ETHICS AND RULES

Room 109B
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Telephone: (617) 722-1625


It shall be the duty of the committee on Ethics and Rules to consider all violations of rules and all question of conduct of Senators and employees of the Senate. The committee is also authorized to recommend policy procedures for the Senate and recommend rules changes for matters requiring the expeditious action by the Senate.


Members appointed to the committee:

Downing of Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin
Spilka of Second Middlesex and Norfolk
Berry of Second Essex
Panagiotakos of First Middlesex
Tisei of Middlesex and Essex
Knapik of Second Hampden and Hampshire

List of matters that have been referred to the committee:

Senate, No. 3 -- General appropriation bill
Senate, No. 5 -- Brockton,- dumping.
Senate, No. 6 -- Randolph,- town meeting.
Senate, No. 7 -- New Bedford Depot,- clean-up.
Senate, No. 8 -- Rockland,- liquor licenses.
Senate, No. 9 -- Fire and police,- residency requirements.
Senate, No. 10 -- Marblehead,- chapter 40.
Senate, No. 12 -- Ann Brevik.
Senate, No. 16 -- Amherst,- land restriction.
Senate, No. 61 -- Child abuse,- disabilities.
Senate, No. 62 -- Domestic abusers,- penalize.
Senate, No. 71 -- Adopted children,- birth certificates.
Senate, No. 100 -- School health care,- study.
Senate, No. 147 -- Unweaned birds.
Senate, No. 164 -- Real estate appraisers,- registration.
Senate, No. 173 -- Steam boilers,- special license.
Senate, No. 184 -- Unwanted communications.
Senate, No. 186 -- Dept. of Mental Health,- notice.
Senate, No. 197 -- Law enforcement,-underage.
Senate, No. 198 -- Wine,- recorking.
Senate, No. 218 -- Used car buyers,- protection.
Senate, No. 271 -- Educators,- licenses.
Senate, No. 273 -- Principal's contracts.
Senate, No. 276 -- School improvement.
Senate, No. 282 -- Charter school working group.
Senate, No. 311 -- Students,- disabilities.
Senate, No. 402 -- Long term care insurance.
Senate, No. 410 -- Nursing home residents,- discharges.
Senate, No. 420 -- Drug therapy.
Senate, No. 425 -- Dementia care units.
Senate, No. 429 -- Interagency agreements,- services.
Senate, No. 432 -- Pharmacy errors,- inform.
Senate, No. 435 -- Local party committee events.
Senate, No. 436 -- Initiative and referendum questions,- anti fraud.
Senate, No. 438 -- Political action committees,- administration.
Senate, No. 451 -- Campaign contributions.
Senate, No. 453 -- Redistricting commission.
Senate, No. 477 -- Wildlands and woodlands,- commission.
Senate, No. 487 -- Problem wildlife,- management.
Senate, No. 515 -- Pilotage rates.
Senate, No. 524 -- Hazardous material sites.
Senate, No. 536 -- Phosphorous distribution.
Senate, No. 573 -- Massachusetts,- liquor liability.
Senate, No. 576 -- Commissioner of Insuranse,- election.
Senate, No. 588 -- Safe drivers,- premiums.
Senate, No. 594 -- Group life insurance.
Senate, No. 597 -- Mortgage loans.
Senate, No. 603 -- Banking consumers,- protection.
Senate, No. 626 -- Group health insurance loss.
Senate, No. 635 -- Health coverage,- seriously ill.
Senate, No. 638 -- Healthcare purchasing cooperatives.
Senate, No. 647 -- Credit union mortgages.
Senate, No. 663 -- Masshealth,- accountability.
Senate, No. 669 -- Public health hospital trust fund.
Senate, No. 673 -- Medical waste.
Senate, No. 674 -- Nursing and allied health.
Senate, No. 676 -- Electronic consultations.
Senate, No. 692 -- Create a commission,- community hospitals.
Senate, No. 693 -- Balance billing corrections.
Senate, No. 698 -- Public vision awareness.
Senate, No. 747 -- Home ownership,- preserve.
Senate, No. 771 -- Elderly housing,- future.
Senate, No. 786 -- State parks,- volunteers.
Senate, No. 800 -- Marriage.
Senate, No. 860 -- Internet hunting.
Senate, No. 1059 -- Employee compensation.
Senate, No. 1073 -- Sick days,- paid.
Senate, No. 1084 -- Disabled housing,- costs.
Senate, No. 1129 -- Corrections,-ch 232 acts 1998.
Senate, No. 1143 -- Reckless endangerment.
Senate, No. 1169 -- Springfield Water and Sewer Commission,- land.
Senate, No. 1178 -- Mashpee,- water district.
Senate, No. 1180 -- Dukes county,- land bank.
Senate, No. 1186 -- Wareham Fire District.
Senate, No. 1198 -- Bernardston Fire and Water District.
Senate, No. 1204 -- Town managess,- appointment.
Senate, No. 1216 -- Dental auxiliaries.
Senate, No. 1248 -- Volunteer physicians.
Senate, No. 1251 -- Board of registration,- midwifery.
Senate, No. 1296 -- Patients seizures.
Senate, No. 1298 -- Physician license renewal.
Senate, No. 1299 -- Physicians,- disciplinary actions.
Senate, No. 1300 -- Physicians licenses renew.
Senate, No. 1301 -- Acupuncture license,- abbreviation.
Senate, No. 1311 -- Medication waste,-elimination.
Senate, No. 1316 -- Medicine.
Senate, No. 1319 -- Pronouncement of death.
Senate, No. 1321 -- Naturopathic doctors,- registration.
Senate, No. 1323 -- Dentistry,- volunteer.
Senate, No. 1329 -- Tanning facilities,- regulate.
Senate, No. 1341 -- Correctional facilities,- assault.
Senate, No. 1342 -- Special commission,- police training.
Senate, No. 1349 -- Port security.
Senate, No. 1353 -- Reproductive facilities,- access.
Senate, No. 1359 -- Ammunition.
Senate, No. 1365 -- Firearm identification and license.
Senate, No. 1375 -- Price gouging,-prohibit.
Senate, No. 1382 -- Handicapped,-parking.
Senate, No. 1390 -- Jurisdiction,-public officers.
Senate, No. 1393 -- Rock climbing walls.
Senate, No. 1419 -- Basketball nets.
Senate, No. 1424 -- BB, pellet and paintball guns,- sale and possession.
Senate, No. 1428 -- Private detectives.
Senate, No. 1525 -- Easton,- insurance.
Senate, No. 1540 -- Essex Regional Retirement System.
Senate, No. 1639 -- University of Massachusetts police officer.
Senate, No. 1691 -- Real estate tax.
Senate, No. 1726 -- Hardship property,- tax relief.
Senate, No. 1788 -- Tax increment financing .
Senate, No. 1870 -- Brain aneurysm awareness .
Senate, No. 1871 -- Lung cancer awareness month.
Senate, No. 1873 -- Leopoldville Disaster Remembrance Day.
Senate, No. 1905 -- Godparents' Day.
Senate, No. 1909 -- Construction permit fees.
Senate, No. 1941 -- Gas inspection,- public buidlings.
Senate, No. 1954 -- Municipal light plants.
Senate, No. 1964 -- Energy-efficient products,- technical corrections.
Senate, No. 1980 -- Department of telecommunications and energy.
Senate, No. 1998 -- Cultural council,- requirements.
Senate, No. 2000 -- Museum property.
Senate, No. 2002 -- Elephants,- treatment.
Senate, No. 2004 -- Volleyball,- state team sport.
Senate, No. 2006 -- Veterans Day.
Senate, No. 2016 -- Tobacco use,- broadcasts.
Senate, No. 2018 -- Child passenger safety.
Senate, No. 2019 -- School zones,- speed limits.
Senate, No. 2036 -- Purple Heart Memorial Bridge.
Senate, No. 2039 -- Barre,- Trifilo Square.
Senate, No. 2043 -- Driver impairment.
Senate, No. 2046 -- Cars,- inspection.
Senate, No. 2048 -- Cell phone devices.
Senate, No. 2066 -- Southampton,- bridge.
Senate, No. 2076 -- Helmet law,- modification.
Senate, No. 2077 -- Helmet law,- standards.
Senate, No. 2083 -- Drag racing,- punishment.
Senate, No. 2087 -- Turnpike discount program.
Senate, No. 2099 -- Governor Sargent,- bridge.
Senate, No. 2103 -- Stationary emergency vehicles.
Senate, No. 2111 -- Railroad locomotives,- safety devices.
Senate, No. 2128 -- National Guard,- injury claim.
Senate, No. 2143 -- U.S. Congress,- drug advertising.
Senate, No. 2144 -- WWII veteran,- definition.
Senate, No. 2147 -- Public access,-house and senate.
Senate, No. 2148 -- Rainy day funds,- vote.
Senate, No. 2164 -- Registration plate.
Senate, No. 2167 -- Somerville,- linkage program.
Senate, No. 2171 -- Somerville,- historic trust fund.
Senate, No. 2177 -- Newborn infants.
Senate, No. 2182 -- Black males,- status.
Senate, No. 2187 -- Mortgage lenders,- obligations.
Senate, No. 2220 -- Constitution,- definition of marriage.
Senate, No. 2261 -- Juror service.
Senate, No. 2269 -- Ipswich,- alcoholic beverages.
Senate, No. 2286 -- Child care providers.
Senate, No. 2303 -- Senator Saltonstall,- bridge.
Senate, No. 2313 -- Nicholas G. Beram,- veterans corner.
Senate, No. 2315 -- Holyoke Power and Electric Company.
Senate, No. 2322 -- Wachusett Regional School District,- oil cleanup.
Senate, No. 2330 -- Fourth Middlesex District,- special election
Senate, No. 2332 -- Executive Council members.
Senate, No. 2367 -- Insurance,- long term care.
Senate, No. 2368 -- Community hospital capital reserve fund.
Senate, No. 2385 -- Avisory commission,- travel and tourism.
Senate, No. 2387 -- Voter information.
Senate, No. 2393 -- East Boston,- Bremen St. Park.
Senate, No. 2399 -- Consumer choice,- nurse practitioner.
Senate, No. 2401 -- Intermunicipal agreements.
Senate, No. 2408 -- Blind seniors,- study.
Senate, No. 2409 -- Voter information
Senate, No. 2415 -- Administrative process.
Senate, No. 2417 -- long term care,- commission.
Senate, No. 2421 -- Joann DeBettencourt,- retirement.
Senate, No. 2429 -- Municipalities and Regional Government,- study.
Senate, No. 2430 -- Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,- study.
Senate, No. 2431 -- Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development,- study.
Senate, No. 2432 -- Transportation,- study.
Senate, No. 2433 -- Community Development and Small Business,- small business.
Senate, No. 2434 -- Tourism, Arts and Cultural development,- study.
Senate, No. 2435 -- Transportation,- study.
Senate, No. 2448 -- Gas and electric meters,- examine.
Senate, No. 2453 -- Public Health,- study.
Senate, No. 2456 -- Greenhouse gas initiative
Senate, No. 2463 -- Education,- study
Senate, No. 2464 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2465 -- Education,- study
Senate, No. 2466 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2467 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2475 -- Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Memorial Beach.
Senate, No. 2490 -- Voter registration,- high schools.
Senate, No. 2495 -- Mental Health and Substance Abuse,- study.
Senate, No. 2498 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2499 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2500 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2501 -- Education,- charter schools.
Senate, No. 2502 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2503 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2504 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2507 -- Financial services,- study.
Senate, No. 2508 -- Health Care Financing,- study.
Senate, No. 2532 -- Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development,- study.
Senate, No. 2537 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2538 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2539 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2541 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2542 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2543 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2544 -- Nantucket Community Housing Bank.
Senate, No. 2546 -- Martha's Vineyard Housing Bank.
Senate, No. 2547 -- Veterans and Federal Affairs,- study.
Senate, No. 2565 -- Millville,- bridge designation.
Senate, No. 2567 -- Oral healthcare,- access.
Senate, No. 2571 -- Transportation,- adult.
Senate, No. 2581 -- Massachusetts Community College System.
Senate, No. 2592 -- Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development,- study.
Senate, No. 2593 -- Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture,- study
Senate, No. 2595 -- Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture,- study.
Senate, No. 2596 -- Transportation,- study.
Senate, No. 2597 -- Mental Health and Substance Abuse,- study.
Senate, No. 2598 -- Public Health,- study.
Senate, No. 2599 -- Transportation,- study.
Senate, No. 2601 -- Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,- study.
Senate, No. 2603 -- Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,- study.
Senate, No. 2604 -- Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,- study.
Senate, No. 2605 -- Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,- study.
Senate, No. 2606 -- Financial Services,- study.
Senate, No. 2607 -- Higher Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2608 -- Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,- study.
Senate, No. 2609 -- Election Laws,- study.
Senate, No. 2610 -- Public Safety and Homeland Security,- study.
Senate, No. 2611 -- Veterans and Federal Affairs,- study.
Senate, No. 2612 -- Mooring fees.
Senate, No. 2614 -- Financial Services,- study.
Senate, No. 2615 -- Labor and Workforce Development,- study.
Senate, No. 2619 -- Municipalities and Regional Government,- study.
Senate, No. 2626 -- Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure,- study.
Senate, No. 2627 -- State Administration and Regulatory Oversight,- study.
Senate, No. 2634 -- Financial Services,- study.
Senate, No. 2640 -- Contracts,- life insurance.
Senate, No. 2644 -- Public Service,- study.
Senate, No. 2645 -- Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy,- study.
Senate, No. 2651 -- Health Care Financing,- study.
Senate, No. 2654 -- Real ID.
Senate, No. 2656 -- Transportation,- study.
Senate, No. 2657 -- Special state police officers.
Senate, No. 2658 -- Labor and Workforce Development,- study.
Senate, No. 2668 -- Liquor liability,- convert
Senate, No. 2670 -- West Boylston,- hiring process
Senate, No. 2672 -- Public health regionalization.
Senate, No. 2679 -- Nonprofit Awareness Day.
Senate, No. 2681 -- Transportation,- study.
Senate, No. 2700 -- Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets,- study.
Senate, No. 2707 -- Dental auxiliaries.
Senate, No. 2708 -- Tanning facilities,- regulate.
Senate, No. 2719 -- Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture,- study.
Senate, No. 2720 -- Milton,- education center.
Senate, No. 2723 -- Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy,- study.
Senate, No. 2727 -- The Judiciary,- study.
Senate, No. 2740 -- Municipalities and Regional Government,- study.
Senate, No. 2746 -- Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets,- study.
Senate, No. 2747 -- Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture,- study.
Senate, No. 2754 -- Education,- study.
Senate, No. 2755 -- Public Safety and Homeland Security,- study.
Senate, No. 2761 -- Health Care Financing,- study.
Senate, No. 2769 -- Golf courses,- alcoholic beverages
Senate, No. 2774 -- Labor and Workforce Development.- study.
Senate, No. 2799 -- Affordable housing.
House, No. 221 -- Plymouth, -Dexter Olsson.
House, No. 227 -- Golf courses, -liquor licenses.
House, No. 469 -- Classrooms, -twins.
House, No. 586 -- Regional school budgets.
House, No. 687 -- Absentee voting.
House, No. 925 -- Enteral formulas.
House, No. 975 -- Seniors, -bank fees.
House, No. 1042 -- Dental corporations, -investments.
House, No. 1087 -- Insurers, -loss information.
House, No. 1224 -- Housing corporations.
House, No. 1246 -- Condominium titles.
House, No. 1315 -- Patient confidentiality.
House, No. 1678 -- Infant deaths.
House, No. 1931 -- Winthrop, -Famolare Pier.
House, No. 1943 -- Town meetings, -June.
House, No. 1949 -- Municipal monies, -expenditures.
House, No. 1950 -- Municipal expenditures.
House, No. 1951 -- Capital project funds.
House, No. 1981 -- Police auctions, -regulating.
House, No. 1984 -- Regional planning boards.
House, No. 1997 -- Old King's Highway.
House, No. 2031 -- Swansea Water District.
House, No. 2594 -- Retirement benefits,- increasing.
House, No. 2666 -- Police officers, -civil service exams.
House, No. 3045 -- Veterans organizations.
House, No. 3174 -- Phenylketonuria Awareness Day.
House, No. 3193 -- African- Americans, -honoring.
House, No. 3229 -- Port Authority, -board of directors.
House, No. 3246 -- Mitochondrial disease week.
House, No. 3425 -- Barnstable, -Korean War Veteransrest area.
House, No. 3499 -- Handicapped parking restrictions.
House, No. 3503 -- Dalton, -bridge.
House, No. 3504 -- Hinsdale, -bridge.
House, No. 3550 -- Route 116, -scenic byway.
House, No. 3593 -- Wellesley,- Senator Locke Bridge.
House, No. 3599 -- Lenox, -W.F. Coakley Highway.
House, No. 3615 -- Motor vehicles, -emergency lights.
House, No. 3620 -- West Roxbury, -Reverend Paul A. Phinn.
House, No. 3627 -- Hyde Park, -Kearney Bridge.
House, No. 3628 -- Hyde Park, -Geraghty Bridge.
House, No. 3634 -- Everett, -Connolly memorial rotary.
House, No. 3643 -- Joseph Simmons,- bridge.
House, No. 3741 -- Dennis Water District, -land.
House, No. 3748 -- Wellesley, -land conveyance.
House, No. 3787 -- Sears Library.
House, No. 3940 -- Dennis McNamara, -sick leave.
House, No. 4001 -- General Appropriation Bill.
House, No. 4046 -- Gardner/Winchendon land.
House, No. 4088 -- Mass. College of Art.
House, No. 4107 -- MassHealth program.
House, No. 4149 -- Southampton, -town election.
House, No. 4228 -- Norman Rockwell.
House, No. 4241 -- Grafton, -water districts.
House, No. 4258 -- South Essex Sewer District.
House, No. 4288 -- Thrombrosis Awareness Month.
House, No. 4289 -- Marlborough,- transit authority.
House, No. 4299 -- Mattresses, -resale.
House, No. 4345 -- Uxbridge,- taxes.
House, No. 4346 -- Public health protection.
House, No. 4348 -- Victims of Violence
House, No. 4363 -- Site assignment process.
House, No. 4389 -- Blackstone-Millville Regional School District.
House, No. 4396 -- School bus drivers, -licensing.
House, No. 4423 -- Mental health parity.
House, No. 4438 -- Phillipston, -town meeting.
House, No. 4471 -- Arlington, -town water maintenance.
House, No. 4477 -- Motor vehicles, -communication devices.
House, No. 4513 -- Grafton, -water districts.
House, No. 4525 -- Disabled persons.
House, No. 4534 -- Elderly, -property taxes.
House, No. 4575 -- Nursing trust fund.
House, No. 4591 -- Hingham, -voting precinct.
House, No. 4623 -- Natick, -annual town meeting.
House, No. 4701 -- General Appropriation Bill.
House, No. 4703 -- Sheffield, -bridge designation.
House, No. 4721 -- Nursing homes.
House, No. 4738 -- Sharon, -easement.
House, No. 4811 -- Children, -protection.
House, No. 4823 -- Rolling Rock, -glacial rock.
House, No. 4901 -- Banking laws, -clarify.
House, No. 4918 -- State Trooper Ellen Engelhardt.
House, No. 4919 -- Walter Ermak Bridge.
House, No. 4926 -- Saugus, -Corporal Procopio Bridge.
House, No. 4952 -- President, -popular vote.

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