How I Voted: Public Records and Legislative Audit Authorization Bill

Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in State Government

Bill: Public Records and Legislative Audit Authorization Bill

Date of Vote: June 3, 2026

What Problem Was This Bill Trying to Solve?

Public confidence in government depends on transparency and accountability. Massachusetts residents deserve to have confidence that their government operates openly, responsibly, and in the public interest.

While Massachusetts has long maintained public records requirements for many government entities, certain aspects of legislative records and legislative administrative functions were not governed by a formal public access process.

This legislation creates a clearer framework for public access to government information, applies public records requirements to the Governor’s Office, and establishes a process for the State Auditor to review certain administrative functions of the Legislature while respecting the constitutional responsibilities and independence of each branch of government.

What Does the Bill Do?

• Applies Massachusetts’ public records framework to the Governor’s Office for records created or received beginning January 7, 2027. 

• Creates a formal process for members of the public to request legislative records. 

• Establishes Legislative Records Access Officers in the House and Senate to manage public records requests. 

• Defines categories of legislative records available for public access, including: 

  • Filed legislation, amendments, and fiscal notes. 

  • Committee hearing information, testimony, and recorded votes. 

  • Legislative rules, journals, calendars, and roll calls. 

  • Final reports, financial records, and administrative policies. 

• Creates timelines and procedures for responding to legislative records requests. 

• Authorizes the State Auditor to audit certain administrative functions of the Legislature, including: 

  • Legislative budgets. 

  • Official audits. 

  • Appropriated funds and expenditures. 

  • Monetary settlement agreements. 

• Establishes procedures to protect constitutional legislative functions and preserve separation of powers. 

• Provides funding for technology, records management systems, and staffing needed to implement transparency reforms. 

How I Voted

I voted YES.

Why I Voted This Way

Transparency is one of the foundations of public trust. As a teacher, principal, military officer, attorney, and now state representative, I have spent my career in positions where accountability is expected and essential. I welcome that standard in public service.

Residents deserve confidence that their government operates openly, responsibly, and in the public interest. This legislation creates a clearer and more consistent process for public access to government records while recognizing that each branch of government has constitutional responsibilities that must be protected. Transparency and legislative independence are not competing principles; both are essential to a healthy democracy.

As a legislator, I believe elected officials should be accountable for how public resources are used and how government decisions are made. Establishing clear procedures for accessing records and reviewing administrative functions helps strengthen the relationship between residents and their government.

I supported this legislation because it improves transparency, increases accountability, and provides a thoughtful framework that respects both the public’s right to information and the constitutional role of the Legislature.