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SD 293

Order relative to a convention of the two branches

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cynthia Creem

Orders a joint Mass. Senate-House session at 6:00 p.m. on Jan 16, 2025 to receive the Governor’s message on state concerns; a procedural scheduling move with no policy text.

Rules suspended and adopted
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Bill Summary · SD 293

Summary of Senate Docket No. 293 (SD 293)

Overview

Senate Docket No. 293 is an order titled “Order relative to the calling for a convention of the two branches.” Introduced January 13, 2025, and filed January 10, 2025, the measure was adopted by the Senate with rules suspended. The bill calls a joint session (a convention of the two branches: Senate and House) for a specific date and time to receive a communication from the Governor concerning the Commonwealth’s concerns.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary purpose is to convene a joint session of the Massachusetts Senate and House to formally receive a communication from the Governor (Governor Maura T. Healey) related to the concerns of the Commonwealth.
  • The action is procedural, designed to establish a platform for the Governor to address the Legislature or to transmit a message on current Commonwealth matters.

Key Provisions

  • Ordered that a convention of the two branches be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
  • The convention is to receive such communication as the Governor may be pleased to make to the Legislature relating to the concerns of the Commonwealth.
  • The measure is an explicit scheduling/ordering directive rather than a policy or appropriations bill.
  • Status indicates that the Senate suspended its rules to adopt the order (i.e., bypassing normal procedural requirements).

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

  • Filed: January 10, 2025
  • Senate Action: January 13, 2025 (Rules suspended and adopted)
  • Scheduled Joint Session: January 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
  • The measure is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Affected: Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives (as the two legislative branches) and the Governor (as the sender of the communication).
  • Operational impact: Organizing a joint session, coordinating a venue/time, and accommodating the Governor’s communication. Likely to involve legislative leadership, clerks, and staff responsible for scheduling, security, and public notification.
  • Public impact: Opens a formal, in-person conduit for the Governor’s message to both chambers; may influence subsequent legislative topics or discussions, though this order itself does not enact policy changes.

Notes

  • The bill functions as a procedural mechanism rather than a substantive policy proposal.
  • There is no specific policy text beyond scheduling the joint session and receiving the Governor’s communication.

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

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