Senate budget debate
The last week of May the full body of the Senate considers amendments to the Senate Ways and Means recommendations, and debates their inclusion in the bill. After debate on amendments to SWM recommendations, the Senate then approves a final, amended version of the bill which is then sent to a Conference Committee for review.
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What is a bill?
Document filed by a legislator to be considered for a vote to become law.
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What is an amendment?
A proposed change, such as adding or removing certain provisions, or decreasing or increasing funding for programs, to a legislative bill that is recommended by a committee or legislator. Amendments are usually published on the MA Legislature website prior to a bill being voted on.
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What is a Conference Committee?
Once a bill has passed both the House and Senate, this committee is composed of three members of the House and three members of the Senate and is appointed for the purpose of resolving differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill. This committee then files a report that must be voted up or down by both the House and Senate and may not be amended. After the conference committee report is voted on by both branches it is sent to the Governor for signature (appproval) or veto.
