The Senate adopted an amendment to House Bill 4156, which pertains to a charter for the City of Cambridge, and ordered the bill to a third reading before passing it to be engrossed.

Why it matters: Changing a municipal charter can alter the legal structure or governance rules for a city; moving a bill to third reading and engrossment are key procedural steps toward final passage.

The presiding officer announced that “one matter will be taken out of the orders of the day. House Number 4156 pertaining to the city of Cambridge.” The clerk read an amendment offered by Senator de Domenico that would “amend the bill by striking out all and inserting in place the text of Senate document 2598.” The presiding officer put the question on adoption of the amendment; after members voted, the presiding officer said the amendment was adopted. The presiding officer then ordered the bill to a third reading. On the subsequent vote the presiding officer said, “The bill is passed to be engrossed.”

Discussion versus action: The transcript records only the amendment offer, the affirmative vote on the amendment, the order for third reading, and the vote sending the bill to engrossment. The record does not include debate on the substance of the charter changes in this excerpt.

Next steps: Ordering a bill to third reading and engrossment are procedural steps toward final consideration and potential enactment; the transcript does not record further schedule or final enactment for this bill in the excerpt provided.

End note: The transcript identifies the measure as House No. 4156 and references Senate document 2598 as the inserted text.