A committee of Massachusetts lawmakers appointed to reconcile differing versions of gun law reform legislation is poised to convene for its inaugural session.
The co-chairs of the committee, Representative Michael Day and Senator Cynthia Creem, are slated to inaugurate the conference committee discussions at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Room 348.
This issue carries great significance for both the House and Senate leadership, as they forge ahead with one of the most contentious topics of the legislative session. Notably, Governor Maura Healey has not disclosed her specific preferences for reforms, adding an element of uncertainty to the proceedings.
The progression of firearms legislation has been marked by periods of advancement and delays. Last month, a span of twenty-six days transpired between the Senate’s approval of its bill and the House’s motion to refer the legislation to conference. The committee was formally constituted on February 29.
Representative Day authored the 129-page bill passed by the House in October, while Senator Creem crafted the 49-page measure endorsed by the Senate in February.
Joining them on the committee are Representative Carlos Gonzalez, Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Joseph McKenna, and Senator Bruce Tarr.
While the committee’s initial meeting is required to be public, subsequent negotiations may be conducted in closed sessions, a practice commonly observed by legislators.