HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2642        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul McMurtry and David F. DeCoste

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to preserving the ancient privileges of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2642        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4097 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to preserving the ancient privileges of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 33 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 4, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:

Section 4. Organization, composition. The active or organized militia shall be composed of volunteers, and shall comprise the aides-de-camp of the commander-in-chief, the state staff, the armed forces of the commonwealth, as defined in section 10, the National Lancers, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, and the retired list. The organized militia shall constitute the military division of the executive branch of the Commonwealth.

SECTION 2. Chapter 33 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following section:

Section 4C. Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts shall retain its ancient privileges as an organized military company, as prescribed by the act of congress known as the National Defense Act, subject, nevertheless, to all duties required by the law of militia. The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company shall be organized as the commander-in-chief directs and retain its name and the right to wear distinctive uniforms as may be approved from time to time by the commander-in-chief. It shall retain its constitution and by-laws, including its methods of selecting its officers and conducting its internal affairs, in so far as these are consistent with the laws of the commonwealth and the laws of the United States, and shall serve as a ceremonial honor guard for the commander-in-chief at state functions and otherwise as directed by the commander-in-chief.

SECTION 3. Chapter 33 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 132, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition.