House puts MWRA water-supply bill for Lynnfield on track for third reading

The Massachusetts House of Representatives advanced a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to supply water to the Lynnfield Center Water District within the town of Lynnfield (House No. 972). The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported recommending that House No. 972 be scheduled for consideration by the House. The bill was read a second time on the floor and, following successful motions to suspend Rule 7(a), the House ordered the bill to a third reading.

Why this matters: House approval of an authorization for MWRA to supply water to a local district affects the local water systems governance and service arrangements for Lynnfield Center residents; ordering a bill to a third reading is a procedural step toward final passage.

Details: the committee report was read on the floor recommending scheduling of House No. 972. A member moved suspension of Rule 7(a); after an initial procedural error the motion was repeated and the chair announced the ayes had it and that Rule 7(a) was suspended. The clerk then read the second reading of the bill and the House voted to order the bill to a third reading; the transcript records the tally as "the ayes have it." The excerpt includes no floor debate on the bills terms and does not specify amendments or conditions.

Next steps: with the bill ordered to a third reading, the House may consider final passage at a subsequent floor session. The transcript excerpt notes the House adjourned to meet Monday next at 11 a.m.