The responsibility for law-making in Massachusetts lies with the Legislature, which is officially known as the General Court. The General Court has two branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both branches work concurrently on pending legislation.
How an idea becomes a law
Laws usually originate from proposals sponsored by legislators, the governor or from recommendations of a department or agency, but can also emerge from an idea that a member of the public believes should become law. This page on the Legislature's website explains how an idea becomes a law.
Search bills & laws
In a two-year session of the Legislature, thousands of bills are filed, some of which result in legislation producing the laws of our Commonwealth.
Track a bill
Research the history of bills that have been filed in the Massachusetts legislature.
Legislative Broadcast Services
From this site, you will be able to watch formal sessions of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives as well as view archived sessions.