Legislative Update – Senator Bruce Tarr
A message from MA State Senator Bruce Tarr
With more than 6,000 bills filed by the state's 200 legislators by the January 20th deadline for this session, the House and Senate have been more recently developing the infrastructure needed to process those pieces of legislation through research, receiving public input, and deliberation. An important task in that effort is the adoption of the rules which will govern the operations of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the joint activities conducted by the branches, in 2023 and 2024. The House debated and adopted its rules on February 1st, and the Senate did so on February 9th. Additionally, each chamber has adopted its version of proposed joint rules, which must now be reconciled by a conference committee consisting of three Representatives and three Senators, who are now engaged in negotiating that reconciliation. Throughout the Senate's consideration of the rules, I have and will continue to pursue changes which increase the transparency and accountability of the lawmaking process, such as allowing more time for legislators and the public to read bills before they are acted upon, and ensuring that business is conducted during reasonable hours for the public to view what is happening on the floors of the house and Senate.
- Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading
- Senate Committee on Ethics
- Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice
- Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration
- Senate Committee on Rules
- Senate Committee on Steering and Policy
- Senate Committee on Ways and Means
- Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity
- Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
- Joint Committee on Financial Services
- Joint Committee on Higher Education
- Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
- Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion
- Joint Committee on Rules
- Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
- Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Senator Bruce Tarr
By email: Bruce.Tarr@masenate.gov