SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1263        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)

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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 resolve:

Resolve regarding revitalizing the right of free petition.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1263        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2022 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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Resolve regarding revitalizing the right of free petition.

Resolved, 1.) A Resolution regarding informing the population of Massachusetts about the use of the Right Of Free Petition; the use of Bills, Resolves, Resolutions, and Proposals for Constitutional Amendments.

2.) It being the proper business of the persons of Massachusetts, to be able to intersect with their government, therefore The Right Of Free Petition, should be revitalized, by a series of steps considered by The Great And General Court, and its two legislative chambers.

3.) This legislation requests and describes creation of a Special Committee and/or Commission of members of the House, and Senate, to consider how to publicize, educate, and disseminate information to the general population of Massachusetts, regarding the availability, and processes for filing proposed legislative actions under the Right Of Free Petition: Bills, Resolves, Resolutions, and Proposals for Constitutional Amendments.

4.) The Special Committee and/or Commission shall hold, well-publicized hearings, at both the State House, and in at least four other geographically disparate areas of The Commonwealth, to collect public comment regarding actions to be taken.

5.) A suitable generally available publication shall be created, and disseminated by the Secretary of The Commonwealth, to provide general information as to how this right can be readily exercised. – It is the intent of this measure, that more individuals may bring forward, ideas, thoughts, and useful mechanisms, for the benefit of government, and our society.

6.) This body shall be a membership appointed by the Speaker Of The House, President Of The Senate, and shall have representation of all legally recognized, ballot status, political parties, including Unenrolled (non-party, ‘Independents’) from each body. Membership shall be appointed within three (3) months of passage.

7.) This body shall have a lifespan of eighteen (18) months from the appointment of its members.