Committee Assignments

Senator Donnelly is the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and the Senate Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Education. In addition, he also serves on many other committees.

Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (Chair)

The Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs is responsible for reviewing all legislation having to do with veterans and military service members or matters dealing with the federal government. The Committee holds hearings and makes recommendations to the General Court addressing the issues of veterans’ healthcare, education benefits, post-traumatic stress disorder, compensation and pensions, employment and training, and National Guard matters. There are approximately 440,000 veterans who live in Massachusetts, including more than 29,000 who have served since September 11, 2001.

Joint Committee On Education (Vice Chair)

The Education Committee considers all matters concerning education (through grade 12) and such other matters as may be referred.

Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

The Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets consists of six Senate members. The committee reviews all legislation providing for the giving, loaning or pledging of the credit of the Commonwealth (see Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution, as amended by Article LXXXIV). The committee is responsible for evaluating such legislation and determining the appropriateness of enacting legislation containing increased bond authorizations for the Commonwealth.

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight considers all matters concerning competitive bidding on public contracts, public construction opening meeting laws, state regulations, state agencies, lobbyists' reporting laws and such other matters as may be referred.

Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy

The Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy considers all matters concerning the exploration, exploitation and development of energy sources, such as coal, gas, oil, nuclear fusion, solar rays, tidal movement, etc., including the siting of energy facilities, public utilities, wind farms, bottle bill, and such other matters as may be referred.

Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

The Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse considers all matters concerning behavioral health, drug detoxification, homeless mentally ill, Mental Health Department oversight, mental illness, mentally ill services and such other matters as may be referred.