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SD 33

An Act relative to archaic laws

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Will Brownsberger and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill to identify and repeal outdated, unenforced laws cluttering state statutes to reduce legal confusion and administrative burden.

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Bill Summary · SD 33

Legislative bill overview

SD 33 proposes to identify and repeal archaic, obsolete, or unenforced laws from Massachusetts statutory code that no longer serve a practical purpose. The bill would establish a process for reviewing the state's legal statutes and removing provisions that are outdated, redundant, or no longer applicable to modern conditions.

Why is this important

Archaic laws create unnecessary confusion in the legal system, impose compliance burdens on businesses and individuals who must navigate obsolete requirements, and can undermine respect for law when citizens encounter rules that make no sense in contemporary contexts. Removing dead-letter statutes streamlines government, reduces administrative overhead, and clarifies what laws are actually enforceable.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and selection criteria: Disagreement may arise over which laws qualify as truly "archaic" versus those with historical or symbolic significance that some wish to preserve
  • Unintended consequences: Repealing statutes could inadvertently eliminate legal protections or provisions that, while rarely used, serve important edge-case functions or provide legal clarity
  • Legislative process: Questions about whether a streamlined repeal process concentrates too much discretion in the hands of reviewing bodies or removes necessary deliberation from statute removal

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

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