MA S415

Bill

To create a citizens’ initiative review commission

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to create a citizens’ initiative review commission. Election Laws.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a citizens' initiative review commission within the executive branch of the Massachusetts government. The commission will oversee the "citizens' initiative review" process, where a panel of 18-24 demographically representative Massachusetts residents will evaluate ballot measures, conduct deliberations, and publish a one-page statement with key findings and arguments for and against the measures. The commission will select which ballot measures to review, contract with a nonpartisan organization to facilitate the review process, and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the citizens' initiative review after each statewide election. The bill also requires that the citizens' statement be included in the voter information guide.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (9)

Jennifer Benson (D), Paul Brodeur (D), Sonia Chang-Díaz (D), Jim Hawkins (D), Jonathan Hecht (D), Brad Jones (R), Jason Lewis (D), Matt Muratore (R), Elizabeth Poirier (R),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see S2544 (on 02/18/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S415

(10 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S415
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S415.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H3856	Granting the City of Somerville the authority to provide legal voting rights in municipal elections for City of Somerville residents aged 16 and 17 years old	Accompanied a study order, see H4403	Similar To
H653	Making voting obligatory and increasing turnout in elections	Accompanied a study order, see H4403	Similar To
H684	Relative to early voting in the Massachusetts 2020 presidential primary	Accompanied a study order, see H4403	Similar To
H717	Regarding ballot voting options	Accompanied a study order, see H4403	Similar To
S12	Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to voting rights	Proposal for Constitutional Amendment reported adversely by committee and placed on file	Similar To
S2544	Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Election Laws to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to election laws issues	Reported (in part) by S416	Replaced by
S382	Relative to early voting in municipal elections	Accompanied a study order, see S2544	Similar To
S386	Relative to early voting	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S405	Relative to voting rights	Accompanied a study order, see S2544	Similar To
S414	To use of ranked choice voting in elections	Reporting date extended to Thursday December 31, 2020, pending concurrence	Similar To

Bill > S415

MA S415

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

Official Document

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