By Bob Katzen
Senate 5-33, rejected an amendment that would reduce from 50 to 30 the maximum number of bills that can be considered at a hearing on bills by a committee.
“Reducing the maximum number of bills heard in a joint committee hearing from 50 to 30 allows for more focused and meaningful discussion,” said Sen. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton). “With fewer bills being considered, legislators and more importantly, the public have more time to engage with the issues at hand and ensure that everyone, especially those who travel far to testify, receives a fair opportunity to participate and be heard.”
“The amendment proffered a solution looking for a problem,” said Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, I presided over a hearing on plastics and waste management last session that considered a number of closely related bills which would have been split up under the proposed amendment. The current ceiling [50] for bills to be heard at a committee hearing is reasonable, both substantively and procedurally and promotes legislative efficiency.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment decreasing the number of bills from 50 to 30. A “No” vote is against the decrease.)
Sen. Patricia Jehlen No