Massachusetts House of Representatives: 194th General Court (2025-2026)
- February 12, 2026 – The Massachusetts General Court, currently in its 194th session, continues its work at the State House in Boston.
- This legislative period coincides with the third and fourth years of Governor Maura Healey’s term.
- The current leadership structure sees Karen Spilka (D-Middlesex and Norfolk) serving as President of the Senate, while Bruce Tarr (R) holds the position of Senate Minority Leader.
Massachusetts Legislature Enters Second Year of 194th General Court
– The Massachusetts General Court, currently in its 194th session, continues its work at the State House in Boston. The legislature, comprised of the Senate and House of Representatives, convened on , and is scheduled to operate through the end of .
This legislative period coincides with the third and fourth years of Governor Maura Healey’s term. Senate and House districts are based on the 2020 census data, ensuring representation reflects the state’s population distribution.
Leadership in the 194th General Court
The current leadership structure sees Karen Spilka (D-Middlesex and Norfolk) serving as President of the Senate, while Bruce Tarr (R) holds the position of Senate Minority Leader. In the House of Representatives, Ron Mariano (D) was elected Speaker, and Brad Jones (R) serves as House Minority Leader.
The election of Speaker Mariano and President Spilka marked a key moment at the beginning of this legislative session, on . Members-elect of both chambers were sworn in, with one notable exception: Jerry Parisella, who, after being nominated and confirmed as an associate justice of the District Court, declined to be seated as a legislator.
Current Senate Leadership Positions
Within the Senate, key leadership roles are held by:
- Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Norfolk and Middlesex) – Majority Leader
- William N. Brownsberger (D-Suffolk and Middlesex) – President Pro Tempore
- Joan Lovely (D-Second Essex) – Assistant Majority Leader
- Michael J. Barrett (D-Third Middlesex) – Assistant Majority Leader
- Sal N. DiDomenico (D-Middlesex and Suffolk) – Assistant Majority Leader
Upcoming Legislative Activity
As of , the Massachusetts Legislature has several hearings and sessions scheduled. The Joint Committee on Revenue is set to meet on to discuss new bill A-1. Both the Senate and House are holding formal sessions on the same day, with the Senate convening in the Senate Chamber and the House in the House Chamber.
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight is also scheduled to meet on . Looking ahead, the LGBT Aging Commission has a listening session planned for , and the Joint Committee on Transportation will convene on . The LGBT Aging Commission is also scheduled for a quarterly meeting on .
Budget Process Underway
The state’s fiscal year 2027 budget is currently under development. The Governor’s Budget has been submitted, but the process of review and amendment by the House and Senate Ways & Means Committees, subsequent debates in both chambers, and a final Conference Committee negotiation are all still to come. As of , none of these stages have been completed.
The Massachusetts Legislature website provides access to general laws, including information on topics such as water fluoridation, taxidermists’ licenses, and public records. These resources are readily available to the public, offering transparency into the state’s legal framework.