Committees would keep bill comments and explain their recommendations

The bill would require comments on each bill to be kept in its permanent record. This covers comments received in writing, at hearings, and through the state's remote sign-in system. The bill would take effect 60 days after passage.

Standing committees would prepare reports explaining whether public comments influenced their recommendations on bills. This applies to each bill referred to a standing House or Senate committee. Reports cover written comments received at hearings and through the General Court's remote sign-in system. The committee chair and ranking member, or their designees, would oversee the reports. Reports may leave out duplicate comments, comments from out of state, comments from registered lobbyists, and comments submitted in error. The bill would take effect 60 days after passage.

Committees would submit their public-comment reports to the clerk for the bill's permanent record. This applies to reports prepared by standing House and Senate committees. Reports would be submitted along with the committee's other work products. The bill would take effect 60 days after passage.