Sen. Michael Rodrigues

Senate, May 4, 2026 -- (Filed by Mr. Rodrigues) Order relative to procedures to be followed when considering the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements.

Senate, April 30, 2026 -- Order (Senator Rodrigues) relative to procedures to be followed when considering the House Bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment (House, No. 5316)

Senate, April 8, 2026-- Order (Senator Rodrigues) relative to procedures to be followed when considering the Senate Bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities (Senate, No. 2542)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural order that schedules House Bill 5280, a 2026 state budget proposal, for immediate consideration in the Senate on April 9, 2026. It temporarily suspends standard Senate rules to allow the bill to be debated right away with a specific amended version prepared by the Ways and Means Committee. The order also sets the ground rules for debate, permitting new amendments during the second reading while allowing further changes to those amendments during the third reading. This measure directly affects the legislative process by accelerating the timeline for reviewing the budget bill rather than changing the budget itself.

Senate, March 23, 2026 -- Order (Senator Rodrigues) relative to procedures to be followed when considering the Senate Bill fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts (Senate, No. 2801)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural order that schedules a specific piece of legislation for immediate discussion on March 19, 2026. It temporarily sets aside standard Senate rules to allow the Senate to consider a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops alongside a related financial amendment. The order also establishes that any changes made to this bill during the session must be approved by a simple majority vote rather than requiring a supermajority. This measure does not change the law itself but rather determines the timing and voting requirements for debating the proposed pet sales ban.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural order that schedules House Bill 4769 for immediate consideration in the Senate on February 26, 2026. It temporarily suspends standard Senate rules to allow the bill, which focuses on infrastructure and higher education, to be read and debated without delay. The order also specifies that any changes made to the bill during this session will follow a particular amendment process. This measure does not alter the content of the infrastructure bill itself but rather manages the legislative timeline for its review.

Maddy summaryHD 4820 allows the town of Rochester to keep fire chief Scott Weigel employed until age 70, provided he remains mentally and physically capable of performing his duties. The town may require annual medical exams to verify his fitness, and Weigel will not have salary deductions after age 65. Upon retirement, his benefit will be calculated as if he retired at age 65. This bill directly affects Weigel and Rochester's fire department operations.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural order (SD 3660), not a substantive bill. It directs the Senate to bypass standard scheduling rules to immediately consider Senate Bill 2671 (the housing discrimination bill) on February 12, 2026. The order suspends Senate Rule 7 to place SB 2671 in the "Orders of the Day" for second reading and specifies that all amendments must be submitted as second-reading amendments only. This procedural move directly affects the Senate's scheduling and amendment process for SB 2671, which aims to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural order (SD 3662) that fast-tracks consideration of Senate Bill 228, which aims to modernize consumer protections in automobile transactions. The order suspends standard Senate rules to place SB 228 on the agenda for immediate second reading on February 12, 2026, with pending amendments. It does not change the substance of SB 228 but accelerates its legislative process. This procedural step affects the Senate's schedule and the timing of SB 228's review, directly impacting the bill's path to becoming law.