Video & Transcript : 'rules committee' :
Page 161 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 116 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the resolutions filed by Representative Day of Stoneham
- The Committee on Rules, to whom were referred the order filed by Representatives Day of Stoneham and
- The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representatives Moulton of Boston and
- The Committee on Rules and the Committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending
- Joint Rule 12 is suspended. Report of committee.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted a resolution congratulating Stoneham on its 300th anniversary and approved orders extending reporting deadlines for the Judiciary, Revenue, and Transportation committees. The House also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition on school bus safety to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition on dogs and kennels to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended several matters for consideration, including a Millbury town meeting validation bill, a sick leave bank for a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education employee, a commuter rail parking payment pilot program, and a study of extending the Orange Line. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered these items to a third reading. It then passed to enact a bill authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer.
The House also took up and passed to engrossment a bill permitting Revere to establish penalties and liens for noise ordinance violations. Finally, it adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026
Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, that relevant federal rule is Rule 702. Missouri adopted a new expert standard back in 2017.
- Now, the Federal Rules Committee, when they proposed these amendments to Federal Rule 702 in 2023, they
- These rules apply to me as well.
- The current rule matched what was then Rule 702 of the Federal Rule, okay?
- I'll just remind the committee.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 2255, sponsored by Rep. Barry Hovis, which would update Missouri’s expert witness statute to align with the amended federal Rule 702 and the Daubert reliability framework. Supporters, including defense lawyers, the Missouri Hospital Association, business groups, insurers, and a sterilization company, argued the bill would clarify judges’ gatekeeping role, require expert testimony to be shown reliable by a preponderance of the evidence, and reduce inconsistent rulings and costly retrials. Opponents, including the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, a public advocate, and a justice reform group, argued the bill was unnecessary, would shift too much discretion from juries to judges, and could increase pretrial litigation and costs, especially for plaintiffs. No vote was taken on HB 2255 during the hearing.
The committee then heard House Bill 3155, sponsored by Rep. Benny Cook, on sentencing and parole eligibility changes. Cook and supporters, including prosecutors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve transparency in sentencing, make parole timing clearer, and help address repeat serious offenders by setting firmer service percentages. Opponents, including justice reform and anti-poverty advocates, argued it would increase incarceration costs, especially for lower-level and drug offenses, without improving public safety, and would reduce incentives for rehabilitation. Some members questioned whether the bill could lead to longer time served, while supporters said it would apply evenly and clarify existing sentencing practices.
At the end of the hearing, the committee took up an executive session on House Bill 2637 and House Bill 3155 together under a House Committee Substitute. The substitute was adopted, and the combined committee substitute for HB 2637 and HB 3155 was voted do pass by an 8-3 roll call.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Feb 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- of procedure and rules of court to expedite the process than one committee in one year can handle.
- Most of our family law rules are found in the rules of court in the section under Rule 8.1, and they
- , which is Rule 3.2.
- , which is Rule 3.2.
- All right, anyone on the committee want to address the question of pursuing rules versus family court
Summary:
The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time.
The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation.
The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable.
On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Rule is suspended. Chair lays out on second reading committee substitute for Senate Bill 819.
- Rule is suspended. Chair lays out on second reading committee substitute for Senate Bill 819.
- And making the rule, the PUC, adopt rules...
- Rules are suspended. Chair lays out on second reading Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1405.
- The rule of expenditure lays out in secondary committee, committee substitute for Senate Bill 37.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks.
The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment.
The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Jun 12th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules will now go into session. We'll please call the roll.
- So the one thing is I want to thank you, the committee, for reviewing the proposed rule, Title I, CSR
- , now we are on to discussion on the committee on PDMP rule 1 CSR 60-1.010.
- Please call the rule. Okay, and we are voting on the motion to disapprove the rule.
- With no further business before the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, we are now adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We are going to continue with our rules.
- So today we will start with rule number 020601-2501, rules governing the production and distribution
- These rules address two key actions.
- We'll do that as a temporary rule and then a temporary rule to open it back up access with the restrictions
- We'll do that as a temporary rule and then a temporary rule to open it back up access with the restrictions
Committee:
Senate Agricultural Affairs
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 2, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:34.720><c> the</c><00:09:34.959><c> point</c> rules committee may not wave the point rules
- Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House. Pardon me. Mr.
- </c> committee on rules, I call up House. committee on rules, I call up House.
- We found an error in the rule at 2 a.m. this morning after the Rules Committee reported the rule.
- </c> billionaire tax cuts in the rules billionaire tax cuts in the rules committee<03:49:17.040><c> last
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Apr 1st, 2025 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Rules are suspended.
- The rule is suspended. The ruling is out on second reading. Senate Bill 533.
- The rule is suspended.
- Rules are suspended.
- Constitutional three-day rule. I move to suspend the three-day rule.
Summary:
The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 23rd, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- Of a rule, an agency rule. Like, give me an example of one.
- those rules.
- You have a committee substitute, so the chair offers the committee substitute.
- Thank you, committee. There was a committee substitute; my apology.
- You had a committee substitute, we withdraw the committee substitute.
Committee:
House Delivery of Government Efficiency
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Feb 5th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Rules, acting concurrently with the other branch, reports that several Senate petitions
- The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. The question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
- committees.
- Sal DiDomenico for the committee. The question comes on acceptance of the report of the Committee.
- Order that, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rule to the contrary, the Senate bill relative
Summary:
The Senate session opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial recognitions. Members welcomed the 2025 Duxbury Girls Soccer Team, the MIAA Division II state champions, and the Medfield Girls Soccer Team, the Division III state champions, with remarks highlighting their championship seasons, records, and coaches. The chamber also adopted a resolution congratulating Oxford Fire Chief Lawrence R. McDonald on 45 years of public service.
On the legislative side, the Senate adopted a House order establishing a special joint committee on initiative petitions. It then passed to be enacted a bill providing for the recall of elected officers in the town of Sharon. The Senate also took up and passed several local bills on third reading, including measures relating to Bridgewater’s town council, temporary absence and appointment powers of the town manager, the City of Cambridge Employment and Job Training Trust, and an amendment to the Natick Home Rule Charter, which was amended to conform to Senate Document No. 2953 before passage.
The chamber then acted on several Ways and Means reports and related orders. It concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563 on laws affecting individuals with disabilities, with a further amendment and emergency preamble, and ordered several bills to second reading with Ways and Means amendments pending, including measures on consumer protections and dishonored bill transactions, the pathway to become a certified public accountant, and fair housing practices. The Senate also ordered House No. 4908, establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee, to third reading. Finally, the Senate adopted orders to return the next meeting to Monday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned in memory of Jim Parker and Kimberly Parker after tributes honoring their public service and community involvement.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The following calendar rule for floor consideration the clerk will read the rule Rule for floor consideration
- SB 1 section 1 authority and effect this rule for floor consideration of SB 1 is proposed by the Committee
- The calendar rules.
- of HB 500 is proposed by the Committee on Calendars pursuant to rule three.
- HB 4411 by comments ruling the school district hearings regarding complaints before the committee on
Bills:
HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee, are there any questions? Do pass recommendation. Committee, are there any questions?
- Chairman, members of the committee. Okay, committee, we have one more rule before us. Mr.
- Page 169, Rule 259.03, the St.
- And with that, I'd respectfully ask the committee to approve this pending rule as final, and I stand
- Okay, committee.
Summary:
The committee first considered RS 33025, a concurrent resolution supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with the Idaho Department of Water Resources as part of broader executive-branch efficiency efforts. Senator Harris said the resolution explains the rationale and process for the proposed realignment, and noted a letter of support from commission leadership. Senator Guthrie asked how the estimated savings would be achieved. The committee voted to send the resolution to print.
The main policy item was Senate Bill 1222, a trailer bill to last year’s domestic well legislation. Senator Anthony said it clarifies the definition of subdivision for IDWR purposes, ties it to a five-lot threshold, and makes clear the new rules apply only to subdivisions initiated on or after July 1, 2025. Supporters, including Paul Arrington and other stakeholders, said the bill fixes unintended effects on existing or partially built subdivisions and preserves the original intent of the law, while still limiting future domestic-exempt well use. Bruce Smith testified in opposition to immediate action, urging the committee to table the bill and hear more from IDWR about implementation. After questions about domestic use, fire suppression, subdivision definitions, and irrigation impacts, the committee voted to send SB 1222 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee also heard gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board from Kenneth Long and Carl Ray. Both described their backgrounds in outfitting, guiding, outdoor recreation, and public service, and members asked about board responsibilities, geographic representation, and challenges facing the industry, including access and tag allocation. The committee then took up Docket No. 24-3501-2-250, a set of eight rule changes for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. John Price said the changes were part of zero-based regulation and were developed through public meetings and stakeholder input; they removed duplicative definitions, clarified overlap predator and tag designation rules, refined river boundary descriptions, and corrected a typo. The committee voted to adopt the docket.
At the end of the meeting, the committee hosted an American Falls FFA Ag Issues team presentation on the federal roadless rule rescission. The students presented arguments on both sides of the issue, focusing on forest health, wildfire risk, tribal concerns, recreation, and economic development. Senators praised the students’ preparation and leadership, but no committee action was taken on the presentation.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 79 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the following resolutions ought to be adopted: resolutions
- The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representative Gordon of Bedford and
- The Committee on Rules, acting concurrently with the Committee on Rules of the two branches, reports
- The Committee on Rules and the Committee's on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently, reports
- Joint Rule 12 is suspended. Report of committee.
Summary:
The House took up several committee reports and adopted a series of resolutions and procedural orders. It adopted resolutions honoring Yulanda Carrillo on her 102nd birthday and the Knights of Columbus Peabody Leo Council 508 on its 125th anniversary. The House also extended reporting deadlines for the Education Committee and the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee, and concurred with a Senate referral of a sick leave bank petition for Emily Kulik. Joint Rule 12 was suspended for additional petitions, including a sick leave bank for Aden Daniels and a petition to rescind prior calls for a federal constitutional convention.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a number of local bills for House consideration, including measures on Norfolk reserved capacity billing, Dalton town manager residency requirements, Lancaster’s animal control commission, Cambridge parking enforcement notices, Fairhaven’s charter, Malden’s charter, Ipswich’s charter, and a sick leave bank for John C. Murphy. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading.
The House then considered and adopted the emergency preamble for House No. 4364, authorizing easements to the town of Bourne. It also passed to engrossment two Department of Correction sick leave bank bills: House No. 4426 for Paul Stavisky and House No. 4427 for Fenneda Janow Patel. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m., and adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So I looked at these committees, and what I did was abolish certain committees.
- After I was asked to be the chair of the committee, I considered how best to lay out the rules and collect
- Where I disagree with you is we haven't passed the final rules. We're under temporary rules.
- So we're not under those rules.
- It would go from the standing committee, whether they voted or not, to the full committee.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This rule docket is simply the removal of rules governing A big mouthful there.
- More rules. Department of Commerce, grant program rules. Thank you.
- Rules, Department of Commerce, grant program rules. Good afternoon. How are you today?
- Book for pending rules.
- In closing, Chairman Holtzclan, members of the committee, this pending rule represents a housekeeping
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from Wednesday, February 11, by voice vote. It then heard House Bill 543 from Representative Ben Furman, which would update Percy Choice language to comply with the federal SECURE Act 2.0 by allowing after-tax Roth contributions in the 401(k)-type plan. The bill was described as a conformity update, and the committee moved it to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote.
Next, the Idaho Division of Veterans Services presented a pending rule docket removing obsolete rules related to domiciliary care, which the agency no longer provides. The administrator explained that assisted-living-type care is available elsewhere, but not through the division. The committee approved the rule docket by voice vote.
Finally, the Department of Commerce presented its grant program rules under the governor’s zero-based regulation initiative, describing the rewrite as non-substantive housekeeping to remove redundant or outdated language, align with statute, and clarify definitions and funding limits. Members asked about a change allowing the department to require matching funds, and staff explained that the language gives flexibility to reduce or waive match requirements in hardship or disaster situations, or potentially require more in some cases. The committee approved the docket by voice vote.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (10/22/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- "The department will write the rules. And the rules will be subject to JLCAR hearings.
- </c> It takes time to draft the rule itself. It takes time to draft the rule itself.
- </c> a particular law rule very difficult. a particular law rule very difficult.
- </c> rules. Correct. rules. Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct.
- </c> smart in the committee. Thank you. smart in the committee. Thank you.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee, do you have any questions? Awesome. Committee, do you have any questions? Mr. Chairman?
- Chairman, members of the committee. Okay, committee, we have one more rule before us. Mr.
- As a result, I stand before you to present eight pending rules which modify existing rules.
- Page 169, Rule 259.03, the St.
- And with that, I'd respectfully ask the committee to approve this pending rule as final, and I stand
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom were referred several Senate
- The rules are suspended, and the matters will be referred to their respective committees.
- The committee on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate order
- The committee on rules, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate order granting the committee
- Lovely for the committee. It's suspended rules first. What?
Summary:
The Senate took up several local and committee matters on third reading and passed them to be engrossed, including House 3916 authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer, House 4233 amending the Malden charter, and House 4401 concerning special revolving funds in Athol. The Malden and Athol bills were amended on the floor before passage, with substitute text inserted from Senate documents. The chamber also suspended rules and Joint Rule 12 as needed to handle committee reports and referred a House petition on condominium owners’ rights to the Judiciary Committee.
A substantial portion of the session focused on extension orders for committee reporting deadlines. The Senate adopted extension orders for the committees on election laws, cannabis, and revenue, after brief procedural discussion about suspending the rules to consider them forthwith. The Revenue Committee order was amended to remove two bills, leaving four bills in the extension order and setting the new deadline at March 6; the other extension orders set deadlines of January 30 for election laws and January 27 for cannabis. Senators discussed the importance of moving these matters forward efficiently, particularly those involving tax relief and cannabis policy.
The Senate also adopted an order for adjournment, setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 47 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The House agrees to Joint Rule 12. Next question is on the Committee on Judiciary.
- Rule 7A is suspended.
- Rule 7A is suspended.
- Rule 7A is suspended.
- Report of committee.
Summary:
The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology.
Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters.
The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Jun 21st, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- It is referred to a committee, in this case the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions, where
- Meeting minutes pursuant to Joint Rule 1B are joint pursuant to House Rule 17.
- Under Rule 5 of our committee rules, the witness is going to confine themselves to the questions under
- Under Rule 5 of our committee rules, the witness...
- And I think somebody had referenced, we want to change the law because rules are rules.
Summary:
The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.