Energy bill to hear debate next month
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House Speaker Robert DeLeo said an energy bill could hit the floor of the House by April.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo expects an omnibus energy bill, widely expected to promote the development of off-shore wind and hydroelectric power capacity in Massachusetts, to hit the House floor for debate in April, he said Monday.
If that were to happen, the House would likely debate an energy bill before taking up the annual state budget at the end of the month. House leaders are expected to release a draft of its budget proposal on April 13, and would likely debate the bill the week of April 25.
“I'm expecting sometime hopefully in April we'll have something to present to the floor,” DeLeo said. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee Co-Chair Rep. Thomas Golden, of Lowell, has been working to develop the energy bill for House leadership.
The time frame laid out by DeLeo came after he, Gov. Charlie Baker and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg shared a laugh over an inside joke while talking with reporters after their weekly meeting.
Before the speaker could answer the question on potential timing for energy legislation, Baker put his arm around the speaker and jokingly suggested that he thought the leader might be preparing to release the bill tomorrow.
The three men then dissolved into giggles and laughter, and when asked to be let in on the joke, Rosenberg said, "You'll see.”
Whether the House's omnibus energy bill will address the stalemate between the branches over solar energy incentives remains to be seen. DeLeo said the conference committee, which has been meeting since mid-November, continues to trade proposals and the speaker suggested both sides have moved from their original positions, but still have not arrived at an agreement.
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