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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 32 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House took up several local bills after suspending procedural rules and Joint Rule 12 for a petition from Mark J. Cusack concerning military creditable service for judges, referring it to the Committee on Public Service. The House also considered four local measures: a Harwich affordable housing trust bill, a Charlemont commercial recreation tax bill, a Millis senior property tax exemption bill, and a Falmouth sewer-related funding bill. All were advanced through second reading and ordered to a third reading.
The chamber then passed to engrossment a series of additional local bills, including a Hopkinton bridge designation bill, a Nantucket charter amendment, a Swampscott disability property tax exemption bill, an Arlington senior tax exemption amendment, and a Reading home rule charter bill. Each was approved without recorded opposition. The House later recessed and returned to consider a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, House Bill 5348, reported out of Ways and Means with a total appropriation of $300 million.
House Bill 5348 was taken up by suspension of the rules, read a third time, passed to be engrossed, and then passed to be enacted after the constitutionally required separate vote, with no votes in opposition recorded. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate first took up a committee report recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 so several Senate petitions could be referred to their respective committees. The chamber suspended Rule 36 to consider the matter immediately, adopted the suspension of Joint Rule 12, and referred the petitions as recommended.
The Senate then considered House No. 4399, an act amending the charter of the town of Middleton. Senator Tarr offered an amendment striking the bill’s text and replacing it with the language in Senate Document No. 3053; the amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was passed to be engrossed. The Senate also briefly recognized visiting guests during the session.
Later, the Senate took up House No. 4621, changing the name of the Board of Selectmen in Boylston to Select Board. The bill passed to be enacted and was ordered signed by the President and laid before the Governor. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate took up several local and procedural matters. It passed to be engrossed H. 4225, authorizing Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption, and H. 4584, further regulating the appointment of special police officers in Malden. The Chair also announced changes to the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, with Senator Tarr and Senator Durant exchanging committee membership through resignation and reappointment.
The chamber then considered multiple Senate orders extending reporting deadlines for committees under the Rules of the Two Branching Act. An extension for the Committee on Financial Services under S. 2796 was adopted, with members noting it covered seven bills through May 4, 2026. Another order for the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs under S. 2775 was amended to extend the deadline from April 30, 2026 to June 30, 2026, and then adopted. A similar order for the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery under S. 2776 was also amended from April 30, 2026 to June 30, 2026 and adopted, with members again confirming it covered seven bills.
On final passage, the Senate adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4259, designating the Wider Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts, by a standing vote of 2-0. It then enacted H. 4602, increasing the membership of the select board in the town of Munson, and H. 4259, sending both bills to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate opened with the pledge of allegiance and then took up a committee report from the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petitioned bill by Michael D. Brady establishing a firefighter staffing grant program. The Senate also suspended Rule 36 to consider the matter forthwith and referred the bill to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
The chamber then acted on several bills from the Orders of the Day. It ordered to a third reading a Senate bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the City of Boston, and it passed to be engrossed House Bill 4602, which increases the membership of the select board in the town of Monson after a title change by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
After a brief recess, the Senate received House Bill 5280, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill. The House had non-concurred with the Senate amendment and appointed a conference committee; the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appointed its own conferees. The Senate also took up House Bill 5317 concerning easements or takings of certain parcels of land in Boston, suspended the rule to consider it forthwith, and ordered it to a third reading. The session ended with adoption of an adjournment order and adjournment until Tuesday at 11 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate held an informal session centered on its annual scouting recognition program, led by Senator Tarr and other Senate leaders. Scouts from several Massachusetts councils recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law, and the chamber heard a report on Scouting America in Massachusetts from Eagle Scout Molly Murphy of Woburn, assisted by other scouts and flag bearers from across the Commonwealth. Murphy described her own scouting experience, leadership roles, Eagle Scout project, and the challenges and benefits of scouting, emphasizing leadership, service, and community impact.
Murphy also presented statewide scouting statistics for 2025, including 19,761 youth in 872 units, 9,402 adult volunteers, more than 23,500 merit badges earned, 482 Eagle Scouts, and over 203,000 hours of community service valued at more than $3 million. The Senate voted to print the scouting report in the Journal. Senators then read and presented a gubernatorial proclamation declaring April 23, 2026, as Scout Appreciation Day in Massachusetts, citing scouting’s service, character-building, and conservation values.
In addition to the scouting program, the Senate transacted several routine matters. It passed to be enacted two local bills: one authorizing Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption and another further regulating the appointment of a special police officer in Malden. The Senate also adopted a resolution commending the IBS patient support group for recognizing April 19, 2026, as World IBS Day, and it engrossed a bill allowing retired police officers to serve as special police officers in Fairhaven after adopting an amendment, as well as a bill increasing the Haverhill Board of Health from three to five members. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 34 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and another honoring the Veterans Brotherhood VMC, Massachusetts chapter for its service to veterans. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported several local bills for consideration, including measures on recall elections in Rutland, oversight of the Boston Finance Commission, manufactured housing payments in Attleboro, validation of Stow proceedings, public meeting notices in Uxbridge, firefighter appointment age limits in Westfield, and special police appointments in Norwood. These bills were read a second time and ordered to a third reading without objection.
The House then took up several local bills on third reading and passed them to be engrossed, including bills concerning wastewater treatment in Sandwich, preliminary elections in Longmeadow, additional liquor licenses in Southbridge, and an additional liquor license in Salem. The chamber also welcomed guests of Representative Sylvia of Fall River, including election officials from Fall River and Freetown, and briefly recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
The major statewide item was House No. 5350, an act modernizing the Commonwealth’s cannabis laws. Because it required a separate constitutional vote on the emergency preamble, members voted by division and the preamble was adopted by a 3-0 tally. The bill then passed to be enacted. The House adopted the order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 38 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a Senate message referring a petition on certain property in Lowell to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, which the House concurred in after a suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then recommended several bills for consideration, including measures on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, security bonds, police officer age requirements in Worcester and Boston, a Somerville net-zero building standard, waivers of police age limits, pre-employment medical record retention for Peabody public safety personnel, smart meters, and an additional alcohol license for Bridgewater; Rule 7A was suspended and the bills were read a second time and ordered to a third reading.
The House also welcomed former Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien as a guest of Speaker Mariano. Two engrossed bills were then taken up: House No. 4259, designating the Wheeler Park Tennis Courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts, for which the emergency preamble was adopted by a 9-0 vote and the bill was passed to be enacted; and House No. 4602, changing the membership of the select board in Monson, which was also passed to be enacted.
Finally, the House received a gubernatorial message recommending legislation on Massachusetts winning global investment, talent, and innovation, which was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The House adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned in formal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 36 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House received a Governor’s message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions, including honors for Abby Goodman, a resolution reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognition of the Cambodian-American community’s Khmer New Year celebration, and Elks National Youth Week; the House suspended the rules and approved them. The House also concurred with Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes, sending them to the Committee on Aging and Independence.
The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended a substitute bill, House 5375, with a $2.737 billion general obligation bond authorization, and the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House took up House 5375 directly, heard support from members emphasizing Chapter 90 road funding, municipal flexibility, rural road mileage distribution, and broader transportation investments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed by roll call vote, 155-0.
The House also passed House Bill 5371, authorizing grants of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston, to be engrossed. In addition, the chamber received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s report on the March 31, 2026 special election for the 5th Essex District, adopted an order to escort the Governor and Executive Council into the chamber, and administered the oaths of office to Representative-elect Andrew Tarr. The session ended with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 45 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House took up several committee and Senate messages, including a Rules Committee report adopting resolutions congratulating Judy and Dick Jolin on their 50th wedding anniversary and commending the National Brain Tumor Society for recognizing May 2026 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The chamber also welcomed guests in the gallery for Apraxia Awareness Day and received a gubernatorial message proposing injured-on-duty compensation for Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinalee, which was referred to the Committee on Public Service.
The House concurred in Senate referrals for bills on consumer-connected devices, crumbling concrete relief for homeowners, and naming the Hianus Transportation Center, and it also suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition by Omar Gómez concerning reports of crimes to law enforcement. Another petition, by Michael S. Day on quantum investment tax incentive programs, had Joint Rules 12 and 9 suspended, was then referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies after a division of the question.
The House also advanced several bills from the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, including the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code, a Holyoke Charter change removing the treasurer as acting mayor, and a Kingston special police retirement-age bill, all ordered to a third reading. The chamber passed to be enacted or engrossed multiple local bills, including measures for Andover, Plymouth, Pembroke, Auburn, New Salem, and Falmouth. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to that time in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 46 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions, including recognition of the Melanoma Action Coalition, 411 directory assistance workers, the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day observance, and Frank and Alice Susky’s 80th wedding anniversary. Members also adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House No. 2424 to June 12, 2026.
The chamber then took up House No. 5316, a bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment. The House voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference, naming Representatives Cahill of Lynn, Vargas of Haverhill, and Vaughan of Wrentham. The House also suspended rules to advance local bills, including a Somerset bill allowing the town to prohibit water fluoridation and a Petersham bill authorizing continued employment of two police department members, both of which were ordered to a third reading.
Later, the House passed several local bills on final action, including measures for Dartmouth liquor licenses and the Westwood charter. It also engrossed bills raising the Boston Police Academy entrance age, creating an attainable housing trust in Harwich, establishing an affordable housing trust fund in West H... (West H...bury), and regulating vacancy filling on the Marlboro City Council. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., with a formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate took up several bills on final passage and third reading, including measures on retirement benefits for a former Attleboro firefighter, maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, expanding a board of health from three to five members, and amendments to the Middleton charter. These bills were passed to be enacted. The Senate also adopted a series of congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Jack Goodwin, Charles Goodman, Liam LaCroix, Milo James Angel Burke, Harrison Aver, and Keziah Jane Reed.
The chamber then advanced a number of local and special legislation items, including a bill allowing Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation, a Fairhaven charter bill amended on the floor, a Boston easements/land takings measure, a Lancaster bill dissolving its animal control commission, an Orange annual town meeting bill, and a Dedham-Westwood Water District creditable service bill. Several committee reports were taken up under suspension of the rules, including orders extending committee reporting deadlines for Labor and Workforce Development and Transportation, and sick leave bank bills for Greg Pinkerton and Stephanie Rivera were ordered to a third reading.
The Senate also considered a Ways and Means report on House No. 5316, a bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment, with a new text amendment based on Senate Document No. 3072. An order was adopted setting the bill for second reading on May 7, 2026, with amendment filing deadlines and procedures specified. The Senate adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Dorothy Bonfanti and then adjourned to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution offered by Senator Crichton commending the National Brain Tumor Society for recognizing May 26, 2026 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The resolution highlighted the impact of brain tumors, noted Massachusetts research institutions working on treatments, and was adopted by voice vote.
The Senate then took up several local matters and passed them without objection. These included a Dartmouth bill authorizing an additional off-premises alcohol license, a Westwood charter bill, and later final passage of bills relating to Andover special town meeting petition requirements, the Plymouth town charter, and an additional off-premises alcohol license for Pembroke. House petitions were also received and referred to committees after suspension of Joint Rule 12.
At the end of the session, Senator Tarr offered an order to adjourn in memory of Joseph Elliott McKekney of Gloucester, a former Coast Guard officer and community member, and spoke briefly about his life and service. The Senate observed a moment of silence, adopted the adjournment order, and recessed to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate took up several local bills and petitions. It considered Senate No. 2544 concerning the number of registered voters who may petition for a special town meeting in Andover, which came from the House with an amendment adding a section 2 and was advanced on a motion to suspend the rules. The Senate also received a House petition from Kip Diggs regarding regulation of vessel transportation in Maston Mills and Osterville in Vonsville; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the petition was referred to the Committee on Transportation.
The chamber then acted on a series of local measures. It passed to be enacted H. 4842, the organization of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board, and passed to be engrossed bills authorizing the town of Berkeley to increase the membership of its Board of Selectmen, amending the town charter of Plymouth, and authorizing Pembroke to grant an additional off-premises alcohol license. Each of these measures was read a third time and approved without recorded opposition.
Finally, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn and set its next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The motion to adjourn was approved, and the Senate adjourned accordingly.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training.
The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month.
A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 50 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House first adopted a series of congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including recognitions for Renee Spencer, several Eagle Scouts, the Italian Consulate in Boston for Italian National Day, and the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary. It also adopted an order extending until December 31, 2026, the time for the Committee on Health Care Financing to report on certain House documents.
The House then considered the FY2027 appropriations bill (House No. 5501) returned from the Senate with a full substitute amendment. The House voted not to concur and instead appointed a committee of conference, naming Representatives Mikelowitz of Boston, Diggs of Barnstable, and Smola of Warren on the House side. The chamber also advanced several local bills from the steering policy and scheduling report, including measures on police age requirements in Bradford G. Merkel, Beverly, Stoneham, Newton, Monterey, Norwood, and Westfield, as well as a Westford digital legal notices bill.
Several bills were ordered to third reading or passed to be engrossed, including the Tewksbury charter change on the town manager residency requirement, the Monterey police employment bill, the Norwood special police bill, and the Bridgewater alcohol license bill. House No. 5288, authorizing Westfield to establish an age limit for firefighter appointments, was amended to add an immediate effective date before being passed to be engrossed. The House then adopted an order to reconvene Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 51 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House first adopted several committee-reported resolutions honoring individuals and community achievements, including Virginia Ann Conley, New Betancourt, Joseph P. Nickerson Sr. on his 100th birthday, and Andrew Labovitz for attaining Eagle Scout. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Stephen Altrino concerning treatment of cleft palate and cleft lip to move to the Committee on Financial Services.
The House then took up two local bills on second reading: H.5334, allowing Franklin to increase its local hotel excise tax limit, and H.5365, amending the Falmouth Home Rule Charter to create a Licensing Commission. Both were ordered to a third reading. Later, the House passed to be enacted S.1446, changing the residency requirement for the Tewksbury town manager, and two Haverhill police age-exemption bills for Nick Santos and Anthony Morales. It also passed to be engrossed S.3018, authorizing Berkeley to recall elected officials, and H.5099, allowing Rainham to grant an additional all-alcoholic-beverages license.
The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. and a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Benjamin Swan of Springfield, who served from 1994 to 2016. The session then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions: one for Andrew Labovitz on attaining Eagle Scout rank and one for Joseph P. Nickerson, Sr. on his 100th birthday. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several petitions, sending them to their respective committees.
The Senate then advanced several local and committee-reported bills. It passed to be engrossed a Scituate parking fines bill and a Cambridge parking enforcement bill, the latter after adopting a Brownsberger amendment that replaced the bill text with Senate No. 3105. The Senate Ways and Means Committee reported favorably, with new drafts, on the Toxic Free Medical Devices Act and a bill advancing the profession of commercial interior design; in both cases, the Senate suspended rules, adopted the committee amendments, and ordered the bills to a third reading.
On final passage, the Senate enacted a Tewksbury charter amendment changing the town manager residency requirement and two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for police officers. All three were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. in formal session and to dispense with printing a calendar, then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate first took up House No. 5375, an act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, and adopted the emergency preamble by a standing vote, with two members in the affirmative and the remainder in the negative. The chamber then briefly recessed.
After reconvening, the Senate considered several local bills and passed each to be engrossed: House No. 2800, authorizing Stoneham to waive the maximum age requirement for original appointment of police officers; House No. 4718, making a similar change for Newton police officers; House No. 4805, amending the town charter of Plainville; and House No. 4843, providing for the exchange of certain parkland in Lexington. On the Plainville bill, an amendment offered by Representative Rausch was adopted to insert “the select board” after “committee” in section 29.
The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a House petition by Joshua Toskey to authorize a Veterans Suicide Mortality Review and Prevention Council within the Executive Office of Veterans Services, referring it to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:00 a.m., with no calendar printed, and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 48 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted a series of congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including multiple Eagle Scout recognitions and a resolution celebrating Bishop-elect Eagle Boudicke E. Azidi, Jr., after suspending the rules. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition to create a Veteran Suicide Mortality Review and Prevention Council within the Executive Office of Veterans Services.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several local bills for consideration, including measures on transparency in municipal health insurance, a means-tested senior property tax exemption for Reading, changes related to a mayoral vacancy and residency requirements in Holyoke, and a Linfield appropriation from the Gulf Enterprise Fund. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered these bills to a third reading. It then passed to enact House No. 4234, allowing retired police officers to serve as special police officers in Fairhaven, and passed to engross House Nos. 4186 and 4890, concerning Egertown’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Quincy public safety personnel’s pre-employment physical exam records.
The House also observed a moment of silent tribute for James McCauley, a former Newburyport city councilor and public servant. Finally, it adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to meet next Tuesday in an informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The Senate considered a supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments focused on education, health, transportation, tax administration, and oversight. Senator Kennedy spoke in support of increasing funding for DTA caseworkers to improve SNAP access and reduce delays, but then withdrew the amendment by unanimous consent. Senator O’Connor’s amendment adding $500,000 for Free Period to provide free menstrual products in public schools was adopted, as was Senator Miranda’s $1 million METCO transportation and student support amendment. Senator Collins briefly proposed extending paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance coverage to graduate student workers, but withdrew that amendment for later discussion.
Several amendments were debated and either adopted or rejected. Senator Tarr’s proposal to create oversight of the Group Insurance Commission and fund an Inspector General review was defeated after opposition argued existing oversight was sufficient. Tarr also offered amendments on MBTA deficiency fund withdrawals and on requiring 90 days’ notice before state tax code decoupling changes; both were rejected after standing votes. Senator Driscoll’s amendment for Randolph Public Schools restroom improvements was adopted, while his veterans student loan forgiveness amendment was withdrawn. Additional amendments were adopted for Bridgewater Middle School water filtration, Uffum’s Corner Health Center, and NeighborHealth’s pharmacy technician training program for local high school students.
A major discussion centered on school funding and enrollment declines. Senator DiDomenico withdrew an amendment that would have provided $100 million to address Chapter 70 funding losses tied to enrollment drops, but he and Senator Collins used the floor to argue that districts facing declining enrollment and rising costs need a broader state response. The Senate also adopted a new draft of the supplemental budget and then passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote, with 35 members in the affirmative and 4 in the negative. The chamber then adjourned to meet again Monday, and did so in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, a former Quincy mayor, state legislator, and clerk magistrate.