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H 3892

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2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Creates two nonpartisan offices, the Office of Legislative Research and the Office of Fiscal Analysis, to analyze policy and fiscal impacts and publish summaries and fiscal notes.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 3892

Summary: House Bill H.3892 — An Act Establishing Offices of Legislative Research and Fiscal Analysis

Overview

House Bill 3892 proposes creating two nonpartisan research offices within the Massachusetts General Court: the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) and the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA). The purpose is to provide professional, impartial policy, legal, and fiscal analysis to support lawmakers, committees, and commissions in evaluating proposed legislation and related matters. The bill emphasizes high standards of research practice and nonpartisanship.

What the Bill Creates

  • Establishes two separate offices inside the General Court:
    • Office of Legislative Research (OLR):
    • Supports members and committees with policy analysis, comparative legal analysis, statistical research, and fact-finding for proposed or potential legislation.
    • Assists with bill drafting upon request.
    • Reviews bills and amendments at third reading for consistency with General Laws.
    • Prepares a detailed section-by-section summary for each bill reaching third reading.
    • Maintains the legislative history of all bills that reach third reading.
    • Continuously reviews General Laws for errors and inconsistencies; may draft recommendations for recodification, repeal, or revision.
    • Recommends changes aligned with the will and intent of the General Court.
    • Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA):
    • Prepares tax revenue and expenditure forecasts and reviews.
    • Analyzes the fiscal impact of proposed legislation; prepares a fiscal note for each bill that reaches third reading.
    • Performs budgetary, economic, and statistical analyses as requested by Ways and Means.

Reporting and Public Access

  • Both offices must publish reports and findings electronically, subject to any statutory exemptions.
  • Communications between the offices and members, staff, or committees are confidential and not discloseable to others, except as allowed by law.

Location and Administration

  • Offices will be provided with quarters in the State House or another convenient location.
  • Each office is headed by a Director:
    • Appointment: Directors are appointed by a joint majority of the Speaker, the Senate President, and the leaders of the minority parties in each chamber (nonpartisan appointment).
    • Qualifications and Term: Qualified by training/experience; term is five years and renewable; full-time; cannot be terminated except for cause as determined jointly by rules committees of both chambers.
    • Restrictions: Directors must remain nonpartisan and may not hold elected/appointed office or be a party official during their term.
    • Vacancies/Absence: Acting director can be designated to serve with full authority if needed.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred: to the Rules Committee (two branches, acting concurrently) on February 27, 2025.
  • Discharged/Committee Action: Sent to the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee on July 7, 2025.
  • Senate Concurred: July 10, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for September 9, 2025, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM (A-1 and virtual).

Related Legislation

  • Related bill: HD 1802 (noted as a replacement path).

Potential Impact

  • Provides structured, nonpartisan support to evaluate legislation's policy and fiscal implications.
  • Likely increases professional staff capacity within the General Court and enhances bill drafting and codification efforts.
  • Introduces formal reporting responsibilities (section-by-section bill summaries, fiscal notes, and codification recommendations) that could influence legislative decision-making and transparency.

This summary reflects the provisions and provisions described in the bill text up to the current available sections.

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

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