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Bill

SD 373

An Act in furtherance of the Citizens Commission concerning a Constitutional Amendment to secure government of the people

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill establishes a Citizens Commission to develop and propose a constitutional amendment strengthening democratic representation and popular control over government.

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Bill Summary · SD 373

Legislative bill overview

SD 373 creates a formal Citizens Commission tasked with developing a constitutional amendment proposal aimed at addressing concerns about democratic representation and government accountability. The bill establishes a framework for citizen participation in proposing changes to Massachusetts' governmental structure, though the specific amendment language is to be determined by the commission's work.

Why is this important

Constitutional amendments represent fundamental changes to how government operates and require significant public support and legislative approval. This bill reflects growing concerns about campaign finance, lobbying influence, and whether current government structures adequately represent ordinary citizens' interests—issues that have motivated similar reform efforts nationwide.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what "government of the people" means, leaving unclear whether the commission should address campaign finance, voting rights, term limits, legislative redistricting, or other structural reforms
  • Commission composition and bias: How commission members are selected and whether they represent diverse ideological perspectives will influence what amendment gets proposed
  • Implementation costs and timeline: Establishing a new commission requires resources, and constitutional amendments involve lengthy processes with uncertain outcomes
  • Preemptive nature: Creating a commission before identifying a specific problem or amendment may result in searching for solutions rather than addressing demonstrated failures

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

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