After Massachusetts’ COVID state of emergency expires on June 15, efforts to permanently adopt any measures put in place by the governor under those executive powers — save for three contained in a bill Gov. Charlie Baker filed on Tuesday — will be the state Legislature’s call.
Baker’s bill would temporarily maintain the ability for public bodies to meet via public-access video-conference, special permits for outdoor dining, and a ban on medical providers billing patients for COVID-related care above the costs paid by insurers.
With that termination date now a little more than two weeks away, the Senate on Thursday began soliciting testimony on a pair of bills, while the House announced the formation of a new working group.
Without legislative action, a host of practices, including the permanent extension of virtual public meetings and measures designed to promote restaurants, would sunset on June 15.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee will accept written testimony through 5 p.m. Tuesday on Baker’s bill and on another from Senate President Pro Tempore William Brownsberger that proposes extending COVID-19 accommodations for municipal elections and representative town meetings.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ronald Mariano’s office announced that he had appointed five members of his leadership team to a working group to review laws linked to the state of emergency and develop legislative recommendations.
While historically needing no encouragement, we urge lawmakers to proceed deliberately and cautiously on deciding to codify measures designed to meet an immediate pandemic-created need.
As our lives return to normal, so should the operation of state government.
We believe that’s what the majority of emergency-fatigued residents want.
"emergency" - Google News
May 29, 2021 at 12:16PM
https://ift.tt/3p2sj1K
No need to retain most emergency laws - Lowell Sun
"emergency" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2VVGGYQ
https://ift.tt/3d7MC6X
emergency
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "No need to retain most emergency laws - Lowell Sun"
Post a Comment