Senate sets schedule for proposed rules, sets amendment deadline and adjourns in memory of Francis X. Bellotti

The Massachusetts State Senate on an order vote placed two reports from the temporary committee on rules on the calendar for Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, set an electronic amendment filing deadline of 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, approved an adjournment schedule to reconvene Monday at 11 a.m., and adjourned in memory of Francis X. Bellotti.

The actions were taken during a short floor session in which the chamber accepted the temporary committee’s reports recommending proposed Senate rules (Senate No. 14) and proposed joint rules for the Senate and House (Senate No. 15). The orders place each report “in the order” for the Feb. 12, 2025 calendar and instruct that all amendments must be filed electronically in the office of the clerk of the Senate by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. The clerk was also directed to specify the electronic filing procedure and formatting consistent with the orders.

Senator Joan V. Lovely presented the temporary committee’s report recommending the proposed Senate rules. The chamber then moved to suspend rules to consider the matter by unanimous consent and adopted the order to place Senate No. 14 on the Feb. 12 calendar. The temporary committee’s separate report recommending proposed joint rules for the Senate and House, Senate No. 15, was handled in the same fashion and likewise placed on the Feb. 12 calendar.

Senator Thomas (Senator from Essex and Middlesex) moved to suspend the rules to take up the items; there was no recorded objection. The motions were approved by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Later in the session, the Senate approved an order that, when the chamber adjourned that day, it would reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. The senator from Norfolk and Plymouth, Senator Keenan, offered that order and it was adopted without recorded opposition. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Francis X. Bellotti.

Senator Keenan delivered a floor remembrance of Bellotti, saying, “Frank Bellotti passed away peacefully at the age of 101 in his home on 12/17/2024 with his family at his side.” Keenan summarized Bellotti’s life in public service, noting Bellotti’s military service in World War II and later roles in state government. Keenan said Bellotti “fought for the expansion of civil rights and environmental protections” and noted the Quincy District Court was renamed the Francis X. Bellotti Courthouse; he also recounted Bellotti’s roles in founding an insurance group and his recognition by the National Association of Attorneys General.

All procedural orders and the memorial motion were adopted by voice vote; the transcript records the chair asking, “All those who say aye,” with no roll-call vote or recorded nay votes.

Votes at a glance: Senate Order to place Senate No. 14 (proposed Senate rules) on the Feb. 12, 2025 calendar — approved (voice vote). Senate Order to place Senate No. 15 (proposed joint rules) on the Feb. 12, 2025 calendar — approved (voice vote). Order setting next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m. — approved (voice vote). Motion to adjourn in memory of Francis X. Bellotti — approved (voice vote).

The transcript notes amendment-filing requirements for the rules reports only: all amendments to the reports must be filed electronically by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025; the clerk of the Senate was directed to specify filing procedure and format. No additional details about the substance of the proposed rules or about any amendments were given during the floor remarks recorded in the transcript.

The session closed after the memorial; the Senate stands adjourned to meet again on the next scheduled date and time approved by the chamber.