Page "Massachusetts General Court" Paragraph 7

The first reading of a favorably reported bill is automatic and occurs when the committee's report appears in the Journal of the House or Senate Clerk.

Matters not requiring reference to another Joint, House or Senate committee are, following the first reading, referred without debate to the Committee on Steering and Policy in the Senate ( except certain special laws relative to a city or town ), or placed in the Orders of the Day ( the Calendar ) without debate, for a second reading in the House.

If a bill affects the finances of the Commonwealth, it is referred to the Senate or House Committee on Ways and Means after the first reading.

If it affects county finances, the bill is read and referred to the Committee on Counties of the House ( if the matter is reported into the House ).

Adverse reports (" ought not to pass ") are also referred to the Committee on Steering and Policy in the Senate or placed without debate in the Orders of the Day for the next session of the House.

Acceptance by either branch of an adverse report is considered the final rejection and the matter of the matter.

However, an adverse report can be overturned.

A member may move to substitute the bill for the report, and, if the motion to substitute carries, the matter is then given its first reading and follows the same procedure as if reported favorably by committee.