State Representative Lipper-Garabedian Appointed as Chair of the House Committee on Ethics for the 194th Legislative Session

BOSTON (February 28, 2025) – State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) has been appointed Chair of the House Committee on Ethics for the 194th Legislative Session of the Massachusetts General Court. This is Representative Lipper-Garabedian’s first appointment to chair a standing legislative committee. The House Committee on Ethics is charged with maintaining and ensuring the integrity of the Chamber, addressing violations of rules and all questions of conduct of Representatives, officers, and employers, including the production of any recommendations relative thereto, and recommending any changes in the rules which tend to facilitate the business of the House.

“I am extremely honored by the Speaker's confidence in selecting me Chair of the House Committee on Ethics and my Democratic colleagues for their support,” said State Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “This position will entail working to ensure Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives adhere to all set rules and codes of conduct and to make certain that the integrity of the House of Representatives is upheld and enhanced. I am excited to steward the critical work of this Committee and look forward to working with my fellow Committee members.”

Per Rule 16 of the Massachusetts House Rules, the House Committee on Ethics consists of 11 members. The Committee investigates and evaluates any matters relative to alleged violations by a Member, officer, or employee of the House’s Code of Ethics, conducting confidential proceedings to investigate any such complaints. If a majority of Committee members find that alleged violations have merit, the Committee will file a report on its findings with the House Clerk, and the report shall be made public. The Committee is empowered to recommend a reprimand, censure, removal from a Committee or position of authority, or expulsion for Members found to have violated the House Code of Ethics and to reprimand, suspend, or remove

from employment officers and employees of the House. Committee work also may entail the issuance of confidential written advisory opinions and clarifications at the request of any Member, officer, or employee of the House as well as special reports containing certain proposed legislation to appropriate joint standing committees,

Committee assignments for the 194th Legislative Session will be in place from 2025 through the end of the two-year session.

###