
516conferences held pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) of subsection (c) of this rule unless the
517member, officer or employee subject to the executive conference requests that the executive
518conference be open to the public.
519 (f) A committee shall maintain accurate records of its meetings and hearings setting forth the
520date, time and place thereof, and recording any action taken at each meeting, hearing, executive
521conference or executive session. All votes requested to be taken in executive sessions shall be
522recorded roll call votes and shall become a part of the record of said executive sessions. The
523record of each meeting shall be available to the public on the official website of the General
524Court; provided, however, that the records of any executive conference shall remain confidential
525as long as publication may defeat the lawful purposes of the executive conference.
526 (g) Upon prior notification and approval of the chair, a meeting of a committee may be
527recorded by a person in attendance by means of a recorder or any other means of audio/visual
528reproduction; provided, however, that said recording shall not interfere with the conduct of the
529meeting. Executive conferences conducted pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) of subsection (c)
530of this rule shall not be recorded unless upon the request of the member, officer or employee who 27 of 146
531is subject to said executive conference, and then only at such member’s, officer’s or employee’s
532expense. Executive conferences conducted pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection (c) of this
533rule may be recorded at the discretion of the chair.
534 (h) Copies of all redrafted bills that are to be voted on at an executive session by the House
535Ways and Means Committee shall be available to all members of the committee electronically in
536the form they will be considered no less than twenty-four hours prior to their consideration;
537provided, however, that said committee may vote on a bill that has not been available for said
538period of time by vote of a majority of the committee members present.
539 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; May 5, 1993; Jan. 17, 1995;
540Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 9, 2003, Jan. 23, 2007, Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1,
5412023.]
542 17B. The vote on any legislation in committee shall be a recorded vote of the full committee.
543Such votes shall be recorded on appropriate forms that show all votes for and against the
544particular committee action; provided, that votes may also be recorded in LAWS. The record of
545all such roll calls shall be posted on the official website of the General Court within 48 hours of
546the vote.
547 No report of a House committee on any legislation shall be final until those members of the
548committee present and voting with the majority have been given the opportunity to sign such
549appropriate forms before the report is made to the House. No signature shall be valid unless the
550forms to which the signatures are affixed include the substantially complete text of the legislation
551being reported. 28 of 146
552 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 12, 1987, Amended Jan. 29, 2015; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb.
5531, 2023.]
554 17C. There shall be a committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement on the part
555of the House consisting of thirteen members.
556 Said committee shall discharge its duties pursuant to the Rules, including Rule 16B and Rules
55788 through 100, and shall also be responsible for the allocation of office space as equitably as
558possible among the various members and joint and standing committees. The committee shall
559allocate space among the various committees on the part of the House taking into account the
560workload, duties and responsibilities and size of staff of each.
561 The Speaker may make temporary office assignments in accordance with the foregoing
562principles.
563 The committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement may from time to time make
564changes in the assignment of office space for committees and the various staffs in accordance
565with the established standards.
566 Said committee shall establish the staffing levels and positions for each joint and standing
567committee of the House together with a classification plan for all employees of the House of
568Representatives.
569 The House staff members of each committee shall be appointed solely on the basis of fitness
570to perform the duties of their respective positions, consistent with section 4 of chapter 151B of
571the General Laws. The committee staff shall not: 29 of 146
572 (1) engage in any work other than legislative business during business hours unless pursuant
573to the pro-bono service policy or charitable and community service activity policy established by
574the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement pursuant to Rule 90(h)(2); and
575 (2) be assigned any duties other than those pertaining to legislative business.
576 The committee shall meet on request of the chair or any 3 members of the committee. Any
577such meeting requested shall be convened on or within the fifth business day following such
578request. All such requests shall be in writing and forwarded to the chair and each member of the
579committee.
580 Funds shall be allocated from the budget to carry out the determination of the committee.
581 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 16, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Feb. 11, 2009;
582Jan. 29, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019; July 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
583 17D. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
584 17E. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
585 17F. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
586 17G. [Omitted Jul. 7, 2021.]
587 18. The Speaker shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, the Speaker pro
588Tempore, the Majority Floor Leader, Assistant Majority Floor Leader and two Second Assistant
589Majority Floor Leaders. The Minority Leader shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of,
590the Assistant Minority Floor Leader, Second Assistant Minority Floor Leader, and two Third
591Assistant Minority Floor Leaders, Ranking minority member of Ways and Means, two Assistant 30 of 146
592Ranking minority members of the Ways and Means committee, Ranking minority member of the
593committee on Rules, Ranking minority member of the committee on Financial Services, Ranking
594minority member of the committee on Health Care Financing, Ranking minority member of the
595committee on the Judiciary, Ranking minority member of the committee on Bonding, Capital
596Expenditures, and State Assets, Ranking minority member of the committee on Public Safety
597and Homeland Security, Ranking minority member of the committee on Transportation and
598Ranking minority member of the committee on Economic Development and Emerging
599Technologies. The Minority Leader shall be that member of the minority party who is selected
600for that position by the members of their party.
601 Each of the foregoing appointments or removals shall be ratified by a majority vote of the
602respective party caucus. In the event that an appointment is rejected by such caucus another
603appointment shall be made by the person designated to make the initial appointment, which shall
604also be subject to ratification in the same manner.
605 The Speaker shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, the chair of each standing
606committee. The Speaker shall appoint, and may recommend the removal of, the vice chair and
607assistant vice chair of the Ways and Means committee, the vice chair of the Post Audit and
608Oversight committee, the vice chair of the committee on Rules, the vice chair of the committee
609on Revenue, the vice chair of the committee on Financial Services, the vice chair of the
610committee on Health Care Financing, the vice chair of the committee on Bonding, Capital
611Expenditures, and State Assets, the vice chair of the committee on State Administration and
612Regulatory Oversight, and the vice chair of the committee on Economic Development and
613Emerging Technologies. 31 of 146
614 The majority party shall then vote to accept or reject each such appointment or
615recommendation for removal by a majority vote.
616 In the event that any such appointment is rejected by the caucus, the procedure of this rule
617shall be repeated until an appointment for the said position has been approved by the caucus. A
618vacancy in any position to which the provisions of this section apply shall be filled in the same
619manner as provided in this section for original appointment.
620 No member shall receive more than one stipend pursuant to section 9B of chapter 3 of the
621General Laws.
622 The Speaker and the Minority Leader may, without a majority vote of their respective parties,
623remove a member appointed to a leadership position from said position pursuant to this rule if
624the member has been criminally indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
625 [Amended Jan. 16, 1979; Nov. 17, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 23,
6262007; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan 23, 2013; Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 19, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019; Feb. 1, 2023.]
627 18A. There shall be 1 member of the minority party on all committees of conference and 1 on
628the committee on Bills in the Third Reading. On all other standing and joint committees, the
629percent of minority party membership shall be at least equal to the percent of minority party
630membership in the House of Representatives as of the first day of the session; provided, further,
631that where such percentage results in a fraction of a number, the fraction shall be rounded off to
632the nearest whole; provided, however, that the minority party shall under no circumstances have
633fewer than 4 members on the committee on Ethics, 4 on the committee on Human Resources and
634Employee Engagement , 3 on the committee on Rules and 7 on the committee on Ways and 32 of 146
635Means. In no case shall minority party representation be fewer than 2 members on all other
636standing and joint committees.
637 The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall appoint the members of their respective party
638caucuses to be assigned to each standing committee. The Speaker shall appoint the vice chair of
639each standing committee. The appointments, except those to which Rule 18 applies, shall be
640voted upon together and shall be subject to ratification by majority vote of the appropriate party
641caucus.
642 No member shall be removed from a standing committee except upon the recommendation of
643the Speaker or Minority Leader, as the case may be, subject to the ratification by their respective
644caucuses; provided, however, that the Speaker and the Minority Leader may, without a majority
645vote of their respective parties, remove a member appointed to a standing committee pursuant to
646this rule if the member has been criminally indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction; and
647provided further, that if any vacancy occurs in a position to which Rule 18 does not apply,
648subsequent to the initial ratification, the Speaker or Minority Leader shall fill such vacancy.
649 The Speaker shall announce committee appointments of majority party members, and the
650member first named shall be chair, and the second named member shall be vice-chair. The
651Minority Leader shall announce committee appointments of minority party members. (13.)
652 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 14, 1997; Feb. 11, 2009;
653Jan. 30, 2019.]
654 18B. All votes on ratification by the caucus required by these rules shall be by written ballot
655and shall require a majority of those present and voting; provided, however, that if a motion to 33 of 146
656ratify the appointments by acclamation is made and seconded, no written ballot shall be required.
657[Adopted Jan. 11, 1985.]
658 18C. [Adopted, Jan. 11, 1985, Omitted Jan. 24, 2001.]
659 19. A majority and minority party caucus may be called by the Speaker or Minority Leader,
660respectively, or upon petition of 25 percent of the members of the respective party caucus. A
661caucus may entertain resolutions, motions, or other means of ascertaining the sense of the
662respective party members on any subject. (13B.)
663 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 29, 2015.]
664 19A. The majority party and minority party shall establish caucus rules that shall dictate the
665procedures of each caucus.
666 19B. Any member caucus or group of members organized around a common legislative
667agenda that utilizes House resources, including staff time, shall register with the House
668Committee on Rules as a Legislative Member Organization, unless it is a party caucus. The chair
669of the House Committee on Rules shall notify the Clerk of the House of any Legislative Member
670Organization registering with the Committee and shall maintain a list of all Legislative Member
671Organizations.
672 Registration shall include the name of the Legislative Member Organization, its statement of
673purpose, identification of its members and officers, and a certification signed by its chair that any
674state resources used for the purposes of the Legislative Member Organization shall be not be
675used for any partisan political end. 34 of 146
676 A Legislative Member Organization may not include a non-legislator. Senators may belong to
677the Legislative Member Organization, but at least one House member shall be an officer of the
678Legislative Member Organization in order for the organization to use House resources. A
679Legislative Member Organization may, without limitation, sponsor informational or educational
680events, may invite outside speakers and groups to make presentations to the members of the
681Legislative Member Organization and others, and may distribute any report, analysis, or other
682research material prepared by others, provided, that the identity of the person or organization
683authoring the work is fully disclosed.
684 A member’s official stationery may list their membership in a Legislative Member
685Organization.
686 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Jan. 14, 1997; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
687 20. The committee on Ways and Means shall report in appropriation bills the total amount
688appropriated. The General Appropriation Bill shall be available to the members at least 7
689calendar days prior to consideration thereof by the House. [25.] (27A.)
690 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Mar. 24, 1986; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 29, 2015.]
691 20A. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 33A, amendments to the General
692Appropriation Bill shall be properly filed with the Clerk in an electronic format to be determined
693by the Clerk as directed by the Speaker; provided, that the Clerk shall notify by electronic
694communication the primary sponsor of each amendment of the receipt of such amendment and
695the number assigned by said Clerk to the amendment; provided further, that the Clerk shall print
696each amendment so filed electronically and such printed copy shall be considered to be the
697official amendment for that bill. Amendments to said General Appropriation Bill shall be filed 35 of 146
698with the Clerk by 5 o’clock P.M. on the third business day subsequent to the bill being made
699available in a format to be determined by the Clerk as directed by the Speaker pursuant to Rule
70020B and release of said bill by said Clerk; provided, that if the release of said bill by said Clerk
701occurs before the hour of 2 o’clock P.M., then the same day in which said bill was released shall
702be considered the first business day. Otherwise, the day following the release shall be considered
703the first business day.
704 (b)(1) The Clerk, with the assistance of the committee on Ways and Means, shall categorize
705the subject-matter of the amendments and arrange such amendments for consideration
706sequentially by subject as appearing in the published version of the General Appropriation Bill,
707or the Clerk, with the assistance of the committee on Ways and Means, shall categorize the
708subject-matter of the amendments and arrange such subject matters for consideration as
709determined by the committee on Ways and Means. Debate on the General Appropriation Bill
710shall not commence until a date and time to be determined by the House which is subsequent to
711the designated time established for filing of amendments pursuant to subsection (a) of this rule.
712 (2) Before the main question on the General Appropriation Bill is placed before the House, an
713amendment may be withdrawn at the request of the primary sponsor of the amendment or
714postponed by the committee on Ways and Means; provided, that further consideration of any
715amendment so postponed shall take place immediately subsequent to consideration of the
716amendments within the particular subject-matter to which the postponed amendment was
717assigned according to the provisions of this subparagraph; provided, that if more than one
718amendment is so postponed, subsequent consideration of said amendments shall be in the order
719determined by the committee on Ways and Means; provided further, an amendment so postponed
720shall not be subsequently considered outside of its assigned subject-matter; and provided further, 36 of 146
721that perfecting or substitute amendments, including, but not limited to an amendment
722consolidating more than one amendment, may be submitted by the committee on Ways and
723Means during consideration of the subject category to which the amendment or amendments
724were assigned. Any amendment may be removed from a consolidated amendment by the
725primary sponsor of the amendment. Any such amendment so removed from a consolidated
726amendment shall be offered as an amendment to the General Appropriation Bill, to be acted upon
727in the first degree before action is taken on the consolidated amendment, except that any
728amendment so removed from the consolidated amendment may be moved by the committee on
729Ways and Means from one subject category to another subject category not yet disposed of in the
730General Appropriation Bill.
731 (3) A consolidated amendment to the General Appropriation Bill, offered by the committee
732on Ways and Means, shall contain a fiscal note indicating its total expenditures.
733 (4) Notwithstanding Rule 74, a consolidated amendment offered by the committee on Ways
734and Means, may not be divided.
735 (c) Except for consolidated amendments or perfecting amendments offered by the committee
736on Ways and Means, no proposition on a subject different from the amendment under
737consideration shall be admitted under color of a further amendment to the General Appropriation
738Bill. A consolidated amendment to the General Appropriation Bill, offered by the committee on
739Ways and Means, shall be a motion offering an amendment in the second degree.
740 (d) Any amendment to the General Appropriation Bill not complying with this rule shall be
741considered withdrawn; provided that, any such amendments shall be published as part of the
742amendment list published by the committee on Ways and Means. 37 of 146
743 [Adopted Jan. 24, 2001; Amended Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 20, 2011;
744Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 1, 2023.]
745 20B. When the General Appropriation Bill is reported by the committee on Ways and Means,
746it shall be made available to all members electronically and to the public via the website of the
747General Court in a format to be determined by the Speaker in consultation with the Clerk. The
748committee on Ways and Means shall provide the membership with an electronic copy of its
749proposed text of said General Appropriation Bill, and an executive summary which shall include
750a list of outside sections, and a short summary of each outside section prior to full House
751consideration of such bill. When the House considers said General Appropriation Bill, it shall be
752read a second time; provided further that amendments relative to enhancing or reducing revenue
753shall only be considered prior to the third reading of said bill to be in order, and that all other
754amendments to the General Appropriations Bill shall only be considered subsequent to the third
755reading of said bill.
756 [Adopted Jan. 9, 2003, Amended Jan. 23, 2007; Feb. 11, 2009; Feb. 1, 2023.]
757 21. Whenever the committee on Ways and Means reports an appropriation bill or capital
758outlay bill, it shall make available to the members a report which includes an explanation of any
759increase or decrease of five percent or more which results in an increase or decrease of one
760million dollars or more for any item for which the Governor has made a recommendation, and an
761explanation for the deletion of an item recommended by the Governor, and for the addition of an
762item for which the Governor has made no recommendation. [25A.] (27A.)
763 22. Bills and resolves when ordered to a third reading shall be referred forthwith to the
764committee on Bills in the Third Reading, which shall examine and correct them, for the purpose 38 of 146
765of avoiding repetitions and unconstitutional provisions, and insuring accuracy in the text and
766references, and consistency with the language of existing statutes; but any change in the sense or
767legal effect, or any material change in construction, shall be reported to the House as an
768amendment.
769 The committee on Bills in the Third Reading may consolidate into 1 bill any 2 or more related
770bills referred to it, whenever legislation may be simplified thereby.
771 Resolutions received from and adopted by the Senate or introduced or reported into the
772House, after they are read and before they are adopted, shall be referred to the committee on
773Bills in the Third Reading.
774 Amendments of bills, resolves and resolutions adopted by the Senate and sent to the House
775for concurrence, shall, subsequently to the procedure required by Rule 35 in respect to
776amendments, also be referred, in like manner, to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
777 When a bill, resolve or resolution has been so referred, no further action shall be taken until a
778report thereon has been made by the committee. Accompanying said report shall be a written
779explanation prepared by the committee defining any changes made in a bill, resolve or resolution
780so as to facilitate the proceedings of the House.
781 If a bill or resolve referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading requires a two-
782thirds vote because it contains an emergency preamble, or if it provides for the borrowing of
783money by the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 3 of Article LXII of
784the Amendments to the Constitution, or provides for the giving, loaning or pledging of the credit
785of the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 1 of Article LXII (as amended
786by Article LXXXIV) of the Amendments to the Constitution, or provides, upon recommendation 39 of 146
787of the Governor, for a special law relating to an individual city or town and comes within the
788provisions of clause (2) of Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to the Constitution
789or provides for environmental protection within the provisions of Article XLIX as amended by
790Article XCVII, the committee shall plainly indicate the fact on the outside of the bill or resolve,
791or on a wrapper or label attached thereto. [26.] (33.)
792 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; May 5, 1993; Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 1, 2023.]
793 23. Bills and resolves prepared for final passage shall be certified by the Clerk of the House,
794after comparison, to be the same as the bills or resolves passed to be engrossed; and if found to
795be properly prepared, the Clerk shall so endorse on the envelope thereof; and the question on
796enactment or final passage or adopting an emergency preamble shall be taken thereon, without
797further reading, unless specifically ordered.
798 When a bill prepared for final passage contains an emergency preamble or when it provides
799for the borrowing of money by the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 3
800of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution, or provides for the giving, loaning or
801pledging of the credit of the Commonwealth and comes within the provisions of Section 1 of
802Article LXII (as amended by Article LXXXIV) of the Amendments to the Constitution, or
803provides, upon recommendation of the Governor, for a special law relating to an individual city
804or town and comes within the provisions of clause (2) of Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the
805Amendments to the Constitution, or provides for environmental protection within the provisions
806of Article XLIX as amended by Article XCVII, the Clerk shall plainly indicate the fact on the
807envelope thereof. [27.] (34.) [See Rule 40.]
808 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 29, 2015.] 40 of 146
809 23A. No member of the House, except the Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, Majority Leader,
810Assistant Majority Leader, Second Assistant Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Assistant
811Minority Leader, Second Assistant Minority Leader, Third Assistant Minority Leader, Vice-
812Chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, Assistant Vice-Chairperson of the
813Committee on Ways and Means and committee chairs with respect to committee business, shall
814receive privileges or compensation for postage which is greater than seventy-five percent of the
815amount allowed as standard practice during the 186th biennial session of the General Court, as
816determined by the House Business Manager.
817 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 20, 2011; Feb. 1, 2023.]
818 24. (a)(1) Petitions, recommendations and reports of state officials, departments, commissions
819including legislative commissions, and boards, special reports including legislation initiated by
820the Committee on Ethics pursuant to rule 16, and reports of special committees and commissions
821including legislative commissions, shall be filed with the Clerk in a format to be determined by
822said Clerk, who shall, unless they are subject to other provisions of these rules or the rules of the
823two branches, refer them, with the approval of the Speaker, to the appropriate committees,
824subject to such change of reference as the House may make. The reading of all such documents
825may be dispensed with, but they shall be entered in the Journal of the same or the next legislative
826day after such reference except as provided in Joint Rule 13.
827 (2) All orders, including motions or orders proposed for joint adoption, resolutions and other
828papers intended for presentation, except those hereinbefore mentioned, shall be filed with the
829Clerk in a format to be determined by said Clerk, who shall, prior to the procedure required by 41 of 146
830other provisions of these rules or of the rules of the two branches, refer them to the committee on
831Rules.
832 (b) Resolutions for adoption by the House only or resolutions for joint adoption shall only be
833considered for adoption in the House if the resolution meets the criteria set forth in this rule.
834 (c) Resolutions shall consist of: (i) no more than 5 clauses beginning with the word
835“WHEREAS”, which shall contain statements of facts or opinions; and (ii) no more than 2
836clauses beginning with the word “RESOLVED”.
837 (d) Resolutions shall recognize, honor, commend, celebrate or commemorate a momentous
838achievement, special occasion or significant event or date; provided, however, that the following
839resolutions shall not be considered for adoption:
840 (i) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating the
841birthday of a person under the age of 80;
842 (ii) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating a
843wedding anniversary of a married couple of less than 50 years;
844 (iii) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating an
845anniversary of an organization of less than 20 years;
846 (iv) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating a class
847reunion;
848 (v) resolutions recognizing, honoring, commending, celebrating or commemorating a for-
849profit organization; 42 of 146
850 (iv) resolutions proclaiming certain days, weeks or months;
851 (vii) resolutions that includes a statement of policy or ideology.
852 (e) Suspension of subsections (b) through (d) of this rule shall require unanimous consent of
853the members present.
854 (3) Petitions and other papers so filed which are subject to the provisions of Joint Rule 7A,
8557B, or 9 shall be referred by the Clerk to the committee on Rules. Petitions and other papers so
856filed, which are subject to the provisions of the second paragraph of Joint Rule 12, shall, prior to
857the procedure required by said rule, be referred by the Clerk to the committee on Rules. The
858reading of all such papers may be dispensed with, but they shall be entered in the Journal of the
859same or the next legislative day after such reference.
860 (4) Matters which have been placed on file during the preceding year may be taken from the
861files by the Clerk upon request of any member or member-elect; and matters so taken from the
862files shall be referred or otherwise disposed of as provided above.
863 (5) Recommendations and special reports of state officials, departments, commissions and
864boards, reports of special committees and commissions, bills and resolves accompanying
865petitions, recommendations and reports, and resolutions shall be made available under the
866direction of the Clerk, who may cause to be made available, with the approval of the Speaker,
867any other documents filed as herein provided.
868 (6) All such legislation and reports filed with the Clerk shall be submitted in a format
869prescribed by said Clerk. Said documents shall contain the name or names of the primary
870sponsors and a list of the names of all petitioners praying for the legislation. Additional names 43 of 146
871may be added to the list of the petitioners; provided, however, that, such additional names shall
872be submitted in a format to be determined by the Clerk.
873 (7) Any petition so submitted that is a refile of a measure submitted in a previous session shall
874include, in the appropriate space provided, the session year for which the measure was filed and
875the House or Senate bill number or docket number assigned to such measure in such previous
876session.
877 (8) Debate upon the suspension of this rule shall be limited to 10 minutes, 3 minutes for each
878member, and the Speaker shall recognize the member presenting the order, resolution or petition
879first; provided, however, that suspension of this rule shall require unanimous consent of the
880members present. Any order, except such order that would amend the Rules of the House,
881resolution or petition referred to the committee on Rules after the question of suspension of this
882rule has been negatived, or any order, resolution or petition filed after the beginning of the
883session and referred to the committee on Rules, shall not be discharged from said committee
884except by unanimous consent of the House. Motions to discharge the committee on Rules shall
885be subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Rule 28. [28.] (20.) [See Rules 36 and 85.]
886 [Amended April 27, 1981; Jan. 9, 1989; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 26, 2005; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 29,
8872015; Jan. 30, 2019; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
888 25. Every petition for legislation shall be accompanied by a bill or resolve embodying the
889legislation prayed for. [29.] [See Joint Rule 12.]
890 26. When the object of an application can be secured without a special act under existing
891laws, or, without detriment to the public interests, by a general law, the committee to which the
892matter is referred shall report such general law or ought not to pass, as the case may be. The 44 of 146
893committee may report a special law on matters referred to it upon (1) a petition filed or approved
894by the voters of a city or town, or the mayor and city council, or other legislative body, of a city,
895or the town meeting of a town, with respect to a law relating to that city or town; (2) a
896recommendation by the Governor; or (3) matters relating to erecting and constituting
897metropolitan or regional entities, embracing any two or more cities and towns, or established
898with other than existing city or town boundaries, for any general or special public purpose or
899purposes. [30.] (16.) [See Joint Rule 7.]
900 [Amended Feb. 11, 2009.]
901 27. With the exception of matters referred to the committee on Rules under the provisions of
902paragraph (3) of Rule 24, committees shall report on all matters referred to them. The committee
903on Ways and Means shall report the General Appropriation Bill not later than the second
904Wednesday of May; and provided further that said committee shall make available to the
905members all data compiled for justification of budgetary recommendations in all appropriation
906bills.
907 The House chair of each joint standing committee shall make final report on all matters
908referred to and heard by their committee prior to the third Wednesday of December of the first
909annual session of the General Court by not later than 60 calendar days after the matter is heard;
910provided, however, that an additional 30 calendar days may be granted on a matter by the House
911chair who shall notify the Clerk of said extension. After the expiration of such 90-day period, the
912House shall approve by unanimous consent an extension order submitted by the House members
913of the joint committee for any additional time for further consideration of the matter by the
914committee. However, a committee shall not make final report after, and the House shall not 45 of 146
915approve of an extension order that extends consideration of a matter beyond, the third
916Wednesday in March of the second annual session of the General Court. For matters referred to a
917joint standing committee and heard by said committee after the third Wednesday of December of
918the first annual session, the committee shall make final report by not later than 60 calendar days
919after the matter is heard, or by the third Wednesday in March of the second annual session,
920whichever occurs later. For all matters referred to the committee on Health Care Financing after
921the third Wednesday in March of the second annual session which were initially referred to
922another joint standing committee, the committee shall make final report not later than the last
923Wednesday of May of the second annual session.
924 When the time within which joint standing committees are required to report has expired, all
925matters upon which no report has then been made shall forthwith be reported by the House chair
926with a recommendation to study the matter.
927 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 29, 2015.]
928 27A. [Omitted Jan. 23, 2007.]
929 28. (1) Motions directing the committee on Ways and Means to report certain matters to the
930House, or motions discharging said committees from further consideration of certain matters,
931shall not be considered until the expiration of seven calendar days and shall require a majority
932vote of the members present and voting for adoption. Committees so directed to report shall file
933a report with the Clerk within 4 legislative days. The committee on Ways and Means may not be
934directed to report or be discharged from further consideration of any appropriation or capital
935outlay measure. 46 of 146
936 (2) The committee on Rules, except as provided in Rule 24, and the committee on Bills in the
937Third Reading shall not be discharged from consideration of any measure or be directed to report
938on any measure within 10 calendar days of its reference without the unanimous consent of the
939House, or after such 10 day period except by a vote of a majority of the members present and
940voting thereon.
941 (3) Matters discharged under the provisions of this rule shall be placed in the Orders of the
942Day for the next sitting. Petitions discharged under the provisions of this rule shall be considered
943as favorably reported and the bill, resolve, resolution or order accompanying such petitions shall
944be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting.
945 (4) During the last week of the session, the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (3) of this rule
946shall be inoperative.
947 (5) A second motion to discharge a matter from a committee or a second motion to direct a
948committee to report a matter shall not be entertained until the first such motion has been disposed
949of.
950 (6) As an alternative procedure to that provided under the provisions of this rule, the members
951of the House may, by filing a petition signed by a majority of the members elected to the House,
952discharge the House committee on Ways and Means, the House committee on Bills in the Third
953Reading, and the House committee on Rules from further consideration of a legislative matter.
954Seven days following the filing of the petition with the House Clerk, the committee shall be
955discharged from further consideration of the legislative matter specified in the petition and the
956House Clerk shall place the matter in the Orders of the Day for the next calendar day that the
957House is meeting. 47 of 146
958 (7) For the purpose of this rule, matters not appearing on the Calendar which are not before
959any committee shall be deemed to be before the Rules committee. Notwithstanding the previous
960sentence, a bill which has been engrossed by the House and Senate shall be placed before the
961House for enactment. Any member may request to the House that a matter engrossed in the
962House and Senate, returned for final passage by the engrossing division, and reviewed and
963released by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading be placed before the House for
964enactment. The Speaker shall, in response to such a request of a member, put the matter before
965the House at the conclusion of the matter then pending.
966 (8) This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
967(27C, 32A.)
968 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; April 27, 1981; Jan. 12, 1983; Nov. 17, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 9,
9691989; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 29, 2015.]
970 28A. [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985; Amended Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 29, 2015; Omitted.]
971REGULAR COURSE OF PROCEEDINGS.
972Petitions.
973 29. The member presenting a petition shall endorse their name thereon; and the reading
974thereof shall be dispensed with, unless specially ordered. [37.] (18.)
975 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 30, 2019.]
976Motions Contemplating Legislation, etc.
977 30. All motions contemplating legislation shall be founded upon petition, except as follows: 48 of 146
978 The committee on Ways and Means may originate and report appropriation bills as provided
979in Rule 20. Messages from the Governor shall, unless otherwise ordered, be referred to the
980appropriate committee, which may report by bill or otherwise thereon. A similar disposition
981shall, unless otherwise ordered, be made of reports by state officers and committees authorized to
982report to the Legislature, and similar action may be had thereon.
983 Messages from the Governor returning appropriation bills, or parts of appropriation bills, with
984objections or reductions of sections or items thereof, shall be reconsidered subsequent to a report
985of the committee on Ways and Means. Messages or recommendations from the Governor shall
986be filed with the Clerk in a format to be determined by the Clerk. [40.] (19.)
987 [Amended Jan. 24, 2001.]
988Bills and Resolves.
989 31. Bills shall be drafted in a format approved by the Counsel to the House and submitted in a
990format to be determined by the Clerk. Bills amending existing laws shall not provide for striking
991words from, or inserting words in, such laws, unless such course is best calculated to show
992clearly the subject and nature of the amendment. No repealed law, and no part of any repealed
993law, shall be re-enacted merely by reference. [42.] (17.)
994 [Amended Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005; Jan. 29, 2015.]
995 32. If a committee to which a bill is referred reports that the same ought not to pass, the
996question shall be “Shall this bill be rejected?”. If the question on rejection is negatived, the bill, if
997it has been read but once, shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a
998second reading without question; otherwise it shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the 49 of 146
999next sitting, pending the question on ordering to a third reading, or to engrossment, as the case
1000may be. [43.] (30.)
1001 [Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
1002 32A. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1003 33. Bills involving an expenditure of public money or grant of public property, or otherwise
1004affecting the state finances, unless the subject matter has been acted upon by the joint committee
1005on Ways and Means, shall, after their first reading, be referred to the committee on Ways and
1006Means, for report on their relation to the finances of the Commonwealth.
1007 New provisions shall not be added to such bills by the committee on Ways and Means, unless
1008directly connected with the financial features thereof.
1009 Orders reported in the House or received from the Senate involving the expenditure of public
1010money for special committees, shall, before the question is taken on the adoption thereof, be
1011referred to the committee on Ways and Means, whose duty it shall be to report on their relation
1012to the finances of the Commonwealth.
1013 Every such bill involving a capital expenditure for new projects, or an appropriation for
1014repairs, or any legislation, the cost of which, in the opinion of the committee, exceeds the sum of
1015one hundred thousand dollars when reported into the House by the committee on Ways and
1016Means, shall be accompanied by a fiscal note indicating the amount of public money which will
1017be required to be expended to carry out the provisions of the proposed legislation, together with
1018an estimate of the cost of operation and maintenance for the first year if a new project is
1019involved. [44.] (27.) 50 of 146
1020 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1981; Jul. 17, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005.]
1021 33A. Copies of all bills shall be available, in a format to be determined by the Speaker in
1022consultation with the Clerk, to all members of the House and the public electronically via the
1023website of the General Court; provided, however, that any bill or resolve to be considered by the
1024House at a formal session shall be available to all members electronically and to the public via
1025the website of the General Court no later than 12:00 P.M. the day prior to consideration thereof
1026by the House in a formal session; provided further that, to the extent practicable, a summary of
1027any bill containing meaningful policy changes to be considered by the House in a formal session
1028shall be made available by the chair of the joint standing committee which had jurisdiction of the
1029bill, to all members of the House and the public via the website of the General Court prior to the
1030commencement of roll calls for the formal session in which the bill will be considered.
1031 All amendments offered by members to any matter in the House shall be submitted in a
1032format to be determined by the Clerk in consultation with the Speaker; provided, however, that
1033an amendment to any matter to be considered by the House at a formal session shall be filed by
10345:00 P.M. on the day the bill or resolve is made available to the members pursuant to the first
1035paragraph of this rule. Amendments shall be considered by the House chronologically as
1036submitted to the Clerk, except for an amendment in the second degree; provided that all
1037amendments shall be drafted in proper form acceptable to the Clerk; and provided further that the
1038Clerk shall print each amendment so filed and such printed copy shall be considered to be the
1039official amendment for that bill and there shall be available to the members a duplicate copy of
1040each amendment. (33A.) 51 of 146
1041 When the House considers any bill or resolve, other than the General Appropriations Bill, it
1042shall be read a second time and, subsequent to the consideration of any amendments
1043recommended by a committee or committees, it shall forthwith be considered by the House, the
1044question being on ordering it to a third reading, without any other amendments. A bill or resolve
1045so ordered to a third reading shall be immediately referred to the committee on Bills in the Third
1046Reading and, upon being released by said committee, it shall be read a third time and shall then
1047be open to amendments, the main question being on passing the bill or resolve to be engrossed.
1048 Except for consolidated amendments or perfecting amendments offered by the committee on
1049Ways and Means, no proposition on a subject different from the amendment under consideration
1050shall be admitted under color of a further amendment to any bill or resolve. A consolidated
1051amendment to any bill or resolve, offered by the committee on Ways and Means, shall be a
1052motion offering an amendment in the second degree.
1053 [Adopted Nov. 17, 1983; Amended Nov. 28, 1984; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 17,
10541995l; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 29, 2015; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1055 33B. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1056 33C. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1057 33D. [Omitted Jan. 26, 2005.]
1058 33E. No consolidated amendment offered by the committee on Ways and Means shall be
1059considered by the House until the expiration of at least 30 minutes after the consolidated
1060amendment shall have been first filed with the Clerk and made available to the members. This
1061rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. 52 of 146
1062 [Added Feb. 4, 2010; Amended Jan. 29, 2015.]
1063 33F. No consolidated amendment shall be adopted except by a roll call vote.
1064 [Added Feb. 2, 2017.]
1065 34. Bills from the Senate, after their first reading, shall be referred to a committee of the
1066House. [45.] (26.)
1067 [Amended Jan. 26, 1999.]
1068 35. Amendments proposed by the Senate, and sent back to the House for concurrence, shall
1069be referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading, provided that the journal shall reflect
1070the referral; and provided further that subsequent to a report from said committee, the
1071amendments shall be considered forthwith. [46.] (36.)
1072 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 26, 2005, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 23, 2013.]
1073 36. No bill shall be proposed or introduced unless received from the Senate, reported by a
1074committee, or moved as an amendment to the report of a committee. [47.] (36.)
1075 37. Bills, resolves and other papers that have been, or, under the rules or usage of the House,
1076are to be made available in a format to be determined by the Speaker in consultation with the
1077Clerk, shall be read by their titles only, unless the full reading is requested by vote of a majority
1078of those members present and voting.
1079 [Amended Jan. 9, 2003, Amended, Jan. 23, 2007.] [48.] (29.)
1080 38. When a bill, resolve, order, petition or memorial has been finally rejected or disposed of
1081by the House, no measure substantially the same shall be introduced by any committee or 53 of 146
1082member during the same session. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent
1083of the members present. [49.] (54.)
1084 39. No bill shall be passed to be engrossed without having been read on three separate
1085legislative days. [51.] (28.)
1086 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
1087 40. No engrossed bill shall be amended, except by striking out the enacting clause. A motion
1088to strike out the enacting clause of a bill shall be received when the bill is before the House for
1089enactment. If the bill contains an emergency preamble, a motion to suspend this rule may be
1090received before the adoption of the emergency preamble and, if suspended, the amendment may
1091contain a new emergency preamble. This rule shall not apply to a bill or resolve returned by the
1092Governor with a recommendation of amendment in accordance with the provisions of Article
1093LVI of the Amendments to the Constitution; nor shall it apply to amendments of engrossed bills
1094proposed by the Senate and sent to the House for concurrence, which amendments shall be
1095subject to the provisions of Rule 35, provided, however, that an affirmative vote on a motion to
1096suspend this rule shall be required in order to offer an amendment to such an engrossed bill when
1097the question before the House is on adoption of an emergency preamble, re-enactment or
1098enactment, as the case may be. [53.] (49.)
1099 [Amended, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 20, 2011; Jan. 23, 2013; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1100 41. Bills received from the Senate and bills reported favorably by committees, when not
1101referred to another standing committee of the House, shall, prior to being placed in the Orders of
1102the Day, be referred to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Resolutions received 54 of 146
1103from and adopted by the Senate, or reported in the House by committees, shall, if proposed for
1104joint adoption, be referred to said committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. [56.] (26.)
1105 [Amended Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 26, 1999.]
1106 42. Reports of committees, not by bill or resolve, including orders if proposed for joint
1107adoption, after they are received from the Senate, or made in the House, as the case may be,
1108shall, unless subject to the provisions of any other House or joint rules, be referred to the
1109committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling; provided that the report of a committee asking to
1110be discharged from further consideration of a subject, and recommending that it be referred or
1111recommitted to another committee, or a report of a committee recommending that a matter be
1112placed on file, shall be immediately considered. Reports of committees on proposals for
1113amendments to the Constitution shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Joint
1114Rule 23. [57.] (36.)
1115 [Amended Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1116 42A. The Clerk shall, prior to 3 o'clock P.M., on the day preceding a session, make available
1117by electronic communication or other means, a list of all reports of the committee on Steering,
1118Policy and Scheduling, asking to be discharged from further consideration of subjects, and
1119recommending that the subjects be referred to other committees.
1120 [Adopted Jan. 26, 2005; Amended Jan. 29, 2015.]
1121 43. Bills ordered to a third reading shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next day
1122for such reading. [58.] (32.)
1123Special Rules Affecting the Course of Proceedings. 55 of 146
1124 44. The Speaker may designate when an informal session of the House shall be held provided
1125said Speaker gives notice of such informal session at a prior session of the House. The Speaker
1126may, in cases of emergency, cancel a session or declare any session of the House to be an
1127informal session. At an informal session the House shall only consider reports of committees,
1128papers from the Senate, bills for enactment or resolves for final passage, bills containing
1129emergency preambles and the matters in the Orders of the Day. Motions to reconsider moved at
1130such informal session shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for the succeeding day, and no
1131new business shall be entertained, except by unanimous consent.
1132 Formal debate, or the taking of the sense of the House by yeas and nays shall not be
1133conducted during such informal session.
1134 Upon the receipt of a petition signed by at least a majority of the members elected to the
1135House, so requesting, the Speaker shall, when the House is meeting in informal session under the
1136provisions of Joint Rule 12A, designate a formal session, to be held within seven days of said
1137receipt, for the purpose of considering the question of passage of a bill, notwithstanding the
1138objections of the Governor, returned pursuant to Article 2, Section 1, Chapter1, Part 2 of the
1139Massachusetts Constitution. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1140members present. [59.] (5A.)
1141 The House may meet in a formal session notwithstanding the provisions of Joint Rule 12A
1142upon the adoption of an order filed by the committee on Rules pursuant to Rule 7C.
1143 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 17, 1995; Jan. 14, 1997; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9,
11442003; Feb. 11, 2009.] 56 of 146
1145 45. After entering upon the consideration of the Orders of the Day, the House shall proceed
1146with them in regular course as follows: Matters not giving rise to a motion or debate shall first be
1147disposed of in the order in which they stand in the Calendar; after which the matters that were
1148passed over shall be considered in like order and disposed. The provisions of this paragraph shall
1149not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
1150 Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, during consideration of the Orders of the Day, the
1151committee on Ways and Means and the committee on Bills in the Third Reading may present
1152matters for consideration of the House after approval of two-thirds of the members present and
1153voting, without debate. [59.] (37.) [See Rule 47.]
1154 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 12, 1983; Feb. 11, 2009.]
1155 46. When the House does not finish the consideration of the Orders of the Day, those which
1156had not been acted upon shall be the Orders of the Day for the next and each succeeding day
1157until disposed of, and shall be entered in the Calendar, without change in their order, to precede
1158matters added under Rule 7A; provided, however, that all other matters shall be listed in
1159numerical order by Calendar item.
1160 The unfinished business in which the House was engaged at the time of adjournment shall
1161have the preference in the Orders of the Day for the next day. [60.] (35.)
1162 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 26, 1999.]
1163 47. No matter which has been duly placed in the Orders of the Day shall be discharged
1164therefrom, or considered out of the regular course. [61.] (38.) [See Rule 45.]
1165Voting. 57 of 146
1166 48. Members desiring to be excused from voting shall make application to that effect before
1167the division of the House or the taking of the yeas and nays is begun. Such application may be
1168accompanied by a brief statement of reasons by the member. The Clerk shall, prior to the first
1169roll call of the sitting, announce the name of any member who has informed the Clerk to not call
1170their name or lock their voting station. The Clerk shall also announce prior to any subsequent roll
1171call of the sitting the name of any member who had informed said Clerk not to call their name or
1172lock their voting station since the taking of the immediately preceding roll call.
1173 A member absent from the House for a formal session period of a day or longer shall notify
1174the Clerk in writing of the intended absence. A member absent during a formal session for an
1175extended period or for the remainder of the session shall notify the Clerk in person. The Clerk
1176shall provide a written notice to any such absent member.
1177 The Clerk shall disable the voting station of any such member notifying the Clerk of an
1178absence pursuant to this Rule. The Clerk shall also disable the voting station of any member
1179failing to answer the first non-quorum roll call of a legislative sitting; provided, however, that the
1180Clerk shall reactivate the voting station upon receiving notification of the member's return to the
1181House Chamber. ([64.] (57.)
1182 [Amended Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1183 49. (a) If the presence of a quorum is doubted, a count of the House shall be made. When a
1184yea and nay vote is taken, the members, with the exception of the Speaker, shall vote only from
1185their seats. A member who has been appointed by the Speaker to perform the duties of the Chair,
1186or a person who has been elected Speaker pro Tempore, may designate some member or a court
1187officer to cast a vote for said member on any vote taken on the electronic voting system while 58 of 146
1188such member is presiding. Said designated member performing the duties of the Chair, or
1189Speaker pro Tempore, may, if the Speaker is in the State House, cast a vote for the Speaker. The
1190Speaker shall state the pending question before opening the system for voting.
1191 The Speaker may direct the Clerk to cast a vote for a member who is in the House Chamber,
1192but who is unable to vote due to a malfunction of their voting station or inability to open their
1193voting station.
1194 (b) Except in the case of a vote to ascertain the presence of a quorum, if a member is
1195prevented from voting personally using the electronic voting system because of physical
1196disability, said member shall, if present in the State House, be excused from so voting and the
1197Speaker shall assign a court officer to cast said member's vote so long as said physical disability
1198continues; provided that the Speaker shall announce the action of the Chair to the membership
1199prior to assigning a court officer to cast the member's vote and provided further that the Speaker
1200shall announce the action to the membership the first time a vote is cast for that member on each
1201successive day.
1202 (c) A member serving on active reserve military duty may participate remotely in a formal
1203session, subject to the requirements and limitations of federal law and regulation, including, but
1204not limited to, United States Department of Defense Directive 1344.10. A member serving on
1205active reserve military shall notify the Clerk of such service as soon as practicable.
1206 (d) A member with a serious health condition may submit to Counsel appointed pursuant to
1207Rule 13B a request for an accommodation to participate remotely in a formal session. Said
1208request shall be accompanied by documentation from said member’s health care provider that an 59 of 146
1209accommodation to participate remotely is necessary. For purposes of this rule, a serious health
1210condition shall include:
1211 (1) the member’s own serious health condition, which includes illness, injury, impairment, or
1212physical or mental conditions requiring inpatient care or continuing treatment by a health care
1213provider, involving more than three days of incapacity; or
1214 (2) care for the member’s parent, child or spouse with a serious health condition.
1215 For purposes of this rule, a serious health condition shall not include routine, health-related
1216visits or examinations or temporary conditions or other short-term illnesses involving less than
1217three days of incapacity.
1218 (e) A member shall be entitled to participate remotely in a formal session in connection with
1219any condition or limitation related to a member’s pregnancy, including pregnancy loss, and may
1220participate remotely in formal session for 20 weeks after the birth or adoption of a child by a
1221member or the member’s partner, or placement of a child in foster care with a member or the
1222member’s partner. A member who intends to participate remotely pursuant to this subsection
1223shall notify Counsel of the need for an accommodation as well as the expected length of the
1224accommodation.
1225 (f) Counsel shall not approve, without the prior written approval of the Chair of the
1226committee on Rules, any request for an accommodation to participate remotely in a formal
1227session that does not satisfy the requirements of this subsection.
1228 (g) Upon approval of a request for accommodation to participate remotely received pursuant
1229to subsection (d) or subsection (f), Counsel shall notify the Clerk that the member filing the 60 of 146
1230request has been authorized to participate remotely. Other than the notification provided to the
1231Clerk or to the Chair of the committee on Rules, as required, Counsel shall maintain any request
1232for accommodation pursuant to this rule as confidential.
1233 (h)(1) A member authorized to participate remotely in a formal session pursuant to subsection
1234(d) through subsection (f), inclusive, shall have the same privileges, rights and responsibilities as
1235if the member were physically present in the House Chamber, including without limitation, the
1236right, privilege and responsibility to cast votes on all questions or other matters brought to a vote
1237and the ability to take the oath required pursuant to Part the Second, Chapter VI, Article I of the
1238Constitution of the Commonwealth.
1239 (i) The Journal of the House for any formal session of the House where a member is
1240participating remotely in a formal session pursuant to this rule shall not specify which members
1241participated remotely. [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 9, 2003; Jan.
124220, 2011; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1243 50. When a question is put, the sense of the House shall be taken by the voices of the
1244members, and the Speaker shall first announce the vote as it appears to the Speaker by the sound.
1245If the Speaker is unable to decide by the sound of the voices, or if the announcement made
1246thereupon is doubted by a member rising in their place for that purpose, the Speaker shall order a
1247division of the number voting in the affirmative and in the negative, without further debate upon
1248the question. [66.] (55.)
1249 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1250 51. When a return by division of the members voting in the affirmative and in the negative is
1251ordered, the members for or against the question, when called on by the Speaker, shall rise in 61 of 146
1252their places, and stand until they are counted. If, upon the taking of such a vote, the presence of a
1253quorum is doubted, a count of the House shall be had, and if a quorum is present the vote shall
1254stand. [67.]
1255 52. The sense of the House shall be taken by yeas and nays whenever required by ten percent
1256of the members elected. The Speaker shall, after waiting up to an interval of twelve minutes,
1257state the pending question and, after opening the electronic voting system, instruct the members
1258to vote for not less than two minutes and no more than twenty-two minutes, the Speaker shall
1259close said system and cause totals to be displayed and a record made of how each member
1260present voted; provided, that if at any time during said voting period any standing, joint or
1261conference committee is meeting in public or executive sessions, the Speaker shall leave the
1262electronic voting machine open for not less than 5 minutes.
1263 Any member desiring to be recorded as being “present” when a yea and nay vote is taken on
1264the electronic roll call system shall so notify the Clerk in person after said vote is ordered and
1265before the vote is announced.
1266 In the event the electronic voting system is not in operating order, the roll of the House shall
1267be called in alphabetical order; provided, however, that no member shall be allowed to vote or to
1268answer “present” who was not on the floor before the vote is declared; provided, however, that a
1269member, who was in the State House on a previous roll call, may be recorded by reporting to the
1270Clerk within five minutes after such vote is closed, unless objection is made thereto and it is
1271seconded; and provided further that the presiding officer shall not, for said purpose, interrupt the
1272member who is speaking on the floor; provided, however, that such request may be announced to
1273the House subsequent to the five minutes. The Speaker shall not entertain any requests beyond 62 of 146
1274said five-minute period. Once the voting has begun it shall not be interrupted except for the
1275purpose of questioning the validity of a member’s vote before the result is announced. Except as
1276heretofore provided, any member who shall vote or attempt to vote for another member or any
1277person not a member who votes or attempts to vote for a member, or any member or other person
1278who willfully tampers with or attempts to impair or destroy in any manner whatsoever the voting
1279equipment used by the House, or change the records thereon shall be punished in such manner as
1280the House determines; and provided further, that such a violation shall be reported to the Ethics
1281Committee. [68.] (56, 57.)
1282 Upon completion of the tally by the Clerk and the announcement of the vote by the Speaker,
1283the results of all roll calls conducted shall be conspicuously posted on the website of the General
1284Court.
1285 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 24, 2001; Jan. 9,
12862003; Jan. 26, 2005; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan 20, 2011; Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1287 53. The call for yeas and nays shall be decided without debate. If the yeas and nays have been
1288ordered before the question is put, the proceedings under Rules 50 and 51 relative to verification
1289of the vote by the voices of the members or by a return of divisions shall be omitted; if not, they
1290may be called for in lieu of a return by divisions when the Speaker’s announcement is doubted
1291by a member rising in their place, and, if then ordered, the proceedings under Rules 50 and 51
1292shall be omitted. [69.] (52.)
1293 [Amended Jan. 26, 1999; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1294Reconsideration. 63 of 146
1295 54. No motion to reconsider a vote shall be entertained unless it is made on the same day on
1296which the vote was taken, or before the Orders of the Day have been taken up on the next day
1297thereafter on which a quorum is present. If reconsideration is moved on the same day, the motion
1298shall be placed first in the Orders of the Day for the succeeding day; but, if it is moved on the
1299succeeding day, the motion shall be considered forthwith except that if said motion is moved on
1300a day on which an informal session has been designated, it shall be placed in the Orders of the
1301Day for the succeeding day. If reconsideration is moved after July first of the second annual
1302session and thereafter, on any main question, it shall be considered forthwith. This rule shall not
1303prevent the reconsideration of a vote on a subsidiary, incidental or dependent question at any
1304time when the main question to which it relates is under consideration; and provided, further,
1305that a motion to reconsider a vote on any subsidiary, incidental or dependent question shall not
1306remove the main subject under consideration from before the House, but shall be considered at
1307the time when it is made. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1308members present. [70.] (53.)
1309 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981, Jan. 23, 2007.]
1310 55. When a motion for reconsideration is decided, that decision shall not be reconsidered, and
1311no question shall be twice reconsidered; nor shall any vote be reconsidered upon any of the
1312following motions:
1313 to recess,
1314 to adjourn,
1315 on sustaining a ruling of the Chair, 64 of 146
1316 to close debate at a specified time,
1317 to postpone if voted in the negative,
1318 to discharge or direct a committee to report,
1319 to commit or recommit,
1320 for second or subsequent legislative days,
1321 for the previous question, or
1322 for suspension of rules.
1323 This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [71.]
1324(53.)
1325 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 9, 1991.]
1326 56. Debate on motions to reconsider shall be limited to fifteen minutes, and no member shall
1327occupy more than three minutes, but on a motion to reconsider a vote upon any subsidiary or
1328incidental question, debate shall be limited to ten minutes, and no member shall occupy more
1329than three minutes.
1330 If the House has voted to close debate on any question, a motion to reconsider said question
1331shall be decided without debate. [72.] (52.)
1332 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 12, 1987.]
1333RULES OF DEBATE. 65 of 146
1334 57. Every member, when about to speak, shall rise and respectfully address the Speaker and
1335shall confine themselves to the question under debate. [73.] (39.)
1336 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1337 58. Every member while speaking shall avoid personalities; and shall sit down when finished.
1338No member shall speak out of their place without leave of the Speaker. [73.] (39.)
1339 When two or more members rise at the same time, the Speaker shall name the member
1340entitled to the floor, preferring one who rises in their place to one who does not. [74.] (40.)
1341 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1342 59. If a member repeatedly violates any of the rules of the House, or disrupts the orderly
1343procedure of the House, the Speaker, after warning the member of such violations, shall call the
1344member to order, and order that member to take their seat. A member so called to order shall lose
1345the right to speak on the pending subject-matter but shall not be debarred from voting. A member
1346so called to order shall remain seated until the House begins consideration of another subject-
1347matter or unless the Speaker earlier returns to the member their rights to the floor.
1348 If a member so called to order refuses to immediately take their seat, the Speaker shall
1349immediately name that member, who shall be escorted from the Chamber under escort of the
1350Sergeant-at-Arms. The matter shall thereupon, on motion, be referred to a special committee of
1351three to be appointed by the Speaker. Said special committee shall make a report to the House of
1352its recommendations, which report shall be read and accepted.
1353 Having been named, a member shall not be allowed to resume their seat until said member
1354has complied with the recommendations of the committee as accepted by the House. 66 of 146
1355 If, after a member is seated or named, the action of the Speaker is appealed, the House shall
1356decide the case by a majority vote of the members present and voting, but if there is no
1357immediate appeal, the decision of the Speaker shall be conclusive.
1358 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 11, 1985; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1359 60. No member shall interrupt another while speaking except by rising to a point of order, to a
1360question of personal privilege, to doubt the presence of a quorum, or to ask the person speaking
1361to yield.
1362 Members may rise to explain matters personal to them by leave of the presiding officer, but
1363shall not discuss pending questions in such explanations.
1364 Questions of personal privilege shall be limited to questions affecting the rights, reputation,
1365and conduct of the member in their representative capacities.
1366 Members may rise to ask questions of parliamentary inquiry concerning the pending matter
1367by leave of the presiding officer, but shall not debate the pending questions. [75.] (42.)
1368 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Feb. 11, 2009; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1369 61. No member shall speak more than once to the prevention of those who have not spoken
1370and desire to speak on the same question.
1371 This prohibition shall not apply to those members designated by the committee or committees
1372reporting the bill.
1373 No member shall occupy more than thirty minutes at a time while speaking on any question
1374where debate is unlimited. 67 of 146
1375 Unless the operation of another rule provides to the contrary (such as previous question,
1376limitation of debate, etc.), no member shall be prohibited from speaking more than once on any
1377question when no other member who has not spoken is seeking recognition by the Chair. [76.]
1378(41.)
1379Motions.
1380 62. Every motion shall be reduced to writing, if the Speaker so directs. [77.] (44.)
1381 63. A motion need not be seconded, except an appeal from the decision of the Chair, and may
1382be withdrawn by the mover if no objection is made. [78.] (44.)
1383 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1384Limit of Debate.
1385 64. A motion to recess or adjourn shall always be first in order, and shall be decided without
1386debate; and on the motions to close debate at a specified time, to postpone to a time certain, to
1387commit or recommit, not exceeding ten minutes shall be allowed for debate, and no member
1388shall speak more than three minutes. On the motion to discharge any committee, or on a motion
1389directing any committee to report matters before it, not exceeding fifteen minutes shall be
1390allowed for debate, and no member shall speak more than three minutes.
1391 If the main motion is undebatable, any subsidiary or incidental motion made relating to it
1392shall also be decided without debate. [79.] (52.) [See Rules 56 and 83.]
1393 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.] 68 of 146
1394 64A. Debate on the question on adoption of orders for second and subsequent legislative days
1395shall be limited to ten minutes, and no member shall speak more than three minutes. After
1396entering into a second or subsequent legislative day, the House shall immediately proceed to
1397consideration of engrossed bills, reports of committees, papers from the Senate or the Orders of
1398the Day. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
1399 [Adopted Jan. 12, 1983.]
1400 65. When a question is before the House, until it is disposed of, the Speaker shall receive no
1401motion that does not relate to the same, except the motion to recess or adjourn or some other
1402motion that has precedence either by express rule of the House, or because it is privileged in its
1403nature; and the Speaker shall receive no motion relating to the same, except,—
1404 for the previous question, . . . . .
1405 to close debate at a specified time, . . . . .
1406 to postpone to a time certain, . . . . .
1407 to commit (or recommit), . . . . .
1408 to amend, . . . . . . . See Rules 66, 67 and 68
1409 See Rules 64, 69 and 70
1410 See Rules 64 and 70
1411 See Rules 64 and 71
1412 See Rules 72, 73, 74 and 75 69 of 146
1413 — which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are arranged in
1414this rule. [80.] (46.)
1415 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985.]
1416Previous Question.
1417 66. Any member may call for the previous question on the main question.
1418 The previous question shall be put in the following form: “Shall the main question be now
1419put?” and all debate on the main question shall be suspended until the previous question is
1420decided.
1421 The adoption of the previous question shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
1422members present and voting and shall put an end to all debate, and bring the House to direct vote
1423upon pending amendments, if any, in their regular order, and then upon the main question.
1424 A motion to reconsider the vote on any of the pending amendments shall be decided without
1425debate. [81.]
1426 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1427 67. Any member may call for the previous question on any pending amendment.
1428 The previous question shall be put in the following form: “Shall the question on adoption of
1429the amendment be now put?” and all debate shall be suspended until the previous question is
1430decided. 70 of 146
1431 The adoption of the previous question on a pending amendment shall require the affirmative
1432vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting and shall put an end to all debate and bring
1433the House to a direct vote upon the pending amendment.
1434 A motion to reconsider the vote on the pending amendment shall be decided without debate.
1435 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1436 68. The previous question shall be decided without debate.
1437Motion to Close Debate at a Specified Time.
1438 69. Debate may be closed at any time not less than thirty minutes from the adoption of a
1439motion to that effect. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1440members present. [85.] (47.)
1441Motion to Postpone to a Time Certain.
1442 70. When a motion is made to postpone to a time certain, and different times are proposed,
1443the question shall first be taken on the most remote time; and the time shall be determined before
1444the question is put on postponement, which may then be rejected if the House sees fit. [87.] (51.)
1445Motion to Commit.
1446 71. When a motion is made to commit, and different committees are proposed, the question
1447shall be taken in the following order:
1448 a standing committee of the House,
1449 a select committee of the House, 71 of 146
1450 a joint standing committee,
1451 a joint selected committee;
1452and a subject may be recommitted to the same committee or to another committee at the pleasure
1453of the House. [88.] (48.)
1454Motion to Amend.
1455 72. A motion to amend an amendment is a motion offering an amendment in the second
1456degree and may be received; a motion to amend an amendment in the second degree is a motion
1457offering an amendment in the third degree and shall not be allowed. This rule shall not be
1458suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [89.]
1459 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1460 73. No motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration shall be
1461admitted under color of amendment. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous
1462consent of the members present. [90.] (50.)
1463 [Amended Jan. 12, 1987.]
1464 73A. No motion to amend a report from the committee on Ways and Means or a report from
1465the committee on Bills in the Third Reading, when such an amendment contains an expenditure
1466of public money or an increase or decrease in taxes, shall be considered unless a brief
1467explanation of the amendment is stated.
1468 [Adopted Jan. 17, 1995; Amended Jan. 26, 1999.] 72 of 146
1469 74. A question containing two or more propositions capable of division shall be divided
1470whenever desired by any member, if the question includes points so distinct and separate that,
1471one of them being taken away, the other will stand as a complete proposition. The motion to
1472strike out and insert shall be considered as one proposition and therefore indivisible. The
1473question on ordering a bill or resolve to a third reading, or to be engrossed, or to be enacted, or
1474similar main motions shall be considered as indivisible under this rule. This rule shall not be
1475suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [91.] (45.)
1476 [Amended Jan. 12, 1983.]
1477 75. In filling blanks, the largest sum and longest time shall be put first. [92.] (51.) [See Rule
147870.]
1479Declaration of Recess.
1480 76. The Speaker may declare a recess of 15 minutes duration, or less.
1481 [Amended Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1482Appeal.
1483 77. No appeal from the decision of the Speaker shall be entertained unless it is seconded; and
1484no other business shall be in order until the question on the appeal has been disposed of. Debate
1485shall be limited to 15 minutes on the question of sustaining a ruling by the Chair, and no member
1486shall occupy more than three minutes. [94.] (43A.) [See Rule 2.]
1487 [Amended Jan. 9, 1989; Jan. 29, 2015.]
1488Resolves. 73 of 146
1489 78. Such of these rules as are applicable to bills, whether of the House or of the Senate, shall
1490apply likewise to such resolves as require the concurrence of the Senate and approval by the
1491Governor in order to become law and have force as such. [95.]
1492Seats.
1493 79. (1) The desk on the right of the Speaker shall be assigned to the use of the Clerk and such
1494persons as they may employ to assist said Clerk, and that on the left to the use of the chair and
1495vice-chair of the committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
1496 (2) The Speaker shall assign members to vacant seats. The seat assigned to any member, other
1497than seats assigned under paragraph (1) of this rule, shall be their seat for the year and for such
1498additional years as said member may elect so long as service in the House remains continuous.
1499An exchange of seats may be made with the approval of the Speaker. [98.]
1500 [Amended Jan. 11, 1985; May 5, 1993; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1501Privilege of the Floor.
1502 80. The following persons shall be entitled to admission to the House of Representatives,
1503during the session thereof, to stand in an area designated by the Speaker in the rear of the
1504Chamber, unless otherwise invited by said Speaker to occupy seats not numbered:
1505 (1) The Governor and the Lieutenant-Governor, members of the Executive Council, Secretary
1506of the Commonwealth, Treasurer and Receiver-General, Auditor of the Commonwealth,
1507Attorney-General, Librarian and Assistant Librarian;
1508 (2) The members of the Senate; 74 of 146
1509 (3) Authorized employees of the House and persons in the exercise of an official duty directly
1510connected with the business of the House; or
1511 (4) Contestants for seats in the House, whose papers are in the hands of a special committee
1512of the House, may be admitted, while their cases are pending, to seats to be assigned by the
1513Speaker.
1514 No other person shall be admitted to the floor during the session, except upon the permission
1515of the Speaker.
1516 No legislative agent or counsel may be admitted to the floor of the House Chamber during a
1517session unless that part of the session is ceremonial in nature in which no other legislative
1518business is conducted.
1519 The legislative reporters shall be entitled to the privileges of the reporters’ galleries.
1520 This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [99.]
1521(60, 61.)
1522 [Amended Jan. 9, 1991, Jan. 23, 2007; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1523Representatives’ Chamber and Adjoining Rooms.
1524 81. (a) Use of the Representatives’ Chamber members’ corridor or adjoining rooms shall be
1525for official business or educational purposes only and shall be subject to the approval of the
1526Speaker or the committee on Rules. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply if the
1527purpose of admittance is to attend a meeting in an adjoining room to which members of the
1528general public are allowed to attend. 75 of 146
1529 (b) No legislative agent or counsel shall be admitted to the members’ corridor or adjoining
1530rooms. No other person shall be admitted to the members’ corridor or adjoining rooms, except
1531persons entitled to the privileges of the floor of the House unless upon written invitation of a
1532member bearing the name of the member and the person the member invites. Upon entering, the
1533invitation shall be given to the court officer assigned to the area. The provisions of this paragraph
1534shall not apply if the purpose of admittance is to attend a meeting in an adjoining room to which
1535members of the general public are allowed to attend.
1536 (c) No person shall be admitted to the north gallery of the House except upon a card of the
1537Speaker.
1538 (d) Subject to the approval and direction of the committee on Rules during the session and of
1539the Speaker after prorogation, the use of the reporters’ galleries of the House Chamber shall be
1540under the control of the organization of legislative reporters known as the Massachusetts State
1541House Press Association and the State House Broadcasters Association.
1542 (e) Every legislative reporter desiring admission to the reporters’ galleries shall state in
1543writing that they are not the agent or representative of any person or corporation interested in
1544legislation before the General Court, and will not act as representative of any such person or
1545corporation while retaining a place in the galleries; but nothing herein contained shall prevent
1546such legislative reporter from engaging in other employment, provided such other employment is
1547specifically approved by the committee on Rules and reported to the House.
1548 (f) All formal and informal sessions of the House of Representatives shall be open to both
1549commercial and public radio and television, except designated times during such sessions, as
1550determined by the House, reserved for the consideration of non-controversial business which 76 of 146
1551does not give rise to debate. The manner and conditions of such broadcasts shall be established
1552by the Speaker. Television, radio or web-broadcasts may be prohibited on any given day by the
1553Speaker.
1554 All formal and informal sessions shall be broadcast live on House television and livestreamed
1555on the General Court website. Audio or video recordings of prior formal and informal sessions
1556for the current biennial session shall be made available to the public on the official website of the
1557General Court.
1558 The Speaker may arrange for a limited number of remote connections at a location outside of
1559the House Chamber for commercial and public radio and television to obtain audio and visual
1560feeds of formal sessions being recorded or streamed by the House. Video or audio obtained from
1561such feed shall be used only for reporting purposes. Access to the connections provided shall be
1562on a first-come-first serve basis; provided, however, that commercial and public radio and
1563television acquiring access shall be required to share the audio or video feeds with other any
1564other commercial and public radio and television station seeking access. The manner and
1565conditions of access shall be established by the Speaker with the approval of the House. Access
1566may be prohibited by the Speaker with the approval of the House.
1567 Clauses (a) through (e) of this rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the
1568members present. [100.] (59.)
1569 [Amended April 18, 1979; Jan. 12, 1983; Jan. 12, 1987; Jan. 9, 1991; Jan. 26, 1999, Jan. 23,
15702007; Jan. 30, 2019; Jul. 7, 2021.]
1571Quorum. 77 of 146
1572 82. Eighty-one members present shall constitute a quorum for the organization of the House
1573and the transaction of business. [See amendments to the Constitution, Art. XXXIII.]
1574 In the event that a quorum is not present, the presiding officer shall compel the attendance of
1575a quorum. During the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted or motions
1576entertained except a declaration of adjournment or a recess by the Speaker. [105.]
1577 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 14, 1997.]
1578Debate on Motions for Suspension of Rules.
1579 83. The question of suspension of House Rules 45, 47, 56, 61, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 77 and 83
1580shall be decided without debate. Debate upon the motion for the suspension of any other House
1581rule, unless otherwise indicated, or any joint rule shall be limited to fifteen minutes and no
1582member shall occupy more than three minutes. This rule shall not be suspended unless by
1583unanimous consent of the members present. [102.] (52.)
1584 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981; Jan. 9, 1989.]
1585 84. Unless otherwise indicated, nothing in the House rules or joint rules shall be suspended,
1586altered or repealed unless two-thirds of the members present and voting consent thereto. This
1587rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of the members present. [103.] (63.)
1588 [Amended Jan. 12, 1981.]
1589 84A. The Clerk may, due to technical limitations or upon exigent circumstances, elect to
1590waive any requirement relative to the electronic availability and posting on the website of the
1591General Court of any bills, resolves, summaries or other documents contained herein; provided,
1592however, that if the Clerk so waives any such requirement he shall make paper copies of the 78 of 146
1593documents available to all members and the public within the limitation established for the
1594electronic availability and posting on the website of the General Court of any bills, resolves,
1595summaries or other documents contained herein.
1596 [Adopted Feb. 11, 2009.]
1597Reference to Committee on Rules.
1598 85. All motions or orders authorizing committees of the House to travel or to employ
1599stenographers, all propositions involving special investigations by committees of the House, all
1600resolutions presented for adoption by the House only, and all motions and orders except those
1601which relate to the procedure of the House or are privileged in their nature or are authorized by
1602Rule 65, shall be referred without debate to the committee on Rules, which shall report thereon,
1603recommending what action should be taken. The committee shall not recommend suspension of
1604Joint Rule 9, unless evidence satisfactory to the committee is produced that the petitioners have
1605previously given notice, by public advertisement or otherwise, equivalent to that required by
1606Chapter 3 of the General Laws. [104.] (13A.)
1607 [Amended Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1608 85A. (a) The committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, upon receipt of the
1609recommendation of the state auditor pursuant to subsection (b), shall provide that an outside,
1610independent financial audit of House financial accounts be conducted for each fiscal year upon
1611receipt of the fiscal year end appropriation activity with balance report from the comptroller of
1612the Commonwealth. The outside, independent financial audit shall be conducted in accordance
1613with the standards for audits of governmental organizations, programs, activities and functions,
1614commonly referred to as the “Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS)” 79 of 146
1615or “Yellow Book,” published by the Comptroller General of the United States. The committee on
1616Operations, Facilities and Security, with the assistance of the House Business Manager, shall
1617provide the independent auditor with requested financial documents for such financial audit. A
1618copy of the completed outside, independent financial audit shall be filed with the Clerk of the
1619House and the state auditor and shall be posted on the website of the General Court.
1620 (b) The committee on Operations, Facilities and Security shall annually request that the state
1621auditor recommend a private, independent auditing firm to conduct the independent financial
1622audit of House financial accounts required by subsection (a). The state auditor shall, within 30
1623days of the committee’s request, recommend to the committee a private, independent auditing
1624firm from the list of private, independent auditing firms on the appropriate statewide
1625procurement contract established by the operational services division. The committee shall direct
1626the House Business Manager to execute a contract with the private, independent auditing firm
1627recommended by the state auditor pursuant to a statewide procurement contract established by
1628the operational services division. If the state auditor fails to recommend a private, independent
1629auditing firm to serve as the independent auditor of House financial accounts within 30 days of
1630receiving a request from the committee, then the committee shall direct the House Business
1631Manager to retain a private, independent auditing firm from the appropriate statewide
1632procurement contract established by the operational services division.
1633 (c) The provisions of this rule shall apply to fiscal years beginning on July 1, 2025.
1634 [Adopted Jan. 11, 1985, Amended Jan. 20, 2011; Jan. 30, 2019.]
1635Parliamentary Practice. 80 of 146
1636 86. The rules of parliamentary practice shall govern the House in all cases to which they are
1637applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these rules or the joint rules of the two
1638branches. (62.)
1639Procurement.
1640 87. (a) All procurements for goods or services shall be completed by the House Business
1641Manager under the oversight of the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, subject to
1642the provisions of this rule. The committee shall provide the House Business Manager with such
1643guidelines, policies and procedures as the committee deems necessary and appropriate to ensure
1644the effective and efficient procurement of goods and services under this rule.
1645 (b) (1) All procurements for goods or services shall, to the extent practicable, be made
1646pursuant to a statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division.
1647 (2) Before procuring goods or services pursuant to a statewide procurement contract under
1648this subsection in an amount of $10,000 or more, and before completing any joint procurement
1649under Joint Rule 36 on behalf of the House in an amount of $10,000 or more, including a joint
1650procurement not made pursuant to a statewide procurement contract, the House Business
1651Manager shall transmit to all the members of the committee on Operations, Facilities and
1652Security the House Business Manager’s recommendation for awarding the procurement and a
1653written summary identifying all steps taken by the House Business Manager for compliance with
1654this rule, or with Joint Rule 36 as applicable, and any other information the House Business
1655Manager deems necessary. The committee on Operations, Facilities and Security shall review the
1656recommendation and summary to ensure compliance with this rule or Joint Rule 36, as
1657applicable. Upon completion of the review by the committee on Operations, Facilities and 81 of 146
1658Security, if a majority of the committee agrees with the House Business Manager’s
1659recommendation, the committee shall approve the recommendation in writing and the House
1660Business Manager shall procure the goods or services.
1661 (c) (1) Upon written certification submitted to the chair of the committee on Operations,
1662Facilities and Security by the House Business Manager that a necessary procurement under this
1663rule cannot be made using a statewide procurement contract established by the operational
1664services division, the House Business Manager may procure the required goods or services,
1665subject to the provisions of this subsection.
1666 (2) For a procurement of goods or services in an amount of less than $10,000, the House
1667Business Manager shall use sound business practices.
1668 (3) For a procurement of goods or services in an amount of $10,000 or more, but less than
1669$100,000, the House Business Manager shall seek written or oral quotations from no fewer than
16703 persons customarily providing such goods or services. The House Business Manager shall
1671record the names and addresses of all persons from whom quotations were sought, the names and
1672addresses of all persons submitting quotations and the date and amount of each quotation. The
1673House Business Manager shall transmit all quotations received to the committee on Operations,
1674Facilities and Security, along with the House Business Manager’s recommendation as to what
1675quotation offers the needed quality of goods or services at the best value for the House and a
1676written summary identifying all steps taken by the House Business Manager for compliance with
1677this rule and any other information the House Business Manager deems necessary. The
1678committee on Operations, Facilities and Security shall review the quotations, the
1679recommendation and the written summary to ensure compliance with this rule. Upon completion 82 of 146
1680of the review by the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, if the committee agrees
1681with House Business Manager’s recommendation, the committee shall approve the
1682recommendation in writing and the House Business Manager shall award the contract to the
1683responsible person whose quotation offers the needed quality of goods or services and which
1684represents the best value for the House.
1685 (4) For a procurement of goods or services in an amount exceeding $100,000, the House
1686Business Manager shall seek proposals or quotations through a competitive bid process wherein
1687the House Business Manager shall:
1688 (i) identify bidders capable and willing to provide the House with the best value of goods or
1689services by: (A) posting public notice on the Commonwealth’s electronic procurement system
1690(COMMBUYS) of the House’s request for proposals or quotations, which shall be approved by
1691House Counsel and the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security prior to posting; and
1692(B) whatever other means the House Business Manager deems appropriate;
1693 (ii) record the names of the responding bidders, the date of the response, a description of
1694goods or services and the amount of each quotation;
1695 (iii) have the right, for any reason, and at any time prior to the execution of a contract, and
1696without penalty, to notify bidders of a cancellation of procurement and the rejection of all bids
1697and shall include such right of cancellation on the public posting;
1698 (iv) review each bid to confirm that it satisfies the requirements of the House’s request; 83 of 146
1699 (v) determine, in consultation with the House office requesting the goods or services, which
1700bid satisfying the requirements of the House’s request also offers the needed quality of goods or
1701services and represents the best value to the House;
1702 (vi) transmit to each member of the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security: (A) all
1703bids submitted in response to the House’s request; (B) the House Business Manager’s
1704determination pursuant to clause (v) as to which bid satisfying the requirements of the House’s
1705request also offers the needed quality of goods or services and represents the best value to the
1706House; and (C) a written summary identifying all steps taken by the House Business Manager for
1707compliance with this rule and any other information the House Business Manager deems
1708necessary; and
1709 (vii) obtain the written approval of the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security
1710before any bid is selected and any procurement is made pursuant to this paragraph.
1711 (d) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (c), all procurements for legal services and legal
1712resources shall be handled exclusively by Counsel in compliance with the provisions of this rule
1713to the extent practicable.
1714 (e) The House Business Manager shall maintain a separate file on each procurement made
1715under this rule and Joint Rule 36 and shall include in such file a copy of all documents
1716constituting the agreement for goods and services and all documents evidencing compliance with
1717this rule, including but not limited to any written approvals by the committee on Operations,
1718Facilities and Security required under this rule.
1719 (f) For each contract not executed using a statewide procurement contract established by the
1720operational services division and in excess of $10,000, the House Business Manager shall make 84 of 146
1721the file maintained pursuant to subsection (e) available for inspection within said office by
1722members of the House for at least 3 years from the date of final payment under the contract;
1723provided, however, that the House Business Manager, in consultation with Counsel, shall redact
1724from said file any information which (i) is legally privileged; (ii) is proprietary; (iii) is related to
1725individual members or House personnel; or (iv) is otherwise protected by state or federal law.
1726 (g) No member, officer or employee of the House shall execute a contract for the procurement
1727of goods or services under this rule without the prior written approval of House Counsel.
1728 (h) On or before the 15th calendar day of each month, the House Business Manager shall
1729transmit to the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security and House Counsel a written
1730report identifying all procurements of goods or services, including procurements made pursuant
1731to Joint Rule 36, made during the previous calendar month, regardless of the amount and
1732whether the procurement was made pursuant to a statewide procurement contract.
1733 (i) Whenever the time required to comply with a requirement of this rule would endanger the
1734health, safety or convenience of the members, staff or visitors to the House of Representatives,
1735the House Business Manager, or House Counsel in the case of a procurement for legal consulting
1736services and legal resources, may make an emergency procurement without satisfying the
1737requirements of subsections (b), (c) and (d); provided, however, that both the House Business
1738Manager, or House Counsel in the case of a procurement for legal consulting services and legal
1739resources, and the chair of the committee on Operations, Facilities and Security certify in
1740writing: (i) that an emergency exists and explain the nature thereof; (ii) that said emergency
1741procurement is limited to only supplies or services necessary to meet the emergency; (iii) that
1742said emergency procurement conforms to the requirements of this rule to the extent practicable 85 of 146
1743under the circumstances; and (iv) each contractor’s name, the amount and the type of each
1744contract, the supplies or services provided under each contract, and (vii) the basis for
1745determining the need for an emergency procurement. Such certification shall be filed with the
1746Clerk of the House prior to an emergency procurement.
1747[Adopted Jan. 20, 2011, Amended Jan. 23, 2013; Jan. 29, 2015; Feb. 19, 2015; Jan. 30, 2019;
1748Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1749Professional Standards and Conduct.
1750 88. (a) As used in Rules 88 to 100, inclusive, the following terms shall, unless the context
1751clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-
1752 “Authorized party”, a party authorized to receive a complaint of harassment or retaliation
1753pursuant to Rule 93.
1754 “Counsel”, Legal Counsel to the House appointed pursuant to Rule 13B.
1755 “Director”, the Director of Human Resources appointed pursuant to Rule 90.
1756 “Discriminatory harassment”, verbal or physical conduct that:
1757 (1) demeans, stereotypes, or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because
1758of the individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, age,
1759disability status, genetic information, gender identity, active military personnel status,
1760transgender status or membership in any other protected class and;
1761 (2) (i) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating or offensive
1762working environment; 86 of 146
1763 (ii) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a member, officer, intern or
1764employee's work performance or official duties; or
1765 (iii) otherwise adversely affects a member, officer, intern or employee's employment
1766opportunities or ability to fulfill their official duties or conduct business before the House.
1767 “EEO Officer”, the outside, independent Equal Employment Opportunity Officer contracted
1768by the House pursuant to Rule 89.
1769 “Harassment”, discriminatory harassment or sexual harassment engaged in by a member,
1770officer, intern or employee of the House or by a third party.
1771 “Sexual harassment”, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and verbal or physical
1772conduct of a sexual nature when:
1773 (1) submission to or rejection of such advances, requests or conduct is made either explicitly or
1774implicitly a term or condition of employment or as a basis for employment decisions, or as a
1775term, condition or basis for the support of certain policy objectives, political aspirations or
1776business before the House; or
1777 (2) such advances, requests or conduct have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering
1778with a member, officer, intern or employee's work performance or official duties by creating an
1779intimidating, hostile, humiliating or sexually offensive work environment.
1780 Under this definition, direct or implied requests for sexual favors in exchange for actual or
1781promised (i) employment benefits such as favorable reviews, salary increases, promotions,
1782increased benefits or continued employment or (ii) support for certain policy objectives, political
1783aspirations or business before the House, shall constitute sexual harassment. 87 of 146
1784 The definition of sexual harassment is broad and may include other sexually oriented conduct,
1785whether or not it is intended to violate this Rule, that is unwelcome and has the effect of creating
1786a workplace environment that is hostile, offensive, intimidating or humiliating to a member,
1787officer, intern or employee of the same or different gender, or those who do not identify as
1788gender binary.
1789 “Supervisor”, a member, officer or employee having direct authority or oversight over one or
1790more employees.
1791 “Third party”, any person visiting the House of Representatives, or conducting official
1792business or work with any member, officer or employee of the House.
1793 (b) The House is committed to providing fair and equal opportunity for employment and
1794advancement to all employees and applicants.
1795 It is the House’s policy and practice to assign, promote and compensate employees on the
1796basis of qualifications, merit, and competence. Employment practices shall not be influenced nor
1797affected by virtue of an applicant's or employee's race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
1798ancestry, sexual orientation, age, disability status, genetic information, gender identity, active
1799military personnel status, transgender status or membership in any other protected class.
1800 This policy governs all aspects of recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion,
1801transfer, discharge and all other terms and conditions of employment.
1802 Without limiting the applicability of the foregoing, the House is committed to creating and
1803maintaining a work environment in which all members, officers, interns and employees of the
1804House, and all third parties, are treated with respect and free from any form of harassment, 88 of 146
1805including harassment based on an individual's membership in any protected class. To that end,
1806the House will not tolerate harassment of any kind by any member, officer, intern, employee or
1807third party in the workplace or otherwise in connection with the official duties or employment
1808responsibilities of a member, officer, third party, intern or employee. Any individual who
1809believes that they may have been the object of harassment, or any individual who witnesses
1810something they think may be harassment, is strongly encouraged to report that information to an
1811authorized party.
1812 The House shall promote the safety and respectful treatment of all members, officers, interns
1813and employees of the House, and all third parties, by establishing uniform procedures for making
1814and receiving complaints of harassment and, in coordination with the EEO Officer, initiating,
1815conducting and concluding investigations into complaints of harassment.
1816 A violation of this policy will subject the member, officer, employee or intern to discipline
1817pursuant to Rule 95 and Rule 96.
1818 (c)(1) Discriminatory harassment may include, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
1819 (i) epithets, slurs, insults or negative stereotyping related to the protected classes;
1820 (ii) acts or jokes that are hostile or demeaning with regard to the protected classes;
1821 (iii) threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to the protected classes;
1822 (iv) displays of written or graphic material that demean, ridicule or show hostility toward an
1823individual or group because of membership in a protected class, including material circulated or
1824displayed in the workplace, including District Offices, such as on an employee's desk or 89 of 146
1825workspace, or on House equipment or bulletin boards, including but not limited to House-issued
1826computers, laptops and personal device assistants;
1827 (v) verbal or non-verbal innuendo, and micro-aggressions; and
1828 (vi) other conduct that falls within the definition of discriminatory harassment set forth above.
1829 (2) Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
1830 (i) gender-based bullying, including bullying based on transgender or non-gender binary status;
1831 (ii) attempts to coerce an unwilling person into a sexual relationship;
1832 (iii) repeatedly subjecting a person to unwelcome sexual or romantic attention;
1833 (iv) punishing a person's refusal to comply with a request for sexual conduct; and
1834 (v) conditioning a benefit on submitting to sexual advances.
1835 (3) Conduct that, if unwelcome, and depending upon the totality of the circumstances,
1836including the severity of the conduct and its pervasiveness, may constitute sexual harassment
1837includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1838 (i) unwelcome sexual advances, flirtations or propositions, whether they involve physical
1839touching or not;
1840 (ii) sexual “kidding,” epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct;
1841 (iii) gossip regarding one's sex life;
1842 (iv) comment on a person’s body or an individual's sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess; 90 of 146
1843 (v) displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, posters or cartoons;
1844 (vi) unwelcome leering or staring at a person;
1845 (vii) sexual gestures and suggestive or insulting sounds, such as whistling or comments with
1846sexual content or meaning;
1847 (viii) uninvited physical contact, such as touching, hugging, purposely brushing against the
1848body, patting or pinching;
1849 (ix) indecent exposure;
1850 (x) inquiries into one’s sexual experiences;
1851 (xi) discussion of one’s sexual activities;
1852 (xii) sexual emails; and
1853 (xiii) sexting, or sexual messages or images posted on social media, for example, texts, instant
1854messages, Facebook posts, tweets, Snapchat, Instagram or blog entries.
1855 (d) No member, officer or employee of the House shall retaliate, including against a member,
1856officer, intern, or employee of the House who has complained about harassment or participated
1857in an investigation into an allegation of harassment or retaliation. Any person who believes that
1858they may have been the subject of retaliation for having complained of harassment or retaliation,
1859or for having participated in an investigation related to an allegation of harassment or retaliation,
1860is strongly encouraged to report that information to an authorized party.
1861 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Jan. 30, 2019; Feb. 1, 2023.] 91 of 146
1862 89. (a) The House shall contract with an EEO Officer, who shall not be an employee of the
1863General Court or any other Commonwealth entity or instrumentality. The committee on Human
1864Resources and Employee Engagement shall contract with a qualified person or entity with
1865expertise in conducting investigations to act as the EEO Officer pursuant to the procurement
1866procedures in Rule 87. The contract shall contain such terms as are, in the judgment of the
1867committee, necessary and appropriate to effectuate the goals of this Rule and related provisions
1868of Rules 93 to 100, inclusive.
1869 (b) The EEO Officer shall review and investigate complaints deemed plausible pursuant to
1870Rule 94 alleging a violation of Rule 88, the House Anti-Harassment Policy, or the House Equal
1871Employment Policy, including, but not limited to complaints alleging harassment or retaliation.
1872Complaints shall be received, reviewed and investigated pursuant to Rules 93 to 97, inclusive.
1873 [Adopted Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jul. 7, 2021.]
1874 90. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Director of Human Resources. The committee on
1875Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall appoint a qualified person to act as the
1876Director at such compensation as the committee on Rules shall approve.
1877 The Director shall serve a term of two years from the date of appointment, unless the Director
1878sooner resigns, retires or is removed; provided, however, that the Director may only be removed:
1879(i) for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance, as determined by Counsel and approved by a
1880majority vote of the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement ; or (ii) by a
1881majority roll call vote of the House.
1882 (b) The Director may employ such assistants as may be necessary in the discharge of the
1883Director’s duties, subject to the approval of the committee on Human Resources and Employee 92 of 146
1884Engagement, and may expend with like approval such sums as may be necessary for the
1885discharge of their duties.
1886 (c) The Director shall develop and oversee standardized practices and procedures, which shall
1887apply to all applications for employment. The practices and procedures shall include, but shall
1888not be limited to: (i) a standard application for employment; (ii) mandatory background and
1889reference checks, the results of which shall be reported by the Director to the applicant’s
1890prospective appointing authority; and (iii) a standard offer letter for each position within the
1891House.
1892 (d) The Director shall develop and oversee standardized practices and procedures, which shall
1893apply to all employees and appointed officers of the House. These practices and procedures shall
1894include or address, without limitation: (i) regular meetings between the Director and employees
1895who are supervisors, including an initial meeting within 14 days of the employee assuming such
1896a role; (ii) guidelines for conducting employee performance reviews; (iii) a program of
1897progressive discipline; and (iv) separations from employment including exit interviews for
1898terminated employees.
1899 (e) The Director and the Director of Employee Engagement, in consultation with Counsel,
1900shall develop employee classifications, which shall include written job descriptions, salary
1901ranges and schedules. The classifications shall be published in the employee and supervisor
1902handbooks. The Director may develop a seniority system on which employee salaries may be
1903based. A seniority system shall be published in the employee handbook.
1904 (f) The Director, in consultation with the Director of Employee Engagement and Counsel,
1905shall develop practices and procedures for receiving, investigating and resolving personnel 93 of 146
1906complaints unrelated to Rule 88, the House Anti-Harassment Policy, or the House Equal
1907Employment Policy.
1908 (g) The Director, in consultation with the Director of Employee Engagement and subject to
1909the approval of Counsel, shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for
1910receiving and maintaining records of complaints against members, officers, interns or employees
1911of the House, or against third parties, made in accordance with Rules 93 to 98, inclusive.
1912 (h) The Director shall annually publish: (i) an Employee Handbook; and (ii) an Intern
1913Handbook. Each handbook shall be developed with the advice and approval of Counsel, and
1914shall be submitted to the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement for review
1915and approval at least 14 days prior to publication.
1916 The handbooks shall be available as follows:
1917 (i) the Director shall post both handbooks on the human resources web portal;
1918 (ii) the Director shall email an electronic copy of the Employee Handbook to each employee
1919within 10 days of its publication and require that each employee sign a written acknowledgement
1920of receipt and return such acknowledgement to the Director within 5 days;
1921 (iii) the Director shall email an electronic copy of the Employee Handbook to each new
1922employee within 5 days of the employee's start date and require that the employee sign a written
1923acknowledgement of receipt and return such acknowledgement to the Director within 5 days;
1924 (iv) the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall provide an Intern
1925Handbook to each intern on the first day of their internship. Upon receipt of the Intern Handbook 94 of 146
1926the intern shall sign a written acknowledgement of receipt that day, which shall be maintained by
1927the committee, with a copy sent to the Director;
1928 (vi) hard copies of each handbook shall be available in the offices of the Director, the Director
1929of Employee Engagement, Counsel and the Clerk;
1930 (vi) the Director shall cause electronic copies of each handbook to be downloaded onto the
1931desktop of each House computer; and
1932 (vii) in formats accessible to all members, officers and employees.
1933 (i)(1) The committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement, in consultation with
1934the Director, shall develop policies to address individuals who provide services to the House in a
1935volunteer capacity or otherwise without receiving compensation
1936 (2) The committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement, in consultation with the
1937Director and subject to the approval of Counsel, shall develop policies to address pro-bono
1938service and charitable and community service activities by members, officers and employees of
1939the House.
1940 [Added Mar. 15. 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019; Jul. 7, 2021.]
1941 91. The Director shall, in consultation with the Director of Employee Engagement, create and
1942maintain an internal web portal for members, officers and employees. The web portal shall
1943provide relevant information on human resource policies and procedures, including, without
1944limitation, the Rules of the House, each handbook published by the Director, explanations of
1945complaint and investigation procedures, contact information for the Director, the Director of 95 of 146
1946Employee Engagement, and Counsel, training opportunities and schedules and the directory of
1947committee staff required pursuant to Rule 92.
1948 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jul. 7, 2021; Feb. 1, 2023.]
1949 92. (a) The House shall employ a full-time Director of Employee Engagement. The
1950committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement shall appoint a qualified person to
1951act as the Director of Employee Engagement at such compensation as the committee on Human
1952Resources and Employee Engagement shall approve.
1953 (b) The Director of Employee Engagement shall, in consultation with the Director of Human
1954Resources: (i) develop methods for enhancing the skills and professional development of
1955employees including skills for providing constituent services and engaging with, and ensuring
1956the privacy of, members of the public who visit the State House; (ii) explore and develop
1957partnerships with national trade organizations to maximize the opportunities for professional
1958development available to employees; and (iv) engage employees in roundtable discussions on
1959issues of importance or concern.
1960 (c) The Director of Employee Engagement shall assist the committee on Human Resources
1961and Employee Engagement with duties as may be assigned by the committee or the Director of
1962Human Resources.
1963 (d) The Director of Employee Engagement shall prepare and publish on the house intranet a
1964directory of committee staff.
1965 (e)(1) The Director of Employee Engagement, in conjunction with the committee on Human
1966Resources and Employee Engagement and Counsel, shall provide for training of members. 96 of 146
1967Training shall include, without limitation, instruction on: (i) House equal employment policies,
1968including the complaint and investigation process; (ii) workplace harassment specifically,
1969including techniques for bystander intervention and other best practices; (iii) prohibition on
1970retaliation; (iv) best management practices; (v) professionalism and respect; and (vi) practices for
1971monitoring the workplace for issues and identifying risk factors. Each member shall make a
1972signed, written acknowledgement of the member’s completion of the training, which shall be
1973maintained in the Director’s records.
1974 (2) The Director of Employee Engagement, in conjunction with the committee on Human
1975Resources and Employee Engagement and Counsel, shall provide for annual training for all
1976appointed officers and employees. Training shall include, without limitation, instruction on (i)
1977House equal employment policies, including the complaint and investigation process; (ii)
1978workplace harassment specifically, including techniques for bystander intervention and other
1979best practices; (iii) prohibition on retaliation; and (iv) professionalism and respect.
1980 Separate trainings shall be held for those appointed officers and employees who are
1981supervisors and those appointed officers and employees who are not supervisors. The content of
1982the training shall be tailored appropriately to the recipients. Supervisors shall be specifically
1983trained on best management practices.
1984 Each appointed officer and employee shall make a signed, written acknowledgement of their
1985completion of the training, who shall provide a copy to the Director to be maintained in their
1986personnel file. 97 of 146
1987 (3) The Director of Employee Engagement shall provide for appropriate additional training to
1988members, officers or employees at any time that the Director of Employee Engagement deems
1989necessary or appropriate, including upon the request of a member, officer or employee.
1990 (4) The Director of Employee Engagement shall provide for training for interns during the
1991intern orientation process. The training shall include without limitation, instruction on: (i) House
1992equal employment policies, including the complaint and investigation process; (ii) workplace
1993harassment specifically, including techniques for bystander intervention and other best practices;
1994(iii) prohibition on retaliation; and (iv) professionalism and respect. Each intern shall make a
1995signed, written acknowledgement of the intern’s completion of the training, which shall be
1996retained by the Director to be maintained in the Director's records.
1997 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jul. 7, 2021.]
1998 93.(a)(1) A member who believes that they have been the object of harassment or retaliation,
1999who witnesses harassment or retaliation, or who becomes aware of harassment or retaliation may
2000make a complaint, either orally or in writing with the Director, the Director of Employee
2001Engagement or Counsel. Upon receipt of a complaint pursuant to this subsection, a recipient
2002other than the Director shall forthwith provide a detailed account of the complaint to the Director
2003for assessment pursuant to Rule 94.
2004 (2) An appointed officer, employee or intern of the House who believes that they have been
2005the object of harassment or retaliation, who witnesses harassment or retaliation, or who becomes
2006aware of harassment or retaliation may make a complaint, either orally or in writing, to any of
2007the officer’s, employee’s or intern’s supervisors, the Director, the Director of Employee
2008Engagement or Counsel. Upon receipt of a complaint pursuant to this subsection, a recipient 98 of 146
2009other than the Director shall forthwith provide a detailed account of the complaint to the Director
2010for assessment pursuant to Rule 94.
2011 (3) A third party who believes that they have been the object of harassment, or who witnesses
2012harassment or retaliation may make a complaint, either orally or in writing, with the Director.
2013Upon receipt of a complaint pursuant to this subsection, the Director shall assess the complaint
2014pursuant to Rule 94.
2015 (b) The Director, in consultation with the Director of Employee Engagement and subject to
2016the approval of Counsel, shall provide guidance for authorized parties who may receive
2017complaints under subsection (a), both in the form of the training referenced in Rule 92 and
2018otherwise. The guidance shall instruct authorized parties on the proper way to receive complaints
2019and to advise complainants on issues including, but not limited to, confidentiality, prohibition on
2020retaliation and the availability of additional resources and avenues for action for the complainant,
2021including possible criminal action where appropriate.
2022 (c) If a complaint made pursuant to subsection (a) is against the Director or EEO Officer, the
2023recipient of the complaint shall notify Counsel, rather than the Director, and Counsel shall then:
2024(i) refer the matter to the EEO Officer for investigation if the complaint is against the Director;
2025or (2) investigate the complaint pursuant to Rules 94 to 96, inclusive, if the complaint is against
2026the EEO Officer.
2027 (d) If, based on the nature and circumstances of the complaint, the EEO Officer believes that
2028they cannot objectively assess or investigate a complaint referred to them pursuant to Rule 94,
2029the EEO Officer shall immediately notify Counsel, who shall refer the complaint to outside 99 of 146
2030counsel for investigation. Counsel shall provide the EEO Officer with guidelines used to identify
2031matters that should be referred to Counsel or outside counsel pursuant to this subsection.
2032 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
2033 94. (a)(1) All complaints alleging harassment or retaliation by or against a member, officer,
2034intern or employee of the House, or by or against a third party, received by any member, officer
2035or employee of the House, shall be immediately referred to the Director for initial assessment.
2036 (2) Upon receiving a complaint alleging harassment or retaliation by or against a member,
2037officer, intern or employee of the House, or by or against a third party, the Director shall
2038promptly undertake an initial assessment to determine whether the complaint is plausible and
2039requires investigation. Such assessment shall be completed within two weeks from the date of
2040receiving a complaint.
2041 Upon a determination by the Director that a complaint is plausible and requires investigation,
2042the Director shall notify Counsel that a complaint is being referred to the EEO Officer and shall
2043then submit the complaint along with the Director’s initial assessment to the EEO Officer so that
2044the EEO Officer may commence an investigation of the complaint.
2045 (3) Upon a determination by the Director that a complaint is not plausible and does not
2046require investigation, the Director shall submit a report to Counsel describing the complaint and
2047the Director’s basis for determining that the complaint lacked plausibility and did not require
2048investigation. If Counsel objects to the Director’s determination, the Director shall then submit
2049the complaint to the EEO Officer so that the EEO Officer may commence an investigation of the
2050complaint. 100 of 146
2051 (4) Upon receiving a complaint submitted pursuant to (2), the EEO Officer shall confirm the
2052Director’s assessment that the Complaint is plausible. If the EEO Officer confirms that the
2053complaint is plausible, the EEO Officer will then commence an investigation. If the EEO Officer
2054assesses that the Complaint is not plausible, notwithstanding the Director’s initial assessment,
2055then the EEO Officer shall so notify Counsel. Counsel shall then review the complaint and the
2056basis for both the Director’s initial assessment and the EEO Officer’s contrary assessment and
2057shall determine whether or not the EEO Officer shall proceed with an investigation.
2058 (b) The EEO Officer shall conduct investigations pursuant to written policies and procedures,
2059which shall be established by the EEO Officer pursuant to Rule 98, as well as established best
2060practices. The policies and procedures shall ensure that all investigations and reports are
2061confidential to the fullest extent practicable under the circumstances and shall reflect well-
2062established industry best practices for EEO-related investigations.
2063 (c) The EEO Officer shall complete investigations within 90 days; provided, that the EEO
2064Officer may extend the investigation in extraordinary circumstances. The EEO Officer shall
2065regularly, but no less frequently than every 2 weeks, update the complainant on the status of the
2066investigation. If the EEO Officer believes that interim measures are warranted to protect
2067complainants during the investigation, then the EEO shall recommend such measures to Counsel,
2068who shall work with the appropriate supervisory individual or body to implement such interim
2069measures as necessary and appropriate.
2070 (d) Upon the conclusion of an investigation, the EEO Officer shall prepare a report
2071summarizing the complaint, the EEO Officer’s investigation, findings and recommendations, if
2072any, for disciplinary, remedial or preventative action, or any combination thereof. The EEO 101 of 146
2073Officer shall submit this report to Counsel, who shall share the conclusions of the report with the
2074appropriate supervisory individual or body as necessary and appropriate, and in such a manner to
2075maintain confidentiality regarding the information in the report to the greatest extent practicable.
2076 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
2077 95. (a) (1) If after completion of an investigation pursuant to Rule 94, the EEO Officer
2078determines that a member has violated Rule 88, the EEO Officer shall recommend disciplinary,
2079remedial or preventative action, or any combination thereof, as is appropriate and proportional
2080under the circumstances, subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3).
2081 (2) Where the EEO Officer’s action recommended pursuant to paragraph (1) does not include
2082reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion,
2083the EEO Officer shall notify Counsel and the member of the recommended action and provide
2084the member with a copy of the EEO Officer’s report. The member may, within 10 days of
2085receiving notice, request in writing that the Speaker and Minority Leader appoint a special
2086committee pursuant to Rule 96 to review the findings and recommendations of the EEO Officer.
2087 Upon receipt of said request, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall convene a special
2088committee pursuant to Rule 96.
2089 If the member fails to request the appointment of a special committee pursuant to Rule 96
2090within 10 days, then Counsel shall determine the parties who must be informed to implement the
2091recommended action, including but not limited to the Speaker and/or the Minority Leader, and
2092those parties shall implement the recommended action. 102 of 146
2093 (3) If the action recommended pursuant to subsection (a) includes reprimand, censure,
2094removal from position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion, the EEO Officer
2095shall submit, through Counsel, a request that the Speaker and Minority Leader convene a special
2096committee pursuant to Rule 96 to review the findings and recommendations of the EEO Officer.
2097Upon receipt of said request from the EEO Officer, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall
2098appoint a special committee pursuant to Rule 96.
2099 (4) Upon the request for a special committee made by the EEO Officer or a member pursuant
2100to this subsection, the EEO Officer shall provide the Speaker and Minority Leader with a copy of
2101the EEO Officer’s report.
2102 (b) (1) If after completion of an investigation pursuant to Rule 94 the EEO Officer concludes
2103that an appointed officer, intern or employee has violated Rule 88, the EEO Officer shall notify
2104Counsel, who shall then notify the appointing authority for the appointed officer, intern or
2105employee and recommend the implementation of remedial, preventative or disciplinary action, or
2106any combination thereof, as is appropriate and proportional under the circumstances, subject to
2107the limitations set forth in paragraph (2). Notwithstanding Rule 97, the appointing authority may
2108inform any other supervisors of the appointed officer, intern or employee of the remedial,
2109preventative or disciplinary action if the appointing authority believes that sharing such
2110information is necessary for maintaining proper supervision of the appointed officer, intern or
2111employee.
2112 (2) If after completion of an investigation pursuant to Rule 94 the EEO Officer concludes
2113that an appointed officer, intern or employee has violated Rule 88 and the EEO Officer’s action
2114recommended pursuant to paragraph (1) includes termination of employment or internship, the 103 of 146
2115EEO Officer shall forward the recommendation along with the report, with all supporting
2116documentation, to Counsel for review and approval. Counsel shall have two business days to
2117review the EEO Officer’s recommendation. If Counsel approves the recommendation, Counsel
2118shall forward the recommendation and report to the chair of the committee on Human Resources
2119and Employee Engagement for approval. If the chair approves, Counsel shall then notify the
2120Speaker, the appointing authority, and the Director, and the Director shall immediately terminate
2121the individual’s employment or internship. If Counsel rejects the EEO Officer’s
2122recommendation, or if the chair does not approve the recommendation after Counsel has
2123approved, then Counsel shall notify the Speaker and the Speaker shall determine the action to be
2124implemented.
2125 [Added Mar. 15, 2018.]
2126 96. (a) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to Rule 95, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall
2127confidentially convene a Special Committee on Professional Conduct, which shall consist of 7
2128members, 5 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the
2129Minority Leader. To the extent practicable, membership on the special committee shall be
2130apportioned in a way that takes into account the nature of the complaint and the commitment of
2131the House to providing fair and equal opportunity in employment. The Speaker shall appoint a
2132member to serve as chair. No member who has declared their candidacy for any other local, state
2133or federal office shall be appointed to a special committee. Upon appointment of members to the
2134committee, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall notify Counsel, the EEO Officer, and the
2135member who is the subject of the complaint of the identity of the members appointed. The
2136existence of the committee and the identity of the members appointed to the committee shall
2137otherwise remain confidential. 104 of 146
2138 (b) The EEO Officer shall provide the members of the special committee with all records
2139relevant to the investigation. The special committee shall review all records provided to them
2140and may further investigate, to the extent that it is necessary to resolve the complaint. The special
2141committee may summon witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and compel the production
2142of books, papers, documents and other evidence in connection with its review.
2143 (c) In the case of a special committee convened under this section upon the request for a
2144review by a member pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Rule 95, the committee shall
2145determine whether the EEO Officer’s intended action is proportional and appropriate under the
2146circumstances. If a majority of the committee so finds, it shall order that the action recommended
2147by the EEO Officer be implemented, along with any additional disciplinary, remedial or
2148preventative action, or any combination thereof, the committee determines to be proportional and
2149appropriate under the circumstances, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (d). If a
2150majority of the committee finds that the intended action was not proportional or appropriate
2151under the circumstances, it may make a new recommendation for disciplinary, remedial or
2152preventative action, or any combination thereof, subject to the limitations set forth in said
2153subsection (d). All determinations of the committee pursuant to this subsection shall be final.
2154 (d) (1) If a majority of the committee finds that a member has violated Rule 88, it may take
2155any disciplinary, remedial or preventative action, or any combination thereof, as it determines to
2156be proportional and appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that if the
2157committee determines that reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position
2158of authority, or expulsion is proportional and appropriate under the circumstances, it shall file a
2159report with the Clerk recommending that the House vote to implement the disciplinary action. 105 of 146
2160 (2) Upon the filing of a report pursuant to paragraph (1), the Clerk shall promptly: (i) make
2161the report available to all members electronically; (ii) cause the report to be posted on the
2162website of the General Court; and (iii) place the matter in first position in the Orders of the Day
2163for the next calendar day that the House is meeting; provided, however, that no business shall be
2164conducted on that calendar day or any day thereafter until the question of acceptance or rejection
2165of the special committee’s recommendation for discipline is decided by a majority of the
2166members present and voting by a recorded roll call vote. If a majority of the members vote to
2167accept the recommendation for discipline, the member shall be disciplined in the manner so
2168recommended. Unless a majority of the members vote to accept the report, the member shall not
2169be disciplined.
2170 (3) All findings and determinations of the committee, including instances where the special
2171committee does not file a report with the Clerk pursuant to paragraph (1), shall be reported to
2172Counsel and the EEO Officer and shall be final. The EEO Officer shall maintain confidential
2173records of such findings and determinations, except that a report filed pursuant to paragraph (1)
2174shall be public.
2175 (e) The committee may consult with Counsel, the EEO Officer or the Director in discharging
2176its duties pursuant to Rules 88 to 97, inclusive.
2177 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
2178 97. (a) Any information obtained by a member or employee in their official capacity and
2179relating to a complaint or investigation of harassment pursuant to Rules 93 to 96, inclusive, and
2180any records of such information shall be confidential to the fullest extent possible.
2181Confidentiality shall be specifically subject to subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e); provided that 106 of 146
2182nothing in this Rule shall prevent the EEO Officer or Counsel from sharing information
2183regarding a complaint or investigation, including but not limited to the report prepared by the
2184EEO Officer, to effectuate the requirements of Rules 88 through 97, inclusive.
2185 (b) The EEO Officer, in reviewing a complaint and conducting an investigation, shall keep
2186the complaint confidential and shall not disclose the identity of the complainant or the person
2187against whom the complaint is made or any other details of the complaint with any member or
2188employee; provided, however, that the EEO Officer may share information to the extent
2189necessary to interview witnesses or parties to the investigation, or to consult with Counsel if the
2190EEO Officer determines that such consultation is necessary or appropriate in connection with the
2191investigation.
2192 (c) (1) The establishment of a special committee pursuant to Rule 96 shall be completely
2193confidential, except as set forth in Rule 96.
2194 (2) All proceedings of a special committee convened pursuant to Rule 96 shall be confidential
2195and members of the committee shall not share any information about the complaint and
2196investigation for which the committee was convened with any other member or employee,
2197including their own appointed staff; provided, however, that the committee may consult with
2198Counsel or the EEO Officer if the chair of the committee determines that such consultation is
2199required in connection with the investigation.
2200 (3) A special committee convened pursuant to Rule 96 shall implement all actions short of
2201reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position of authority, or expulsion
2202of a member confidentially, except that the special committee shall submit a final report to the
2203and may consult with Counsel if the chair of the committee determines that such consultation is 107 of 146
2204required in connection with their recommended action. The committee's recommendation, if any,
2205for reprimand, censure, removal from position as a chair or other position of authority, or
2206expulsion of a member, shall be a public document; provided, however, that the committee may
2207use pseudonyms to conceal the identity of the complainant if the circumstances of the complaint
2208so warrant.
2209 (d) All authorized parties shall keep complaints confidential, except to share the complaint
2210with the Director, Counsel and EEO Officer as set forth in these Rules.
2211 (e) Nothing in this Rule shall limit the ability of the EEO Officer to share information with a
2212complainant, to the extent appropriate, in order to properly conclude the complaint or
2213investigation process.
2214 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019.]
2215 98. The EEO Officer and the Director shall establish all policies, procedures and guidelines
2216required by Rules 88 to 97, inclusive, and may develop supplemental policies, procedures and
2217guidelines necessary to implement or enforce Rules 88 to 97, inclusive; provided, that no policy,
2218procedure or guideline shall take effect without the prior review and written approval of Counsel
2219and the committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement. Where appropriate, these
2220policies, procedures and guidelines shall be included in the handbooks.
2221 The EEO Officer and the Director may consult with each other, Counsel, and the committee
2222on Human Resources and Employee Engagement to carry out the requirements of Rules 88 to 97,
2223inclusive.
2224 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jul. 7, 2021.] 108 of 146
2225 99. [Added March 15, 2018; Amended Jul. 7, 2021; Omitted.]
2226 100. (a) No member, officer, intern or employee shall execute any agreement to settle any
2227legal claim or potential legal claim by any current or former member, officer, intern or employee
2228unless said agreement is executed pursuant to this rule.
2229 (b) No member, officer, intern or employee shall execute any agreement to settle any legal
2230claim or potential legal claim brought by any current or former member, officer, intern or
2231employee without the approval of Counsel. Counsel shall independently review the claim or
2232potential legal claim brought by any current or former member, officer, intern or employee and
2233confirm that the claim or potential claim does not relate to sexual harassment or retaliation based
2234on a claim of sexual harassment. Counsel shall not approve any settlement of a legal claim or
2235potential legal claim brought by any current or former member, officer, intern or employee
2236pursuant to this subsection if Counsel reasonably believes such legal claim or potential legal
2237claim relates to sexual harassment or retaliation based on a claim of sexual harassment.
2238 (c) No member, officer, intern or employee shall execute any agreement to settle any legal
2239claim or potential legal claim of sexual harassment, or retaliation based on a legal claim or
2240potential legal claim of sexual harassment, by any current or former member, officer, intern or
2241employee unless said agreement is executed pursuant to this subsection.
2242 No member, officer, intern or employee shall execute any agreement to settle a legal claim or
2243potential legal claim of sexual harassment, or retaliation based on a legal claim or potential legal
2244claim of sexual harassment, by any current or former member, officer, intern or employee unless: 109 of 146
2245 1. the request to negotiate said agreement was initiated, in writing, by the person filing or
2246eligible to file the legal claim or potential legal claim or a person legally authorized to represent
2247that person;
2248 2. the person filing the legal claim or eligible to file the legal claim is given 15 days to review
2249and consider the agreement;
2250 3. the duration of any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of the agreement to
2251settle the legal claim or potential legal claim is for a finite period of time as agreed to by the
2252parties;
2253 4. the agreement to settle the legal claim or potential legal claim specifically provides that no
2254provision of the agreement, including any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of the
2255agreement, shall preclude any party from participating in an investigation by Counsel, the
2256Director, the EEO Officer, a Special Committee on Professional Conduct or any law
2257enforcement agency; and
2258 5. the agreement is approved in writing by Counsel.
2259 (d) In the case of an agreement to settle any legal claim or potential legal claim of sexual
2260harassment pursuant to this Rule by a member, the Speaker and Minority Leader shall appoint a
2261Special Committee on Professional Conduct pursuant to Rule 96 to determine if the member
2262shall be required to personally reimburse the House for all or part of the settlement amount.
2263Upon a determination by the Special Committee that the member shall be required to personally
2264reimburse the House for all or part of the settlement amount, it shall determine the amount to be
2265reimbursed and immediately notify the member of that amount. 110 of 146
2266 (e) Upon request of the party described in paragraph numbered 1 above or the complainant,
2267Counsel shall waive any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of any agreement
2268executed prior to the effective date of this Rule by the House and any current or former member,
2269officer, intern or employee, to allow said current or former member, officer, intern or employee
2270to report or discuss a claim of sexual harassment or retaliation based on sexual harassment.
2271 [Added Mar. 15, 2018; Amended Jan. 30, 2019; Jul. 7, 2021.]
2272 101. Notwithstanding Rule 7C, the Speaker may, upon recommendation of a majority of the
2273committee on Rules, activate remote rules for the operation of the House of Representatives as
2274provided within this rule:
2275Remote Rules for the Operation of the House of Representatives
2276 Remote Rule 1. As used in Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, the following terms shall
2277have the following meanings:-
2278 “Clerk”, the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
2279 “Formal session”, a formal session of the House.
2280 “House”, the House of Representatives.
2281 “House Chamber”, the House Chamber within the Massachusetts State House in Boston or
2282the location to which the House at its previous formal or informal session adjourned to meet.
2283 “Member”, a member of the House of Representatives.
2284 “Monitor”, one of the members appointed by the Speaker pursuant to Standing Rule 8. 111 of 146
2285 “Participating remotely” or “remotely present”, participating by telephone, teleconference,
2286video conference or other means.
2287 “Present”, a member either physically present in the House Chamber for a formal session or
2288remotely present, and participating in a formal session.
2289 “Quorum”, eighty-one members present for a formal session.
2290 “Speaker”, the Speaker of the House or the member presiding at the formal session of the
2291House after being appointed by the Speaker to perform the duties of the Chair pursuant to
2292Standing Rule 5.
2293 “Standing rules”, House Rules 1 through 100, inclusive.
2294 Remote Rule 2. (a)(1) The House may assemble in a formal session with members
2295participating remotely. Members participating remotely in a formal session may vote on any
2296question or other matter before the House. Members participating remotely in a formal session
2297shall be considered present and in attendance at the formal session for all purposes, including for
2298purposes of determining a quorum pursuant to Article XXXIII of the Amendments to the
2299Constitution of the Commonwealth or any standing rules and for purposes of appearing before
2300the Governor and council pursuant to Part the Second, Chapter VI, Article I of the Constitution
2301of the Commonwealth.
2302 (2) A member participating remotely in a formal session shall have the same privileges, rights
2303and responsibilities as if the member were physically present in the House Chamber, including
2304without limitation, the right, privilege and responsibility to cast votes on all questions or other 112 of 146
2305matters brought to a vote and the ability to the take the oath required pursuant to Part the Second,
2306Chapter VI, Article I of the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
2307 (3) At the commencement of a formal session, the Speaker shall take the Chair at the hour to
2308which the House stands adjourned, call the House to order and immediately order a quorum roll
2309call.
2310 (4)(i) The House shall not be called to order before the hour of 10:00 A.M. nor meet beyond
2311the hour of midnight unless by unanimous consent of the members present.
2312 (ii) All votes taken on the enactment of any bill or resolve during any formal session where
2313members are participating remotely shall be by roll call vote.
2314 (5) The Clerk shall prepare a Journal for the House for any formal session of the House held
2315remotely. The Journal for the House may reflect that the formal session was convened pursuant
2316to remote rules, but shall not deviate in any substantive manner from the Journal of the House
2317required to be prepared by the Clerk pursuant to Standing Rule 10. The Journal of the House for
2318any formal session of the House held during the state of emergency within the House shall not
2319specify which members participated remotely.
2320 (b)(1) The Speaker shall preside from within the House Chamber over any formal session of
2321the House where any member is participating remotely. The Minority Leader, Chair of the
2322committee on Ways and Means, Ranking Minority Member of the committee on Ways and
2323Means, the House Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the joint committee from which any
2324bill being debated at the formal session has been reported, or their designees, and the division
2325monitors may also be physically present. All other members are strongly encouraged to
2326participate remotely in a formal session. 113 of 146
2327 (2) Officers and employees essential to the conduct of the formal session may be present in
2328the House Chamber during a formal session with the express authorization of the Speaker in
2329consultation with the Minority Leader. The Speaker and Minority Leader may have two
2330employees from their office present in the House Chamber during a formal session. No other
2331officer or employee shall be physically present in the House Chamber unless deemed essential to
2332the conduct of the formal session by the Speaker. [Amended Feb. 1, 2023.]
2333 (3) All members, officers and employees physically present in the House Chamber during a
2334formal session shall, at the direction of the Speaker, undertake any mitigation measures ordered
2335by the Speaker. Court Officers shall strictly enforce mitigation measures directed by the Speaker
2336by and between members, officers and employees in and around the House Chamber. Any
2337member, officer or employee in violation of the mitigation measures ordered by the Speaker
2338shall be removed from the House Chamber.
2339 Remote Rule 3. (a) A member participating remotely may make any motion authorized
2340pursuant to the standing rules, raise a point of order, raise a point of personal privilege, or raise a
2341point of parliamentary inquiry. Members participating remotely shall notify their division
2342monitor of their desire to make a motion, raise a point of order, raise a point of personal privilege
2343or raise a point of parliamentary inquiry. The division monitor shall immediately notify the
2344Speaker who shall recognize the member seeking to make a motion, raise a point of order, raise a
2345point of personal privilege or raise a point of parliamentary inquiry. No member shall interrupt
2346another member while that member is speaking, including to request that the member speaking
2347yield, except for the reasons authorized herein. 114 of 146
2348 (b) A vote on any motion made pursuant to subsection (a) shall be conducted by voice vote as
2349prescribed by subsection (b) of Remote Rule 5, unless the Constitution or the standing rules
2350specifically require a roll call vote.
2351 (c) A motion made by a member participating remotely may be made and submitted by the
2352division monitor for the floor division of the House wherein the seat assigned to said member
2353pursuant to Standing Rule 79 is located.
2354 Remote Rule 4. (a) A member participating remotely wishing to speak on any question before
2355the House shall notify the monitor for the floor division of the House wherein the seat assigned
2356to said member pursuant to Standing Rule 79 is located as follows:
2357 (i) A member wishing to speak on a bill, resolve or the General Appropriation Bill, or an
2358amendment thereto, shall notify their floor division monitor no later than 10:00 A.M. on the day
2359that the bill, resolve, General Appropriation Bill, or amendment thereto, is scheduled to be
2360considered by the House. Said notification shall include: (1) the number of the bill, resolve
2361General Appropriation Bill, or amendment thereto, that the member wishes to speak to; and (2)
2362whether the member wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the bill, resolve, General
2363Appropriation Bill, or amendment thereto.
2364 (ii) A member wishing to speak on a consolidated amendment shall notify their floor division
2365monitor no later than 45 minutes after the consolidated amendment shall have been first filed
2366with the Clerk and made available electronically to the members. Said notification shall include:
2367(1) the number or letter of the consolidated amendment the member wishes to speak to; and (2)
2368whether the member wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the consolidated amendment. 115 of 146
2369 (iii) A member wishing to speak on a conference committee report filed pursuant to Joint
2370Rule 11B shall notify their floor division monitor no later than 10:00 A.M. on the day the
2371conference committee report is scheduled to be considered by the House. Said notification shall
2372include: (1) the bill number of the conference committee report; and (2) whether the member
2373wishes to speak in favor of, or in opposition to the report. The provisions of this paragraph shall
2374be inoperative if the conference committee report is filed later than 8:00 P.M. on the day
2375preceding its consideration by the House.
2376 (b) The monitor for each division shall prepare a list of members of their division notifying
2377the monitor of said member’s desire to speak in favor of a question before the House and a list of
2378members of their division notifying the monitor of said member’s desire to speak in opposition
2379to a question before the House. Each list shall be arranged in order of the time the monitor
2380received the notification with the notification received the earliest being first.
2381 (c) Upon completion of the lists required pursuant to subsection (b), the monitors for each
2382division shall transmit the lists to the Speaker and the Minority Leader. The Speaker shall
2383combine the lists received from each of the division monitors and, in consultation with the
2384Minority Leader, shall prepare a consolidated list of members notifying their monitor of the
2385member’s desire to speak in favor of a question before the House and a consolidated list of
2386members of their division notifying the monitor of said member’s desire to speak in opposition
2387to a question before the House.
2388 (d) The Speaker shall distribute the lists compiled pursuant to subsection (c) to all members
2389electronically prior to the commencement of the formal session. The Speaker shall distribute the
2390list compiled pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) as soon as practicable upon completion. 116 of 146
2391 (e) The consolidated lists prepared by the Speaker pursuant to subsection (c) and distributed
2392to the membership pursuant to subsection (d) shall be the order in which members are recognized
2393during the debate of the respective question. In recognizing members from said lists, the Speaker
2394shall, to the extent practicable, alternate between members wishing to speak in favor of the
2395question and members wishing to speak in opposition to the question.
2396 (f) A member participating remotely may, in lieu of speaking on a bill, resolve, amendment,
2397consolidated amendment or a conference committee report, submit written remarks in favor of,
2398or in opposition to, any bill, resolve, amendment, consolidated amendment or conference
2399committee report to the Clerk before the adjournment of the formal session in which said bill,
2400resolve, amendment, consolidated amendment or conference committee report was considered by
2401the House. Said remarks shall be transmitted to the Clerk electronically in a format prescribed by
2402the Clerk. The Clerk shall include any remarks submitted by a member participating remotely
2403pursuant to this section in the Journal of the House required to be kept by the Clerk pursuant to
2404Standing Rule 10 and Remote Rule 2.
2405 Remote Rule 5. (a) Notwithstanding Standing Rules 50 through 52, inclusive, during a formal
2406session where members are participating remotely a vote on any question shall be by either a
2407voice vote of the members present and voting pursuant to subsection (b) or a roll call vote of the
2408members present and voting pursuant to subsection (c). Any question that would require a
2409standing vote under the standing rules shall be decided by a voice vote of the members present
2410and voting pursuant to subsection (b).
2411 (b) When a question is put, the sense of the House shall be taken by the voices of the
2412members, and the Speaker shall first announce the vote as it appears to the Speaker by the sound. 117 of 146
2413If the Speaker is unable to decide by the sound of the voices, or if the announcement made
2414thereupon is doubted by a member, the Speaker shall order the division monitors to ascertain the
2415number of members within in their division voting in the affirmative and the number of members
2416within in their division voting in the negative, without further debate upon the question. The
2417division monitors shall report the total vote of their division count to the Speaker. After receiving
2418the reports of the total vote counts from each of the division monitors, the Speaker shall tally said
2419votes and then announce the vote.
2420 (c) The sense of the House shall be taken by yeas and nays whenever required by 10 percent
2421of the members elected or when required pursuant to the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
2422The Speaker shall state the pending question and shall order the division monitors to commence
2423the roll call of the members. The division monitors shall call the roll of the members assigned to
2424said division in alphabetical order. The division monitors shall record the votes of each member
2425on a form prescribed by the Clerk. Upon completion of the roll call, the division monitors shall
2426sign the form upon which the roll call for their division was recorded and submit the completed
2427form to the Clerk. The Clerk shall tally the votes of the members of each division and shall enter
2428the votes into the electronic roll call machine. Upon completion of the tally and the entry of the
2429votes into the electronic roll call machine, the Clerk shall notify the Speaker that the vote has
2430been completed. Upon instruction from the Speaker, the Clerk shall display the tally of the vote
2431on the 2 monitors in the House Chamber. The Speaker shall then announce the vote.
2432 (d) If a member doubts the presence of a quorum, the Speaker shall order the division
2433monitors to ascertain the number of members within in their divisions who are present. Any
2434member confirmed by the division monitor to be participating remotely shall be considered
2435present. The division monitors shall report the total number of members present to the Speaker. 118 of 146
2436After receiving the reports of the total number of members present from each of the division
2437monitors, the Speaker shall tally the numbers and then announce the number of members present.
2438If, after tallying the numbers from each of the division monitors a quorum is not present, the
2439Speaker shall order a roll call vote pursuant to subsection (c).
2440 (e) The call for yeas and nays shall be decided without debate. If the yeas and nays have been
2441ordered before the question is put, the proceedings under subsection (b) shall be omitted.
2442(f) Except as heretofore provided, any member who shall vote or attempt to vote for another
2443member or any person not a member who votes or attempts to vote for a member, or any member
2444or other person who willfully tampers with or attempts to impair or destroy in any manner
2445whatsoever the voting equipment used by the House, or change the records thereon shall be
2446punished in such manner as the House determines; and provided further, that such a violation
2447shall be reported to the committee on Ethics.
2448 Remote Rule 6. No consolidated amendment to any bill offered by the committee on Ways
2449and Means shall be considered by the House until the expiration of at least 30 minutes after the
2450consolidated amendment shall have been first filed with the Clerk and made available
2451electronically to the members. This rule shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent of
2452the members present.
2453 Remote Rule 7. No consolidated amendment to any bill offered by the committee on Ways
2454and Means shall be adopted except by a roll call vote.
2455 Remote Rule 8. Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, with the approval of the
2456Speaker, a member, officer or employee may take photographs and videos of, and in, the House 119 of 146
2457Chamber provided said photographs or videos are to facilitate the remote participation in the
2458formal session by a member.
2459 Remote Rule 9. (a) Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, unless authorized
2460pursuant to subsection (b) or subsection (c), no member participating in a formal session shall be
2461recognized more than once on any question before the House without unanimous consent or on
2462any question before the House for more than 10 minutes without unanimous consent.
2463 (b) The following members may, notwithstanding subsection (a), be recognized more than
2464once on any question before the House: (1) the Minority Leader; (2) the member carrying the
2465report of the committee; (3) and the Ranking Minority Member of the committee reporting the
2466bill.
2467 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), after all members have been recognized pursuant to
2468Remote Rule 4, a member who is the primary sponsor of a bill, resolve or an amendment, or a
2469designee of said member, may, in addition to being recognized pursuant to Remote Rule 4, be
2470recognized for purposes of providing rebuttal or further explanation. If a member who is the
2471primary sponsor of a bill, resolve or amendment or their designee is recognized pursuant to this
2472subsection a member from the opposite political party designated by the member carrying the
2473report of the committee or the Ranking Minority Member of the committee reporting the bill
2474may also be recognized in addition to being recognized pursuant to Remote Rule 4. No member
2475shall be recognized pursuant to this subsection for more than 5 minutes without unanimous
2476consent.
2477 Remote Rule 10. Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, any formal session where
2478members are participating remotely shall be livestreamed on the General Court website. Audio or 120 of 146
2479video recordings of all such sessions shall be made available to the public on the General Court
2480website. All House sessions conducted by electronic means shall be broadcast on House
2481television.
2482 Remote Rule 11. Notwithstanding any standing rule to the contrary, no technical failure that
2483breaks the remote connection of a member or members of the House of Representatives
2484participating remotely in a formal session shall invalidate any action taken by the House of
2485Representatives.
2486 Remote Rule 12. Notwithstanding Standing Rule 49, members participating remotely may
2487vote in a quorum roll call.
2488 Remote Rule 13. Except as otherwise indicated, Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, shall
2489not be suspended unless by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting. Debate upon a motion
2490for the suspension of Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, shall be limited to 15 minutes and
2491no member shall speak for more than 3 minutes.
2492 Remote Rule 14. The provisions of any standing or remote rules pertaining to procedures of
2493the House may be suspended and alternative procedures may be used if said alternative methods
2494are approved by a 2/3 majority of the committee on Rules and approved, in writing, by the
2495Speaker and the Minority Leader. The Clerk shall enter any such approvals in the House Journal
2496for the formal session required to be kept by the Clerk pursuant to Standing Rule 10.
2497 Remote Rule 15. Except to the extent that they conflict with Remote Rules 1 through 16,
2498inclusive, the standing rules shall remain in full force and effect. 121 of 146
2499 Remote Rule 16. Remote Rules 1 through 16, inclusive, shall remain activated for no longer
2500than 30 days after being activated by the Speaker; provided, that the House of Representative
2501shall not operate under remote rules beyond 30 days without the adoption of an Order by a
2502majority of the House.
2503 [Emergency remote rule historical notes: See House document numbered 4690 of the 191st
2504General Court; also see House documents numbered 59 and 3929 of the 192nd General Court;
2505Added to Rules Jul. 7, 2021; Amended Feb. 1, 2023.]
2506194th GENERAL COURT (2025-2026 SESSION).
2507INDEX TO THE HOUSE RULES
2508 [The figures refer to the numbers of the Rules.]
2509 Adjourn, motion to, 55, 64, 65, 82.
2510Adjournment at hour of midnight, unless by unanimous consent, 1A.
2511Admission to the floor, 80.
2512Advance Calendar, 12.
2513Advertising, Joint Rule 9, 85.
2514Advisory opinions of the Ethics Committee, 16.
2515AMENDMENTS:
2516 amendment to amendment, etc., 72.
2517 bill may be moved as, 36. 122 of 146
2518 committee changes, twenty-four hours, 33A.
2519 consolidated, 20A, 33E.
2520 engrossed bill not to be amended, except, 40.
2521 from Senate, sent back for concurrence, 22, 35, 40.
2522 in filling blanks, largest sum, etc., 75.
2523 motions to amend, 65, 72 to 75.
2524 not to be admitted of a different subject, 73.
2525 of rules, 84.
2526 striking out enacting clause, 40.
2527 submission to Clerk, 33A.
2528 to be reduced to writing, 62.
2529 to be referred to committee on Bills in the Third Reading, 22.
2530 to be reported by committee on Bills in the Third Reading, 22.
2531 to General Appropriation Bill, 20A.
2532 when previous question is in order, 66, 67.
2533 when question is divided, 74.
2534Appeals from the decision of the Speaker, 2, 55, 59, 77. 123 of 146
2535Appropriation bill, general, available seven days prior to debate, 20.
2536Appropriation bill, general, procedures for consideration, 20A, 20B.
2537Appropriation bill, general, time for reporting, 27.
2538Appropriation bills, explanations, 20B, 21.
2539Appropriation bills returned by the Governor, 30.
2540Attire, dress in proper and appropriate for all sessions, 2.
2541Audio/visual reproduction of
2542 committee meetings, 17A.
2543 House Chamber, 2.
2544Auditing of House accounts, 85A.
2545Ballot or acclamation ratification in caucus, 18B.
2546BILLS:
2547 1. Preliminary.
2548 accompanying petitions, 24.
2549 availability electronically and on General Court website, of, 13A, 20B (GAB).
2550 for special legislation, not to be reported if object is attainable by
2551 general or existing laws, 26. 124 of 146
2552 how to be drafted, 31.
2553how to be introduced, 36.
2554 motions contemplating legislation, etc., to be founded upon petition
2555 or upon bill or resolve, 30.
2556 summaries of to be made available prior to roll call, 33A
2557 to be deposited with Clerk, 24.
2558 to be read by titles only, unless, etc., 37.
25592. As reported by committees.
2560 copies, twenty-four hour availability, 17A, 33A.
2561 general rather than special, 26.
2562 restriction or regulation of reports, 17, 17B, 26, 33A, 38.
25633. Before the second reading.
2564 from the Senate, or from committees, 7A, 41.
2565 if opposed, question on rejection, etc.; otherwise, second reading,
2566 32, 41.
2567 involving expenditures of public money, referred to committee on
2568 Ways and Means, 33. 125 of 146
2569 involving policy changes, availability, 33A.
2570 referred to committee, etc., 34.
25714. Before the third reading.
2572 duties and powers of committee on Bills in the Third Reading, 22,
2573 79(1).
2574 referred to said committee, 22.
2575 placed in Orders of the Day, 43.
25765. After the third reading.
2577 not to be engrossed unless read on three several days, 39.
25786. After engrossment.
2579 certified by Clerk for final passage, 23.
2580 not to be amended, except, 40.
2581 returned by Governor with recommendations of amendment, 40.
25827. Provisions applicable at several stages.
2583 arrangement of matters in Orders of the Day, 12, 46.
2584 consideration of matters in Orders of the Day, 45.
2585final disposition precludes renewal of subject, 38. 126 of 146
2586 matters not to be discharged from Orders of the Day, 47.
2587 motion to strike out enacting clause, when receivable, 40.
2588 provisions respecting bills also applicable to resolves, 78.
2589Bills in the Third Reading, committee on, 17, 18A, 22, 28, 28A, 35, 45, 79(1).
2590 floor amendments, 73A.
2591 motion to discharge or report, 28, 55, 64.
2592 time for reporting, 28A.
2593 written explanation of changes, 22.
2594Blanks, filling of, 75.
2595Business Manager of the House
2596 financial account audits, 85A.
2597 procurement of goods and services, 87.
2598Calendar, 12, 13, 28A, 45, 46, 47.
2599Calendar, dispense with printing of, 12.
2600Capital outlay bills, 20, 21.
2601Caucuses and caucus groups, 17C, 18, 18A, 18B, 19, 19A, 19B.
2602Chairpersons and ranking members, appointment, etc. 127 of 146
2603 nomination and caucus approval, 18, 18A.
2604 removal of if criminally indicted, 18., 18A.
2605Chaplain, may be appointed by Speaker, 7.
2606Charitable and community service, 16A, 17C, 90.
2607Charts, displays, posters and visual aids, regulate use, 2.
2608CLERK, 7A, 10, 10A, 11, 12, 13A, 14, 16A, 17A, 17C, 20, 23, 24, 28, 30, 33B, 42A, 48, 79(1),
260984, 85A, 87A.
2610 amendments, submission to, 33A.
2611 announce members not voting prior to roll calls, 48.
2612 availability of bills, etc., by the, 7D, 10, 12, 17A, 20, 20A, 20B, 21, 24(5), 33A, 37, 42A, 84A,
261385A.
2614 cast votes for members due to malfunction of voting station, 49.
2615 certifying bills for final passage, 23.
2616 disable voting station of certain absent members, 48.
2617 keeper of records, 10B.
2618 Website of the General Court, internet posting, 12, 13A, 17A, 20B.
2619Code of Ethics, 16A, 16B.
2620Commit, motion to, 64, 65, 71. 128 of 146
2621COMMITTEES:
2622 Audio/visual reproduction of meetings of, 17A.
2623 bill summaries to be made available prior to roll calls, 33A.
2624 chairpersons of, ratification, 18.
2625 conference, minority member, 18A.
2626 duty of committee on Ways and Means, 20, 20A, 21, 27, 28, 30, 33.
2627 hearings and House sessions, scheduling, 7B, 7D, 17.
2628 Human Services and Employee Engagement committee, 16A, 16B, 17, 17C, 18A.
2629 members of, ratification, 18A.
2630 motions to discharge, etc., 28, 55, 64.
2631 no member to serve where their private right, etc., 16A(14).
2632 office space, 17C.
2633 on Bills in the Third Reading, 17, 18A, 22, 28, 28A, 45, 79(1).
2634 on each Floor Division, 9A, 17.
2635 on Ethics, 16, 16A.
2636 on Rules, 7B, 7C, 7D, 17, 85.
2637 on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, 7A, 7D, 17, 41, 42, 42A. 129 of 146
2638 open meetings, 17A.
2639 ought not to pass reports on bills, question on rejection, 32.
2640 ranking members of, appointment, etc., 18.
2641 records of to be maintained, 17A.
2642 records of to be published in LAWS and on website, 17B.
2643 remote participation in, 17A.
2644 reports, 17B.
2645 reports on local matters, 7A.
2646 staff directory, 91, 92.
2647 staffing, 17C.
2648 standing, to be appointed, 17.
2649 Testimony solicitation, 17A
2650 time for reporting appropriation bill, 27.
2651 to be appointed by Speaker and Minority Leader, 18.
2652 to discharge or direct to report, 7A, 28, 42A, 55, 64.
2653 to make report on all matters, except, 27.
2654 to report adversely in certain cases, 26, 32, 85. 130 of 146
2655 Travel, propositions for, to committee on Rules, 85.
2656 voting, 16A, 17B.
2657 Voting in House Chamber, period of time if committees are meeting, 52.
2658Community and charitable service, 16A, 17C, 90.
2659Conduct, standards of, 88 to 100.
2660Consolidated amendments, 20A, 33E, 33F.
2661Constitution, proposals for amendment, 42.
2662COUNSEL TO THE HOUSE
2663 Appointment, duties, removal and service of, 13B.
2664 Audits of House financial accounts, 85A.
2665 Procurement of goods and services, 87.
2666 Standards of conduct responsibilities, 88 to 91, 93, 94 to 100.
2667Credit, pledging of, 22, 23, 17A.
2668DEBATE, RULES OF, 57 to 61, 64.
2669 during informal sessions, prohibit, 44.
2670 matters to be disposed of without debate, 45, 47, 48, 50, 53, 56, 61, 64, 66 to 69, 77, 83.
2671 motions for suspension of rules, 83. 131 of 146
2672 motions to be decided without debate, 64, 83.
2673 motions to close debate, 55, 64, 65, 69.
2674 motions to commit or recommit, 64.
2675 motions to discharge or direct committee to report, 64.
2676 motions to postpone to a time certain, 55, 64, 70.
2677 motions to reconsider, 56.
2678 second, etc., legislative days, 55, 64A.
2679 Speaker may speak to points of order, etc., 2.
2680 thirty minute limit, 61, 77.
2681 yielding, 60.
2682Disabled members, voting by, 49.
2683Discharge of a committee, 7A, 24(6), 28, 55, 64.
2684Discharge reports, 7A, 42, 42A.
2685Discharges from Orders of the Day, 47.
2686Discrimination complaints, 99.
2687Displays, charts, posters and visual aids, regulate use, 2.
2688Division of a question, 74. 132 of 146
2689 Dockets, 13A, 24(7),
2690Elections, to fill vacancies, 6.
2691Electronic devices, 2.
2692Electronic mail and Legislative Web Page, 7D, 12, 17A, 42A.
2693Electronic voting system, 15, 49, 52.
2694Emergency preamble, 22, 23, 40.
2695Emergency Remote Rules, 101 (Historical note: see House document numbered 4690 of the
2696191st General Court, and House documents numbered 59 and 3929 of the 192nd General Court).
2697Employee Engagement Officer, 92
2698Employees,
2699 committee staff directory, 91.
2700 charitable and community service, 16A.
2701 classification plan, 17C(b).
2702 partnerships with national trade organizations, 92.
2703 training opportunities and professional development, 91, 92.
2704Enacting clause, when motion to strike out, receivable, 40.
2705Engrossed bills, 23, 28(6), 40.
2706Equal employment complaints, 99. 133 of 146
2707Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer, 13B, 89 to 100.
2708Ethics,16, 16A
2709 advisory opinions, 16.
2710 training, 16B.
2711Ethics, code of, 16A.
2712Ethics committee, 16, 16C, 17, 52.
2713 bills pertaining to certain subjects referred to after first reading, 16C.
2714 candidacy for state or federal office, 16.
2715 create committee bills, 16, 24(1).
2716 voting violations, referred to, 52.
2717Excused from voting, time for application for, 48.
2718Executive conference, 17A.
2719Executive session, 17A.
2720Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight committee, 17.
2721Files, taking of matters from, 24.
2722Final passage, to be certified by Clerk, 23.
2723Financial accounts, auditing, 85A. 134 of 146
2724Fiscal note, (on bills) 33. (on consolidated amendments) 20A.
2725Floor leaders, 18.
2726Formal session to consider veto, petition for, 44.
2727Formal sessions, dress code and cellular telephones, 2.
2728General appropriation bill, 20, 20A, 27.
2729General bill rather than special, 26.
2730Global Warming and Climate Change, committee on, 17.
2731GOVERNOR:
2732 messages from, to be referred, unless, 30.
2733 messages setting terms of de-authorizing or authorizing bonds and notes, 17A.
2734 messages or recommendations from, to be filed in a format determined by the Clerk, 30.
2735 return of appropriation bills by, 30.
2736 return of bills and resolves by, 40.
2737 Session to consider vetoes of, 44.
2738Harassment policies, complaints, etc., 88-100
2739Home rule matters, reports on to be considered, 7A.
2740House Chamber, photography or video recording, 2. 135 of 146
2741Hours of meetings, 1A.
2742Human Resources and Employee Engagement, committee on, 16A, 16B, 17, 17C, 18A, 89, 90,
274392, 98.
2744Human Resources Director, 13B, 88, 90, 92, 94.
2745Informal sessions, 12, 44, 54, 81.
2746Investigations, propositions involving special, by committees, to be referred to committee on
2747Rules, 85.
2748Journal, 10, 11, 24.
2749Leadership positions, removal upon indictment, 18.
2750Legal Counsel of the House, advisory opinions by, 16.
2751Legal counsel representation at executive conferences, 17A.
2752Legislative days, second or subsequent, 55, 64A.
2753Legislative or executive agents or counsels, 16A, 80, 81.
2754Legislative web page or Internet, 13A, 17A, 20B, 81, 84A.
2755Loan bills, 22, 23.
2756Local matters, reports on to be considered and to be filed in paper and electronic form, 7A.
2757Majority Leader, etc., Acting Speaker, 5.
2758Majority leaders, 18. 136 of 146
2759Meetings
2760 definition of, 17A.
2761 regulating hours of, 1A.
2762MEMBERS, 14, 15.
2763 about to speak, to rise and address the Speaker, etc., 57.
2764 attire of, 2.
2765 desiring to be excused from voting, etc., 48.
2766 first named, to be chair of committee, etc., appointment, 18A.
2767 journal, 10.
2768 may request an enactment, 28(6).
2769 may request the taking of matters from the files, 24.
2770 medical concerns, remote voting, 49.
2771 military obligations, remote voting 49.
2772 monitors, regulating voting, 9.
2773 naming or seating, 59.
2774 not to interrupt another, etc., 60.
2775 not to speak more than once, etc., 61. 137 of 146
2776 not to stand at Clerk's desk during roll call, 14.
2777 not to stand up, etc., 14.
2778 not to serve on committee where their private right, etc., 16A(14).
2779 not to vote for other members, 16A.
2780 not to vote where their private right, etc., 16A(14).
2781 notify Clerk of absences, 48.
2782 number of, on each standing committee, 17.
2783 photography during session, 2.
2784 privilege of the floor, 80. See Voting.
2785 ranking members, appointment, etc., 18.
2786ratification and removal, 18.
2787 remote voting, 49.
2788 seats, 79.
2789 Speaker, recognition of members, 58.
2790 stipends, prohibit more than one, 18.
2791 to deposit petition, etc., with the Clerk, 24.
2792 to endorse name on certain papers, 29. 138 of 146
2793 video recording during session, 2.
2794 voting, recording within five minutes, 52.
2795Messages from the Governor
2796 to be filed in a format determined by the Clerk, 30
2797 to be referred, etc., 30.
2798MINORITY LEADER:
2799 to call a caucus, 19.
2800 to nominate Assistant Minority Floor Leader, etc., 18.
2801 to nominate committee members, 18A.
2802Minority party, caucus rules, 19A.
2803Minority party, percentage of committee membership, 18A.
2804Mobile devices, 2.
2805Monitors, 8, 9.
2806Motions, 62 to 75, 83, 85.
2807 to be reduced to writing, 62.
2808Naming of members, 59.
2809Notice to parties, 85. 139 of 146
2810Office space, 17C.
2811Open meetings, 17A.
2812Operations, Facilities and Security committee, 17.
2813Order. See Questions of Order.
2814Orders:
2815 filing of, 24.
2816 involving expenditures for special committees, 33.
2817 once rejected or disposed of, not to be renewed, 38.
2818 providing that information be transmitted to the House, 85.
2819 reported by committees, 42.
2820Orders of the Day, 12, 13, 28, 41 to 47.
2821Parliamentarian, 10A.
2822Parliamentary inquiry, 60.
2823Personal privilege, 60.
2824PETITIONS, 24, 25, 29, 30.
2825 final disposition precludes renewal, 38.
2826Petitions and other papers, availability, 12, 20, 20A, 24, 33A. 140 of 146
2827Petition for formal session to consider veto, 44.
2828Petitions to discharge a committee, 28(6).
2829Photographs, taking of during session, 2.
2830Placed on file, 24(4), 42.
2831Pledging credit, bills providing for, 22, 23, 17A.
2832Points of order, 2, 11, 60, 77.
2833Political subdivisions, 17A.
2834Postage, regulating, 23A.
2835Post Audit and Oversight, committee on, 17.
2836Posters, charts, displays and visual aids, regulate use, 2.
2837Postpone to a time certain, motion to, 55, 64, 65, 70.
2838"Present", recording of members as being, 52.
2839Previous question, 55, 65 to 68.
2840Privilege of the floor, 80.
2841Procurements, 85A, 87.
2842Question of order, 2, 11, 60, 77.
2843Quorum, 1, 15, 17A, 49, 51, 82. 141 of 146
2844Radio, television broadcasting and web-broadcasting and access of sessions, 81.
2845Ratification in caucus, by ballot or acclamation, 18B.
2846Reading of papers, 24, 29, 37.
2847Recess, 55, 64, 65, 76, 82.
2848Recommendations and reports of state officials, etc., to be referred, etc., 24, 30.
2849Recommit, motion to, 42, 64, 65, 71.
2850Reconsideration, 54, 55, 56.
2851Records, Clerk official keeper of, 10B.
2852Redrafted bills to be voted on by Ways and Means, availability, 17A.
2853Rejected bills, 32, 38, 41.
2854Remote participation,
2855Committee meetings, 17A.
2856House sessions, 49.
2857Repealed laws not to be re-enacted by reference, 31.
2858Reporters' gallery, 80, 81.
2859Reports of committees, 17B, 26, 27, 41, 42. See Bills.
2860Representatives' Chamber and adjoining rooms, 80, 81. 142 of 146
2861Resolutions, 22, 24(2), 41, 85.
2862Roll calls, availability on website, 52.
2863Rules, observance, suspension or transgression of, 8, 9, 24, 55, 83, 84, 86.
2864Rules, committee on, 7B, 7C, 7D, 17, 24(2,3), 27, 28, 81, 85.
2865motion to discharge, 24, 28.
2866Rules, violations of, 59.
2867Rulings of the Chair, 2, 55, 77.
2868Schedule, House sessions, 7A, 7B, 7D, 44.
2869Seating of a member, 59.
2870Seats, 79.
2871Second, etc., legislative days, 55, 64A.
2872SENATE, papers from, 22, 34, 35, 36, 41, 42.
2873Sessions
2874 informal, 44, 54.
2875 radio, television and web broadcasting of, 81.
2876 regulating hours of, 1A.
2877Sessions and committees, scheduling, 7A, 7B, 7D, 44. 143 of 146
2878SPEAKER, 1 to 7.
2879 adjourn or recess, 2, 82.
2880 appeal of decisions, 77.
2881 Calendar of House, 12.
2882 casting of vote for, 49
2883 committee scheduling, 7D.
2884 consultation with Clerk, bill format and availability, 33A.
2885 consultation with Clerk, budget amendment format, 20A.
2886 consultation with Clerk, budget availability format, 20B.
2887 decorum and order, 2.
2888 income, earned and unearned, 4B.
2889 may declare a recess, 76.
2890 may direct motion to be reduced to writing, 62.
2891 may invite visitors to seats on the floor, 80.
2892remote rules activation, 101.
2893 shall assign seats, 79.
2894 to appoint monitors, 8. 144 of 146
2895 to approve reference of petitions, etc., and printing of certain documents, 24.
2896 to call a caucus, 19.
2897 to declare informal sessions, 44.
2898 to name member entitled to floor, 58.
2899 to nominate committee members, 18A.
2900 to nominate Majority Leader, etc., 18.
2901Speaker pro Tempore, 4A, 5, 18, 23A, 49.
2902Special bills reported by committee, 26.
2903Standing committees, staffing, 17C.
2904State Ethics Commission, 16B.
2905State finances, 33.
2906Steering, Policy and Scheduling, committee on, 7A, 42A.
2907Stenographers, employment of, by committees, 85.
2908Stipends, prohibit more than one, 18.
2909Strike out and insert, motion to, 74.
2910Strike out enacting clause, 40.
2911Summaries of bills, availability prior to roll calls, 33A. 145 of 146
2912SUSPENSION OF RULES, 55, 83, 84.
2913 limit of debate on motion for, 83.
2914Tampering with electronic voting system, 52.
2915Tape recordings, committees, 17A.
2916Television, radio and web broadcasting of all sessions and access, 81.
2917Third Reading, Bills in the, committee on, 17, 18A, 22, 28, 43, 45, 79(1).
2918 motions to discharge or report, 28, 55, 64.
2919 time for reporting, 28A.
2920Title, bills to be read by title only, 37.
2921Travel, orders authorizing committees to, referred to committee on Rules, 85.
2922Undebatable matters and motions, 64. See Debate, Rules of.
2923Unfinished business, 46.
2924Vacancies, filling of, 5, 6, 7.
2925Veto of bill or resolve, printing of Calendar, 12.
2926Veto, petition for formal session to consider, 44.
2927Videos/audio
2928 radio and television access, 81. 146 of 146
2929 recording of during session, 2.
2930 reproduction of committee meetings, 17A
2931Violations of rules and questions of conduct, 16, 52 (voting), 59.
2932Visual aids, charts, displays and posters, regulate use, 2.
2933Votes, roll calls made available on website, 52.
2934VOTING, 3, 4, 9, 16A, 48 to 53.
2935Warning a member, 59.
2936Ways and Means, committee on, 17, 17A, 20, 20A, 21, 27, 28, 30, 33, 45.
2937 consolidated amendments, 20A, 33E.
2938Floor amendments, 73A.
2939Motions directing, to report, etc., 28, 55, 64.
2940Redrafts of, availability, 17A.
2941Web-broadcasting, 81.
2942 Website availability of bills and notices, 13A, 17A, 20B, 84A.
2943Yeas and nays, 33F, 48 to 53.
2944Yeas and nays, during informal sessions, prohibition, 44.
2945Yielding floor in debate, 60.