The Senate convened, observed a moment of silence for victims of an attack in New Orleans, and adopted a series of orders including instructions to notify officials and the appointment of a joint committee to canvass votes for executive councilors. The chamber then approved a motion to adjourn in memory of Brockton firefighter Jeffrey W. Albanese.

The clerk read a communication from Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin transmitting returns of votes cast at the election held Nov. 5, 2024 and the accompanying schedules showing ballots for each candidate. "These returns have been duly canvassed by the governor and counsel and are now transmitted for examination by the senate and the House of Representatives as required by the constitution," the communication read, as read aloud by the clerk.

The Senate adopted an order "of votes to inform the House of Representatives of the organization of the Senate" after the clerk read the order; the chair stated there was no objection and the order was adopted. The chamber also adopted an order directing the Secretary of the Commonwealth to notify the executive councilors that they have been duly elected and to advise the governor in the executive part of the government; that order was presented and adopted.

The Senate approved an order appointing a joint committee of members of the Senate and House of Representatives to canvass votes for executive councilors. The senators the clerk named to the chamber's delegation to that joint committee were: Senator Eldridge (Middlesex and Worcester), Senator Driscoll (Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth) and Senator Durant (Worcester and Hampshire). The clerk read the appointments after the motion was adopted by voice vote.

Before formal business, Senator Fatman (senator from Worcester and Hampden) asked the chamber to observe a brief moment of silence for those killed and injured in the reported terrorist attack in New Orleans. "I ask the Senate take a brief moment of silence in honor of those victims in New Orleans," he said.

Senator Brady (senator from Plymouth and Norfolk) read a memorial for Jeffrey W. Albanese, a Brockton firefighter who died Dec. 21, 2024 at Beth Israel Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest on Dec. 9 while responding to an incident. Brady said Albanese had been a Brockton firefighter for 24 years, was a member of Firefighters Local 144 and of the department honor guard, and recited surviving family members. "I ask for a moment of silence on Jeff's behalf," Brady said. The Senate adopted the motion to adjourn in his memory; the chair announced the body would meet again on Monday next at 11 a.m.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for the adopted orders; the clerk and chair reported voice adoption or no objections for the orders described above.