The Massachusetts Senate on Nov. 6 adopted amendments and ordered Senate No. 2675, an act clarifying the duties of the adjutant general, to a third reading and passed the bill to be engrossed.

Sponsor and committee explanation: Senator Velez described the measure as a technical correction to Chapter 33 of the Massachusetts General Laws to clarify that the adjutant general, in carrying out the policies and orders of the governor, has command of Massachusetts National Guard troops for state missions. The change was presented as aligning Massachusetts with the statutory structure used by most other states and ensuring the adjutant general can convene courts‑martial, serve as an appeal authority and, when appropriate, impose non‑judicial punishment.

Floor amendments: Senator Moore offered multiple amendments on topics including limits on entry of non‑federalized Guard units from other states and training for recruits on lawful orders. Several of Moore’s amendments were withdrawn or defeated after debate; Amendment 4 (new‑recruit training on lawful orders) passed on a roll call vote. On the floor, proponents said the training underscores service members’ obligation to follow lawful orders and their duty under the Uniform Code of Military Justice while also ensuring familiarity with obligations to refuse manifestly illegal orders.

Vote and next steps: After amendment votes, the chamber ordered the bill to a third reading and a roll call was conducted, after which the clerk announced the bill had been passed to be engrossed. The bill is now on the path toward final legislative steps and potential enactment.

Quote (selected): "By making this technical correction, the legislation would ensure the tag is currently a part of this critical process," Senator Velez said, describing operational examples such as convening courts‑martial and serving as appeal authority.

Speakers: Senator Velez, Senator Moore, Senator Tarr.

Authorities: [{"type":"statute","name":"Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33","citation":"referenced on floor","referenced_by":["senate-2675-adjutant-general"]}]

Actions: [{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"senate-2675-order-to-third-reading","project_slug":"senate-2675"},"motion":"Order Senate 2675 to third reading as amended; pass to be engrossed","mover":"Senator Roberts","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Michael J. Barrett","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael D. Brady","vote":"yes"},{"member":"William N. Brownsberger","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Nick Collins","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joanne M. Comerford","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Cynthia Stone Cream","vote":"yes"},{"member":"John J. Cronin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Julian Cyr","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Sal DiDomenico","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kelly A. Dooner","vote":"yes"},{"member":"William J. Driscoll Jr.","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Peter J. Durant","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Lydia Edwards","vote":"yes"},{"member":"James B. Eldridge","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ryan C. Fattman","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Dylan A. Fernandes","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Barry R. Finegold","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Cindy F. Friedman","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Adam Gomez","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Patricia D. Jehlen","vote":"yes"},{"member":"John F. Keenan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Robin K. Kennedy","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Jason M. Lewis","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joan B. Lovely","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Paul W. Mark","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Liz Miranda","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mark C. Montigny","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael O. Moore","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Patrick M. O'Connor","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Jacob R. Oliveira","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Pavel M. Payano","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rebecca L. Rausch","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael J. Rodricks","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Michael F. Rush","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Bruce E. Tarr","vote":"yes"},{"member":"John C. Velis","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":38,"no":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Amendment 4 (recruit training on lawful orders) adopted; bill passed to be engrossed."}]

Clarifying_details:[{"category":"statute_reference","detail":"Current Chapter 33 text states adjutant general shall not personally exercise command; bill clarifies command authority when carrying out gubernatorial policies","value":"not specified","units":"","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Senator Velez"},{"category":"training","detail":"Amendment 4 requires new recruits to receive training on responsibility to follow lawful orders and to refuse manifestly illegal orders","value":"not specified","units":"","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Senator Moore"}],

proper_names:[{"name":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 33","type":"statute"},{"name":"Uniform Code of Military Justice","type":"statute"}],

provenance:[{"block_id":"block_3442.115","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"And through you to the members, the legislation currently before us, senate bill 2675, an act clarifying the duties of the adjutant general, seeks to make a technical change to streamline our National Guard's chain of command structure and bring Massachusetts in line with the vast majority of our sister states.","tc_start":"00:57:22","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_4516.765","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"Bills are at a third time. Question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. The clerk will call the roll.","tc_start":"01:15:16","reason_code":"topicfinish"}],

searchable_tags:["adjutant_general","National_Guard","training","Senate2675"],

salience:{"overall":0.62,"overall_justification":"Technical but operationally important change for Massachusetts National Guard command and disciplinary processes; included a substantive recruit‑training amendment.","impact_scope":"state","impact_scope_justification":"Affects Massachusetts National Guard command clarity and training protocols statewide.","attention_level":"medium","attention_level_justification":"Technical statutory change but notable for military and legal stakeholders.","novelty":0.4,"novelty_justification":"Clarifies existing statutes rather than creating new programs.","timeliness_urgency":0.4,"timeliness_urgency_justification":"Addressed on the floor during the session; not time‑sensitive beyond implementation planning.","legal_significance":0.5,"legal_significance_justification":"Clarifies statutory command authority and administrative/judicial procedures within the Guard.","budgetary_significance":0.1,"budgetary_significance_justification":"No new appropriation described.","affected_population_estimate":12000,"affected_population_estimate_justification":"Approximate size of Guard and affiliated personnel statewide; not specified on the floor.","affected_population_confidence":0.2}},{