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SD 893

An Act relative to joint committee operations

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

Establishes uniform procedures for joint committees, requiring endorsed rules within 4 weeks, joint chairs’ approval for polls, and default reporting to the originating branch.

Referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
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Bill Summary · SD 893

Summary: Senate Bill No. 893 — An Act relative to joint committee operations

Overview

SD 893, titled “An Act relative to joint committee operations,” was introduced in the 2025-2026 Massachusetts General Court and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently. The bill proposes to formalize and standardize how joint standing committees operate by requiring them to adopt procedural rules within a defined timeframe and by tightening how joint decisions (such as polling members) are made and how reports are issued.

Key facts:
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Filed: January 15, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 893)
- Status: Referred to the Rules committee of the two branches, acting concurrently
- Purpose: Establish uniform rules of procedure for joint standing committees and govern certain joint actions

Key Provisions

  • Insertion into General Laws:

    • Chapter 3 of the General Laws would be amended by adding a new Section 38D after Section 38C.

  • Rules of Procedure:

    • Within 4 weeks of the appointment of joint standing committees in the first annual session, each joint standing committee must adopt rules of procedure governing its conduct.
    • Adoption and any amendments to these rules require the joint agreement of the House and Senate chairs of the respective joint committee.
    • The adopted rules and any amendments must be filed with the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House and must be publicly accessible on the official General Court website.

  • Polling of Joint Committee Members:

    • A joint committee may initiate a poll of its members only with the joint agreement of the House and Senate chairs of that joint committee.

  • Reporting of Matters:

    • Joint committees must report all matters back to the branch of origin unless there is a specific joint agreement between the House and Senate chairs to do otherwise.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Timing:

    • The 4-week deadline applies to each joint standing committee after the first annual session begins.
    • The rule adoption process is contingent on appointment timing and the chairs’ joint agreement.

  • Transparency:

    • Rules and amendments must be filed with clerks and posted publicly on the General Court website, enhancing public visibility.

  • Governance:

    • Decisions about polls are centralized through the joint agreement of the House and Senate chairs, potentially limiting unilateral actions.

Affected Parties

  • Joint standing committees of the Massachusetts General Court
  • House and Senate chairs of each joint committee
  • Members of the General Court
  • The public, via publicly accessible rules on the official website

Potential Impact

  • Standardization: Creates uniform procedural rules across joint committees, reducing variability.
  • Transparency: Public filing and online access to rules increase openness.
  • Governance: Requires bilateral consensus from House and Senate chairs for procedural actions (e.g., polls and rule changes), which could affect speed and unilateral action.
  • Reporting: Clarifies default reporting back to the originating branch, with exceptions only by joint agreement.

Legislative Status and Next Steps

  • Status: Referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently (as of the introduction date).
  • Next steps: Committee consideration, potential public hearings, and possible amendments before potential passage and enactment. If enacted, the provisions would amend Chapter 3 of the General Laws to insert Section 38D.

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

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