Massachusetts House Bill H2026 Introduced / Bill

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4448       FILED ON: 2/24/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2026
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 joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives for the 194th 
2General Court for the 2025-2026 legislative session be adopted, as follows:
3Committees
41. Joint standing committees shall be appointed at the beginning of the biennial session as
5follows:-
6A committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity;
7A committee on Agriculture; 
8A committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
9A committee on Cannabis Policy;
10A committee on Children, Families and Persons With Disabilities; 2 of 62
11A committee on Community Development and Small Businesses;
12A committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure;
13A committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management;
14A committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies;
15A committee on Education;
16A committee on Aging and Independence;
17A committee on Election Laws;
18A committee on Environment and Natural Resources;
19A committee on Financial Services;
20A committee on Health Care Financing;
21A committee on Higher Education;
22A committee on Housing;
23A committee on the Judiciary;
24A committee on Labor and Workforce Development;
25A committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery;
26A committee on Municipalities and Regional Government;
27A committee on Public Health; 3 of 62
28A committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security;
29A committee on Public Service;
30A committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion;
31A committee on Revenue;
32A committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight;
33A committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy;
34A committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development;
35A committee on Transportation; and
36A committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
37Each to consist of 6 members of the Senate, and 11 on the part of the House except the
38committees on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, Economic Development and
39Emerging Technologies, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Mental Health, Substance Use
40and Recovery, Health Care Financing and Transportation which shall consist of 7 members of
41the Senate and 13 of the House.
42Within 4 weeks of the appointment of joint standing committees in the first annual session of the 
43General Court, each joint standing committee shall adopt rules of procedure regarding its 
44conduct that are not inconsistent with the joint rules of the two branches or the rules of the 
45Senate or House of Representatives. Said rules of procedure, together with any amendments,  4 of 62
46shall be filed with the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House and shall be available to the 
47public and members of the General Court on the official website of the General Court. The rules 
48of parliamentary practice as set forth in the 2020 Edition of Mason’s Manual of Legislative 
49Procedure shall govern each joint standing committee until such time as the joint standing 
50committee adopts rules of procedure.lxi
51Except as provided by Joint Rule 1E or 1F, each matter shall be referred only to 1 joint 
52committee for consideration and all reports of matters by joint committees shall be made to the 
53House or the Senate, under Joint Rule 4, not to another joint committee. The committee to which 
54a matter is initially referred may discharge the matter to another committee with jurisdiction over 
55the matter. 
56Matters referred by either the Senate or the House to its committee on Ways and Means shall be 
57considered by the respective committees of the 2 branches, acting as a joint committee, when, in 
58the judgment of the chairs 	of the respective committees of the 2 branches, the interests of 
59legislation or the expedition of business will be better served by such joint consideration. Matters 
60may also be referred to the committees on Ways and Means, of the 2 branches, as a joint 
61committee. 
62The committees on Rules, together with the presiding officers of the 2 branches, acting 
63concurrently, may consider and suggest such measures as shall, in their judgment, tend to 
64facilitate the business of the session and a majority vote of the 2 branches shall be required to 
65approve such recommendations. 
66In order to assist the House and the Senate in their: (1) consideration and enactment of new 
67legislation and modifications of existing laws, when either are deemed to be appropriate; (2)  5 of 62
68evaluation of the effectiveness and administration of laws and programs previously enacted; and 
69(3) appraisal of the conditions and circumstances which may indicate the desirability of enacting 
70new legislation, the various joint committees shall have the following oversight responsibilities: 
71(i) each joint committee shall review and study, on a continuing basis, the implementation, 
72administration, execution and effectiveness of those laws, or parts of law, the subject matter of 
73which is within the jurisdiction of that committee, the administrative regulations adopted to 
74implement those laws, and those state agencies or entities having responsibilities for the 
75administration and execution of such laws;
76(ii) in carrying out these review and study activities, each committee shall determine whether 
77such laws, administrative regulations and programs under those laws are being implemented in 
78accordance with the intent of the General Court and whether such laws, administrative 
79regulations and programs should be continued, curtailed or eliminated;
80(iii) each committee shall also review and study any conditions and circumstances which may 
81indicate the necessity or desirability of enacting new legislation within the jurisdiction of that 
82committee, regardless of whether any matter has been introduced on that subject, and shall, on a 
83continuing basis, undertake research on matters within the jurisdiction of that committee. 
84Committees shall coordinate oversight activities, under the direction of the presiding officers of 
85both branches, to achieve the maximum objectives of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii). 
86Each committee may, upon completion of its oversight hearings, report to the General Court the 
87results of its findings and recommendations together with accompanying corrective legislation, if 
88any, by filing the same with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Clerk of the Senate. 
89Copies of such reports shall be made available to all members electronically and to the public via  6 of 62
90the official website of the General Court. The disposition of said reports shall be determined by 
91the Clerks with the approval of the Speaker and the President. 
92The Senate or House chair of a joint committee may appoint subcommittees to investigate and 
93study any matter referred to said subcommittee. Not less than 10 per cent of a Senate or House 
94subcommittee’s members shall be from the minority party. Chairs of subcommittees shall not be 
95considered chairs under section 9B of chapter 3 of the General Laws. A subcommittee may, upon 
96completion of an investigation and study, report the results of the investigation and study 
97together with legislation, if any, by filing the same with the appointing chair of the joint 
98committee.
99Temporary employees of the general court assigned to a joint committee who are students at an 
100accredited education institution or employees or grantees of other non-profit organizations under 
101section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may receive compensation from such 
102organization, according to that organization’s regular program of providing such compensation 
103for temporary governmental or public service employment. A temporary employee’s Senate or 
104House supervisor shall establish the employee’s total compensation, shall verify that the sum of 
105the employee’s state compensation, if any, and that any outside compensation the employee is to 
106receive under this rule would not exceed this total compensation, and shall file the written terms 
107of the employee’s compensation with the Senate or House Human Resources Office, where it 
108shall be available for public inspection. The temporary employee shall sign an ethics agreement 
109provided by the Senate Personnel Office or House Human Resources Office. 
110The Senate and House Offices of Human Resources shall publish an employee handbook for 
111joint employees of both branches of the General Court and the responsibilities associated with  7 of 62
112the supervision of joint employees, including payroll, shall be shared equally between said 
113offices. The handbook shall be developed with the advice and approval of both the Counsel to 
114the Senate and the Counsel to the House. The handbook shall address access by joint employees 
115to the human resource related services and programs of each branch of the General Court. Joint 
116employees shall complete any training required by either branch of the General Court, as may be 
117agreed upon by the Senate and House Offices of Human Resources. 
118[Amended Jan. 6, 1882; Jan. 5, 18 83; Jan. 7, 18 84; Jan. 8 and 26, 1885; Jan. 8, 18 86; Jan. 12, 
11918 87; Jan. 9, 18 88; Jan. 28, 18 89; Jan. 8, 18 90; Feb. 2, 18 91; Jan. 11 and Feb. 10, 18 92; Feb. 
1207, 18 93; Jan. 8. 1894; Jan. 7, 18 95; Jan. 7, 18 96; Jan. 11, 18 97; Jan. 10, 18 98; Jan. 9, 18 99; 
121Jan. 22 and 29, 1901; Jan. 6, 19 02; Jan. 9, 19 03; Jan. 8, 19 04; Jan. 6, 19 05; Jan. 4, 19 07; Jan. 
1225, 19 10; Jan. 4, 19 11; Jan. 1, 19 13; Jan. 12, 19 14; Jan. 2, 19 18; Jan. 1 and 8 and Feb. 21, 
1231919; Jan. 7, 19 20; Jan. 5, 19 21; April 17 and 30, 1925; Jan. 5, 19 27; Jan. 7, 19 31; Jan. 6, 19 
12437; Jan. 4, 19 39; Jan. 1, 19 41; Jan. 3, 19 45; Jan. 2, 19 46; Jan. 6, 19 47; Feb. 1, 19 49; Jan. 7, 
12519 53; Jan. 7, 19 59; Jan. 30, 19 61; Jan. 7, 19 63; Jan. 12, 19 65; Feb. 24, 19 65; Mar. 10, 19 66; 
126Jan. 30, 19 67; Jan. 7, 1971 ; July 23, 1974 ; Sept. 30 and Oct. 12, 1976 ; Nov. 3, 1981 ; Dec. 21, 
1271981 ; Mar. 15, 1982 ; Oct. 3, 1983 ; June 3, 1985 ; Jan. 25 and Mar. 14, 1988 ; Mar. 27, 1995 , 
128June 12, 1995 ; July 17, 2003 ; Jan. 26, 2005; July 21 and September 20, 2005; Feb. 20, 2007; 
129Feb 12, 2009; Feb. 15, 2017; Mar 7, 2019; Mar. 25, 2021; Feb. 16, 2023.] 
1301A. All meetings of joint committees acting concurrently, Senate and House standing 
131committees, special committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, and joint special 
132committees and committees of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 2 branches shall be 
133open to the public, unless a majority shall vote otherwise. [Adopted July 17, 1973. Amended 
134July 18, 1974; Feb. 12, 2009.] 8 of 62
1351B. A joint standing committee shall hold a public hearing on each matter referred to it in each 
136legislative session. [Adopted June 3, 1985; Amended Feb. 12, 2009.] 
1371C. (1) All joint standing committees shall schedule committee hearings and executive sessions 
138upon agreement of the chairs and so as not to conflict, to the extent feasible, with the schedules 
139of other committees and, to the extent feasible, the day of the week and times during that day set 
140aside for formal sessions by the respective branches. The chairs shall record the attendance of 
141members during committee hearings and shall cause the attendance to be published on the 
142official website of the General Court alongside the livestream of the hearing archived on said 
143website pursuant to paragraph (3). [Adopted June 3, 1985; Amended June 12, 1995; Mar. 7, 
1442019.] 
145(2) The schedule of committee hearings shall designate which branch will preside over each 
146hearing, and the chairs shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that each branch presides over an 
147equal number of hearings. 	The committee staff of the 	branch presiding over the hearing shall be 
148responsible for the administrative work necessary to conduct the hearing, including, but not 
149limited to, securing a hearing location, arranging for the publication of the agenda and 
150instructions for public participation, recording the attendance of committee members, and 
151processing the individuals seeking to testify at the hearing either physically or remotely. Prior to 
152the hearing, the staff of each branch shall produce a plain-language summary of each bill to be 
153heard from their respective branches, which shall be made available on the official website of the 
154General Court. 
155(3) All hearings of joint standing committees shall be conducted in-person with the option of 
156remote participation available to the public; provided, however, that the members of said joint  9 of 62
157standing committees shall be physically present at the hearing location where in-person public 
158testimony is offered. All joint standing committees, in the conduct of their hearings, shall utilize, 
159to the extent practicable, online platforms or systems that allow for synchronous, audio-visual 
160communication between the members of the committee and individuals offering testimony 
161remotely. All hearings of joint standing committees shall be publicly livestreamed on the official 
162website of the General Court which shall display and transmit, in real-time, the audio-visual 
163attributes of public testimony offered remotely; provided further, that said livestream shall be 
164archived on the official website of the General Court for the duration of the legislative session. 
165Members of the Senate and House of Representatives may offer remote testimony before joint 
166standing committees of which they are not a member. The chairs of the joint standing 
167committees shall use best efforts to prioritize the testimony of those physically present at the 
168hearing location and may, in their discretion, allow individuals participating in-person a greater 
169amount of time to testify than those participating remotely. All notices of hearings of joint 
170standing committees issued pursuant to Joint Rule 1D at which public testimony is being 
171solicited shall include instructions on how to offer testimony both in-person and remotely. 
1721D. All meetings of joint standing committees, and special joint committees of the Senate and 
173House of Representatives, and joint special committees and committees of conference on the 
174disagreeing votes of the 2 branches shall be open to the public, and any person shall be permitted 
175to attend any such meeting unless such committee convenes in executive session, as provided 
176herein. All joint standing committees shall determine a schedule for committee hearings to be 
177held from the beginning of the first annual session through the third Wednesday in December in 
178said session. These committee schedules shall be submitted to the Clerks of the Senate and 
179House of Representatives who shall cause them to be published on the official website of the  10 of 62
180General Court. Establishment of such schedules shall not preclude joint standing committees 
181from scheduling additional hearings or meetings as needed. No executive session shall be held 
182until after the committee has first convened in an open session for which notice has been given, 
183the presiding officer has stated the purpose of the executive session, a majority of the committee 
184members present has voted to go into executive session, the vote of each member has been 
185recorded on a roll call vote, and the presiding officer has stated before the executive session if 
186the committee will reconvene after the executive session. The records of all such roll calls shall 
187be kept in the offices of the committee for the duration of the General Court during which said 
188vote was recorded, and the committee shall cause the record of such roll call to be available on 
189the official website of the General Court within 48 hours of such roll call. 
190All joint standing committees, and special joint committees of the Senate and House of 
191Representatives, shall notify the Sergeant-at-Arms of the time, place and agenda of all public 
192hearings and executive sessions not less than 72 hours prior to the time of such meetings. If 
193public testimony is being solicited, agendas shall include: (i) an electronic mail address and 
194physical mail address for the submission of testimony, (ii) instructions on how the public may 
195participate remotely, and (iii) the committee reporting deadline under Joint Rule 10 for the 
196matters being heard. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall notify the Clerks, who shall inform all members 
197electronically and publish such information on the official website of the General Court 
198whenever practicable.
199Committees shall make written testimony received by the committee publicly available; 
200provided, however, that the committee shall adopt rules relative to the public availability of 
201written testimony received by the committee and such rules shall contain limitations on the 
202sharing of testimony that includes sensitive personal information or information that may  11 of 62
203jeopardize the health, wellness or safety of the testifier or others. The rules relative to the public 
204availability of written testimony adopted by the committee shall be disclosed in the hearing 
205agendas and shall inform testifiers that their written testimony may be made publicly available 
206by the committee. 
207Nothing contained in this rule shall prohibit a joint standing committee or special joint 
208committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives from taking appropriate action 
209including, but not limited to, the exclusion of a person from a committee meeting in order to 
210prevent the disruption of or interference with committee proceedings. All meetings of joint 
211standing committees, and special joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
212shall be limited to no more than 50 bills to be discussed in a hearing, unless it can be determined 
213that all of the bills being considered are of the same subject matter.
214The 72-hour requirement shall be suspended in an emergency only after all reasonable efforts 
215have been made to contact all committee members and upon a recorded vote of at least a 
216majority of the members of each branch appointed to the committee, but not less than two-thirds 
217of the members of each branch voting. 
218A meeting of a committee may be recorded by a person in attendance by means of a recorder or 
219any other means of audio/visual reproduction except when a meeting is held in executive session; 
220provided, that a person seeking to record a meeting of a committee notifies the chairs of the 
221committee prior to commencing such recording; and provided further that during such recording 
222there is no interference with the conduct of the meeting. 
223The chairs of each committee shall preserve decorum and order during each committee hearing. 
224Persons attending hearings shall be required to refrain from the use of cellular telephones,  12 of 62
225beepers and pagers. The use of visual aids including, without limitation, posters, displays, or 
226charts shall be permitted only upon approval of the chairs. 
227At any time after a matter has had a hearing, a chair of a committee may initiate a vote thereon if 
228the matter is filed in the branch of said chair. Said vote shall be taken from each member of the 
229branch of said chair, and if a majority of the members of said branch voting on the matter vote in 
230support of the matter, then the matter shall be reported favorably and referred to the branch in 
231which the matter was filed. The Senate chair and the Senate members of the committee shall 
232have no authority or ability to impede the vote on a bill in the committee that was filed in the 
233House, and the House chair and the House members shall have no authority or ability to impede 
234the vote on a bill in the committee that was filed in the Senate. 
235A chair of the committee shall provide to the members of their branch on the committee a 
236comprehensive summary of each matter prior to a vote thereon, and all matters receiving a 
237favorable report shall contain, in addition to a summary, (i) a document clearly marking any 
238changes made by the committee to the underlying matter, and (ii) a document clearly marking 
239any changes to any general or special law proposed by the matter, which shall be made publicly 
240available. Any vote of a committee on a matter shall be taken by roll call or electronic poll of 
241each member of the branch calling the vote; provided, however, that the committee shall cause 
242the record of such roll call to be available on the official website of the General Court within 48 
243hours of such roll call along with a notation indicating whether a committee member voting on 
244the matter attended the committee hearing at which the matter was heard. [Adopted June 3, 1985. 
245Amended June 12, 1995; Feb. 20, 2007; Mar. 14, 2013; Mar. 7, 2019.]  13 of 62
2461E. The joint standing committee on Health Care Financing shall review all legislation relating 
247to health care to evaluate the appropriateness and fiscal effect of such legislation. A matter 
248within the jurisdiction of said committee may, if appropriate, initially be referred to another joint 
249standing committee sharing jurisdiction of the subject-matter. Any matter reported favorably by 
250such joint standing committee shall be referred to the 	joint committee on Health Care Financing; 
251provided, however, that notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, any such matter so reported 
252shall not be read a first time in the branch in which the report was received. The next favorable 
253report on any such matter, if made by a joint committee, shall be made in accordance with Joint 
254Rule 1D. Such next favorable report shall be considered the first reading. The branch of origin 
255for any such bill so reported shall be the branch receiving such favorable report.
256In compliance with section 38A of chapter 3 of the General Laws, the joint committee on Health 
257Care Financing when reporting on bills shall include a fiscal note prepared under section 3A of 
258chapter 29 of the General Laws, showing the estimated cost or the fiscal effect of the proposed 
259legislation, if, in the opinion of said committee, such cost or fiscal effect exceeds the sum of 
260$100,000; provided, however, that any matter reported by the committee on Health Care 
261Financing with a fiscal effect of less than $100,000 shall not be referred, under the rules, to the 
262committee on Ways and Means.[Adopted Jan. 26, 2005; Amended May 19, 2005; Feb. 20, 2007; 
263Feb. 12, 2009.] 
2641F. The joint committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets shall review all 
265legislation providing for the giving, loaning or pledging of the credit of the Commonwealth (see 
266Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution, as amended by Article LXXXIV). Said 
267committee shall be responsible for evaluating such legislation and determining the 
268appropriateness of enacting legislation containing increased bond authorizations for the  14 of 62
269Commonwealth. The committee shall periodically review and hold open public hearings, 
270accepting oral and written testimony on the status of the bonds and notes of the Commonwealth, 
271including (1) general obligation debt; (2) dedicated income tax debt; and (3) special obligation 
272debt. The committee shall also, in its continuing study of the state’s bonding practices, review 
273the Commonwealth’s liabilities relative to (a) state-supported debt; (b) state-guaranteed debt; and 
274(c) indirect obligations.
275Any bill providing for borrowing for new projects and requiring the Commonwealth to issue 
276bonds for such purpose shall, prior to its reference to the committee on Ways and Means, be 
277referred to the committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets for report on its 
278relationship to the finances of the Commonwealth. A measure may initially be referred to 
279another joint committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter before being referred to the 
280committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets; provided, however, that 
281notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, any such matter so reported shall not be read a first time 
282in the branch in which the report was received. The next favorable report on any such matter by 
283the committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and 	State Assets shall be considered the first 
284reading. The branch of origin for any such bill so reported shall be the branch receiving such 
285favorable report.
286The provisions of Joint Rule 4 shall apply to all matters referred to the joint committee on 
287Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, except that where constitutionally prohibited. 
288The joint committee shall consult with the various agencies of the Executive branch and the 
289office of the Treasurer and Receiver-General relative to project expenditures, availability of 
290funds, the sale of new bonds and the resultant debt obligations, federal reimbursements and other 
291related funding and bonding issues. 15 of 62
292The joint committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets shall be authorized to 
293conduct hearings relative to the statutory authority of the Executive branch and the Treasurer and 
294Receiver-General in the issuance and sale of bonds and notes and the expenditure of capital 
295funds by the various agencies and authorities of the Commonwealth. The committee shall 
296determine whether such laws, administrative regulations and programs are being implemented in 
297accordance with the intent of the General Court. 
298The committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets shall be authorized to report 
299to the General Court from time to time on the results of its hearings and to file drafts of 
300legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect.
301Messages from the Governor setting terms of bonds and notes, or for the de-authorization or 
302authorization of bonds and notes, shall be referred to the committee on Bonding, Capital 
303Expenditures and State Assets.
3041G. The President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader 
305of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Senate and House chairs and 
306the Senate and House ranking minority members of the joint committee on Public Safety and 
307Homeland Security may receive security clearance from federal and state homeland security 
308officials in order to be granted access to confidential homeland security briefings, information 
309and materials. The President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 
310Senate and House committee chairs and the Senate and House ranking minority members may 
311designate 1 or more members of their staff who may receive such security clearance. 
312Any person who receives security clearance under this rule shall sign all confidentiality 
313agreements required by homeland security officials. The breach of any such confidentiality  16 of 62
314agreement shall constitute a violation of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of 
315Representatives. Any alleged violation of a confidentiality agreement shall be referred for 
316investigation to the Senate committee on Ethics and Rules or the House committee on Ethics, 
317respectively, and, if appropriate, to law enforcement authorities for potential criminal 
318prosecution. [Adopted Jan. 26, 2005; Amended Feb. 12, 2009; Mar. 7, 2019.] 
3192. No member of either branch shall act as counsel for any party before any committee of the 
320Legislature. 
3212A. No member of either branch shall purchase, directly or indirectly, the stock or other 
322securities of any corporation or association knowing that there is pending before the General 
323Court any measure specially granting to such corporation or association any immunity, 
324exemption, privilege or benefit or any measure providing for the creation of, or directly affecting 
325any, contractual relations between such corporation or association and the Commonwealth. This 
326rule shall not apply to the purchase of securities issued by the Commonwealth or any political 
327subdivision of the Commonwealth. [See G.L. chapter 268, section 10.] [Adopted Jan. 16, 1922.] 
3283. When the General Court is in session, authorization for any joint standing committee to travel 
329during the session of the General Court shall be approved by a vote of two-thirds of the 
330committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently. [Adopted Feb. 7, 1890; Amended 
331Feb. 2, 1891 ; Jan. 20, 1904 ; April 17, 1925 ; March 2, 1943 ; July 27, 1950 ; Oct. 18, 1971 ; 
332March 28, 1972 ; Jan. 15, 1973; Feb. 12, 2009.] 
3333A. A joint standing committee may, upon the written and signed report of two-thirds of the 
334members of the Senate and two-thirds of the members of the House appointed to said committee, 
335report a bill or other form of legislation without said legislation being founded upon petition;  17 of 62
336provided, however, that matters so reported shall be germane to the subject matters regularly 
337referred to the committee. The committee shall hold a public hearing on such bill or other form 
338of legislation before it is reported. A bill or other form of legislation so reported shall be placed 
339in the Orders of the Day by the Clerk of the respective branch to which it is reported or referred 
340to a standing committee of said branch under the rules. All reports of committees not founded 
341upon petition shall bear the designation ‘committee bill’, ‘resolve’, ‘order’ or ‘resolution’, as the 
342case may be, in the Orders of the Day. Committees to which messages from the Governor, 
343reports of state officers, boards, committees, commissions and others authorized to report to the 
344General Court, may report by bill or otherwise such legislation as may be germane to the subject 
345matter referred to them. [Adopted June 3, 1985 .] 
3464. Favorable reports, and adverse reports on subjects of legislation other than petitions, by joint 
347committees shall be made to the branch in which the matter was originally introduced, except 
348that reports on money bills shall be made to the House and if adverse reports on matters other 
349than petitions which are accompanied by money bills are accepted by the House, this shall 
350constitute final rejection. Adverse reports by joint committees on petitions shall be made to the 
351branch in which the petition was originally introduced, except that such adverse reports on 
352petitions accompanied by proposed money bills shall 	be made to the House; and, if accepted by 
353the branch in which they are made, shall be considered as a final rejection. When a report is 
354made from any committee to either branch, and the subject-matter of the report is subsequently 
355referred to a joint committee, such committee, shall report its action to the branch in which the 
356reference originated. [See also Joint Rule 5.] 
357All committee members shall have an opportunity to sign a form accompanying a report of the 
358committee signifying approval of, dissent or abstention from a report of a joint standing  18 of 62
359committee before the report is final or filed. No signature shall be valid unless the report to 
360which the signature is affixed includes the substantially complete text of the legislation being 
361reported. [Amended Jan. 3, 1952; April 8, 1959; June 7, 1965; Jan. 7, 1971; March 11, 1974; 
362June 3, 1985; Feb. 20, 2007; Feb. 15, 2017.] 
3634A. In compliance with section 38A of chapter 3 of the General Laws, all joint committees of the 
364General Court when reporting on bills referred to them shall include a fiscal note prepared under 
365section 3A of chapter 29 of the General Laws, showing the estimated cost or the fiscal effect of 
366the proposed legislation, if, in the opinion of said committee, such cost exceeds $100,000. Such 
367fiscal note shall be filed electronically in the office of the clerk to which the report is being 
368made, and shall be promptly made available on the official website of the General Court. 
369[Adopted Jan. 15, 1973.] 
3705. Matters reported adversely by joint committees and the committees on Rules of the two 
371branches, acting concurrently, may be recommitted to the same committees at the pleasure of the 
372branch acting on the report, and bills or resolves may be recommitted in either branch. If a bill or 
373resolve is laid aside in either branch for the reason that it is declared to be broader in its scope 
374than the subject-matter upon which it is based, the subject-matter shall be recommitted to the 
375committee. A concurrent vote shall, however, be necessary for re-committal, with instructions. 
376After recommitment, report shall, in all cases, be made to the branch originating the 
377recommitment. [Amended Feb. 2, 1891; April 11, 1935; Jan. 6, 1947; May 7, 19 53; March 26, 
3781963; Jan. 30, 1967; Jan. 7, 1971; March 11, 1974.] 
3796. Bills and resolves reported by joint committees shall be presented with spaces between the 
380several sections and shall be made available to all members electronically and to the public on  19 of 62
381the official website of the General Court. [Amended Jan. 28, 1889; Jan. 9, 1941; Feb. 8, 1949; 
382Feb. 12, 2009.] 
383Joint Petitions.
3846A. A member of the Senate and a member of the House of Representatives may file a joint 
385petition in either branch and shall endorse their name on the petition and a brief statement of the 
386nature and object of the instrument and the reading of the instrument shall be dispensed with, 
387unless specially ordered. The petition shall be filed in the office of the clerk of either the Senate 
388or House of Representatives, depending on whether it is a ‘Joint Senate/House Petition’ or a 
389‘Joint House/Senate Petition’ but the Journal records 	in the Senate and House of Representatives 
390shall carry both members’ names as presenters of the petition. [Adopted Jan. 15, 1973.]  
3917. Whenever, upon any application for an act of incorporation or other legislation, the purpose 
392for which such legislation is sought can be secured without detriment to the public interests by a 
393general law or under existing laws, the committee to which the matter is referred shall report 
394such general law, or ‘ought not to pass’. [Amended Feb. 2, 1891; Feb. 7, 18 93; Jan. 7, 1971.] 
3957A. A petition for legislation to authorize a county to reinstate in its service a person formerly 
396employed by it, or to retire or pension or grant an annuity to any person, or to increase any 
397retirement allowance, pension or annuity, or to pay any sum of money in the nature of a pension 
398or retirement allowance, or to pay any salary which would have accrued to a deceased official or 
399employee but for their death, or to pay any claim for damages or otherwise, or to alter the 
400benefits or change the restrictions of any county retirement or pension law, shall, subsequently to 
401the procedure required by Senate Rule No. 20 and by House Rule No. 24, be reported adversely, 
402unless, when filed it be the petition of, or be approved by, a majority of the county  20 of 62
403commissioners. [Adopted April 29, 1915. Amended Jan. 13, Feb. 19 and Dec. 22, 1920; May 24, 
4041926; April 11, 1935; April 22, 1937; Jan. 12, 1939; Jan. 15, 1945; Feb. 20, 1951; Jan. 30, 1967; 
405Jan. 7, 1971; Jan. 15, 1973; Mar. 7, 2019.] 
4067B. A petition, the operation of which is restricted to a particular city or town (and which does 
407not affect the powers, duties, etc., of state departments, boards, commissions, etc., or which does 
408not affect generally the laws of the Commonwealth) and which is not filed in conformity with 
409Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to the Constitution shall, subsequent to the 
410procedure required by Senate Rule 20 and House Rule 24, be reported adversely, unless it be on 
411petition filed or approved by the voters of a city or town, or the mayor and city council, or other 
412legislative body, of a city, or the town meeting of a town. A joint committee to which is 
413inadvertently referred a petition or other subject of legislation the operation of which is restricted 
414to a particular city or town and which is not in conformity with Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of 
415the Amendments to the Constitution shall report a general law which applies alike to all cities, or 
416to all towns, or to all cities and towns, or to a class of not fewer than 2; or shall report ‘ought not 
417to pass’, with the further endorsement that it ‘would be unconstitutional to enact such special 
418law’.
419Any petition that subsequently conforms to Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to 
420the Constitution after filing, which have followed the procedures set forth in Senate Rule 20 or 
421House Rule 24, shall be forthwith reported from the committee on Rules and be referred by the 
422Clerk to an appropriate committee.[Adopted Jan. 13, 1920. Amended Feb. 19 and Dec. 22, 1920; 
423May 24, 1926; April 11, 1935; April 22, 1937; Jan. 12, 1939; Jan. 9, 1941; Jan. 15, 1945; Feb. 
42420, 1951; Jan. 30, 1967; Jan. 7 and Mar. 22, 1971 ; Jan. 15, 1973; March 14, 2013.] 21 of 62
4257C. The approval vote required to file a petition, the operation of which is restricted to a 
426particular city or town under Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to the 
427Constitution of the Commonwealth, shall not expire prior to the final day of the next immediate 
428biennial session in which the petition was filed and no additional vote shall be required to file a 
429petition unless a vote to rescind such approval is passed by the voters of a city or town, or the 
430mayor and city council or other legislative body of a city, or the select board and the town 
431meeting or other legislative body of the town. [Adopted, Mar. 14, 2013; Amended Feb. 15, 
4322017.] 
4337D. The approval of a substantive amendment to a petition restricted to a single city or town and 
434requiring a vote of the city of town before enactment of the petition shall be provided to the 
435General Court before the enactment of the petition and shall be reviewed by House Counsel and 
436Senate Counsel prior to the enactment of the petition in either branch. [Adopted , Feb. 15, 2017.]
437Notice to Parties Interested.
4388. No legislation affecting the rights of individuals or the rights of a private or municipal 
439corporation, otherwise than as it affects generally the people of the Commonwealth or the people 
440of the city or town to which it specifically applies, shall be proposed or introduced except by a 
441petition, nor shall any bill or resolve embodying such legislation be reported by a committee 
442except upon a petition duly referred, nor shall such a bill or resolve be reported by a committee, 
443whether on an original reference or on a re-committal with instructions to hear the parties, until it 
444is made to appear to the satisfaction of the committee that proper notice of the proposed 
445legislation has been given by public advertisement or otherwise to all parties interested, without 
446expense to the Commonwealth, or until evidence satisfactory to the committee is produced that  22 of 62
447all parties interested have in writing waived notice. A committee reporting adversely due to lack 
448proper notice or of a waiver of proper notice shall so state in its report and no bill or resolve shall 
449be in order as a substitute for, or amendment of, such report. Objection to the violation of this 
450rule may be taken at any stage prior to that of the third reading. [Adopted Feb. 7, 1890. Amended 
451Dec. 22, 1920 ; Jan. 12, 1939 ; Jan. 15, 1945; Jan. 7, 1971.] 
4529. A petition for the incorporation of a city or town, for the annexation of 1 municipality to 
453another, for the consolidation of 2 or more municipalities or for the division of an existing 
454municipality, or for the incorporation or revival of a railroad, street railway, elevated railroad, 
455canal, telephone, telegraph, water, gas, electric light, power or other public service corporation, 
456for the amendment, alteration or extension of the charter or corporate powers or privileges, or for 
457the change of name, of any such company, whether specially incorporated or organized under the 
458General Laws, or for authority to take water for a water supply, or relative to building structures 
459in or over navigable or tide waters, shall be placed on file, and not referred to a committee, 
460unless the petitioner has given the notice and followed the procedure required by section 5 of 
461chapter 3 of the General Laws. But, if no objection being raised, any such petition is referred to a 
462committee without such required notice or procedure, the committee shall forthwith report 
463adversely, setting forth as the reason for such report failure to comply with the law, unless 
464evidence satisfactory to the committee is produced that all parties interested have in writing 
465waived notice. In case a bill or resolve is reported upon such a petition, after proof of such 
466waiver of notice, this fact shall be set forth in the report of the committee. When an adverse 
467report is made by a committee, on account of failure to give the required notice, no bill or resolve 
468shall be substituted for such report, nor shall such report be recommitted or referred to another 
469committee.  23 of 62
470A petition for the establishment or revival, or for the amendment, alteration or extension of the 
471charter or corporate powers or privileges, or for the change of name, of any corporation, except a 
472petition subject to the preceding paragraph, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the branch in 
473which it is filed to the office of the State Secretary. If such a petition is returned by said 
474Secretary with a statement that the petitioner has failed to comply with the requirements of 
475section 7 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, said petition shall be placed on file, and shall not be 
476referred to a committee. 
477Any petition placed on file for want of proper notice or procedure under this rule shall not affect 
478action upon any other measure involving the same subject matter. [Adopted Feb. 7, 1890. 
479Amended Feb. 2, 1891; Feb. 3, 1898; Jan. 16, 1903; Feb. 19 and Dec. 22, 1920; May 24, 1926; 
480Feb. 27, 1929; April 11, 1935; Jan. 6, 1938; Jan. 12, 1939; Jan. 9, 1941; Jan. 15, 1945; April 8, 
4811959; Jan. 7, 1963; Jan. 7, 1971 ; Jan. 15, 1973 , June 12, 1995; Feb. 12, 2009; Mar. 7, 2019.] 
482Limit of Time allowed for Reports of Committees.
48310. All joint committees and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, 
484shall make final report on all matters referred to and heard by them prior to the third Wednesday 
485of December of the first annual session of the General Court by not later than 60 calendar days 
486after the matter is heard; provided, however, that an additional 30 calendar days may be granted 
487on a matter by the chair of the committee on the part of the branch in which the matter was 
488respectively filed who shall notify the clerk of their respective branch of said extension. After the 
489expiration of such 90-day period, the branch in which a matter was filed shall approve by 
490unanimous consent an extension order submitted by the members of the joint committee from 
491their respective branch for any additional time for further consideration of the matter. However, a  24 of 62
492committee shall not make final report after, and a branch shall not approve of an extension order 
493that extends consideration of a matter beyond, the third Wednesday in March of the second 
494annual session of the General Court. For matters referred to a committee and heard by said 
495committee after the third Wednesday of December of the first annual session, the committee 
496shall make final report by not later than 60 calendar days after the matter is heard, or by the third 
497Wednesday in March of the second annual session, whichever occurs later. For all matters 
498referred to the committee on Health Care Financing after the third Wednesday in March of the 
499second annual session which were initially referred to another joint standing committee, the 
500committee shall make final report not later than the last Wednesday of May of the second annual 
501session. 
502When the time within which said committees are required to report has expired, all matters upon 
503which no report has then been made shall forthwith be reported by the chair of the committee on 
504the part of the branch in which they were respectively introduced, with a recommendation to 
505study under this rule. 
506Matters which have been referred under Joint Rule 29, upon which the chairs of the committees 
507on Rules fail to make a report, shall be placed by the respective Clerks in the Orders of the Day 
508of the branch in which the subject matter was referred to said committees. 
509Committees to whom are referred subjects of legislation may combine petitions of similar 
510subject matter, or other forms of legislation of similar subject matter, into 1 adverse report, and 
511the report on the petition shall be that said petitions or other forms of legislation ‘ought NOT to 
512pass,’ and if the report is accepted, all the matters contained in the report shall be disposed of. 
513However, petitions upon which an adverse report is accepted in only 1 branch may not be  25 of 62
514combined with other subjects of legislation upon which adverse reports must be accepted, in 
515concurrence. This rule shall not apply to petitions referred to the committees on Rules of the two 
516branches, acting concurrently, under the second paragraph of Joint Rule 12. 
517This rule shall not be rescinded, amended or suspended, except by a concurrent vote of four-
518fifths of the members of each branch present and voting thereon. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 30, 
519this rule shall not be rescinded, amended or suspended more than 3 times except by unanimous 
520consent. [Amended Feb. 2, 1891; Jan. 25, 1894; Jan. 16, 1903; Jan. 20, 1904; Dec. 22, 1920; 
521April 17, 1925; Jan. 12, 1939; Jan. 15, 1945; Jan. 6, 1947; May 7, 1953; Jan. 27, 1955; Jan. 30, 
5221967; Jan. 7, 1971; Feb. 4, 1974, June 12, 1995; July 17, 2003; Feb. 20, 2007; Feb. 12, 2009; 
523Feb. 15, 2017; Mar. 7, 2019.] 
52410A. The form for all subjects of legislation receiving a favorable report shall be ‘ought to pass.’ 
525The form for all subjects of legislation receiving an adverse report shall be ‘ought NOT to pass.’ 
526A committee to whom is referred any other matter may report recommending that the same be 
527placed on file. [Adopted Jan. 7, 1971.] 
528Committees of Conference.
52911. Committees of conference shall consist of 3 members on the part of each branch, one 
530member of each branch being a member of the minority party representing its vote; and their 
531report, if agreed to by a majority of each committee, shall be made to the branch asking for the 
532conference, and may be either accepted or rejected, but no other action shall be had, except 
533through a new committee of conference. 
534Committees of conference 	to whom are referred matters of difference in respect to bills or 
535resolves, shall, after filing their reports, but before consideration by either branch, have the same  26 of 62
536approved or discharged by each committee on Bills in the Third Reading. [Amended April 22, 
5371937; Feb. 12, 2009; Feb. 3, 2011; Feb. 15, 2017; Mar. 7, 2019.] 
53811A. Committees of conference to whom are referred matters of difference in respect to 
539appropriation bills, including capital outlay programs, shall, after filing their reports but before 
540consideration by either branch have the same approved or discharged by each committee on Bills 
541in the Third Reading. 
542Upon the appointment of a committee of conference to whom matters of difference in respect to 
543any appropriation bill or in respect to any bill providing for capital outlay programs and projects 
544are referred, the clerk of the branch requesting said committee of conference shall make 
545available to members of the General Court a list of the matters in disagreement identified by item 
546number and item purpose and showing the amount made available by each branch of the General 
547Court, and any other matters in disagreement and the position of each of the said branches.
548The report of said committee of conference shall consist of the matters of difference so referred 
549and so identified, showing the amounts appropriated by each of the said branches and other 
550matters in disagreement and the position of each branch with respect to those matters, and shall 
551state said committee's recommendations with respect 	to the matters so referred. Matters on which 
552there exists no disagreement between the branches shall not be disturbed by the committee of 
553conference. 
554The committees on ways and means of each branch of the General Court shall assist such 
555committee of conference in any and all matters necessary to the preparation and completion of its 
556report. [Adopted July 30, 1974; Amended Oct. 3, 1983; Feb. 3, 2011.]  27 of 62
55711B. No report from a committee of conference shall be considered or acted upon by either 
558branch until the calendar day following the day on which said report shall have been available to 
559the public and to the members of the General Court. The committee shall file its report no later 
560than 8 p.m. on the day preceding its consideration and the General Court shall not consider said 
561report before 1 p.m. on the following day, except that a report from such committee of 
562conference that it is unable to agree may be considered and acted upon at the time that such 
563report is filed. [Adopted Oct. 3, 1983. Amended July 17, 2003; July 21 and September 20, 2005; 
564Feb. 3, 2011.] 
56511C. Reports, other than those filed under Rule 11A, from a committee of conference shall be 
566accompanied by a summary which shall describe the matters in disagreement, the position of 
567each branch with respect to those matters, and the committee’s recommendations with respect to 
568the matters so described, and shall be filed with the clerk. [Adopted Feb. 12, 2009; Feb. 3, 2011.]
56911D. Upon the filing of a report by a committee of conference the clerk of the branch in which 
570the committee of conference filed its report shall make the report and the summary of the report 
571available to all members electronically and to the public on the official website of the General 
572Court. [Adopted Feb. 12, 2009; Feb. 3, 2011.]
57311E. Subsequent to the filing of a report of a committee of conference, an addendum may be 
574submitted to the clerk of the branch in which the report had been filed. The addendum shall 
575indicate that it contains only matters inadvertently omitted from or included in the report, and 
576shall be signed by all of members of the House and Senate who had signed the conference 
577committee report. The addendum shall be approved by both the Counsel to the House and the 
578Counsel to the Senate. The addendum, having been approved by both the Counsel to the House  28 of 62
579and the Counsel to the Senate, shall be posted to the official website of the General Court 
580immediately upon receipt by the clerk of the branch to which it was submitted. [Adopted Mar.14, 
5812013.]
582Limit of Time allowed for New Business.
58312. Resolutions intended for adoption by both branches of the General Court, petitions, and all 
584other subjects of legislation, shall be deposited with the Clerk of either branch prior to 5 p.m. on 
585the third Friday in January of the first annual session of the General Court. 
586All such matters except messages from the Governor, reports required or authorized to be made 
587to the General Court and petitions filed or approved by the voters of a city or town, or the mayor 
588and city council, or other legislative body of a city, or the town meeting of a town, for the 
589enactment of a special law under Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to the 
590Constitution and which do not affect the powers, duties, etc., of state departments, boards, 
591commissions, etc., or which do not affect generally the laws of the Commonwealth deposited 
592with the respective clerks subsequent to 5 p.m. on the third Friday of January of the first annual 
593session of the General Court shall be referred by the Clerks to the committees on the Rules of the 
594two branches, acting concurrently. No such matter shall be admitted for consideration except on 
595report of the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, and then upon 
596approval of two-thirds of the members of each branch voting thereon. Matters upon which 
597suspension of Joint Rule 12 has been negatived shall be placed on file.
598At any special session called under Rule 26A, however, matters relating to the facts constituting 
599the necessity for convening such session shall, if otherwise admissible, be admitted as though 
600filed seasonably under the first sentence of this rule. Any recommendations from the Governor  29 of 62
601shall be similarly considered. This rule shall not be rescinded, amended or suspended, except by 
602a concurrent vote of two-thirds of the members of each branch present and voting thereon. 
603[Amended Feb. 7, 18 90; Feb. 2, 18 91; Feb. 7, 18 93; Jan. 10, 18 98; Jan. 9, 18 99; Feb. 15, 19 
60401; May 4, 19 04; Jan. 31, 19 10; Feb. 2, 19 17; Dec. 22, 19 20; March 30, 19 21; Jan. 30, 19 23; 
605Feb. 15, 19 33; Jan. 12 and Aug. 7, 19 39; Jan. 15, 19 45; Jan. 6, 19 47; May 27, 19 48; Jan. 30, 
60619 67; March 26, 19 69; Jan. 7, 1971 ; Jan. 15 and Oct. 2, 1973 ; Oct 3, 1983 , June 12, 1995 ; 
607Jan. 26, 2005; July 17, 2003; Jan. 26, 2005; July 21, 2005; Sept. 20, 2005; Feb. 12, 2009.] 
60812A. All formal business of the first annual session of the General Court shall be concluded not 
609later than the third Wednesday in December of that calendar year and all formal business of the 
610second annual session shall be concluded not later than the last day of July of that calendar year; 
611provided, however, that the Senate and House of Representatives may convene for formal 
612business solely for the purposes of considering: (i) reports of committees of conference formed 
613on or before the last day of July of the second annual session, (ii) appropriation bills filed after 
614the last day of July of said second annual session, (iii) passage of legislation, notwithstanding the 
615objections of the Governor, that was enacted after acceptance of a report of a committee of 
616conference but was returned by the Governor with the Governor’s objections pursuant to Article 
617II of Section I of Chapter I of Part the Second of the Constitution of the Commonwealth; or (iv) 
618re-enactment of legislation that was originally enacted after acceptance of a report of a 
619committee of conference but was returned by the Governor with a recommendation to amend 
620pursuant to Article LVI of the Amendments to the Constitution. This rule may be suspended by 
621either branch by a vote of a majority of members present and voting in that branch.
622In order to assist the Senate and House in its analysis 	and appraisal of laws enacted by the 
623General Court, each joint standing committee, upon conclusion of the formal business of the  30 of 62
624annual sessions, shall, as authorized by Joint Rule 1, initiate oversight hearings to evaluate the 
625effectiveness, application and administration of the subject matter of laws within the jurisdiction 
626of that committee. [Adopted June 12, 1995.] 
627Unfinished Business of the Session.
62812B. Any matter pending before the General Court at the end of the first annual session and any 
629special session held in the same year shall carry over into the second annual session of the same 
630General Court in the same legislative status as it was at the conclusion of the first annual session 
631or any special session held during that year; provided, however, that any measure making or 
632supplementing an appropriation for a fiscal year submitted to or returned to the General Court by 
633the Governor, under Article LXIII of the Amendments to the Constitution, in the first annual 
634session or in a special session held during that year shall cease to exist upon the termination of 
635the first annual session. [Adopted June 12. 1995.] 
636Papers to be deposited with the Clerks.
63713. Information intended for presentation to the General Court by any Representative or Senator 
638shall be deposited with the Clerk of the branch to which the member belongs; and all such 
639information, unless they be subject to other rules or of the rules of the Senate or House, shall be 
640referred by the Clerk, with the approval of the President or Speaker, to appropriate committees, 
641subject to such changes as the Senate or House may make. The reading of information so 
642referred may be dispensed with, but they shall, except as provided in these rules, be entered in 
643the Journal of the same on the next legislative day after such reference. 
644A member may include a brief statement of intent with all papers intended for presentation to the 
645General Court. Upon a favorable report by a joint standing committee, a committee may include  31 of 62
646a brief written statement of intent. Said statement shall be dated and shall include the scope of 
647the matter presented for consideration; provided, however, this rule shall not be construed to 
648require the presentation of such statement of intent under this rule. [Adopted Feb. 7, 1890. 
649Amended Feb. 2, 1891; Feb. 7, 1893; Jan. 25, 1894; Dec. 22, 1920; May 25, 1923; Feb. 15, 
6501933; Jan. 12, 1971; June 3, 1985; Feb. 12, 2009.] 
651Dockets of Legislative Counsel and Agents.
65214. The committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, may prescribe the manner 
653and form of keeping the dockets of legislative agents which are required by law. [Adopted Feb. 
6542, 1891; Amended Feb. 19, 1920.] 
655Duties of the Clerk.
65615. If any part of the report of a committee over the signature of the chair or members of the 
657committee is amended in either branch, the Clerk of that branch shall endorse upon the report 
658such amendment. [Amended Mar. 7, 2019.]
65916. All papers, while on their passage between the 2 branches, may be under the signature of the 
660respective Clerks, except as to the adopting of emergency preambles and the final passage of 
661bills and resolves. Messages may be sent by such persons as each branch may direct. [Amended 
662Feb. 21, 1919.] 
66317. After bills and resolves have passed both branches to be engrossed, they shall be in the 
664charge of the Clerks of the 2 branches, who shall prepare the same for final passage in the 
665manner prescribed by law; and when so prepared the same shall be delivered to the Clerk of the 
666House of Representatives; and when the bills have been passed to be enacted or the resolves have  32 of 62
667been passed in the House, they shall, in like manner, be delivered to the Senate Clerk and 
668Parliamentarian. If a bill or resolve contains an emergency preamble, it shall be delivered in like 
669manner, to the Senate after the preamble has been adopted by the House of Representatives and 
670before the bill or resolve is put upon its final passage in that branch. If the Senate concurs in 
671adopting the preamble, the bill or resolve shall be returned to the House to be there first put upon 
672its final passage, under Joint Rule No. 22. [Amended Feb. 24, 1914; Feb. 21, 1919; Jan. 7, 1971.] 
67318. [Omitted in 1971.] 
67419. The Clerk of the branch in which a bill or resolve originated shall make an endorsement on 
675the envelope of the engrossed copy of the bill, certifying in which branch the bill originated, 
676which endorsement shall be entered on the journals by the Clerks respectively. [Amended Jan. 
67728, 1889; Feb. 24, 1914.] 
67820. Bills, resolves and other papers requiring the approval of the Governor shall be laid before 
679the Governor for the Governor’s approbation by the Senate Clerk and Parliamentarian, who shall 
680enter upon the journal of the Senate the day and date on which the same were so laid before the 
681Governor. [Amended Jan. 28, 1889; Jan. 7, 1971.] 
682Presentation and Distribution of Documents.
68321. The committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, may establish regulations 
684for the distribution of bills, reports or other documents. Bills, reports or other documents shall be 
685made available to members electronically and, except for petitions or other documents not 
686assigned bill numbers, published on the Internet. The 	committees on Rules of the two branches, 
687acting concurrently, may make such changes pertaining to the availability of bills, reports or 
688other documents as they deem necessary for expediting the work of the legislature.  33 of 62
689The Clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall be responsible for publishing 
690the journals of their respective chamber, the book Public Officers of Massachusetts, the 
691committee book and any other publications per order of the committees on Rules. [Amended Jan. 
6928, 1886 ; Jan. 28, 1889 ; Jan. 27, 1911 ; Feb. 19, 1920 ; Jan. 6, 1947 ; Apr. 5, 19 67 ; Jan. 7, 
6931971; Feb. 12, 2009; Mar. 14, 2013.] 
694Emergency Measures.
69522. The vote on the preamble of an emergency law, which under the requirements of Article 
696XLVIII, as amended by Article LXVII of the Amendments of the Constitution shall, upon 
697request of 2 members of the Senate or of 5 members of the House of Representatives, be taken 
698by call of the yeas and nays, shall be had after the proposed law has been prepared for final 
699passage; and neither branch shall vote on the enactment of a bill or on the passage of a resolve 
700containing an emergency preamble until it has been determined whether the preamble shall 
701remain or be eliminated. If the bill contains an emergency preamble, a motion to amend the bill 
702may be received in either branch before the adoption of the emergency preamble, and the 
703amendment may contain a new emergency preamble. If the 2 branches concur in adopting the 
704preamble, the bill or resolve shall first be put upon its final passage in the House of 
705Representatives. If either branch fails to adopt the preamble, notice of its action shall be sent to 
706the other branch; and the bill or resolve, duly endorsed, shall again be prepared for final passage 
707without the preamble and without any provision that the bill or the resolve shall take effect 
708earlier than 90 days after it has become law. Procedure shall be otherwise under the joint rules 
709and the rules of the Senate 	and the House of Representatives. [Adopted Feb. 21, 1919. Amended 
710Jan. 30, 1923; Jan. 7, 1971; Feb. 20, 2007; Feb. 12, 2009.]  34 of 62
71122A. Bills and resolves passed to be engrossed by both branches and before being transmitted by 
712the clerks to the Legislative Engrossing Division shall be made available to the committees on 
713Bills in the Third Reading of the two branches, acting jointly, who shall examine them to ensure 
714accuracy in the text; that the legislation is correct as to form; that references to previous 
715amendments to any particular law are correct and to ensure proper consistency with the language 
716of existing statutes. These committees, with the approval of the majority and minority leadership 
717of both branches may make corrections which are not substantive in nature. The clerks of both 
718branches shall be immediately notified, in writing, of any such changes. Errors discovered by the 
719committees of a substantive nature shall be reported to the General Court, which in turn shall 
720take appropriate action under its rules. Upon completion of examination and possible correction 
721of any such bills and resolves, the bills and resolves shall be returned to the clerks, who in turn, 
722shall transmit them to the Legislative Engrossing Division to be prepared for final passage. 
723[Adopted Sept. 16, 1971.] 
724Legislative Amendments to the Constitution.
72523. All proposals for amendments to the Constitution referred to a joint committee on the first 
726annual session of the General Court shall be reported by said committee not later than the last 
727Wednesday of April in said year, and proposals for amendments to the Constitution referred to a 
728joint committee subsequent to the last Wednesday in April of the first annual session shall be 
729reported by said committee not later than the last Wednesday of April in the second session of 
730the same General Court. The committee shall file its report, either recommending that the 
731proposal ought to pass or ought not to pass, with any official papers in its possession that relate 
732thereto, with the Clerk of the Senate. When the time within which said committees are required 
733to report has expired, all matters upon which no report has been made shall forthwith be placed  35 of 62
734in the Journal of the respective branches, with an adverse report under this rule; and shall then be 
735placed on file in the office of the Clerk of the Senate. For further information of the members of 
736the Senate and House of Representatives, the respective Clerks shall also place all such matters 
737under a separate heading in the Calendar of each branch, as soon as is practicable. In each branch 
738the report shall be read and forthwith placed on file; and no further legislative action shall be 
739taken on the measure unless consideration in joint session is called for by vote of either branch, 
740under Section 2 of Part IV of Article XLVIII (as amended by Article LXXXI) of the 
741Amendments to the Constitution. A joint committee to which is referred any recommendation for 
742an amendment to the Constitution made by the Governor or contained in a report authorized to 
743be made to the General Court may report on the recommendation a proposal for a legislative 
744amendment, which shall be deemed to have been introduced by the member of the Senate who 
745reports for the committee; and the procedure as regards reporting, filing and subsequent action 
746shall be that provided for legislative amendments by this rule. Or the joint committee may report 
747ought not to pass for the reason that no legislation is necessary or that the recommendation ought 
748not to pass; and in such cases the usual procedure as regards similar reports by joint committees 
749shall be followed. If such an adverse report is amended in the Senate by substituting a proposal 
750for a legislative amendment, notice of the Senate’s action shall be sent to the House and said 
751proposal, together with the official papers relating to the subject, shall be in the custody of the 
752Clerk of the Senate; and if said report is so amended in the House, the proposal, duly endorsed, 
753together with the other papers, shall be sent to the Senate for its information and shall be kept in 
754the custody of its Clerk. No further legislative action shall be taken in either branch on a proposal 
755so substituted unless consideration in joint session is called for under the Constitution. If either 
756branch calls for the consideration of any proposal in joint session, notice of its action shall be  36 of 62
757sent to the other branch; and it shall then be the duty of the Senate and the House of 
758Representatives to arrange for the holding of the joint session not later than the second 
759Wednesday in May. Subject to the requirements of the Constitution, joint sessions or 
760continuances of joint sessions of the 2 branches to consider proposals for specific amendments to 
761the Constitution, and all rules or procedures, shall be determined only by concurrent votes of the 
7622 branches. The rules relative to joint conventions shall apply to the joint sessions of the 2 
763houses. [Adopted Feb. 21, 1919. Amended March 30, 1921; April 11, 1935; Jan. 12, 1939; Jan. 
76415, 1945; Nov. 9, 1951; Jan. 15, 1973; July 1, 1974; Feb. 12, 2009.] 
765Executive Reorganization Plans.
76623A. Any reorganization plan, accompanied by a bill, submitted by the Governor under Article 
767LXXXVII of the Amendments to the Constitution shall be referred by the Clerks of the Senate 
768and the House, with the approval of the President and Speaker, to a joint standing committee 
769within 5 days of the presentation of the reorganization plan. 
770Said committee, to which is referred any such reorganization plan, shall, as required by said 
771Article, not later than 30 days after the presentation of such plan by the Governor, hold a public 
772hearing on the reorganization plan; and shall not later than 10 days after such hearing report that 
773it either approves or disapproves such plan. 
774When recommending action, the committee shall make, in each branch, a separate report of its 
775recommendations, and shall file said report together with the committee's recommendations and 
776the reasons for those recommendations, in writing. Majority and minority reports shall be signed 
777by the members of said committee. Any official papers in the possession of said committee that 
778relate thereto shall be filed with the Clerk of the Senate.  37 of 62
779If the committee recommends favorable action, the report shall be that the reorganization plan 
780‘ought to be approved’. If the committee recommends adverse action, the report shall be that the 
781reorganization plan ‘ought NOT to be approved’. In each instance, the question shall be ‘Shall 
782this reorganization plan be approved?’ 
783In each branch, the report shall be read and forthwith 	recorded in the Journal. On the legislative 
784day next following the Journal record, the report shall be placed in the Orders of the Day of the 
785Senate and the House. 
786When the time within which a joint committee is required to report on a reorganization plan has 
787expired, a matter upon which no report has been made shall forthwith be placed in the Orders of 
788the Day by the Clerks of each branch and the question shall be ‘Shall this reorganization plan be 
789approved?’. 
790When such plan is before either branch, no motion relating to said plan shall be allowed except 
791the motions to lay on the table (only in the Senate), to postpone to a time certain, or to commit or 
792recommit (at the pleasure of either branch). The motions to take a recess, to adjourn, the previous 
793question (if provided in the branch debating the issue), to close debate at a specified time, and 
794the motion to reconsider shall also be in order. 
795A motion to discharge any committee to which is referred or to which is recommitted a 
796reorganization plan shall not be in order prior to the expiration of 40 days after the Governor’s 
797presentation of such plan. After the expiration of said 40 days, a motion to discharge a committee 
798shall be decided by a majority vote of the branch in which the motion is made. 
799Unless disapproved by a majority vote of the members of either of the 2 branches of the General 
800Court present and voting, the General Court not having prorogued within 60 days from the date  38 of 62
801of presentation by the Governor, the plan shall be approved and shall take effect as provided by 
802Article LXXXVII of the Amendments to the Constitution. 
803Within 7 days of the expiration of the 60 days from the date of presentation of said plan by the 
804Governor, unless the question has already been decided, the Clerks of the Senate and House of 
805Representatives shall place the plan in the Orders of the Day; and no motions except the motions 
806to take a recess, to adjourn, and previous question, or to close debate at a specified time, shall be 
807in order. 
808No such reorganization plan presented to the General Court shall be subject to change or 
809amendment before expiration of such 60 days. [Adopted June 13, 1967; Amended March 27, 
8101969; June 12, 1995; Feb. 12, 2009.] 
811Joint Conventions.
81224. The President of the Senate shall preside in Conventions of the 2 branches, and such 
813Conventions shall be held in the Representatives’ Chamber; the Senate Clerk and 
814Parliamentarian shall be the Clerk of the Convention, and a record of the proceedings of the 
815Convention shall be entered at large on the journals of both branches. [Amended Feb. 20, 2007.]
81625. When an agreement has been made by the 2 branches to go into Convention, such agreement 
817shall not be altered or annulled, except by concurrent vote, excepting that it shall be in order to 
818recess the convention from time to time upon a majority vote of said convention. [Amended Jan. 
8197, 1971 .] 
82026. No business shall be entered on, in Convention, other than that which may be agreed on 
821before the Convention is formed.  39 of 62
822Special Sessions.
82326A. If written statements of 21 members of the Senate and 81 members of the House of 
824Representatives, that in their opinion it is necessary that the General Court assemble in special 
825session on a particular date and time specified in their statements during a recess of the General 
826Court, are filed with their respective Clerks, such Clerks shall forthwith notify all the members 
827of their respective branches to assemble at the State House in Boston, on said date at the time so 
828specified. When so assembled, the first business to be taken up shall be the question of the 
829necessity of so assembling, under Article I of Section I of Chapter I of Part the Second of the 
830Constitution of the Commonwealth. If 21 members of the Senate and 81 members of the House 
831of Representatives judge by vote taken by call of the yeas and nays that such assembling of the 
832General Court is necessary, specifying in such vote the facts constituting such necessity, the 
833General Court shall then complete its organization as a special session, proceed to the 
834consideration of the suspension of Joint Rule 12A which if suspended by the required two-thirds 
835of the members of both branches shall permit the General Court to proceed to the consideration 
836of matters properly before it. Nothing in this rule shall prevent the General Court from 
837assembling in any other constitutional manner when it judges necessary. [Adopted Aug. 7, 1939. 
838Amended March 2, 1943; March 27, 19 69; May 5, 1979; July 17, 2003; July 21 and September 
83920, 2005.] 
840Joint Elections.
84127. In all elections by joint ballot a time shall be assigned for such election at least 1 day 
842previous to such election.  40 of 62
84327A. In all cases of elections by ballot a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary for a 
844choice, and where there shall be no such a majority on the first ballot the ballots shall be repeated 
845until a majority is obtained; and in balloting, blanks shall be rejected and not taken into the count 
846in the enumeration of votes, excepting that when the number of blanks shall be more than the 
847number of votes received by the candidate having the highest number of votes, then the election 
848shall be declared void and the balloting shall be repeated as provided herein. [Adopted March 27, 
8491969 .] 
85028. [Omitted March 28, 1972 .] 
851References to the Committees on Rules.
85229. All motions and orders authorizing joint committees to travel or to employ stenographers, or 
853authorizing joint committees or special commissions composed as a whole or in part of members 
854of the General Court to make investigations or to file special reports, all propositions reported by 
855joint committees which authorize investigations or special reports by joint committees or by 
856special commissions composed as a whole or in part of members of the General Court, all 
857motions or orders proposed for joint adoption which provide that information be transmitted to 
858the General Court, and all matters referred under the second paragraph of Joint Rule 12, shall be 
859referred without debate to the committees on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently, who 
860shall report on the matter, under Joint Rule 10. All matters which have been referred under this 
861rule shall, in each instance, be reported back into the branch making such reference. [Adopted 
862Jan. 10, 1898. Amended Jan. 20, 1904; Jan. 28, 1913; Feb. 19 and Dec. 22, 1920; April 11, 1935; 
863April 22, 1937; Jan. 27, 1955; Jan. 30, 1967; Oct. 18, 1971.] 41 of 62
86429A. Meetings of any special commission, special legislative commission, task force or other 
865group authorized or required by a statute, resolve, rule, or order to make or conduct an 
866investigation or study of any issue shall be conducted openly and transparently. Meetings of any 
867special commission, special legislative commission, task force or other group authorized or 
868required by a statute, resolve, rule, or order to make or conduct an investigation or study of any 
869issue and which are chaired by members of the general court shall be posted and conducted 
870pursuant to the rules of the senate and house of representatives and shall be conducted according 
871to the following requirements:
872a.)Meetings shall be open to the public;
873b.)Meetings shall be announced by appropriate notice at least 72 hours in advance; 
874c.)Any documents used in a meeting be provided to the public upon request in a manner to 
875be determined by the chair;
876d.)Public testimony shall be accepted in a manner to be determined by the chair; 
877e.)The chair shall maintain a summary of the subjects discussed at each meeting, a list of 
878documents and other exhibits used at the meetings, and shall maintain a record of proceedings, 
879including a record of all votes. For the purposes of this rule a video or audio recording made 
880available to the public shall be considered an adequate record of the proceedings. [Adopted, Feb. 
88115, 2017; Amended Mar. 7, 2019.]
88230. Omitted.
883Members. 42 of 62
88431. A member of either branch who directly or indirectly solicits for such member or others any 
885position or office within the gift or control of a railroad corporation, street railway company, gas 
886or electric light company, telegraph or telephone company, aqueduct or water company, or other 
887public service corporation, shall be subject to suspension for such solicitation, or to such other 
888penalty as the branch of which the person is a member may see fit to impose. [See G. L. 271, sec. 
88940.] [Adopted May 22, 1902.] 
890Accommodations for Reporters.
89132. Subject to the approval and direction of the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting 
892concurrently, during the session, and of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House 
893of Representatives after prorogation, the use of the rooms and facilities assigned to reporters in 
894the State House shall be under the control of the organizations of legislative reporters known as 
895the Massachusetts State House Press Association and 	the State House Broadcasters Association. 
896No person shall be permitted to use such rooms or facilities who is not entitled to the privileges 
897of the reporters’ galleries of the Senate or of the House. Within 10 days after the General Court 
898convenes the Massachusetts State House Press Association and the State House Broadcasters 
899Association shall each transmit to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 
900Representatives and the Sergeant-at-Arms a list of the legislative reporters with the principal 
901publication or news service which each represents. [Adopted Jan. 27, 1911. Amended Feb. 24, 
9021914; Feb. 19, 1920; April 17, 1925; May 23, 1979; Feb. 12, 2009.] 
903Suspension of Rules.
90433. Any joint rule except Rule 10, 12A and Rule 30 may be altered, suspended or rescinded by a 
905concurrent vote of two-thirds of the members of each branch present and voting thereon.  43 of 62
906[Amended Feb. 7, 1893. Adopted in revised form Jan. 9, 1899. Amended Jan. 16, 1903; Jan. 26, 
9072005.] 
908Audit of Accounts.
90934. (a) The committees on 	Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, shall, upon receipt of 
910the recommendation of the state auditor pursuant to subsection (b), provide that an outside, 
911independent financial audit of joint financial accounts be conducted for each fiscal year upon 
912receipt of the fiscal year end appropriation activity with balance report from the comptroller of 
913the Commonwealth. The outside, independent financial audit shall be conducted in accordance 
914with the standards for audits of governmental organizations, programs, activities and functions, 
915commonly referred to as the “Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS)” 
916or “Yellow Book,” published by the Comptroller General of the United States. The committees 
917shall provide the independent auditor with requested financial documents for such financial 
918audit. A copy of the completed outside, independent financial audit shall be filed with the Clerks 
919of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the state auditor, and shall be posted on the 
920official website of the General Court. 
921(b) The committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, and with the assistance of 
922the House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate, shall annually 
923request that the state auditor recommend a private, independent auditing firm to conduct the 
924independent financial audit of joint financial accounts required by subsection (a). The state 
925auditor shall, within 30 days of the committees’ request, recommend to the committees a private, 
926independent auditing firm from the list of private, independent auditing firms on the appropriate 
927statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division. The committees  44 of 62
928shall cause a contract to be executed with the private, independent auditing firm recommended 
929by the state auditor pursuant to a statewide procurement contract established by the operational 
930services division. If the state auditor fails to recommend a private, independent auditing firm to 
931serve as the independent auditor of joint financial accounts within 30 days of receiving a request 
932from the committees, then the committees shall retain a private, independent auditing firm from 
933the appropriate statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division.
934(c) The provisions of this rule shall apply to fiscal years beginning on July 1, 2025.
935[Adopted May 30, 1985.] 
93635. The committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, shall conduct a 
937comprehensive review of the joint rules adopted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 
938for the 194th General Court. The committees may conduct public hearings and solicit public 
939testimony from interested parties. The committees shall submit a report to both branches at the 
940conclusion of their review by no later than December 31, 2026. 
941[Adopted June 12, 1995.]
942Procurement.
94336. (a) The House Business Manager and Chief Financial Officer of the Senate shall complete 
944the procurement of all goods and services from the joint legislative accounts. Procurements for 
945goods or services shall be made pursuant to a statewide procurement contract established by the 
946operational services division, to the extent practicable, as determined by the House Business 
947Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate. If the Business Manager and the Chief 
948Financial Officer determine that a procurement cannot be made using a statewide procurement  45 of 62
949contract established by the operational services division, they may procure the required goods or 
950services under subsections (b), (c) or (d).
951(b) Procurement of a supply or service from a vendor not on a statewide procurement contract 
952valued at less than $10,000 shall be made at the discretion of the House Business Manager and 
953the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate.
954(c) If the House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate seek to procure 
955a supply or service from a vendor not on a statewide procurement contract valued at $10,000 or 
956more, but less than $100,000, they shall seek written or oral quotations from not fewer than 3 
957persons customarily providing such supply or service. The House Business Manager and the 
958Chief Financial Officer of the Senate shall record the names and addresses of all persons from 
959whom quotations were sought, the names and addresses of all persons submitting quotations and 
960the date and amount of each quotation. The House Business Manager and the Chief Financial 
961Officer of the Senate shall 	transmit said records to House and Senate Counsel for review with a 
962recommendation as to what quotation offers the needed quality of supply or service at the best 
963value for the General Court. Upon completion of the review by the House and Senate Counsels, 
964the House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate shall award the 
965contract to the responsible person whose quotation offers the needed quality of supply or service 
966and which represents the best value for the General Court.
967(d) If the House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate seek to procure 
968a supply or service from a vendor not on a statewide procurement contract valued at $100,000 or 
969more, the House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate shall seek 
970proposals through a competitive bid process, which shall be established by the House and Senate  46 of 62
971Counsel; provided, however, that House and Senate Counsel shall file the competitive bid 
972process with the Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Senate no later than March 31st of the 
973first year of the session.
974(e) The House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate shall maintain a 
975file on each procurement not executed using a statewide procurement contract established by the 
976operational services division and in excess of $10,000 and shall include in such file all 
977documents constituting the agreement for goods and services and all documents required by 
978subsection (c) or (d). The files maintained shall be available for inspection by members of the 
979General Court during regular business hours unless the information is otherwise protected by 
980state or federal law.
981(f) Whenever the time required to comply with a requirement of this rule would endanger the 
982health, safety or convenience of the members, staff or visitors to the House of Representatives or 
983Senate the House Business Manager and the Senate Chief Financial Officer may make an 
984emergency procurement without satisfying the requirement of this rules; provided, however, that 
985both the House Business Manager and the Senate Chief Financial Officer certify in writing that: 
986(i) an emergency exists and explain the nature thereof; (ii) the emergency procurement is limited 
987to only supplies or services necessary to meet the emergency; (iii) shall conform to the 
988requirements of rule to the extent practicable under the circumstances; (iv) each contractor’s 
989name, (v) the amount and the type of each contract; (vi) the supplies or services provided under 
990each contract; (vii) and basis for determining the need for an emergency procurement.  47 of 62
991(g) Notwithstanding subsection (a) and (d), all procurements for legal consulting services and 
992legal resources shall be handled exclusively by House and Senate Counsel in compliance with 
993the provisions of this rule. 
994(h) If, in the determination of the House Business Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the 
995Senate, an emergency procurement of greater than $10,000 is necessary, the House Business 
996Manager and the Chief Financial Officer of the Senate may procure the goods or services 
997immediately and create and maintain a file explaining the nature of the emergency and the goods 
998or services that were procured as a result. The House Business Manager and the Chief Financial 
999Officer of the Senate shall 	document the goods or services that were procured, the process used 
1000to procure the goods or services, the vendors that were contacted and any other information 
1001relevant to the procurement, and make that information available to members of the General 
1002Court during regular business hours, unless the information is otherwise protected by state or 
1003federal law. [Adopted Mar. 14, 2013; Amended Feb. 15, 2017; Mar. 7, 2019].
1004INDEX TO JOINT RULES
1005OF THE TWO BRANCHES
1006[The figures refer to the numbers of rules.]
1007Accounts, audit, 34.
1008AMENDMENTS:
1009 of rules, vote required, 10, 12, 30, 33.
1010 to Constitution, procedure, 23. 48 of 62
1011 to engrossed Bills, 22.
1012BILLS AND RESOLVES:
1013 after passage to be engrossed, to be in charge of Clerks, etc., 17.
1014 carry over, first to second session, 12B.
1015 committee bills, 3A.
1016 containing emergency preambles, procedure, 22.
1017 enacted, to be laid before the Governor by Clerk of the Senate, 20.
1018 for special legislation, not to be reported if object is attainable by general or existing 
1019laws, 7.
1020 how to be written, 6.
1021 how printed, etc., 21.
1022 may be reported to either branch except, etc., 4.
1023 money, to be reported to the House, 4.
1024 recommittal of, 5.
1025 specially affecting rights of individuals or corporations, not to be reported except on 
1026petition, etc., 8.
1027Bills in the Third Reading, committee on.
1028 may make non-substantive changes after bill engrossed in both branches, 22A. 49 of 62
1029 to approve reports of conference committees, 11.
1030Blank ballots not to be counted in elections, etc., 27A.
1031Cities, petitions affecting, 7B, 12.
1032CLERKS:
1033 papers deposited late with, disposition, 12.
1034 papers on passage between the two branches to be under signature of, except, etc., 16.
1035 papers to be deposited with, and referred to committees, 13
1036 Senate Clerk shall be Clerk of joint Convention, 24.
1037 Senate Clerk shall lay enacted bills, etc., before Governor, 20.
1038 shall endorse amendments or reports of committees, 15.
1039 shall endorse where bill or resolve originated, 19.
1040 shall have charge of bills, etc., after passage to be engrossed, etc., 17.
1041 to certify bills and resolves to rightly and truly prepared for final passage, 17.
1042 to notify members to assemble for special sessions, 26A.
1043 to place unreported matters in the Orders of the Day when time for reporting expires, 10.
1044 to submit certain petitions to State Secretary, 9.
1045COMMITTEES: 50 of 62
1046 bills specially affecting individuals or corporations not to be reported when notice, etc., 8.
1047 bills reported by joint, how to be written, 6.
1048 Cannabis Policy committee, 1.
1049
1050 Cellular telephones, etc., prohibit, 1D.
1051 decorum, chairs of each committee preserve, 1D. 
1052	fiscal notes, 4A.
1053 Export Development committee, 1.
1054 form of reports, 10A.
1055 if report is amended in either branch, to be endorsed by Clerk, 15.
1056 Health Care Financing
1057 deadline for reporting, 10.
1058 reports not to be read prior to reference to, 1E.
1059 limit of time for reports, etc., 10, 30.
1060 limit number of bills to be heard, 1D.
1061 members of Legislature not to act as counsel before, 2.
1062 motions and orders extending time within which, may report, to be referred to 
1063committees on Rules, 30. 51 of 62
1064 not to sit during recess of General Court unless authorized by the two branches, 3.
1065 notice of hearings, 1D.
1066 of conference, 1A, 11, 11A, 11B.
1067 on Rules to regulate distribution of documents, 21.
1068 open meetings, 1A, 1D.
1069 orders authorizing joint, to travel or employ stenographers, to be referred to committees 
1070on Rules, 29.
1071 executive sessions, 1D,
1072 oversight activities and Internet posting, 1.
1073 posters, etc. prohibit, 1D.
1074 proposals for amendments to the Constitution, reports of, on, 23.
1075 public hearings, 1B.
1076 public testimony, physical address and e-mail, 1D.
1077 recording of meetings of, 1D.
1078 report of, without being founded upon petition, 3A.
1079 reports of, recommittal of, 5.
1080 reports of, 4, 10. 52 of 62
1081 reports of, subsequently referred to a joint committee (except for Health Care Financing), 
1082to be reported to branch in which original report was made, 4.
1083 reports of, may be made to either branch, except, etc., 4.
1084 roll call votes, 4.
1085 rules of procedure and Internet posting, 1.
1086 schedule of hearings, 1C, 1D.
1087 special legislation to be reported against, if purpose can be secured by general or existing 
1088law, 7.
1089 standing, appointment, number of members, etc., 1.
1090 Summaries of bills, etc., prior to executive sessions, 1D.
1091 testimony before, physical addresses and e-mail, 1D.
1092 to report money bills to House, 4.
1093 to report adversely on petitions not advertised according to law, etc., 9.
1094 travel of, 3.
1095 visual aides, posters, etc., prohibit, 1D.
1096 written statement of intent, 13.
1097CONFERENCE, COMMITTEES OF, 1A, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E.
1098 addendum procedures, 11E. 53 of 62
1099 appropriation bills, 11A.
1100 availability, etc., 11B.
1101 committee on Bills in the Third Reading approval, etc., 11.
1102 conference to consist of 3 members, 11.
1103 errata procedures, 11E.
1104 internet posting, 11D.
1105 may be accepted or rejected, 11.
1106 minority party members, 11.
1107 open to the public, except, 1A.
1108 shall be made to the branch in which the matter was introduced, 4.
1109 summary to be filed with the clerk, 11C. 
1110
1111Constitution, amendments to, procedure relative to, 23.
1112CONVENTIONS OF BOTH BRANCHES:
1113 agreement to go into Convention shall not be altered except by concurrent vote, 25.
1114 Clerk of Senate to be Clerk; record to be made in journals of both branches, 24.
1115 held in Representatives' Chamber, 24. 54 of 62
1116 no business to be transacted except that before agreed upon, 26.
1117 President of Senate shall preside, 24.
1118Corporations, legislation affecting, 8, 9.
1119Counsel, no member shall act as, before committees, 2.
1120Counsels to Senate and House, 1.
1121Counties, certain petitions to require approval of county commissioners, 7A, 7B.
1122Documents, distribution, printing and publishing, etc., 21.
1123Elections by joint ballot, to be assigned one day previous, 27.
1124 blank ballots not to be counted, etc., 27A.
1125Emergency laws, 16, 17, 22.
1126Employee handbook, 1.
1127Engrossed bills
1128 amendments to, 22.
1129 in charge of Clerks; to be prepared for final passage and certified by Clerks, 17.
1130Evidence, printing of extended reports, 21.
1131Executive reorganization plans, 23A.
1132Fiscal notes, 4A. 55 of 62
1133General law to be preferred to special legislation, 7.
1134GOVERNOR:
1135 executive reorganization plans, 23A.
1136 may submit recommendations during special sessions, 12.
1137 papers requiring approval of, to be submitted to, by Clerk of the Senate, 20.
1138 recommendations of, for amendments to the Constitution, 23.
1139Home rule legislation, 7B, 12.
1140Human Resources offices, Senate and House, employee handbook, 1.
1141Individuals, legislation affecting, 8.
1142Information, motions and orders for joint adoption providing that, be transmitted to the General 
1143Court, 29.
1144Intent statement, petitioners and committees. 13.
1145Internet, posting of certain information on, 1.
1146Investigations, propositions involving special, to be referred to committees on Rules, acting 
1147concurrently, 29.
1148Joint conventions and joint sessions of the two houses, 23-26.
1149Joint petitions, 6A.
1150JOURNALS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 56 of 62
1151 papers deposited to be entered in, 13.
1152 proceedings of joint conventions to be recorded in, 24.
1153 record of date bills laid before Governor, 20.
1154LEGISLATION:
1155 affecting rights of individuals or corporations, must be introduced by petition, 8.
1156 intent statements, petitioners, 13.
1157 subjects of, to be deposited with Clerks, 12, 13.
1158 Legislative accounts, audits, 34.
1159 Legislative sessions, limit, 12A.
1160LIMITS OF TIME:
1161 for filing statements calling for special sessions during recess, 26A.
1162 for holding of joint session for consideration of Amendments to the Constitution, 23.
1163 for introduction of new business, 12.
1164 for legislative sessions, first and second year of General Court, 12A.
1165 for reports, 10, 30.
1166 for transmission of list of legislative reporters, 32.
1167LOCAL APPROVAL 57 of 62
1168 compliance subsequent to filing, 7B.
1169 substantive amendments to filed with House and Senate counsels, 7D.
1170 valid until end of next biennial session, 7C.
1171MEMBERS:
1172 majority may assemble in special session, 26A.
1173 not to act as counsel before committees, 2.
1174 not to purchase stock or other securities of corporations or associations when legislation 
1175affecting such corporations or associations is pending, 2A.
1176 not to solicit employment for themselves or others, 31.
1177 written statement of intent of legislation, 13.
1178Memorials contemplating legislation deposited with Clerks late, disposition, 12.
1179Messages between the two branches, 16.
1180Motions, certain, to be referred to the committee on Rules, 29, 30.
1181New business, limit of time allowed for, 12.
1182Notice of legislation specially affecting the rights of individuals or corporation to be given, 8.
1183Orders, certain, to be referred to the committees on Rules, 29, 30.
1184Orders of the Day, unreported matters to be placed in, by Clerks, 10.
1185PAPERS: 58 of 62
1186 certain, to be printed in advance, 13.
1187 on passage between the two branches to be under Clerks' signatures, except, etc., 16.
1188 reading may be dispensed with, 13.
1189 requiring approval of Governor to be laid before him by Clerk of the Senate, 20.
1190 to be deposited with Clerks, etc., 13.
1191 written statements of intent, 13.
1192PETITIONS.
1193 adverse reports on, to be made to branch in which introduced, 4.
1194 deposited with Clerks subsequently to last hour for filing, to be referred to the 
1195committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, 12.
1196 for amendments to Constitution, 23.
1197 for legislation affecting a particular city or town, 7B, 12.
1198 for the establishment or revival, or for the amendment, alteration or extension of the 
1199charter or corporate powers or privileges, or for the change of name, of any corporation (except a 
1200public service corporation) to be transmitted to State Secretary, etc., 9.
1201 for the incorporation of a city or town, for the annexation, consolidation or division of 
1202municipalities, for the incorporation, revival, amendment of corporate powers or change of name 
1203of public service corporations, for authority to take water for water supply, or relative to building 
1204structures in or over navigable or tide waters, to be placed on file, unless, etc., 9. 59 of 62
1205 intent statements, 13.
1206 that a county be authorized to retire or pension or grant an annuity, or to pay any accrued 
1207salary or claim for damages, or to alter any county or municipal retirement law, or to reinstate 
1208former employees, to be reported adversely, unless, etc., 7A.
1209 to be admitted during special sessions, 26A.
1210 to be deposited with Clerks and referred to committees, 13.
1211Placed on file, 10A, 12.
1212Preambles, emergency, vote on, 22.
1213Procurement contracts , 36.
1214PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:
1215 approval of facilities used by legislative reporters, 32.
1216 to approve references to committees, 13.
1217 to preside in joint session, 24.
1218Printing, how ordered, provided, etc., 13, 21.
1219Public service corporations, penalty for members soliciting position within control of, 31.
1220Publishing of documents, how ordered, provided, etc., 21.
1221Reading of papers, may be dispensed, 13.
1222Recess committees, 3. 60 of 62
1223Recommitment of reports, bills and resolves, 5.
1224Reporters, use of rooms and facilities assigned to, to be under control of State House Press 
1225Association, etc., 32.
1226Reports made to Legislature not to be referred to the committees on Rules of the two branches, 
1227acting concurrently, under the rule, 12.
1228 number to be published, 21.
1229Reports of committees. See Committees.
1230 form of, 10A.
1231Recision of rules, vote required, 10, 12, 30, 33.
1232Resolutions, certain, deposited with Clerks late, disposition, 12.
1233Resolves: See Bills and Resolves.
1234RULES, COMMITTEE ON:
1235 authority to prescribe manner and form of keeping dockets of legislative counsel and 
1236agents, 14.
1237 certain motions and orders to be referred to, 29, 30.
1238 formal sessions, establish schedule, 1.
1239 limit of time for reports, 10, 30.
1240 may make regulations for distribution of documents, 21. 61 of 62
1241 may suggest measures to facilitate business, 1.
1242 recommend rules changes, every four years, 35.
1243 rooms and facilities assigned to reporters subject to approval of, 32.
1244SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH:
1245 legislation affecting corporations, 9.
1246SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
1247 duties relative to travel of committees, 3.
1248 to receive list of legislative reporters, 32.
1249SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
1250 approval of facilities used by legislative reporters, 32.
1251 to approve references to committees, 13.
1252Special commissions or task forces, transparency, etc., 29A.
1253SPECIAL LEGISLATION:
1254affecting individuals or corporations, must be based on petition, 8.
1255 affecting particular cities and towns, 7B, 12.
1256 not to be granted if object is attainable under general or existing laws, 7.
1257SPECIAL SESSIONS: 62 of 62
1258 matters to be considered at, 12.
1259 method of assembling, 26A.
1260Standing committees, appointment and number, 1.
1261State House Press Association, legislative reporters, 32.
1262Stenographers, motions or orders authorizing committees to employ, to be referred to committees 
1263on Rules, 29.
1264Suspension of rules, vote required, 10, 12, 30, 33.
1265Task forces and commissions, transparency, etc., 29A.
1266Towns, petitions affecting, 7B, 12.
1267Travel and traveling expenses of committees, 3, 29.
1268Ways and Means, committee on, matters referred to either may be