By Bob Katzen

The House 128-23, approved a set of House rules under which the House will operate in 2025-2026.

Provisions include requiring, to the extent practicable, summaries provided by committee chairs of bills to be posted online before the House takes them up for a vote; prohibiting committee members from participating in a hearing remotely and requiring that they be physically present at a hearing in order to participate; allowing the public to testify remotely at a hearing; and requiring how each individual member votes on polls conducted by the committees to be posted online.

Other provisions include requiring 72-hours-notice before a hearing can be held; requiring members to be physically present to cast their votes, unless the member has active reserve military duty, a serious health condition or limitations related to a member’s pregnancy, including pregnancy loss; and expanding a remote voting option for members for up to 20 weeks of parental leave.

“These critical reforms are representative of the House’s strong commitment to the pursuit of a more accessible and efficient Legislature that is responsive to the concerns of our constituents,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “We remain focused on the all-important responsibility of bettering the General Court as an institution, a goal that I know so many of my colleagues are committed to.”

“Recognizing that there are ways we can make the legislative process more efficient, I am proud of this rules package,” said Rep. Bill Galvin (D-Canton), Chair of the Temporary House committee on House Rules. “The reforms … to govern both branches will help streamline legislative work in the current session, as well as provide the public with a greater understanding of where bills stand in the process.”

“The House Republican Caucus offered a series of rules reforms to shed more light on the legislative process and the inner workings of the House, including a proposal to honor the will of the voters by allowing the state Auditor to conduct the annual financial audit of the House, but these ideas were summarily rejected by our Democratic colleagues,” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “The new House rules package includes some welcome reforms, but it still falls far short of achieving the full transparency needed to restore the public’s confidence in state government, which is why I voted against it.”

“I voted against the House rules package because it fell short of delivering the transparency and accountability the public deserves,” said Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). “The process should allow for more meaningful debate and input, ensuring all voices are heard rather than consolidating power among a few.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the new House rules. A “No” vote is against them.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes