On said first Wednesday of January, between the hours of ten in the forenoon and twelve at noon, the persons so returned and admitted as members into the representatives' chamber shall be called to order by the oldest senior member present, who shall be the presiding officer of the house until a speaker is chosen or the house otherwise determines.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 3, § 3
Calling house to order; presiding officer
Official source: Massachusetts Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Massachusetts statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.