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An Act regarding free expression

Filed by  ·  21 cosponsors  ·  194th General Court  ·  the legislature's own page

Became Chapter 189 of the Acts of 2026.

S2726  ·  Bill

22 actions

In the order the legislature recorded them.

DateBranchAction
2025-11-13SenateText of S2696, reprinted as amended
2025-11-13SenatePassed to be engrossed -see Roll Call #104 (Yeas 35 to Nays 3)
2025-11-17HouseRead; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
2026-06-10HouseCommittee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting the text of H5489, and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
2026-06-10HouseCommittee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting with the amendment pending
2026-06-10HouseRules suspended
2026-06-10HouseRead second, amended (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means)
2026-06-10HouseOrdered to a third reading
2026-06-10HouseRules suspended
2026-06-10HouseRead third
2026-06-10HouseAmendment 3 rejected - 2 YEAS to 154 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 209)
2026-06-10HouseAmendment 4 rejected - 23 YEAS to 133 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 210)
2026-06-10HouseAmendment 6 adopted, as changed
2026-06-10HouseAmendment 8 adopted
2026-06-10HousePassed to be engrossed - 153 YEAS to 3 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 211)
2026-07-30SenateRules suspended
2026-07-30SenateSenate concurred in the House amendment with a further amendment, see S3241
2026-07-31HouseReferred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading
2026-07-31HouseHouse concurred in the Senate further amendment
2026-07-31HouseEnacted - 156 YEAS to 1 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 254)
2026-07-31SenateEnacted and laid before the Governor
2026-08-10ExecutiveSigned by the Governor, Chapter 189 of the Acts of 2026

4 recorded votes

WhenChamberRoll callQuestionTally
2025-11-13SenateNo. 104Passed to be engrossed -see Roll Call #104 (Yeas 35 to Nays 3)35–3
2026-06-10 14:23HouseNo. 209On adoption of amendment #32–154
2026-06-10 14:39HouseNo. 210On adoption of amendment #423–133
2026-06-10 14:55HouseNo. 211On passing to be engrossed, as amended153–3

9 amendments filed

3 adopted  ·  3 withdrawn  ·  2 rejected  ·  1 adopted, as changed

No.TitleMoved byOutcome
House 1An Act regarding free expressionHouse Committee on Ways and MeansAdopted
House 2Book Challenge Reporting and Anti-Censorship Data CollectionHomar GómezWithdrawn
House 3Immunity Defense ActJohn R. GaskeyRejected
House 4Clarifying the Determination of Library MaterialsKelly W. PeaseRejected
House 5Author StandingMike ConnollyWithdrawn
House 6Considering the totality of the materialLindsay N. SabadosaAdopted, as Changed
House 7Complaint processMarjorie C. DeckerWithdrawn
House 8Complaint processMarjorie C. DeckerAdopted
Senate 1An Act regarding free expressionJulian CyrAdopted

1 committee vote

Ways and Means (H)  ·  2026-06-09 10:45  ·  S.2726 “An Act regarding free expression” as amended

favorable · 23

reserve right · 8

no action · 3

Positions are the four the committee itself records. Reserving a right is not an abstention and no action is not an absence.

Committee actions

ActionCommittee
Favorable with AmendmentWays and Means (H)
Place in ODSteering, Policy and Scheduling (H)
Correctly DrawnBills in the Third Reading (H)
Correctly DrawnBills in the Third Reading (H)

Cosponsors

In the order filed.

Every action here is as the legislature published it. A bill that drew no recorded vote is the ordinary case: the House records roughly 150 a year.