MA State House: what happened 7-31?

[Coyote33]

So, what was the outcome of these various pieces of legislation? The latest from GOAL was July 30. Is today (July 31) the final day for anything to happen? Are they burning the midnight oil on this? Some of these have happened, I think, and some have not. There are posts in several different areas on NES with various updates on these, and some redundant or duplicate posts. These are the bills most affecting gun owners the best I can tell:

• S.1401 "AN ACT prohibiting the confiscation of lawfully owned firearms during a state of emergency" ("Katrina Bill"?)
  
  
• H3991 - July 18, 2008 Update (Governor's Lawful Citizen Imprisonment Act)
  
  
• GOAL Files Resolution Recognizing SCOTUS Ruling
  
  
• S540 “Resolve Establishing a Wildlife Management Commission”
  
  
• SENATE, No. 1400 By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1400) of Richard T. Moore for legislation relative to property rights. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
  
  
  [*] AN ACT relative to property rights
  
  
• AN ACT RELATIVE TO A REPORT OF FIREARMS STATISTICS.
  
  
• SENATE, No. 1359 By Mr. Brewer, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1359) of Stephen M. Brewer, Michael R. Knapik, George N. Peterson, Jr., Christine E. Canavan, other members of the General Court and another for legislation relative to certain ammunition. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
  
  
  [*] AN ACT relative to certain ammunition

 

[syntax]

I'd like to know the outcome of these items as well.

 

[MAC2187]

+1

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

It looks like most of them weren't acted upon except S1401:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/185history/s01401.htm

07/31/08 H Read third
07/31/08 H Bills in the Third Reading report accepted
07/31/08 H Passed to be engrossed

 

[Coyote33]

So that was it? S1401 is the only thing we got out of this?

 

[greycar]

End of Session Wrap Up
http://www.goal.org/news/LegisUpdate.htm

 

[matt1956]

End of Session Wrap Up

August 1, 2008



Just after midnight last night the Massachusetts legislature ended their formal sessions for this two year legislative session. It was a very busy week for GOAL and its members. Several actions were taken in the last 72 hours to help protect and further the cause of lawful gun owners in the Commonwealth. Here's a run down of what took place:



Governor's Fee Increase - The Governor's proposal to increase firearm license fees was defeated thanks to the quick action of Rep. Denis Guyer in filing an amendment to remove the increased fees from the bill. There was a strong showing for Rep. George Peterson's amendment in the House to actually decrease the fees to $40, but the Senate did not concur with the House on the action to decrease the fees. In the end the fees remain the same which is still a tremendous victory for lawful gun owners having sent a very strong message to the Governor. (See the House roll call on decreasing the fees.)

SCOTUS Resolution - The senate decided not to take part in the resolution offered by Rep. George Peterson recognizing the Heller decision and so it was offered as a House resolution only. The resolution was amended to remove the references to Article XVII of the Massachusetts Constitution because the U.S. Supreme Court didn't rule on that matter. After being amended, the House voted 115 - 40 to approve the resolution! (See the roll call sheet.) A very strong showing for the recognition of the Second Amendment Ruling.

S.1401 - GOAL's version of the Katrina bill filed by Senator Richard Moore was passed in both the Senate and the House and is waiting final enactment prior to going to the Governor's desk. This final step can normally happen in an informal session and should be completed next week. Another great victory for lawful gunowners.

H.3991 The Governor's Lawful Citizen's Imprisonment Act - Thanks to the efforts of our members contacting the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, the Governor's H.3991 bill never left the Committee and was thus defeated for the legislative session.

Thanks to all of our members for contacting the legislature several times throughout the last crucial days of this session. GOAL urges our members to remember to thank your local legislators who supported our efforts over the last session and to especially send a written note of thanks to the following legislators that worked very hard in the last days of the session to defend your civil rights:

Not perfect, but surely some victories for us.

License fees remain the same, the 1 gun a month bill died, and the katrina bill passed.

Looks like we need to ratchet up pressure on the senate though... they seem to not be getting the point.

The senate decided not to take part in the resolution offered by Rep. George Peterson recognizing the Heller decision

 

[Coyote33]

So, any of these make it yet?

 

[Coyote33]

This is how we wound things up last year.

Let's see, this year we still are waiting to see what happens with:
Governor's bill
Mass Gun Law Reform (2259?)
"Katrina" bill
multiple pepper and chemical spray bills

How, other than being a pest, can we get them to move these progressive initiatives forward?

Edit: Oh, and can any of these bills which did not make it last year get resubmitted this year, in the same way the governor's one gun a month bill might get resubmitted to committee?

 

[Coyote33]

June 30 is this Wednesday. Isn't that the last day of this legislative session?