Order relative to procedures to be followed when considering the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Bill

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Rodrigues

Summary: Senate Docket No. 2873 — Order relative to procedures for FY 2026 General Appropriations Bill What the bill isSD 2873 is an end-of-session procedural order from the Massac

Rules suspended and adopted

What the bill is

SD 2873 is an end-of-session procedural order from the Massachusetts Senate. It governs how amendments to the House’s FY 2026 General Appropriations Bill (covering the maintenance of Commonwealth departments, boards, commissions, institutions, activities; debt service including interest, sinking fund, serial bonds; and certain permanent improvements) are to be filed and when the bill will be considered for a second reading. The order itself does not change policy or funding levels; it sets the process and schedule for consideration.

Purpose and intent

Establish a firm process for amendments to the general appropriations bill as reported by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

Set a concrete timetable to advance the FY 2026 GAB through the Senate with a defined second-reading date.

Improve procedural clarity and efficiency for debate on the appropriation bill.

Key provisions

Filing deadline for amendments:

All amendments to the general appropriations bill, as reported by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, must be filed electronically in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate by 2:00 P.M. on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Scheduling for second reading:

The general appropriations bill, as reported by Ways and Means, shall be placed on the Senate’s Orders of the Day for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for its second reading.
It will be the only item on the calendar for that session day.

Authority and rules cited:

The order is issued under Senate Rule 27A (filing amendments) and Senate Rule 38B (calendar/scheduling).

Who is affected

Senators and Senate staff (amendment authors, docketing, and Clerk’s office operations) — who must file amendments by the May 9 deadline and prepare for the May 20 second reading.

House counterpart (as the bill originates from the House) and the Administration/Executive Branch budget agencies — for notification and anticipated consideration in the Senate.

Budget and Ways and Means staff — coordination of amendments and discussing changes to the FY 2026 GAB.

Timeline and procedural notes

Introduced and filed: May 2, 2025 (bill text reference) with Senate filing and formal order process occurring the following days.

Senate action: May 5, 2025 — Rules suspended and adopted, making the procedural order effective.

Amendment deadline: May 9, 2025, by 2:00 P.M. (electronic filing with the Clerk).

Second-reading date: May 20, 2025 (Tuesday) — the only item on the calendar.

Potential impact

Creates a narrow, accelerated window for legislative amendments to the FY 2026 GAB, focusing debate on an orderly schedule.

Reduces the likelihood of late or extraneous amendments by centralizing filing and timing requirements.

Improves transparency and predictability of the budget debate timeline for lawmakers, staff, and the public.

Note: This is a procedural order, not a substantive appropriation measure.