Massachusetts House of Representatives

From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 63 min

Massachusetts House of
Representatives
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Democrat
Session start:[1]   January 6, 2021
Session end:[1]   January 4, 2022
Term length:   2 years
Term limits:   None
Redistricting:  Legislature-dominant
Salary:   $70,536/year
Members
Total:  160
Democrats:  129
Republicans:  29
Other:  1 (Independent)
Vacancies:  1
Leadership
Speaker:   Ronald Mariano (D)
Maj. Leader:   Vacant
Min. Leader:   Bradley Jones, Jr. (R)
Elections
Last election:  November 3, 2020
Next election:  November 8, 2022

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Massachusetts General Court. Alongside the Massachusetts State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Massachusetts state government and works alongside the governor of Massachusetts to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Massachusetts House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives meets in the State House in Boston, Massachusetts.

Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state's new legislative maps into law on November 4, 2021.[2] 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.[3] These maps take effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections. Click here for more information about redistricting after the 2020 census.

  • All 160 seats in the Massachusetts House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Democratic supermajority increased from 127-31 (with one third-party legislator and one vacancy) to 129-30 with one third-party legislator. Click to read more »
  • Massachusetts has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor, while the Democratic Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

    Party control[edit]

    Current partisan control[edit]

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Massachusetts House of Representatives as of November 2021:

    Party As of November 2021
         Democratic Party 129
         Republican Party 29
         Independent 1
         Vacancies 1
    Total 160

    Members[edit]

    Leadership[edit]

    The House elects its speaker, who then appoints majority floor leaders. The minority party elects its leaders in a party caucus.[4]

    Current leadership and members[edit]


    Office Name Party Date assumed office
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Barnstable District Timothy Whelan Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Berkshire District John Barrett III Democratic November 15, 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Bristol District F. Jay Barrows Republican 2007
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District James Kelcourse Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Franklin District Natalie Blais Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Hampden District Todd Smola Republican January 5, 2005
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Hampshire District Lindsay Sabadosa Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Middlesex District Sheila Harrington Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Norfolk District Bruce Ayers Democratic 1999
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Plymouth District Mathew Muratore Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Suffolk District Adrian Madaro Democratic April 8, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Worcester District Kimberly Ferguson Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Barnstable District Kip Diggs Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Berkshire District Paul Mark Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Bristol District James Hawkins Democratic April 10, 2018
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Essex District Leonard Mirra Republican January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Franklin District Susannah Whipps Independent January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Hampden District Brian Michael Ashe Democratic 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Hampshire District Daniel Carey Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Middlesex District James Arciero Democratic 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Norfolk District Tackey Chan Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Plymouth District Susan Gifford Republican 2003
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Suffolk District Daniel Joseph Ryan Democratic April 16, 2014
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District Jonathan Zlotnik Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Barnstable District David Vieira Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Berkshire District Tricia Farley-Bouvier Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Bristol District Carol Doherty Democratic June 10, 2020
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Essex District Andy Vargas Democratic November 15, 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Hampden District Nicholas Boldyga Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Hampshire District Mindy Domb Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Middlesex District Kate Hogan Democratic 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Norfolk District Ronald Mariano Democratic 1992
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Plymouth District Joan Meschino Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Suffolk District Aaron Michlewitz Democratic 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 3rd Worcester District Michael Kushmerek Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Barnstable District Sarah Peake Democratic 2007
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Berkshire District William Pignatelli Democratic 2003
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Bristol District Steven Howitt Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Essex District Vacant
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Hampden District Kelly Pease Republican January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Middlesex District Danielle Gregoire Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Norfolk District James Murphy Democratic 2001
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Plymouth District Patrick Joseph Kearney Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Suffolk District David Biele Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th Worcester District Natalie Higgins Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Barnstable District Steven Xiarhos Republican January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Bristol District Patricia Haddad Democratic 2001
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Essex District Ann-Margaret Ferrante Democratic 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Hampden District Patricia Duffy Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Middlesex District David Linsky Democratic 1999
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Norfolk District Mark Cusack Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Plymouth District David DeCoste Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Suffolk District Liz Miranda Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 5th Worcester District Donald Berthiaume Jr. Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Bristol District Carole Fiola Democratic September 25, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Essex District Jerry Parisella Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Hampden District Michael Finn Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Middlesex District Maria Robinson Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Norfolk District William Galvin Democratic 1991
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Plymouth District Josh Cutler Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Suffolk District Russell Holmes Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th Worcester District Peter Durant Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Bristol District Alan Silvia Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Essex District Paul Tucker Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Hampden District Jacob Oliveira Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Middlesex District Jack Patrick Lewis Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Norfolk District William Driscoll Jr. Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Plymouth District Alyson Sullivan Republican January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Suffolk District Chynah Tyler Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Worcester District Paul Frost Republican 1997
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Bristol District Paul Schmid III Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Essex District Lori Ehrlich Democratic March 13, 2008
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Hampden District Joseph Wagner Democratic 1993
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Middlesex District Carolyn Dykema Democratic January 7, 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Norfolk District Ted Philips Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Plymouth District Angelo D'Emilia Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Suffolk District Jay Livingstone Democratic July 17, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Worcester District Michael Soter Republican January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Bristol District Christopher Markey Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Essex District Donald Wong Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Hampden District Orlando Ramos Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Middlesex District Thomas Stanley Democratic 2001
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Norfolk District Shawn Dooley Republican January 29, 2014
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Plymouth District Gerry Cassidy Democratic March 9, 2016
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Suffolk District Jon Santiago Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 9th Worcester District David Muradian Jr. Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Bristol District William Straus Democratic 1993
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Essex District Dan Cahill Democratic May 18, 2016
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Hampden District Carlos Gonzalez Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Middlesex District John Lawn Democratic May 25, 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Norfolk District Jeffrey Roy Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Plymouth District Michelle DuBois Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Suffolk District Edward Coppinger Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 10th Worcester District Brian Murray Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Bristol District Christopher Hendricks Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Essex District Peter Capano Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Hampden District Bud Williams Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Middlesex District Kay Khan Democratic 1995
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Norfolk District Paul McMurtry Democratic 2007
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Plymouth District Claire Cronin Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Suffolk District Elizabeth Malia Democratic 1999
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 11th Worcester District Hannah Kane Republican April 8, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Bristol District Norman Orrall Republican January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Essex District Thomas Walsh Democratic March 9, 2016
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Hampden District Angelo Puppolo Jr. Democratic 2007
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Middlesex District Ruth Balser Democratic 1999
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Norfolk District John Rogers Democratic 1993
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Plymouth District Kathleen LaNatra Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Suffolk District Brandy Fluker Oakley Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Worcester District Meghan Kilcoyne Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 13th Bristol District Antonio Cabral Democratic 1991
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 13th Essex District Sally Kerans Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 13th Middlesex District Carmine Lawrence Gentile Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 13th Norfolk District Denise Garlick Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 13th Suffolk District Daniel Hunt Democratic April 16, 2014
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 13th Worcester District John Mahoney Democratic 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 14th Bristol District Adam Scanlon Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 14th Essex District Christina Minicucci Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 14th Middlesex District Tami Gouveia Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 14th Norfolk District Alice Peisch Democratic 2003
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 14th Suffolk District Rob Consalvo Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 14th Worcester District James O'Day Democratic 2007
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 15th Essex District Linda Dean Campbell Democratic 2007
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 15th Middlesex District Michelle Ciccolo Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 15th Norfolk District Tommy Vitolo Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 15th Suffolk District Nika Elugardo Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 15th Worcester District Mary Keefe Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 16th Essex District Marcos Devers Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 16th Middlesex District Thomas Golden Jr. Democratic 1995
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 16th Suffolk District Jessica Giannino Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 16th Worcester District Daniel M. Donahue Democratic September 25, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 17th Essex District Frank Moran Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 17th Middlesex District Vanna Howard Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 17th Suffolk District Kevin Honan Democratic 1987
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 17th Worcester District David LeBoeuf Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 18th Essex District Tram Nguyen Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 18th Middlesex District Rady Mom Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 18th Suffolk District Michael Moran Democratic 2005
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 18th Worcester District Joseph McKenna Republican January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 19th Middlesex District David Allen Robertson Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 19th Suffolk District Jeffrey Turco Democratic April 7, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 20th Middlesex District Bradley Jones Jr. Republican 1995
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 21st Middlesex District Kenneth Gordon Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 22nd Middlesex District Marc Lombardo Republican 2011
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 23rd Middlesex District Sean Garballey Democratic 2009
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 24th Middlesex District David Rogers Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 25th Middlesex District Marjorie Decker Democratic January 5, 2013
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 26th Middlesex District Mike Connolly Democratic 2017
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 27th Middlesex District Erika Uyterhoeven Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 28th Middlesex District Joseph McGonagle Jr. Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 29th Middlesex District Steven Owens Democratic January 6, 2021
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 30th Middlesex District Richard Haggerty Democratic January 2, 2019
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 31st Middlesex District Michael Day Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 32nd Middlesex District Kate Lipper-Garabedian Democratic March 25, 2020
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 33rd Middlesex District Steven Ultrino Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 34th Middlesex District Christine Barber Democratic January 7, 2015
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 35th Middlesex District Paul Donato Sr. Democratic 2001
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 36th Middlesex District Colleen Garry Democratic 1995
    Massachusetts House of Representatives 37th Middlesex District Danillo Sena Democratic June 10, 2020
    Massachusetts House of Representatives Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District Dylan Fernandes Democratic 2017


    Salaries[edit]

    See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislators
    SalaryPer diem
    $70,536/yearNo per diem is paid. Legislators residing within 50 miles of the statehouse receive an office expense stipend of $17,043 that can be used for travel expenses. Legislators residing more than 50 miles from the statehouse receive $22,723.

    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.[5]

    Membership qualifications[edit]

    See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

    Article LXXI of the Massachusetts Constitution states: "Every representative, for one year at least immediately preceding his election, shall have been an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen and shall cease to represent such district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the commonwealth."[6]

    Historical party control[edit]

    From 1992 to 2020, the Massachusetts House of Representatives was controlled by the Democratic Party. The table below shows the partisan history of the Massachusetts House of Representatives following every general election from 1992 to 2020. 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 Party Control: 1992-2020

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20
    Democrats 124 125 124 131 137 136 139 141 143 128 131 125 125 127 129
    Republicans 35 34 35 28 23 23 20 19 16 32 29 35 35 32 30
    Other 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1

    Democrats maintained control of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1992 to 2020. House Democrats held their largest majority following the 2008 elections when Democrats held a 127-seat advantage. Throughout the period, Democrats usually controlled between 124 and 143 seats, while Republicans controlled between 16 and 35 seats. During the period, Democrats also held more than the 107 seats required to override a gubernatorial veto. Republicans controlled the governor's office from 1992 to 2006 and have held it since 2015.

    In the 2010 elections, Democrats kept control of the state House with a 128-32 majority but lost 14 seats. Republicans increased their minority in both the 2014 and 2016 elections but lost seats in 2018 and 2020. The Republican gains from 2010 to 2016 were in line with a national trend toward Republican state legislatures during the presidency of Barack Obama (D). House Republicans gained seats in the Massachusetts state House but Democrats never fell below 125 seats during Obama's presidency. From 2009 to 2017, Democrats experienced losses in state legislative elections, totaling 968 seats all together.

    Trifecta history[edit]

    A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2021, Massachusetts was under the following types of trifecta control:

    Democratic trifecta: 2007-2014
    Republican trifecta: None
    Divided government: 1992-2006, 2015-2021

    Massachusetts Party Control: 1992-2021
    Eight years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
    Governor R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R
    Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
    House D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

    Elections[edit]

    Elections by year[edit]

    Massachusetts state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Massachusetts holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2022[edit]

    See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2022

    Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022.

    2020[edit]

    See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2020

    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.[7]

    In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 126-31 to 129-30.


    Massachusetts House of Representatives
    Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
         Democratic Party 126 129
         Republican Party 31 30
         Independent 1 1
         Vacancy 2 0
    Total 160 160

    2018[edit]

    See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 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.

    In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 117-34 to 127-32.

    Massachusetts House of Representatives
    Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
         Democratic Party 117 127
         Republican Party 34 32
         Independent 2 1
         Vacancy 7 0
    Total 160 160

    2016[edit]

    See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 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. All 160 seats in the Massachusetts House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Democrats held a 125-34 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained one seat in the November 2016 general election.

    Massachusetts House of Representatives
    Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
         Democratic Party 125 125
         Republican Party 34 35
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 160 160

    Vacancies[edit]

    See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    If there is a vacancy in the Massachusetts General Court, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar.[14] Local governments that conduct special elections receive reimbursement from the state treasurer's office for all costs incurred.[15][16]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 and Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24

    District map[edit]

    See also: Massachusetts state legislative districts

    The state of Massachusetts has 200 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 40 districts and the state House has 160 districts.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.

    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.[17]

    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.[17]

    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.[18] 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.[19] These maps take 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."[20] 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."[21]

    District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

    This map takes effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections.

    Massachusetts Proposed House Statewide districts Oct 20.png

    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, with the population rising from approximately 6.35 million to 6.55 million. This was below the national average of 9.7 percent, and Massachusetts lost a Congressional seat as a result of the relatively slow growth.[22][23][24]

    The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting conducted the redistricting process.[25] On October 18, 2011, the state legislature released draft state Senate and state House maps. The Senate and House plans were passed on November 1, 2011, and were signed into law by the governor November 3, 2011.[26]

    Sessions[edit]

    Legislation[edit]

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in Massachusetts by year[edit]

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


    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.


    About legislative sessions in Massachusetts[edit]

    The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[34] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    The Massachusetts Constitution contains provisions regarding when the Massachusetts General Court, which the House is a part of, 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 currently 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.[35]

    Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

    Veto overrides[edit]

    Veto Override Graphic-Democratic Party.png

    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."

    Role in state budget[edit]

    See also: Massachusetts state budget and finances
    Massachusetts on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
    Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[36]

    1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in mid-November of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
    2. Agency hearings are held in February.
    3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature on the fourth Wednesday in January.
    4. 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.[36]

    The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[36]

    Committees[edit]

    See also: List of committees in Massachusetts state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Massachusetts House of Representatives has 11 standing committees:


    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.



    2021 measures:

    Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2021 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2021.

    See also: 2021 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2021.

    No measures to list

    See also[edit]

    Elections Massachusetts State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Massachusetts State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    Footnotes[edit]

    1. 1.0 1.1 This date reflects the regularly-scheduled date and does not reflect any change made as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. For more information on changes to state legislative sessions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
    2. MassLive, "As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker OKs new districts, Secretary of State William Galvin warns of chaos," November 4, 2021
    3. Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
    4. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Massachusetts Facts - Part One: Concise Facts, " accessed February 12, 2021
    5. Massachusetts Constitution, "Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
    6. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021
    7. 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.
    8. Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2010 - Candidates," accessed September 16, 2014
    9. Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2008 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    10. Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2006 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    11. Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2004 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    12. Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2002 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    13. Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2000 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    14. Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 50, Section 6A)
    15. Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 3: Section 10A)
    16. Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 54: Section 141)
    17. 17.0 17.1 All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed May 4, 2015
    18. MassLive, "As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker OKs new districts, Secretary of State William Galvin warns of chaos," November 4, 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. Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
    22. U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Massachusetts Profile," accessed February 12, 2021
    23. Belmont Citizen-Herald, "Census preparing to deliver redistricting data to states," January 13, 2011
    24. Boston Globe, "Census begins fight on districts," March 23, 2011
    25. Boston Herald, "Lawmakers launch Mass. redistricting process," March 16, 2011
    26. All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed June 8, 2021
    27. The Associated Press, "Legislative leader to outline goals for 2016 session," January 29, 2016
    28. State House News Service, "DeLeo, Rosenberg won't rule out tax increases in face of budget deficit," January 8, 2015
    29. The Washington Post, "Massachusetts session preview: A full policy plate for 2014," January 9, 2014
    30. The Boston Globe, "Minimum wage battles are shifting to the states," January 13, 2014
    31. Boston Herald, "Mass. formally opens legislative session," January 2, 2013
    32. Lowell Sun, "Mass. lawmakers to weigh bill on special ed groups," January 4, 2012
    33. Wicked Local Roslindale, "Sen. Rush, Rep. Coppinger announce legislative highlights," August 18, 2012
    34. Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021
    35. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed February 12, 2021
    36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2015," accessed February 5, 2021


    Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Original source: https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_House_of_Representatives
    Status: cached on November 18 2021 13:02:33
    Encyclosphere.org EncycloReader is supported by the EncyclosphereKSF