From the State House News Service:

Legislation redrawing state laws governing the filling of a US Senate vacancy will get an expedited hearing, with the Election Laws Committee scheduling a Sept. 9 public hearing. The hearing keys specifically on H 656, Rep. Robert Koczera's proposal to allow for an interim senator until a special election for the seat. Lawmakers called Sen. Edward Kennedy's death an impetus for the fast-tracking. "The people of Massachusetts lost a great advocate for our interests with the passing of Senator Kennedy," said committee House chair Rep. Michael Moran. "His death has caused the Committee on Election Laws to accelerate the time line on this piece of legislation." In the same joint statement Moran's co-chair, state Sen. Thomas Kennedy, said, "One of the Senator's last public acts was a request that the legislature explore ways to amend state law so the Commonwealth will not lose a voice in the United States Senate pending the filling of the seat with a special election." Legislative opinion is divided on the proposal. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to announce special election dates at a 3 p.m. press conference.