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SD 714

An Act establishing the official tugboat of the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Rush

Designates Tawney the Tugboat as Massachusetts’ official tugboat; a ceremonial symbol with no duties, funding, or regulatory impact.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 714

Summary of Senate Docket No. 714: An Act establishing the official tugboat of the Commonwealth

Overview and purpose

  • The bill proposes to designate a specific literary character as the official tugboat of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • Specifically, it would appoint “Tawney the Tugboat,” the literary character from the book titled “Tawney the Tugboat,” as the Commonwealth’s official tugboat.
  • The amendment would add a new section to Chapter 2 of the General Laws.

Key provisions

  • Amendment to General Laws (Chapter 2): The bill adds a new Section 64.
  • Section 64 states: “Tawney the Tugboat,” the literary character in the book “Tawney the Tugboat” shall be the official tugboat of the Commonwealth.
  • There are no additional duties, powers, funding, or regulatory responsibilities attached to the designation in the text provided. The bill merely designates the character as the official tugboat.

Who or what is affected

  • The designation primarily affects the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ symbolic identity; there is no specified impact on regulatory agencies, budgets, or operational maritime activities.
  • The designation is largely ceremonial, intended to recognize a literary character rather than alter state governance or maritime policy.
  • No specific state agencies, programs, or personnel are named to administer or oversee the official status in the bill’s text.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Bill number and session: Senate Docket No. 714, in the 194th General Court (2025-2026) of Massachusetts.
  • Introduced/Filed: The text accompanying the bill shows it was filed on January 14, 2025 (Senate docket No. 714). Some provided metadata also references an introduction date of November 29, 2025, which appears inconsistent with the official filing date.
  • Status: The provided information does not include a final status (e.g., enacted, vetoed, or currently awaiting action).
  • Step forward: If advanced, the bill would need to pass both houses of the Massachusetts General Court and be signed by the Governor to take effect.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Symbolic significance: Formal recognition of a literary character as the Commonwealth’s official tugboat could be used in educational, cultural, and tourism-related contexts.
  • No operational changes: The designation does not allocate funding, create regulatory obligations, or alter maritime governance under the bill’s text.
  • Public communication: The bill could influence state branding or commemorative materials, and may prompt discussions about the role of literature in state symbols.

Note: The summary reflects only the text provided for Senate Docket No. 714 and does not account for any subsequent amendments or legislative actions.

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

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