Massachusetts Senate passes multiple bills, enacts sick-leave bank and adjourns in memory of Rep. Anne Margaret Ferrante

The Massachusetts Senate convened, took up a slate of bills, and adjourned in memory of state representative Anne Margaret Ferrante.

The chamber adopted an emergency preamble and held a standing vote on "An act established in a sickly bank for David A. Russell" (H4587), after which the clerk reported two members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative; the emergency preamble was adopted and the bill was subsequently enacted and sent to the governor for approval, the presiding officer said.

Senators also passed a series of primarily municipal measures taken from the Orders of the Day. Among them, the chamber advanced and passed Senate file No. 1919 (a retirement bill for a former Westfield firefighter) and took up House Bill 4287, which authorizes the town of West Springfield to grant four additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises; the presiding officer announced it was made a third time and passed. Additional House bills passed included a charter revision for the city of Lynn (H4149), an authorization for the town of Somerset to grant an additional license for wine and malt beverages (H4286), and a simplified procedure for acceptance of subdivision roads in Marlborough (H4439).

Senator Tarr moved that the Senate adjourn in memory of state representative Anne Margaret Ferrante and delivered an extended remembrance of her life and public service. "Anne Margaret Ferrante was a light in this world whose life example was full of hope and faith and inspiration," Tarr said as he urged adoption of the order; the chamber approved the motion and observed a moment of silence.

Clerk and presiding officer statements throughout the session recorded procedural actions, votes, and the scheduling of the next sitting: the clerk stated the Senate will meet again Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The session concluded with the official adjournment in memory of Representative Ferrante.

Votes at a glance

- H4587 — "An act established in a sickly bank for David A. Russell" (Department of Correction): emergency preamble adopted (standing vote reported by clerk as 2–0), bill enacted and sent to the governor for approval.
- Senate No. 1919 — Retirement for a former Westfield firefighter: passed to be engrossed (tally not specified).
- H4287 — Town of West Springfield: authorization for four additional off-premises alcoholic beverage licenses: passed (tally not specified).
- H4149 — Charter revision, city of Lynn: passed (tally not specified).
- H4286 — Town of Somerset: authorization for additional wine and malt license: passed (tally not specified).
- H4439 — Marlborough: simplified procedure for subdivision road acceptance: passed (tally not specified).

What to watch next

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene Thursday at 11:00 a.m. to continue its business. No additional committee referrals or implementation directives were recorded in the transcript for the items passed during this session.