Bill S.2101

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 893 FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2101

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael O. Moore

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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 joint committee operations.

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PETITION OF:

Name:	District/Address:
Michael O. Moore	Second Worcester

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 893 FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2101

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2101) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to require that joint committee rules of procedure be adopted within 4 weeks of the appointment of the joint standing committees. Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.

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 joint committee operations.

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

Chapter 3 of the general laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 38C the following section:-

Section 38D.

Within 4 weeks of the appointment of joint standing committees in the first annual session of the General Court, each joint standing committee shall adopt rules of procedure regarding its conduct. Adoption and amendment of said rules shall require the joint agreement of the house and senate chairs of said joint committee. Said rules of procedure, together with any amendments, shall be filed with the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House and shall be available to the public and members of the General Court on the official website for the General Court.

A joint committee shall only initiate a poll of joint committee members upon joint agreement of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee.

Joint committees shall report all matters back to the branch of origin, unless otherwise specifically agreed to by joint agreement of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee.