William F. Welch
Senate ClerkSenate Legislative Deadlines & Significant Dates
2017-2018 Session Legislative Deadlines
AND Significant Dates
First Annual Session
JANUARY 4, 2017
— 1st Wednesday in January of Each Year —
House and Senate convene.
JANUARY 20, 2017
— 3rd Friday in January of 1st Annual Session —
Deadline for Submitting Petitions (5:00 p.m.).
By January 25, 2017
— Within 3 Weeks of Convening of the General Court —
Governor submits General Appropriation Bill
(except 1st year of a term of a new Governor — within 8 weeks).
By March 24, 2017
4 Weeks after Appointment of Committees in 1st Annual Session
Deadline for Submitting Committee Rules.
APRIL 26, 2017
— Last Wednesday in April —
Last day to report on Proposals for Amendments
to the Constitution.
(Note: In the 2nd year, reports may be made only on measures
referred subsequent to
Last Wednesday in April of 1st Annual Session).
MAY 10, 2017
— 2nd Wednesday in May of Each Year —
Last day to call up a Proposal for an Amendment
to the Constitution and
Last day for the convening of the Joint Session to
consider Amendments to the Constitution.
MAY 10, 2017
— 2nd Wednesday in May —
Last day for the House committee on Ways and Means
to report the General Appropriation Bill.
NOVEMBER 15, 2017
— 3rd Wednesday of November —
in First Annual Session
Last day for Formal Sessions.
JANUARY 2, 2018
Tuesday preceding the
— 1st Wednesday in January of 2nd year —
Last day of Session of the 1st Annual Session.
Second Annual Session (2018)
JANUARY 3, 2018
— 1st Wednesday in January of Each Year —
House and Senate convene.
JANUARY 24, 2018
— Within 3 weeks of convening of the General Court —
Governor submits General Appropriation Bill.
February 7, 2018
— 1st Wednesday in February in 2nd Annual Session —
Joint Rule 10 deadline.
Last day for reports to be made from joint committees
[except Health Care Financing]
[except Health Care Financing]
(on matters referred to them before the first day
of the second annual session).
March 28, 2018
— Joint Rule 10 Day for committee on Health Care Financing —
APRIL 25, 2018
— Last Wednesday in April of Each Session —
Last day to report on Proposals for Amendments
to the Constitution.
(Note: In the 2nd year, reports may be made only on measures
referred to committees subsequent to
Last Wednesday in April of 1st Annual Session).
MAY 1, 2018
— Tuesday preceding first Wednesday in May —
Last day to enact Initiative Petitions for changes in Laws.
MAY 9, 2018
— 2nd Wednesday in May of Each Year —
Last day to call up a late filed Proposal for an
Amendment to the Constitution.
MAY 9, 2018
— 2nd Wednesday in May —
Last day for the House committee on Ways and Means
to report the General Appropriation Bill.
Tuesday,
JULY 31, 2018
— Last day of July of the 2nd Annual Session —
Last day for Formal Sessions.
NOVEMBER 7, 2018
— 1st Wednesday in November —
Agency Filings Due by 5:00 P.M. for
consideration in the 191st General Court.
consideration in the 191st General Court.
Tuesday,
JANUARY 1, 2019
Tuesday preceding the
convening of a new General Court
— on the 1st Wednesday in January of the 3rd year —
Last day of Session of the 2nd Annual Session.