Massachusetts citizens are permitted and encouraged to take an active
role in the lawmaking process of the state legislature. It is a good
idea for a person who feels strongly about an issue to present his or
her ideas to a representative or senator. That person may discover that
those concerns have already been formulated into a bill which is
awaiting legislative action. If not, the citizen is allowed to file
legislation addressing the subject. Massachusetts is one of the few
states to allow its citizens to do so. This access is called the "right
of free petition."
Although it is not mandatory that a representative or senator sponsor a
citizen's bill, the rules of the House and Senate provide that a
petition must be endorsed for presentation by a member before it can be
considered by the General Court. Obtaining the support of individual
legislators, then, is most advisable.
Howard McGowan
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