Mass. House adopts commemorative resolutions and delays FY2026 budget bill

The Massachusetts House on April 17 adopted a set of commemorative resolutions, recognized victims of the Cambodian genocide and honored state high school athletic champions, then postponed further action on the governor's FY2026 budget bill until April 28.

The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions "ought to be adopted," including resolutions filed by Representatives Meridian of Grafton, Lipogarabedian of Melrose, Lawn of Watertown, Owens of Watertown, and Rogers of Cambridge commending the Armenian American community, the Armenian Heritage Foundation and Friends of the Armenian Heritage Park, and resolutions filed by Representative Wynne of Andover commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of Black April. The House suspended the rules by voice vote and adopted the resolutions.

The resolutions were procedural in form and were adopted without a recorded roll-call tally. The Committee on Rules report recommending adoption was read into the record before the voice votes.

The Massachusetts House Asian Caucus, represented on the floor by Representative Howard of Lowell and other caucus members, asked the chamber to observe a moment of silence for victims and survivors of the Cambodian genocide. "All survivors living in Massachusetts today, if you could have a moment of silence," Representative Howard said. The caucus noted April 17 as the fiftieth anniversary of the Khmer Rouge takeover and said the group's remembrance memorializes those lost in the genocide.

Separately, the chair recognized guests in the gallery including the Weston High School boys indoor track and field team and the Weston boys fencing team, both introduced as recent state champions and accompanied by head coaches Jason Montrose and Harrison Hu. Leader Paisha Wellesley escorted the groups on a tour of the State House.

On fiscal business, the Committee on Ways and Means reported the governor's annual budget message and filed House Bill No. 4000, "An act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026," with a total appropriation listed as $61,395,196,208 and an effective fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The bill was read for a second time and then taken up for consideration for a third reading. Pending that consideration, Representative Michaelowitz of Boston moved to postpone the matter until April 28; the motion was approved by voice vote and the bill was laid upon the table until that date.

The House also adopted an order, offered by Representative Mariano of Quincy, that the chamber adjourn to meet Tuesday next at 11 a.m.; Representative Orel of Lakeville moved the final adjournment, which was approved by voice vote.

Next steps: House No. 4000 remains on the House table for further consideration on April 28; the adopted resolutions are symbolic and require no further action by the chamber.