The Massachusetts Legislature voted to approve the Economic Development Bond Bill on November 14, 2024 in a rare formal session. They voted on a Clean Energy Siting bill. Both are on Governor Healey's desk where she has 10 days to sign them into law. She can also issue vetoes of some of the language.
Summary of Economic Development Bill
Conference reported, in part: Nov. 12, 2024 at 6:01 p.m. (H 5100)
Mechanics of the bill:
House vote: June 27, 2024 - 155-2
Senate vote: July 11, 2024 - 40-0
House conferees: Aaron Michlewitz, Jerald Parisella, David Muradian
Senate conferees: Barry Finegold, Michael Rodrigues, Peter Durant
Date sent to conference: July 18, 2024
First conference meeting: July 22, 2024
Conference reported, in part: Nov. 12, 2024 at 6:01 p.m. (H 5100)
Background
On 11/13/24, the Massachusetts House adopted an order calling for a formal session on Thursday, November 14, when representatives are expected to approve an economic development bond bill and a clean energy bill.
The order (H 5104), filed Wednesday by Majority Leader Michael Moran, states that "notwithstanding Joint Rule 12A, the House shall meet in formal session for the purpose of conducting formal business on Thursday[,] November 14, 2024." It was adopted on a voice vote immediately following its introduction.
House and Senate Democrats didn't finish work on the two major bills before scheduled formal sessions ended this year on Aug. 1 and it has taken them additional months to reach agreements on the legislation.
The Senate on Oct. 24 adopted a similar order after Republicans there insisted on taking a recorded vote on the clean energy bill, which passed 38-2. The Senate order, however, specified that "the Senate shall be allowed to convene for formal business for the purposes of considering conference committee reports filed in the Senate or received from the House under the provisions of Joint Rules 11 or 11A."
The Legislature over the years has largely observed Joint Rule 12A, which discourages major legislating in the weeks leading up to the biennial elections and following those elections, when some lawmakers are serving out the final weeks of their terms as lame ducks.
Joint Rule 12A states that "all formal business of the first annual session of the General Court shall be concluded not later than the third Wednesday in November of that calendar year and all formal business of the second annual session shall be concluded not later than the last day of July of that calendar year."
The Legislature for many years has advanced important bills during informal sessions, and has continued to this summer and fall, when members of both parties unanimously agree to let them move through. The $4 billion economic development compromise filed Tuesday night requires a roll call, because it authorizes borrowing, and roll calls are only permitted during formal sessions.
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