Dec 31, 2024
BOSTON (WWLP) - On Tuesday morning, Governor Healey awoke to 122 bills on her desk--all future laws state lawmakers passed in the final days of their legislative session ending the frenzy. Senators and Representatives spent 14 hours in session spanning from Monday to the early morning hours of Tuesday, and enacted 95 bills that would have expired at the final gavel of the 193rd General Court on New Year's Eve. These newly enacted bills primarily affect single individuals or communities and join 27 bills already on the governor's desk awaiting her signature or veto. The Governor has already passed 275 bills this year, and because these bills are being turned in so close to the end of the session, legislators will not be able to override any potential vetoes. Some new bills affect the whole state, however, including an animal welfare bill that bans the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old, a bill that prevents professional license revocation due to student loan default, healthcare bills that improve access to prescription drugs and strengthen hospital oversight, and a bill that allows cameras on school buses to record vehicles that fail to stop. This session was unusual, as lawmakers continued to work on priority items after the July 31 end of the formal session, despite years of precedent that avoided ignoring the formerly hard deadline. House and Senate leadership have both indicated they are open to the idea of changing this deadline, as so much of their agenda was completed during informal sessions this year. New and returning legislators will be back in the building on New Year's Day for the start of the next two-year session. Local News Headlines Tips to stick with your New Year’s resolution State House Spotlight: The 193rd General Court in review End of year tips to maximize your 2024 tax return 122 bills on the Governor’s desk WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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