Senator Mike Rush, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, circulated this summary of the major initiatives and accomplishments of the Senate–even though not every bill that passed the Senate was also enacted by the House and signed by the Governor.
Legislative News
commonwealth conversations, outlook, senate press releases, updates and analysis
2013-2014 Session Wrapup
It was a very productive legislative session. We did get a lot done, but weren’t able to reach some important issues.
Senate Passes Campaign Finance Legislation
From the Senate President’s office: the Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill to strengthen reporting requirements for independent expenditure committees and bring a higher level of transparency to elections in the Commonwealth.
Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Gun Violence
From the Senate President’s office: the Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reduce the impact and prevalence of gun violence in Massachusetts, including stricter background checks, enhanced penalties, new gun-related crimes, increased protections in schools, and other provisions designed to overall ensure a safer Commonwealth.
Senate Passes Bill to Protect Public Safety and Support Access to Care
From the Senate President’s office: The Senate on Wednesday passed legislation to enhance public safety and remove barriers to access reproductive health care facilities in Massachusetts in the wake of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down buffer zones across the nation, including the existing 35-foot buffer zone that was passed by the State Legislature in 2007.
Senate Passes Environmental Bond Bill
The press release from the Senate President’s office about the unanimous passage of the Environmental Bond Bill.