Senate trims revenue extension order after debate; amendment removes two measures and sets remainder to March 6

The Massachusetts Senate on Jan. 20 amended an extension order for the Committee on Revenue after floor debate and a sponsor amendment from Senators Collins and Brownsberger.

The Committee on Rules reported an order granting the Committee on Revenue until March 6 to make its final report on certain Senate documents related to revenue matters. Senators Collins and Brownsberger moved an amendment striking specific line references (transcript text: "19 33, 19 35"), which would remove those measures from the extension order and subject them to the reporting timelines of joint rule 10. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the Senate then adopted the extension order as amended.

During floor discussion a senator expressed concern that, while the number of bills affected was limited, the requested extension date of March 6 was a lengthy interval; the lawmaker urged the revenue committee to act promptly and stressed that some of the measures relate to property tax relief for specific groups, "particularly for seniors in our communities across the commonwealth." The clerk confirmed that measures removed from the extension order would come out as studies under joint rule 10.

The session record shows the amendment and the amended order were carried by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally. The change means at least two revenue-related measures will proceed under joint rule 10 reporting rather than remain in the March 6 extension bucket.

The Senate completed other business and adjourned; committee chairs and members will determine next steps for the measures affected by the amendment.