MA S3016

Senate Order filed March 12, 2026 by Senator Friedman requesting an advisory opinion from the Supreme Judicial Court on constitutional questions regarding Initiative Petition 25-37 (House No. 5010, "An Act to reform and regulate legislative stipends")

Seeks court guidance on whether the initiative petition violates Article XLVIII of the Massachusetts Constitution by attempting to mandate changes to internal legislative procedures that fall within the unicameral powers of each chamber

Raises concerns that the petition would codify rules on bill hearings and committee reporting, assign new duties to House and Senate Clerks, and tie Senators' pay to House compliance with procedural requirements

Questions whether the petition unconstitutionally intrudes on each chamber's authority to set its own rules of proceedings under Part II, Chapter 1, Section 2, Article VII of the state constitution

Addresses potential differential compensation between House and Senate members based on legislative "compliance" with procedural requirements in the petition