Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed the Bellingham High School girls volleyball team, which had just won the 2025 Division III State Championship, the first state title in the school’s history. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 on a joint petition from John Bartlett III regarding school choice, allowing the petition to go to the Committee on Education. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several bills for House consideration, including measures on expanding ballot access for regional school district votes, authorizing Billerica to set an age limit for original appointment of police officers, improving business improvement districts, a Bridgewater charter amendment for gender-neutral language, and a Westwood alcohol licensing measure. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills up on second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber then passed several local bills: House 4173, regulating appointments to the Acton Memorial Library, was passed to be enacted, and House 3912, increasing the Melrose Board of Health from three to five members, was passed to be reenacted. On third reading, the House engrossed Senate 2625, authorizing Quincy revenue bonds for telecommunications facilities, and House 4504 and House 4505, both Nantucket-related measures involving gender-neutral charter language and conveyance of school streets. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to meet Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed the Walpole High School field hockey team. The chamber then adopted several procedural orders: extending reporting deadlines for the Committee on Health Care Financing and the Committee on Public Health, and suspending Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition creating a special commission on perimenopause and menopause care to go to the Committee on Public Health. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling also reported several bills for House consideration, including measures concerning Social Security numbers on death certificates and a Hull local option bill on parking fines. The House suspended Rule 7A and advanced three bills to third reading: House No. 2383, relative to Social Security numbers on death certificates; House No. 2438, removing Social Security numbers from death certificates; and House No. 4247, authorizing the Town of Hull to establish a schedule of fines for parking violations. All three were ordered to a third reading. The House then took up two local bills released from the third-reading committee: House No. 862, regarding the recall of elected officers in Sharon, and House No. 4399, further amending the charter of Middleton. Both bills were passed to be engrossed. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and recessed, then formally adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee and floor matters. The Committee on Rules reported two municipal property tax relief bills, Senate Nos. 1933 and 1935, and both were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Senator Tarr emphasized the urgency of advancing the bills, describing them as measures to address property tax shocks and provide relief through a rebate or credit mechanism. The Senate then enacted House No. 3916, authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer, and took a brief recess to sign the bill. On third reading, the Senate passed to be engrossed Senate No. 24, amending the charter of the town of Sandwich, after accepting a committee report recommending a new draft, Senate No. 2859. It also passed to be engrossed House No. 4173, further regulating appointments to the Acton Memorial Library, and House No. 4031, increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston, after adopting an amendment offered by Senator Barrett. The Senate also considered House No. 3912, increasing the Marblehead Board of Health from three to five members, which had been returned by the Governor with a recommended amendment under Article 56. The Senate suspended its rules, adopted the Governor’s amendment, and returned the bill to the House for reenactment. Finally, a House petition concerning a special commission on perimenopause and menopause care was referred to the Committee on Public Health, and the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several third-reading matters and advanced them by voice vote. It adopted an amendment substituting a new draft for Senate No. 1425, a bill further regulating amendment of a conservation restriction in Hanson, and then passed the bill to be engrossed. The chamber also passed to be engrossed a sick leave bank bill for Marie LaTondra of the Department of Transitional Assistance. The Senate suspended rules to act on a House bill authorizing the Department of Fire District No. 1 prudential committee to appoint a treasurer, ordering it to a third reading and then passing it to be engrossed. It also considered a House bill authorizing Scituate to issue four additional on-premises alcohol licenses; Senator O'Connor offered an amendment, which was adopted, and the bill as amended was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. On procedural and referral matters, the Senate suspended rules and joint rules to move forward a petition to include inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, referring it to the Committee on Public Health. It also ordered a House bill on the appointment of the police chief in Fall River to a third reading, and referred a House petition concerning survivors and holders of abuse or harassment prevention orders to the Judiciary Committee. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., then adjourned.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several local and private bills for final action. It passed to be enacted An Act Further Regulating Appointments to the Acton Memorial Library (H-4173) and passed to be reenacted, as amended, An Act Increasing the Membership of the Board of Health of the Town of Marblehead from Three to Five Members (H-3912). The chamber also considered two bills on third reading and passed both to be engrossed: a sick leave bank bill for Amy Tangway, a Trial Court employee (H.4647), and a bill changing the title and substance of a Dalton measure to remove the town resident requirement for the town manager (H.4210). In each case, the questions were put and the ayes prevailed without recorded opposition. The Senate then received a House petition from Brian M. Ashe seeking legislation to further regulate dogs and kennels. The petition was taken up under suspension of Joint Rule 12 and referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government after the rule was suspended by voice vote. The Senate also adopted an order setting its next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Finally, Senator Tarr moved that the Senate adjourn, and the motion was adopted by voice vote. The Senate adjourned to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate. The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call. The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call. The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up a series of Rules Committee reports and adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines. These included extensions for the Education Committee, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, Public Service Committee, and Revenue Committee, as well as an order setting March 31, 2026, as the date for a special election to fill the 5th Essex District vacancy. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a joint petition concerning survivors and holders of abuse or harassment prevention orders to go to the Judiciary Committee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several bills for consideration, and the House suspended Rule 7A to advance them. Those bills included a Senate bill amending the charter of the town of Sandwich, a House bill on dark money in local government, a bill on police certification, and a bill providing for recall elections in Dalton. All were ordered to third reading. The House then approved several measures on final passage, including a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, removal of the residency requirement for the Dalton town manager, and a revenue bond bill for telecommunications facilities in Quincy. On third reading, the House passed several local and special bills to engrossment, including Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, changes to the police chief appointment process in Fall River, amendments to the Arlington town manager act, and a Bridgewater town manager appointment bill. Senate Bill 2716 on the Rockland charter was amended with text from House Document 4866 and then passed to engrossment. The House later enacted the Amy Tangway sick leave bank bill again after a recess, adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to that informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills recommended by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Those included Senate No. 1919, providing for the retirement of Greg Heath, a former Westfield firefighter; House No. 4648, concerning the purchase or lease of property known as Fenn Farm in Stockbridge; and House No. 4805, amending the Plainville town charter. The House suspended Rule 7A to move the bills forward, ordered them to a third reading, and later proceeded on the orders of the day. The House then passed House No. 4565, establishing a sick leave bank for Marie Lettrian of the Department of Transitional Assistance, to be enacted. It also passed two bills to be engrossed: House No. 407, changing the composition of the Licensing Board for the City of Salem, and House No. 4602, relating to the Monson Select Board. No debate or opposition was recorded on these measures, and the votes were taken by voice vote. At the end of the session, the House adopted a special adjournment in memory of Michael F. Flaherty, a former Boston House member who served from 1967 to 1990. The House also adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. Members adopted a resolution honoring the United States Postal Service on its 250th anniversary. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Committees on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Environment and Natural Resources, and Public Health, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee to the Committee on Public Service. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then recommended four local bills for consideration: measures relating to the Town of Orange’s selectmen and annual town meeting, the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board, and the Town of Milton’s authority to grant additional liquor licenses. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered all four bills to a third reading. The House also took up Senate 2678, validating proceedings at the Town of Milbury annual town meeting, and passed it to be engrossed. At the close of business, the House adopted an order to meet again the following Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several routine matters, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and then considering a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Antonio Pierce (Senate No. 27). The Senate suspended the rules, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed. The chamber also approved final passage of House No. 4565, an act establishing a special recognition for Marie Lantra, an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance, and the bill was laid before the Governor for approval. The Senate then received House No. 4814, a bill authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue certain alcohol licenses and grant additional off-premises alcohol licenses. On motion of Senator Tarr, the rules were suspended to consider the matter forthwith, and the bill was ordered to a third reading. No objections were raised to any of these procedural actions. The session also included recognition of two retiring Boxford public safety communications employees, Warren Edward Gould and Ronald, with remarks praising the importance of dispatchers and communications staff in public safety. The Senate adopted an order to adjourn to meet again on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met briefly and first took up final passage of two local bills. It enacted House No. 4657, authorizing the town of Scituate to issue four additional all-alcoholic-beverage licenses for on-premises sales, and it also enacted a bill amending the charter of the town of Acushnet (H-234-1). In both cases, the Senate approved the measures and ordered them signed by the President and laid before the Governor. After a short recess, the Senate received a House bill changing the Board of Selectmen in Boylston to a select board (House No. 4621). On unanimous consent, the rules were suspended so the bill could be considered forthwith, and the Senate ordered it to a third reading. The session then concluded with an adjournment under the Constitution, ending the 2025 session of the 194th General Court. The Senate announced it would reconvene for the 2026 session on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several final-passage matters, including adopting an emergency preamble for a sick leave bank for Maria Latendra of the Department of Transitional Assistance, passing a bill authorizing the Dartmouth Fire Department District No. 1 Prudential Committee to appoint a treasurer, and enacting a bill validating proceedings at the Town of Millbury annual town meeting by the required two-thirds vote. The Senate also passed to be engrossed local bills reorganizing the Town of Rochester’s government into a select board and town administrator form, and further regulating the term of the town moderator in Norwood. The chamber then considered and adopted a concurrent order from the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight extending the committee’s deadline to act on 58 bills until January 31. Senators discussed the extension’s size and the need to comply with Joint Rule 10, with assurances from the committee chair that the bills would be handled well before the new deadline. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition establishing a sick leave bank for Manny Jean Goldstein of the Department of Children and Families to the Committee on Public Service. Later, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned in memory of the Honorable Michael F. Flaherty, Sr., with remarks honoring his service as a former state representative, judge, Navy veteran, and advocate on public safety and substance use disorder issues.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports extending committee reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026 for the Environment and Natural Resources, Mental Health/Substance Use/Recovery, Public Service, and Transportation committees. In each case, the rules were suspended and the orders were adopted. The House also received a Senate amendment to the cannabis modernization bill (H.4206), declined to concur, and appointed a conference committee consisting of Representatives Donahue, Gonzalez, and Soder. The House then considered a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, including measures on microphotographic records, the Dalton Fire District water commissioners, and local alcohol license matters in Arlington and Pembroke. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered these bills to a third reading. The chamber also adopted the emergency preamble for H.4565, a sick leave bank bill for a Department of Transitional Assistance employee, enacted S.2678 validating the Millbury annual town meeting, and passed H.3952 authorizing the Dartmouth Fire District No. 1 prudential committee to appoint a treasurer. Later, the House advanced several third-reading bills: H.4663 appointing a highway surveyor, H.4814 concerning Westford alcohol licenses, and H.4632 setting an age limit for original appointment as a police officer in Bill Rooker. H.4632 was amended to remove a veterans-related age provision before being engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and adopted several organizational orders at the start of the session. Members were appointed to committees to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Council, and House that the Senate was ready to do business, and those committees were discharged after delivering the messages. The Senate also adopted an order to print and bind the Daily Journal for the session and deposit a certified copy with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The chamber then acted on procedural matters, including a Rules Committee report recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition to establish a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, a trial court employee; the rule was suspended and the matter referred to the Judiciary Committee. Additional House petitions were likewise referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn until the next day at 11:00 a.m. Later, members offered an adjournment in memory of Charles D. Baker III, age 97, highlighting his military service, public and private sector career, teaching, civic involvement, and family life. The Senate adopted the motion, observed a moment of silence, and adjourned in his memory.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team leading the Pledge of Allegiance and being formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blais of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, which was placed on file. The House then acted on several procedural and local matters. It adopted committee reports extending reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees to March 18, 2026, and advanced three bills to third reading: a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Louis Cabral and sick leave bank bills for Marnie Jean Goldstein and William Blaylock. The House also passed to enactment charter amendments for Provincetown and Greenfield, concurred in a Senate amendment to a Wellesley land-conveyance bill, and engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners and Milton alcohol licensing. On House No. 4717, relating to the annual town meeting for Orange, the House adopted an amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended. Later, on House No. 1110 concerning subprime loans, the House adopted an amendment discharging the bill from the Bills in the Third Reading committee and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and immediately took up organizational business, including appointing committees to inform the Senate that the House was ready to proceed and to wait upon the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Council. The chamber also welcomed the Fairhaven High School Blue Devil football team, celebrating its 2025 MIAA Division 6 Super Bowl championship and recognizing the coach, school staff, principal, and superintendent. Members adopted routine orders concerning publication and official binding of the House journal, and the House approved several Rules Committee reports. These included adoption of a congratulatory resolution for Joseph Rink’s Eagle Scout achievement, an extension of time for the Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses to report on House Doc. 4904, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Alice Hanlon Pais on the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code to go to the Committee on Financial Services. On legislation, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House No. 4233, the Malden charter bill, after the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading reported the amendments were correctly drawn. The House also passed to be engrossed Senate No. 2799, establishing a sick leave bank for Jeffrey Yantanthin, an employee of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several committee orders extending reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026 for the Committees on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and adopted each after suspending the rules. It also adopted a House resolution recognizing Russell Carrier for 44 years of service to the Forbes Library. The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, creditable service for certain police officers and firefighters, and mobile driver’s licenses, and it suspended Joint Rule 12 on another sick leave bank petition for a Department of Correction employee. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended four bills for House consideration: anti-retaliation protections for public employees, “Getting to Zero Week,” local and regional cultural council membership, and a Boston police age-waiver bill for Giselle Mello. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to third reading. It also passed to enact two local bills: one increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston and another dissolving a special fund in Athol. Later, the House passed to engrossment a bill authorizing the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge, a Bridgewater charter amendment for gender-neutral language, and an Arlington local option bill to place a ballot question on increasing certain alcohol licenses. Members also observed a moment of silent tribute for former Lowell legislator Philip L. Shea, and the House ordered special adjournment in his memory. The chamber then adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted an order related to receiving communications from Governor Maura Healey. It then took up and passed to be engrossed two local bills: H.4556, establishing an appointed town clerk position in Avon, and H.4716, amending the charter of Provincetown. The chamber also suspended Senate Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 to allow several Senate petitions to be considered and referred to their respective committees. The Senate adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of William Richard Lynch of South Boston, followed by a moment of silence. It then took up H.4363, authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey a parcel of land in Wellesley; the emergency preamble was adopted by standing vote, and the bill later passed to be enacted. The Senate also passed to be enacted H.3306, establishing Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, H.4214, regulating the appointment of the police chief in Fall River, H.4459, amending the charter of Sikonk, and H.4632, authorizing Billerica to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11:00 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar. It then adjourned in memory of William Richard Lynch.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a resolution recognizing the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The resolution condemned antisemitism, noted the historical significance of Auschwitz and the Holocaust, and directed copies to be sent to the Consulate General of Israel, the New England Holocaust Memorial Committee, and the Holocaust Legacy Foundation. The chamber then took up several bills and committee reports. It passed to be enacted House No. 4663, authorizing the town of Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor, and sent it to the Governor. The Senate also ordered to a third reading a bill establishing a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, a Trial Court employee. In addition, the Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 on a report concerning legislation to protect access to justice and referred the matter to the Committee on Judiciary. It also ordered House No. 4805, amending the town charter of Plainville, to a third reading, and suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House petitions so they could be referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. in formal session, then adjourned.