Bill
SD 3888
Sets firm amendment deadline and prioritizes FY2027 General Appropriations Bill in the Senate, scheduling second reading as the sole item on May 19, 2026.
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts Senate, 194th General Court (2025-2026)
Sponsor: Senator Michael Rodrigues (co-sponsor)
Date Filed: May 4, 2026
Title: Order relative to procedures to be followed when considering the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements.
Purpose and intent
- Establishes procedural rules for the consideration of the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) as reported by the Massachusetts House (House Bill concerning appropriations for Commonwealth operations, debt service, and permanent improvements).
- Sets deadlines and calendar positioning to govern amendments and floor action in the Senate, with the aim of organizing and expediting the amendment process and final disposition of the 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 3:00 P.M. on Friday, May 8, 2026. This creates a firm deadline for the submission of proposed amendments.
- Calendar and second reading: The General Appropriations Bill, as reported by Ways and Means, shall be placed in the Senate’s Orders of the Day for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, for its second reading. It is designated as the only item on the calendar for that session (Senate, No. 4). This indicates a scheduling priority and a focused consideration path for the bill during that session.
- Rule references: The order cites Senate Rule 27A (amendment filing procedures) and Senate Rule 38B (calendar and second reading procedures), aligning the process with existing Senate rules to manage amendments and floor consideration.
What would be affected
- The FY2027 General Appropriations Bill (the House-passed or House-authored appropriations bill destined for the Senate’s consideration), including:
- Operating appropriations for Commonwealth departments, boards, commissions, and institutions.
- Appropriations related to interest payments, sinking fund requirements, serial bond obligations.
- Allocations for certain permanent improvements (capital projects) funded in the annual appropriations act.
- Senate processes: The amendment filing window, scheduling for second reading, and overall timetable for debate and passage in the Senate.
Procedural and timeline implications
- A tight amendment deadline (May 8, 2026) means amendments must be prepared in advance of that date and filed electronically, potentially impacting how stakeholders coordinate last-minute changes.
- The bill is prioritized in the Senate calendar for May 19, 2026, receiving second reading as the sole item on the calendar, which concentrates debate and may influence filibuster dynamics and amendments.
- This order is procedural and does not itself alter substantive appropriations or policy; rather, it governs how the Senate will handle amendments and timetable for the FY2027 General Appropriations Bill as it progresses.
Notes
- The action history indicates the Rules were suspended and adopted on May 4, 2026, formalizing these procedures.
- The sponsor is Senator Michael Rodrigues (co-sponsor), aligning with the bill’s procedural focus.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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