After closing the book on the formal sessions in July, Massachusetts lawmakers have turned their attention to the November election. The Senate and House of Representatives convene in informal sessions for the remainder of the year and no controversial legislative matters are expected to pass during this time.

Despite the absence of formal lawmaking, executive branch agencies will remain busy and legislative action is not precluded during this period. The legislature is not to be ignored, as an examination of all bills passed in the second year of the last two legislative sessions reveals that a significant number of bills are passed during informal sessions after July 31. In 2014, a total of 505 bills were signed into law, over 200 of which were passed after July 31. In 2012, 464 bills were signed into law, over 220 of which were passed after July 31. While many of these bills related to local concerns or otherwise noncontroversial topics, there is still a very real opportunity for other, more significant legislation to advance during what is often thought of as the quiet months of the year.