Massachusetts General Court

General information
Type: |  State legislature
Term limits: |  None
Session start: |  January 3, 2024
Website: |  Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President: |  Karen Spilka (D)
House Speaker: | Ronald Mariano (D)
Majority Leader: |  Senate: Cynthia Stone Creem (D)
House: Michael Moran (D)
Minority Leader: |  Senate: Bruce Tarr (R)
House: Bradley Jones, Jr. (R)
Structure
Members: | 40 (Senate), 160 (House)
Length of term: |  2 years (Senate), 2 years (House)
Authority: |  Chapter 1, Massachusetts Constitution
Salary: |  $73,655.01/year
Elections
Last election: | November 8, 2022
Next election: | November 5, 2024
Redistricting: | Massachusetts Legislature has control

## Contents

* 1 Senate
* 2 House of Representatives
* 3 Elections
* 3.1 2026
* 3.2 2024
* 3.3 2022
* 3.4 2020
* 3.5 2018
* 3.6 2016
* 3.7 2014
* 3.8 2012
* 3.9 2010
* 4 Sessions
* 4.1 2024
* 4.2 2023
* 4.3 2022
* 4.4 2021
* 4.5 2020
* 4.5.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 4.6 2019
* 4.7 2018
* 4.8 2017
* 4.9 2016
* 4.9.1 Major issues in 2016
* 4.10 2015
* 4.10.1 Major issues in 2015
* 4.11 2014
* 4.11.1 Major issues in 2014
* 4.12 2013
* 4.12.1 Major issues in 2013
* 4.13 2012
* 4.13.1 Major issues in 2012
* 4.14 2011
* 4.15 2010
* 4.16 Role in state budget
* 5 Redistricting
* 5.1 2020
* 5.2 2010
* 6 Legislators
* 6.1 Salaries
* 6.2 Swearing in dates
* 7 District maps
* 7.1 State Senate
* 7.2 State House
* 8 Veto overrides
* 9 History
* 9.1 Partisan balance 1992-2013
* 9.1.1 SQLI and partisanship
* 10 Legislative procedure
* 11 Joint Legislative Committees
* 12 Constitutional amendments
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

The Massachusetts General Court (formally styled, The Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases. Before the adoption of the state constitution in 1780, it was called the "Great and General Court," but the official title was shortened by John Adams, author of the constitution. It is a bicameral body. The upper house is the Massachusetts State Senate which is composed of 40 members. The lower body, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, has 160 members. Before 1978, it had 240 members.[1] The General Court was established in 1630 when the Massachusetts Bay Colony obtained a new charter. It meets in the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts.

State Senators and Representatives both serve two-year terms.[2]

Massachusetts has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives, Massachusetts State Senate, Massachusetts Governor

## Senate[edit]

There are 40 senatorial districts in Massachusetts, named for the counties in which they are located.

As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state senators represented an average of 175,837 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 163,991 residents.

Party  | As of September 2024

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| Democratic Party | 36
| Republican Party | 4
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  40

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Massachusetts State Senate in 1958. In 2022, they won a 37-3 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Massachusetts Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Massachusetts State Senate election results: 1992-2022

Year  | '92  | '94  | '96  | '98  | '00  | '02  | '04  | '06  | '08  | '10  | '12  | '14  | '16  | '18  | '20  | '22

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Democrats | 31 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 37 | 37
Republicans | 9 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3

## House of Representatives[edit]

Representative districts are named for the primary county in which they are located, and tend to stay within one county, although some districts contain portions of adjacent counties.

As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state representatives represented an average of 43,959 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 40,998 residents.

Party  | As of September 2024

|

| Democratic Party | 133
| Republican Party | 25
| Independent  | 1
| Vacancies  | 1
Total |  160

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1954. In 2022, they won a 134-25-1 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Massachusetts House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Massachusetts House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022

Year  | '92  | '94  | '96  | '98  | '00  | '02  | '04  | '06  | '08  | '10  | '12  | '14  | '16  | '18  | '20  | '22

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Democrats | 124 | 125 | 124 | 131 | 137 | 136 | 139 | 141 | 143 | 128 | 131 | 125 | 125 | 127 | 129 | 134
Republicans | 35 | 34 | 35 | 28 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 32 | 29 | 35 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 25
Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1

## Elections[edit]

### 2026[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2026 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

### 2024[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2024 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 3, 2024. The filing deadline was May 28, 2024.[3]

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 3, 2024. The filing deadline was May 28, 2024.[4]

### 2022[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2022 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.

### 2020[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2020 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.[5]

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.[5]

### 2018[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2018 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2018. The semi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2018. The semi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2016 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

### 2014[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2014 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014.

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014.

### 2012[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2012 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012.

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2010 and Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010., and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents.

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents.

## Sessions[edit]

The Massachusetts Constitution contains provisions regarding when the General Court is to meet. This subject has been the focus of several amendments to the Constitution. Originally,  Chapter 1 of the Massachusetts Constitution called for the General Court to convene on the last Wednesday of May. Then,  Amending Article X called for legislative sessions to convene yearly on the first Wednesday of January. Later,  Amending Article LXXII called for the General Court to meet once every two years, but  Amending Article LXXV repealed that amendment. Therefore, the rules that govern when the General Court is to meet are in Amending Article X.

Article X calls for the General Court to convene its regular session on the first Wednesday of January. The session does not dissolve until a new regular session convenes in the next year. Article X specifies that it does not prevent the General Court from meeting at any time that it judges necessary.[6]

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on July 31, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on November 15, 2023.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2022, and adjourn on August 1, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on January 4, 2022.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 1, 2020, and adjourn on January 5, 2021.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Massachusetts were made.

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2019, through December 31, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Massachusetts legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through July 31, 2018 (formal)

December 31, 2018 (informal). To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through November 15, 2017. The legislature held an informal session from November 16, 2017, to January 2, 2018.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through July 31.

#### Major issues in 2016[edit]

Major issues in the 2016 legislative session included charter schools, energy, early education, and taxes.[7]

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2015, through January 5, 2016.

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the state budget deficit.[8]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through August 1.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included the minimum wage, unemployment insurance reform, gun control, and assisted suicide.[9][10]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 2 to December 31.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included revenue shortfalls, transportation financing, firearm regulation, and health care costs.[11]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session starting January 4 through July 31.

#### Major issues in 2012[edit]

Leading the agenda was the regulation of special education collaboratives in the state. Other issues included controlling health costs and a sentencing bill that would bar parole for prisoners convicted of more than two violent crimes.[12]

In August 2012, Sen. Mike Rush (D) and Rep. Ed Coppinger (D) wrote a list of legislative accomplishments from the session. Among the major policy items addressed were the passage of balanced FY 2012 and 2013 state budgets, a health care cost containment bill, strategic economic development legislation, and the legalization of casino gaming.[13]

### 2011[edit]

In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 5 through November 16.

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the legislature convened its session on January 6th, and it remained in session throughout 2010.

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Massachusetts state budget and finances
Massachusetts on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[14]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in mid-November of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature on the fourth Wednesday in January.
3. The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Massachusetts is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[14][15]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[14]

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by the governor.[16]

State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[16]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2020 census

Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state's new legislative maps into law on November 4, 2021.[17] The state House passed the maps by a vote of 158-1 on October 21, 2021. The state Senate approved the legislative plans on October 27, 2021 by a vote of 36-3. The legislature began consideration of the state's redistricting plans on October 19, 2021.[18] These maps took effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections.

After the redistricting plans were enacted, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin (D) issued a statement expressing concern regarding how the maps would be implemented: "I am extremely disappointed that these bills were signed into law in their current form and I think it is a devastating blow to the voters of Massachusetts. With local precincts divided multiple ways, it will inevitably lead to chaos at the polls and make it impossible for voters to understand who their elected representatives are."[19] After the legislature approved the maps, State Sen. William Brownsberger (D) said, "It’s a quality final product. We have used every minute we’ve had to keep vetting, to keep adjusting . . . and to respond to input that we’ve received."[20]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2010 census

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Massachusetts experienced a 3.1 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2010. Specifically, the population rose from approximately 6.35 million to 6.55 million. However, the nation as a whole saw a population increase of 9.7 percent, a much faster rate than Massachusetts. Massachusetts lost a Congressional seat as a result of the relatively slow growth.[21][22][23]

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting conducted the redistricting process.[24] Some towns petitioned for having one representative, rather than being split between two state legislative districts.[25] Other citizen groups expressed strong interests in having more minority-majority districts.[26][27] In October 2011, the Committee produced and approved a map that increased the number of minority-majority districts in the state house from ten to twenty, and consolidated the town of Lexington into one state house district.[28][29]

## Legislators[edit]

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[30]

Salary| Per diem
$73,655.01/year| No per diem is paid.

### Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.[31]

## District maps[edit]

### State Senate[edit]

### State House[edit]

## Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Massachusetts are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 107 of the 160 members in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and 27 of the 40 members in the Massachusetts State Senate. Massachusetts is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

Authority: Chapter 1, Article II of the Massachusetts Constitution.

"But if he have any objection to the passing of such bill or resolve, he shall return the same, together with his objections thereto, in writing, to the senate or house of representatives, in whichsoever the same shall have originated; who shall enter the objections sent down by the governor, at large, on their records, and proceed to reconsider the said bill or resolve. But if after such reconsideration, two thirds of the said senate or house of representatives, shall, notwithstanding the said objections, agree to pass the same, it shall, together with the objections, be sent to the other branch of the legislature, where it shall also be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of the members present, shall have the force of a law: but in all such cases, the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays; and the names of the persons voting for, or against, the said bill or resolve, shall be entered upon the public records of the commonwealth."

## History[edit]

### Partisan balance 1992-2013[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Massachusetts

Partisan breakdown of the Massachusetts legislature from 1992-2013

Massachusetts State Senate: During every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Massachusetts State Senate. The Massachusetts State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the last seven years of the study Massachusetts was under Democratic trifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Massachusetts State House of Representatives: During every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives. The Massachusetts State House of Representatives is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the last seven years of the study Massachusetts was under Democratic trifectas.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts State Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

#### SQLI and partisanship[edit]

To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Massachusetts state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Massachusetts had a period of divided government between 1992 and 2006 before electing a Democratic trifecta in 2007. Between the years 1992 and 2004, Massachusetts remained in the top-10 in the SQLI ranking, hitting its highest spot (3rd) in 2000 under divided government. The state had its lowest ranking (24th) in 2006, also under divided government. During the years 2005 and 2006, Massachusetts fell eleven spots in the SQLI ranking under divided government, which was its largest drop in the ranking during the period of the study. The state has never had a Republican trifecta.

* SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 14.17
* SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
* SQLI average with divided government: 7.20

Chart displaying the partisanship of Massachusetts government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

## Legislative procedure[edit]

Lawmaking begins in the House or Senate Clerk's office where petitions, bills, and resolves are filed and recorded in a docket book. The clerks number the bills and assign them to appropriate joint committees. Each committee is composed of six senators and eleven representatives. The standing committees schedule public hearings for the individual bills, which afford citizens, legislators, and lobbyists the opportunity to express their views. Committee members meet at a later time in executive session to review the public testimony and discuss the merits of each bill before making their recommendations to the full membership of the House or Senate. Note that the public may still observe executive sessions, but may not participate in these meetings. The committee then issues its report, recommending that a bill "ought to pass," with or without amendments from the committee, "ought not to pass," or given a study order. The report is then submitted to the Clerk's office.

The first reading of a favorably-reported bill is automatic and occurs when the committee's report appears in the Journal of the House or Senate Clerk. Matters not requiring reference to another Joint, House, or Senate committee are, following the first reading, referred without debate to the Committee on Steering and Policy in the Senate (except certain special laws relative to a city or town), or placed in the Orders of the Day (the Calendar) without debate, for a second reading in the House. If a bill affects the finances of the Commonwealth, it is referred to the Senate or House Committee on Ways and Means after the first reading. If it affects county finances, the bill is read and referred to the Committee on Counties of the House (if the matter is reported into the House). Adverse reports ("ought not to pass") are also referred to the Committee on Steering and Policy in the Senate or placed without debate in the Orders of the Day for the next session of the House. Acceptance by either branch of an adverse report is considered the final rejection of the matter. However, an adverse report can be overturned. A member may move to substitute the bill for the report, and, if the motion to substitute carries, the matter is then given its first reading and follows the same procedure as if reported favorably by committee.

After a bill takes its second reading, it is open to debate on amendments and motions. Following debate, a vote is taken and if the bill receives a favorable vote by the membership, it is ordered to a third reading and referred to the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. This amounts to preliminary approval of the bill in that branch. That committee examines technical points, as well as the legality and constitutionality of the measure, and ensures that it does not duplicate or contradict existing law. The committee then issues a report and returns the bill to the House or Senate for its third reading. At that time, legislators can further debate and amend the bill. Following the third reading, the body votes on "passing the bill to be engrossed."

The bill must then pass through three readings and engrossment in the second legislative branch. If the second branch passes an amended version of the bill, the legislation returns to the original branch for a vote of concurrence in the amendment. If concurrence is rejected, a conference committee consisting of the three members from each legislative branch representing both political parties may be formed to create a compromise piece of legislation. When a compromise is reached, the bill is sent to both legislative branches for their approval.

A vote "to enact" the bill, first in the House and later in the Senate, is the final step in the passage of a bill by the legislature. Following enactment, the bill goes to the governor, who may sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without signing it (if the governor holds the bill for ten days without taking any action while the legislature is in session, it becomes law without his or her signature), veto it, or return it to the legislature with recommended changes. If the legislature has concluded its yearly session, and the governor does not sign the bill within ten days, it dies. This is referred to as a "pocket veto." This ten-day period includes Sundays and holidays, even if they fall on the tenth day, and it begins the day after the legislation is laid on the governor's desk.

A bill signed by the governor, or passed by two-thirds of both branches over his veto, becomes a law. It is usually effective in ninety days. The day after the governor signs the bill is considered to be the first day, and each succeeding day, including Sundays and holidays, is counted until the ninetieth. Laws considered "emergency" in nature take effect immediately upon signing if the legislature has voted to attach an "emergency preamble" to the bill. Adoption of the preamble requires a two-thirds standing vote of the membership. The governor may also declare an act to be an emergency law and make it effective at once. A special act takes effect thirty days from the day it is signed, unless it contains a provision to make it effective immediately.[32]

## Joint Legislative Committees[edit]

See also: Public policy in Massachusetts

There are 29 joint standing committees in the Massachusetts General Court.

* Cannabis Policy
* Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
* Community Development and Small Businesses
* Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
* Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
* Education
* Elder Affairs
* Election Laws
* Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
* Export Development
* Financial Services
* Health Care Financing
* Higher Education
* Housing
* Judiciary
* Labor and Workforce Development
* Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery
* Municipalities and Regional Government
* Public Health
* Public Safety and Homeland Security
* Public Service
* Revenue
* Rules
* State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
* Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy
* Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
* Transportation
* Veterans and Federal Affairs
* Ways and Means

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Massachusetts Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XLVIII, Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, and Laws governing ballot measures in Massachusetts

The process of amending the Massachusetts Constitution is governed by Article XLVIII, Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, which is itself the 48th amendment to the state's constitution.

Article 48 allows the constitution to be amended through indirect initiative amendments. It imposes a number of restrictions on such proposed amendments:

* Petitions that relate to "religion, religious practices or religious institutions" are prohibited.
* Petitions that relate to the "appointment, qualification, tenure, removal, recall or compensation of judges" are prohibited.
* Petitions that would reverse judicial decisions are prohibited.
* Petitions relating to the "powers, creation or abolition of courts" are prohibited.
* Petitions that apply only to "a particular town, city or other political division or to particular districts or localities of the commonwealth" are prohibited.
* Petitions that would make "a specific appropriation of money from the treasury of the commonwealth" are prohibited.
* Any petition relating to Amendment 18 is prohibited through citizen initiative; however, Amendment 18 was altered through other paths.
* Petitions "inconsistent with" a list of "rights of the individual" are prohibited; those rights include:

* "The right to receive compensation for private property appropriated to public use."
* "The right of access to and protection in courts of justice."
* "The right of trial by jury."
* "Protection from unreasonable search unreasonable bail and the law martial."
* "Freedom of the press."
* "Freedom of elections."
* "The right of peaceable assembly."

* The sections of the constitution that prohibit various matters from being taken up by citizen initiative are also, themselves, prohibited from change through the process.
* Petitions that are "substantially the same as any measure which has been qualified for submission or submitted to the people at either of the two preceding biennial state elections" are prohibited.

The state's general court plays a significant role in the process for an initiated constitutional amendment in Massachusetts:

* The Massachusetts General Court is allowed to refer an alternative substitute measure to the ballot to compete with the proposed citizen initiative.
* The state legislature is allowed to amend the text of an initiated constitutional amendment through a three-fourths vote in joint session.
* In two successive legislative sessions, 25 percent of the members of the Massachusetts General Court must support the proposed amendment in order for it to go on the ballot. There are 200 legislators altogether—40 in the Massachusetts State Senate and 160 in the Massachusetts House of Representatives—so a proposed amendment must earn 50 positive votes. The proposed amendment does not need to earn a 25 percent vote from both chambers, but, rather, from a joint session. This means, for example, that if 50 members of the state house voted in favor of an amendment, it would require no support from any state senator to qualify for the ballot.

The Massachusetts General Court may also legislatively refer constitutional amendments. This procedure is defined in Section 1 to 3 of Article LXXXI of the Massachusetts Constitution. According to that section:

* Amendments may be proposed by either house of the Massachusetts General Court.
* Consideration of the amendment in a joint session may be called for by a vote of either house no later than the second Wednesday in May.
* Proposed amendments must receive majority approval (50% + 1) two successive joint legislative sessions to be placed on the ballot.
* If any such proposed amendment is approved by a simple majority of voters and by at least 30 percent of people voting in that election, the amendment is adopted.

The Massachusetts Constitution can also be changed through a constitutional convention and subsequent ratification from the voters.

There have been four constitutional conventions in Massachusetts:

* From 1779–80. This led to the adoption of the Massachusetts Constitution, which is the oldest state constitution continuously in effect.
* From 1820–21. This convention yielded the Articles of Amendment, 1-9.
* 1853\. This convention led to a proposal for an entirely new constitution and seven proposed amendments. They were submitted to a vote of the people, and they all lost.
* 1917–19. This constitution proposed 22 amendments and a revised draft of the existing constitution. Voters approved all these proposals.

2025 measures:

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

2024 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.

See also: Massachusetts 2024 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

## See also[edit]

Elections | Massachusetts State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

|
|
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* Massachusetts elections, 2024
* Massachusetts elections, 2022
* Massachusetts elections, 2020
* Massachusetts elections, 2018

* Massachusetts State Senate
* Massachusetts House of Representatives
* Governor of Massachusetts
* Massachusetts Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures

## External links[edit]

* General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
* Massachusetts State Senate
* Massachusetts House of Representatives

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021
2. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
3. ↑ Candidates had to submit nomination papers to their local election offices for signature verification by April 30, 2024. They had until May 28, 2024, to file those certified signatures with the state.
4. ↑ Candidates had to submit nomination papers to their local election offices for signature verification by April 30, 2024. They had until May 28, 2024, to file those certified signatures with the state.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 To appear on the ballot in Massachusetts, prospective candidates must submit nomination papers for certification to the registrars of the cities or towns in which signatures were collected and to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The local filing deadline must occur four weeks prior to the candidate's second filing deadline with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. In 2020, the local-level filing deadline was May 5 and the state-level filing deadline was June 2. Click here to learn more.
6. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021
7. ↑ The Associated Press, "Legislative leader to outline goals for 2016 session," January 29, 2016
8. ↑ State House News Service, "DeLeo, Rosenberg won't rule out tax increases in face of budget deficit," January 8, 2015
9. ↑ The Washington Post, "Massachusetts session preview: A full policy plate for 2014," January 9, 2014
10. ↑ The Boston Globe, "Minimum wage battles are shifting to the states," January 13, 2014
11. ↑ Boston Herald, "Mass. formally opens legislative session," January 2, 2013
12. ↑ Lowell Sun, "Mass. lawmakers to weigh bill on special ed groups," January 4, 2012
13. ↑ Wicked Local Roslindale, "Sen. Rush, Rep. Coppinger announce legislative highlights," August 18, 2012
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
15. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed May 4, 2015
17. ↑ MassLive, "As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker OKs new districts, Secretary of State William Galvin warns of chaos," November 4, 2021
18. ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
19. ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
20. ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
21. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Massachusetts Profile," accessed February 12, 2021
22. ↑ Belmont Citizen-Herald, "Census preparing to deliver redistricting data to states," January 13, 2011
23. ↑ Boston Globe, "Census begins fight on districts," March 23, 2011
24. ↑ Boston Herald, "Lawmakers launch Mass. redistricting process," March 16, 2011
25. ↑ Wicked Local Randolph, "Officials push for only one state rep for Randolph," January 27, 2011
26. ↑ Eagle Tribune, "Proposal would create Latino-heavy legislative districts — and make targets out of Baddour and Finegold," June 26, 2011
27. ↑ Boston Globe, "Advocates seek boost in Mass. minority voter clout," October 5, 2011
28. ↑ Mass Live, "Massachusetts legislators release maps of proposed new seats for state Senate, House," October 18, 2011
29. ↑ Wicked Local Winchester, "Redrawn legislative map makes Lexington one House district," October 19, 2011
30. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
31. ↑ Massachusetts Constitution, "Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
32. ↑ Massachusetts Legal Services, "The Legislative Process in Massachusetts," November 1, 2007

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