By Bob Katzen
The Senate 39-0, adopted and sent to the House for consideration joint House-Senate rules for the 2025-2026 session.
Provisions include increasing the time for notifying the public about joint committee hearings from 72 hours to five days; requiring that all first meetings of a conference committee be open to the public and media; requiring at least one full day between a conference committee report filing and a legislative vote on the report; requiring sponsors of all bills to submit bill summaries which must be made publicly available alongside the bill text; changing the name of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to the Committee on Climate, Utilities and Energy; the Committee on Elder Affairs to the Committee on Aging and Independence; and the Committee on Agriculture to the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries.
“These changes would provide more opportunity to residents to participate in the Legislature’s work, encourage greater insight into bills being considered by the Legislature and provide more transparency on legislators’ positions on issues that impact Massachusetts residents,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland).
“This comprehensive rule proposal was a collaborative effort that makes the work we do here in the Senate more transparent, more efficient and respectful to the needs of members and residents,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. “We are proud of the Senate’s work, and we want people to know what is going on in The People’s House. These measures take meaningful steps towards a more transparent Legislature and allow for more access to information by members of the public about our work, including easier participation.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the rules package.)
Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes