HB 80 (2025): allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.

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MLA
“HB 80 (2025): allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2025/hb80. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 80 (2025): allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2025/hb80
Chicago
Granite Record. “HB 80 (2025): allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2025/hb80.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2025-hb80, title = {HB 80 (2025): allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2025/hb80}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

HB 80 (2025)

allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.

  • Status: Killed
  • Term: 2025-2026
  • House committee: Judiciary
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Right to Know

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2025, with 17 people signed in online: 5 in support, 11 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on January 30, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0312h), by a vote of 13–4. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On February 20, 2025 the House rejected a motion to kill it on a division vote 179–190. The committee minority's amendment (2025-0312h) was adopted on a division vote 190–179 on February 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On February 20, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 188–181. It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 13, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 22, 2025 the Senate voted to kill it on a voice vote.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 22, 2025, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
  • January 30, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
  • February 20, 2025: floor debate, House
  • May 13, 2025, 1:50 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
  • May 22, 2025: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

  • February 20, 2025, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 179, nays 190, failed
  • February 20, 2025, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 190, nays 179, passed
  • February 20, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0312h — yeas 188, nays 181, passed
  • February 20, 2025, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 179, nays 190, failed
  • May 22, 2025, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 8, 2025: Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary
  • January 22, 2025: Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  • January 30, 2025: Executive Session: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  • January 30, 2025: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/30/2025 (Vote 13-4; RC)
  • February 10, 2025: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0312h (NT)
  • February 20, 2025: Inexpedient to Legislate: MF DV 179-190 02/20/2025
  • February 20, 2025: Amendment # 2025-0312h (NT): AA DV 190-179 02/20/2025
  • February 20, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0312h: MA DV 188-181 02/20/2025
  • March 6, 2025: Introduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary
  • May 13, 2025: Hearing: 05/13/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:50 pm
  • May 22, 2025: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/22/2025; SC 22A
  • May 22, 2025: Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV ; 05/22/2025

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court