Senate advances amended bill on regulation violations after debate citing Walsh Kennedy Commission

The Massachusetts Senate advanced Senate No. 1646 on March 12, adopting committee-recommended amendments and passing the measure to be engrossed.

Senator Collins, identified on the floor as the senator from Suffolk, framed the legislation as carrying forward reforms shaped by the Walsh Kennedy Commission, which formed after a Back Bay tragedy that killed two Boston firefighters. "Legislation before us today advances critical reforms shaped by the work of the Walsh Kennedy Commission," Collins said, urging colleagues to codify training, oversight and accountability and to consider elements other states have adopted.

On the floor, an amendment offered by "Mister Moore" to establish a board of hoisting machinery regulations was read and put to a vote but failed. The chamber then adopted the amendment recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means; the bill as amended was read a third time and passed to be engrossed.

The clerk set procedural steps for further amendment filing on other measures earlier in the day, including electronic deadlines and scheduling; the Senate recorded the voice votes that advanced the amended bill.

The chamber ended consideration of the measure by approving its passage to engrossment; no individual roll-call vote with named tallies was recorded in the transcript for this action.

The Senate adjourned later in the day after a remembrance for Dan McColl; the body will reconvene Thursday at 11:00 a.m.