SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2873

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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by striking out the text in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following text:-

Ordered, Whereas, on March 10, 2020, pursuant to executive order No. 591, the governor declared a state of emergency in the commonwealth to respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and such a state of emergency continues to exist in the commonwealth; and

Whereas, Joint Rule 12A requires that all formal business of the second annual session be concluded not later than the last day of July 2020; and

Whereas, it is critical for the senate and house of representatives to continue convening in formal session to respond to, and mitigate the spread of, COVID-19 to protect the health, security, safety, economic well-being and convenience of the people of the commonwealth; now therefore be it

Ordered, That, the senate and house of representatives declare that a state of emergency exists within the General Court; and be it further

Ordered, That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 12A, the formal business of the second annual session may continue after the last day of July 2020.