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Bill

HD 1561

An Act establishing the official ice cream flavor of the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Rogers

Designates Cookies and Cream as Massachusetts’ official ice cream flavor for branding and ceremonial use; a symbolic title with no regulatory or funding impact.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 1561

Summary of HD 1561: An Act establishing the official ice cream flavor of the Commonwealth

Overview

HD 1561, titled An Act establishing the official ice cream flavor of the Commonwealth, is a proposed Massachusetts bill that designates a single state ice cream flavor. The bill is a symbolic designation rather than a regulatory or funding measure. The primary action is to embed a flavor designation into the General Laws.

Purpose and Intent

  • To designate a single official ice cream flavor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • The bill explicitly identifies the flavor as a matter of state identity, branding, and ceremonial use.

Key Provisions

  • Amend Chapter 2 of the General Laws by adding a new section (Section XX).
  • Text of the new section: “Cookies and Cream shall be the official ice cream flavor of the Commonwealth.”
  • The language establishes a formal, statewide designation without prescribing regulatory requirements, penalties, or budgetary allocations.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Residents and visitors: The designation is largely symbolic, potentially informing state marketing, tourism materials, and ceremonial events.
  • State agencies and departments: May reference the official flavor for promotional purposes or during official events, branding, or commemorations.
  • No new regulatory powers or enforcement mechanisms are created, and there are no explicit funding or fiscal obligations attached to the designation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Filed date: January 15, 2025 (House Docket, No. 1561), introduced as a joint petition by Rep. John H. Rogers (Norwood) and Sen. Michael F. Rush.
  • Committee referral: The bill text lists the sponsor group and suggests referral to a committee common in the House/Senate process (the exact committee listed is inferred from the bill’s header; the excerpt references governance and oversight).
  • Legislative status: Classified as a proposed bill within the 194th General Court (2025-2026). The user-supplied “Introduced” date of November 29, 2025 conflicts with the filed date in the bill text; the document indicates introduction and filing in early 2025.

Additional Notes

  • The bill’s text uses a placeholder “Section XX” for the new provision, indicating the draft would assign a specific section number when finalized.
  • As a symbolic designation, the bill’s impact centers on branding, marketing opportunities, and state ceremonial uses rather than policy or regulatory changes.

If you’d like, I can compare this designation to similar state flavor designations in other states or map potential marketing opportunities if the bill progresses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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