We've all wondered about and become frustrated by the long process of getting our contract pushed through the statehouse. The process is long and confusing. The following was provided by the State Library of Massachusetts in April of 1996.
Executive Offices - Public Hearings
Budget bureau
Governor
Document release as House 1
House Committee on Ways and Means - Public Hearings
Document out of House Committee favorable - New House bill number
House Ways and Means text sent to full chamber; Representatives may offer amendments and debate bill
Committee on Bills in Third Reading - Technical corrections
New House bill number
Bill passed to be engrosssed
Senate Committee on Ways and Means - Hearings
New Senate bill number (Senate Ways and Means test)
Senate Ways and Means text sent to full chamber; Senators may offer amendments and debate bills
Committee on Bills in Third Reading
New Senate bill number
Bill passed to be engrossed
Senate bill sent to House
Conference Committee - Conference Committee report
Governor signs, vetoes or vetoes part of budget
Chapter number, Acts of ____