Tag: beacon hill roll call

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on recent roll calls from the week of June 24-28. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.CLEAN FUEL STANDARDS (S 2829) – Senate 1-39, rejected an amendment that would force transportation fuel providers to comply with […]

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 24-28.

$540 MILLON FISCAL 2024 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4790) – House 153-1, approved and sent to the Senate a $540 million fiscal 2024 supplemental budget to close out the books for fiscal year 2024. Provisions include millions of dollars in funding for 18 collective bargaining agreements; $26.5 million for cities and towns to prepare for and celebrate in 2026 the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution; $5.5 million for tax abatements for veterans, widows, blind persons and the elderly; and $29.6 million for Income-Eligible Child Care; $2.1 million for Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Services.

Supporters said the bill funds necessary and important projects and programs to help close out the books on fiscal 2024.

Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), the only member who voted against the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on why he opposed the bill.

BAN HOME EQUITY THEFT (H 4791) – House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a measure that would prohibit cities and towns that foreclose on properties on which the owner owes back property taxes from keeping all of the profits when the city or town sells the property at auction. Current Massachusetts law allows this practice. The bill would allow the city or town to keep only the amount owed in back taxes and send the remainder to the owner.

Last year, the United States Supreme Court ruled that cities and towns that foreclose on properties on which the owner owes back property taxes cannot keep all of the profits when the city or town sells the property at auction. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, writing a unanimous decision about a similar Minnesota law, said that “a taxpayer who loses her $40,000 house to the state to fulfill a $15,000 tax debt has made a far greater contribution to the public fisc than she owed.”

“This legislation provides much needed consumer protections to property owners and clarity to municipalities on tax lien procedures,” said Rep. Mark Cusack (D-Braintree), House Chair of the Committee on Revenue. “Equity will now be returned to its rightful owner while making cities and towns whole.”

The bill was based on earlier versions of the measure sponsored by Reps. John Mahoney (D-Worcester), Tram Nguyen (D-Andover) and Jeff Roy (D-Franklin),

“For far too long, unscrupulous collectors have taken advantage of Massachusetts homeowners in foreclosure,” said Mahoney. “This legislation rectifies this systematic problem once and for all. By protecting the hard-earned equity of our neighbors, while balancing the needs of cities and towns, we can stifle the corruption of bad-faith lienholders and make the commonwealth a more prosperous place for working families.

“The best way for property owners to keep the equity in their homes, is for them to keep their homes,” said Nguyen. “This bill protects homeowners by providing better notices in the municipal tax lien process and presenting opportunities to cure deficiencies.”

“Today’s vote by the Legislature makes the tax taking process more just and erases the patently unfair and unconstitutional processes used to rob homeowners of their home’s equity built over years,” said Roy. “The bill enhances due process protections which will ensure that a homeowner receives adequate notice and affirms their right and opportunity to claim that equity. Moreover, this significant legislative step provides homeowners with an equitable process for resolving tax delinquencies and rectifies constitutional problems with the current law.”

$3.4 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (H 4789) – House 155-2, approved and sent to the Senate a $3.4 billion economic development package that supporters said includes an array of investments and policy initiatives that aim to bolster support for workers and businesses, particularly in the life sciences, clean energy technology and manufacturing industries, while retaining a larger focus on making Massachusetts more affordable and competitive.

Provisions include $500 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to provide grants and loans to grow the life sciences industry in Massachusetts; $400 million for MassWorks public infrastructure grants to cities and towns; $150 million for grants for cities and towns for library projects; $100 million for the Rural Development Program providing financial assistance to exclusively rural areas; $100 million for the Seaport Economic Council Grant program for municipalities for the construction and repair of coastal assets; and $100 million for Applied AI Hub Capital grant program to support the adoption and application of AI technology in the state’s tech sectors.

The bill includes several tax credits including a $30 million annual tax credit for a program to expand the Climatetech industry; $7 million annual tax credit to support pre-Broadway, pre-off Broadway, national tour launches and regional professional theater productions; $5 million per year, to support the production of video games; and a $10 million tax credit for employers, consisting of $100,000 per employee that employ for 12 weeks a recent graduate of a public or private institution of higher education in Massachusetts.

“Through billions of dollars in critical investments and tax credits, the House’s economic development bill provides support for companies at the forefront of innovation in the clean energy and the life sciences sectors, among other burgeoning industries,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “Ultimately, this legislation will help to ensure that the commonwealth remains a hub for those industries of the future, while also enhancing support for workers across Massachusetts.”

“This well-rounded economic development package makes significant, targeted investments into major sectors of the commonwealth’s economy,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “By renewing our commitment to the life sciences industry, and by making significant new investments into ClimateTech, we will be elevating the commonwealth’s economy to be able to compete and thrive for years to come.”

“This legislation promotes economic growth across all regions of the state and makes several targeted investments in key sectors like life sciences and climatetech,” said Rep. Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly), House chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Highlights of this session’s bill include $700 million in meaningful tax credits, new permitting reforms, workforce training and consumer protections around ticket sales, electric vehicle charging and home improvement contractors. This is an exciting time in Massachusetts history and I’m proud of the work done to keep us not only competitive, but a leader in vital industries.”

Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick), the only two members to vote against the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the bill and why they opposed it.

CLEAN ENERGY (S 2829) – Senate 38-2, approved and sent to the House climate legislation that supporters say will make systemic changes to the state’s clean energy infrastructure that will help the state achieve its net zero emissions by 2050 goals. They say it will also expand electric vehicle use and infrastructure and protect residents and ratepayers.

The bill would ban competitive energy suppliers from enrolling new individual residential customers – a move that supporters say will save residents’ money and protect residents from unfair and deceptive practices.

Other provisions would lower utility rates for consumers with low- and middle-incomes by directing utility providers to offer lower rates to eligible consumers; consolidate the review of clean energy siting and permitting and expedite the timeline of projects; extend through 2027 the state’s MOR-EV program which gives residents $3,500-$6,000 for the purchase of new or used electric vehicles; allow residents who own parcels within condominiums, homeowner associations and historic districts to install EV chargers; make it easier to decarbonize buildings across the state; modernize the ‘bottle bill’ by adding noncarbonated beverages, wine and spirits to the list of containers eligible for a bottle deposit and increasing the deposit amount from 5 cents to 10 cents; and rein in a statutory provision that for decades has given gas companies a preferential ratemaking advantage over providers of other heating sources.

“Today’s vote isn’t just a step toward reaching our net-zero emissions mandate,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “It’s a leap toward a greener, cleaner future. The gas system reforms in the Senate climate bill make Massachusetts the national leader in the transition from gas to clean forms of heating, and they also protect residents’ wallets.”

“We are in a climate crisis,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate has heard loud and clear from residents, advocates and clean energy leaders that we need systemic infrastructure changes to deliver on our net zero by 2050 emissions goals. Today we are taking action to make it easier and more efficient to build clean energy infrastructure so that Massachusetts can deliver on our climate commitments and leave our kids with the green state and planet that they deserve.”

“Mass Audubon is proud that our legislative climate and energy leaders and the Healey Administration have delivered an omnibus climate bill which reflects so many of the recommendations of the Commission on Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting,” said Michelle Manion, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Mass Audubon. “[The bill] accelerates clean energy while also recognizing the importance of nature – our forests, wetlands and farms – in the climate fight, and that our towns and cities are essential partners in delivering on the solution set.  This bill is the commonwealth’s next best step in addressing the climate crisis.”

“The Massachusetts Senate has approached this legislation like Don Quixote, mistaking natural gas as an enemy worth eliminating when instead it should be considered a useful ally,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) who voted against the bill. “This legislation not only severely undercuts the use of natural gas, it fails to address the cost of electricity in the commonwealth which is currently ranked as the fourth highest in the nation. If you love paying higher costs for electricity year after year, you’ll love this Senate legislation.”

Fattman continued, “While more than half of Massachusetts households rely on natural gas for heating their homes and cooking their food, this legislation all but eliminates that possibility without providing a clear path on making other energy sources achievable, accessible and affordable. We are not prepared to implement these vast changes to our energy sector and a lack of preparation will, no doubt, lead to chaos down the road.”

Sen. Peter Durant (R-Spencer) the only other senator who voted against the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the bill and his vote.

$1 BILLION CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION FUND (S 2829) – Senate 1-38, rejected an amendment that would create a $1 billion Clean Energy and Climate Action Fund to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, which would distribute funds to efficient retrofits and upgrades that fit into the state’s commitment to reducing emissions from the built environment.

“I am extremely disappointed that this amendment was rejected as part of this bill,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco (D-Taunton). “The transition to clean energy will require a significant investment, and this investment is currently one of the biggest barriers to the transition to clean energy. The cost of this fund pales in comparison to the costs the Commonwealth will incur if the transition to clean energy is not expedited.”

Amendment opponents said the $1 billion would come from the Rainy Day Fund which, because of lower tax revenue, has not been as flush with money as the Senate thought it would be.

Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), a lead sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his opposition to this amendment.

HOUSING (S 2834) – Senate 40-0, approved a housing bill that would authorize $5.4 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in the Bay State. Supporters said the package makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development and promoting affordable housing.

The House has already approved a different version of the package and a House-Senate conference committee will likely attempt to hammer out a compromise version.

Provisions include $2.2 billion for repairs, rehabilitation and renovation of public housing; $425 million for the Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust Fund which works with cities and towns, nonprofits and developers to support housing preservation, new construction,and rehabilitation projects to create affordable rental units; $800 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve housing for households with an income at or below 110 per cent of the area’s median income; $275 million for innovative, sustainable and green housing initiatives; $200 million for the CommonWealth Builder program to further the production of housing in gateway cities for first-time homebuyers; and creates a process for tenants to seal their eviction records in cases of no-fault evictions.

“The … bill is more than a legislative measure – it is a bold commitment to the principles of production, preservation and protection of housing across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Lydia Edwards (D-Boston), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “With a $5.4 billion investment, we are building new homes, preserving existing ones and ensuring that all residents, especially the most vulnerable, have access to safe and affordable housing.”

“An affordable, equitable, and competitive commonwealth is one in which a renter can find an apartment within their budget, a family can afford a down payment on their first home, and residents aren’t priced out of communities where they want to live,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today the Senate took concrete action to make that vision a reality, a first step in rectifying decades of underinvestment that has led to our housing crisis.”

“I’m thrilled that the Senate, in partnership with the House and the Healey-Driscoll administration, has addressed the very real housing crisis we face today, the greatest impediment to making it in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This crisis takes many forms, including the lack of available housing, the lack of affordable housing, housing access and the waitlist for seniors and lower income families. This comprehensive bond bill addresses those barriers—and more—by dedicating $5.4 billion in a multi-year package to tackle this crisis head on. The passage of this legislation today now puts our ambitious plans in motion.”

Although no senators voted against the bill, some tenant advocates criticized the package, noting that while both the House and Senate versions would take meaningful steps towards expanding affordable housing options, neither version does anything for people who are currently struggling to stay in their homes.

“Even if all the housing envisioned in the bond bill is ultimately built, it would still be a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of the housing crisis that is forcing working people out on the street today,” said Carolyn Chou, executive director of Homes for All Mass. “Without immediate relief, tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents will be forced out of their homes by rising rents in the coming years, and we’ll continue to lose the working people who power our economy as they fall victim to predatory real estate speculators.”

APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (S 2834) – Senate 6-34, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. Any appeal would have to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act; and any adverse impacts on historic properties.

Amendment supporters said the amendment would offer a reasonable appeal process to assist cities and towns impacted by the MBTA Communities Act.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment.

Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) said that this amendment is similar to budget amendments that were discussed robustly and noted the Senate was firm in its opinion that it did not want to change course on the MBTA Communities Act.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment allowing an appeal. A “No” vote is against the amendment.)

NO: Sen. Michael Barrett; Sen. John Cronin; Sen. James Eldridge; Sen. Barry Finegold; Sen. Cindy Friedman. YES: Sen. Edward Kennedy; Sen. Bruce Tarr.

HOME INSPECTIONS (S 2834) – Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that requires the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to implement regulations that secure a homebuyer’s right to have an inspection done on a property before finalizing the purchase of the home. The regulation bans the conditioning of a sale on waiving or limiting the buyer’s right to inspect the home.

“Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases many families will ever make,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “Shouldn’t you have the right to know exactly what you’re purchasing before you sign a binding contract? This amendment will curb the practice of making offers that waive the right to a home inspection, something that’s become increasingly common in this ultra-competitive real estate market.

Moore continued, ”Buyers must not feel obligated to waive inspections, risking their most important investment, in order to find their forever home. In a commonwealth where we have long taken a strong approach to consumer protections, this is an obvious step to protect families from financial ruin due to costly undisclosed repairs.”

Also up on Beacon Hill

REQUIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS (H 2289) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would allow cities and towns to require the installation of an automatic sprinkler system in every newly-constructed 1- or 2-family home.

Sponsor Rep. Ruth Balser (D-Newton) said that today’s new homes burn hotter and faster than those of the past because of modern construction techniques and synthetic furnishings. She noted that as a result, residents have only one to three minutes to flee the average home without sprinklers.

“Automatic sprinklers work fast and give people more time to escape,” said Balser. “According to the Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler Coalition, having both sprinklers and smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by 80 percent. Additionally, automatic sprinklers put out 90 percent of home fires before the fire department arrives, which reduces firefighters’ exposure to the toxic products of combustion that cause cancer.”

SEXUAL ASSAULT BY FRAUD (H 4350) – The House approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that would make it a crime for a doctor or other medical professional to commit sexual contact with a patient even when the doctor claims the contact is necessary for a legitimate medical purpose.

Under current law, sexual contact by medical professionals represented to the patient as necessary for a legitimate medical purpose cannot be prosecuted, as the patient may be viewed as consenting to it, either explicitly or implicitly. Two courts have ruled that if a person consents to sexual intercourse, even under false pretenses, it is still consent.

“I am pleased to see [the bill] once again be passed by the Massachusetts House,” said the bill’s sponsor Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “The bill establishes protections for vulnerable patients and criminalizes medical or healthcare professionals who knowingly and falsely claim sexual contact for a medical purpose. This legislation provides necessary updates to Massachusetts’ sexual assault laws.”

REQUIRE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE INFO ON STUDENT IDS (H 1999) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would require all public schools with grades 6 to 12, and all public and private colleges to include on their student identification cards the telephone and text number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The bill includes a provision that allows any schools and colleges which have a supply of old ID cards without the 988 line to continue to distribute those IDS until the supply is gone.

Supporters said that while suicide is a leading cause of death for people of all ages in the United States, young people are particularly at risk. They noted that according to a study published by the National Center for Health Statistics at the end of last year, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-24, representing a 56 percent increase from the previous decade. They argued that there are significant disparities in these numbers, with LGBTQ+ youth being at greater risk and Black youth seeing a 73 percent increase in youth suicide rates in that same time period.

“Suicides were the second leading cause of death among children in Massachusetts in 2020, which is an alarming statistic,” said co-sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “We must ensure that every student has the information at their fingertips to get the support and resources they need. Seeking help is hard even for the most self-aware adults. Providing the avenues to support is essential to promoting positive and sustainable public health practices.

“This is a simple proposal that can have critical impact, ensuring our students are equipped with the 988 Behavioral Help Line on their student IDs, if they, or their friends, need to connect with resources to support and trusted mental health resources,” said co-sponsor Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster).

DELIVERING CARS TO DEALERSHIPS (H 3472) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prohibit any car carriers delivering cars to a dealership from parking on a public street or highway. A car carrier operator who violates this law would be subject to a $250 fine and potential license suspension. The carrier company is also subject to forfeiting its carrying permit.

Supporters said that regular drivers are often forced to take evasive action, on short notice, to avoid a collision with the haphazardly parked car carrier and the vehicles being offloaded and driven perpendicular to traffic to their dealership destinations.

“Like many Peabody residents who drive on Route 114, I experience first-hand the risky and dangerous practice of car carriers unloading their vehicles in the center lane and driving across several lanes of oncoming traffic to reach the dealerships,” said Rep. Tom Walsh (D-Peabody). “To protect roadway user safety, we filed this common-sense legislation to explicitly outlaw this practice and provide our police the tools they need to enforce the law accordingly.”

Quotable quotes

“Ensuring every veteran receives the proper status and respect they deserve is a top priority of the Executive Office of Veterans Services. The injustices faced by LGBTQ+ service members are a stain on our history that we are committed to erasing. Massachusetts is leading the way when it comes to supporting our veterans and this initiative is a crucial step to healing past wounds and fostering a more inclusive military community.” – Secretary Jon Santiago of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services, applauding President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon thousands of former U.S. service members convicted under the now-repealed Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which criminalized consensual gay sex. This law, in effect since 1951, was revised in 2013 to prohibit only forcible acts.

“When someone is struggling with feelings of despair, a caring and compassionate presence on the other end of the 988 Lifeline can be lifesaving. Suicide prevention is a critical public health responsibility and the 988 Lifeline is a resource that offers emotional support at some of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life.” – State Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein on the Department of Public Health’s announced that $8.3 million in state and federal grant funding will be awarded to five community organizations to support the continuation of services for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Network.

“Fireworks are inherently dangerous. Possessing or using them in Massachusetts requires licensing and certification. They are illegal for personal use here even if purchased legally in another state. These laws work: the rate of fireworks injuries in Massachusetts is about one-fifth the national average.” – State Fire Marshal Davine on the upcoming 4th of July celebrations.

How long was last week’s session?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week June 24-28, the House met for a total of 15 hours and 46 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 23 hours and 44 minutes.

Mon. June 24 – House: 11:02 a.m. to 11:09 a.m.; Senate: 11:07 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Tues. June 25 – No House session; Senate: 11:30 a.m. to 8:52 p.m.

Wed. June 26 – House: 11 a.m. to  3:50 p.m.; No Senate session

Thurs. June 27 – House: 11 a.m. to 9:49 p.m.; Senate 10:08 a.m. to 11:52 p.m.

Fri.  June 28 – No House or Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com. Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE:  Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ and representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of April 22-28. Some of the House roll calls are on the House version of a $58 billion fiscal 2025 state budget.

A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BUDGET “DEBATE” — Most of the decisions on which representatives’ amendments are included or not included in the budget are made behind closed doors. Of the more than 1,500 budget amendments proposed, most of them were bundled into consolidated “mega” amendments. This year there were seven mega amendments and all were approved unanimously. There is no real “debate” on the House floor. Everyone who spoke on any of the consolidated amendments spoke in favor of them.

The system works as follows: Individual representatives file amendments on various topics. All members then pitch their amendments to Democratic leaders who draft consolidated amendments that include some of the individual representatives’ amendments while excluding others.

The categories of consolidated amendments include many subjects including programs relating to public safety, judiciary energy, environmental affairs, housing, labor and economic development.

Supporters of the system say that any representative who sponsored an excluded amendment can bring it to the floor and ask for an up or down vote on the amendment itself. They say this system has worked well for many years.

Opponents say that rarely, if ever, does a member bring his or her amendment to the floor for an up-or-down vote because that is not the way the game is played. It is an “expected tradition” that you accept the fate of your amendment as determined by Democratic leaders.

$375 MILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4529) — House 157-0, Senate 38-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill that includes authorizing $200 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. The $375 million package, a bond bill under which the funding would be borrowed by the state through the sale of bonds, also includes $175 million for several transportation-related grant programs.

The programs funded by the $175 million include the municipal small bridge program; the complete streets program; a bus transit infrastructure program; and grants for municipalities to purchase electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them.

“This legislation secures critical funding to our municipalities for the roads, bridges and sidewalks that residents utilize each and every day,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Committee on Transportation. “Regardless of where you live or how you get around, this funding will address infrastructure needs to improve travel, enhance safety and bolster our economy.”

“The timely passage of this responsive legislation for fiscal year 2025 demonstrates the Legislature’s continued commitment to fund our local transportation projects,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House Chair of the Transportation Committee. “With the renewed investment in funding rural towns and other infrastructure grant programs, our communities across the commonwealth will be better positioned to meet their unique transportation needs, and I am pleased to support these investments.”

“Local officials across Massachusetts are grateful for the Legislature’s swift passage of the transportation bond bill, with funding for the Chapter 90 program and additional key investments in municipal roads and bridges,” said Adam Chapdelaine, CEO of the Mass Municipal Association (MMA). “Every community in the commonwealth will benefit from this critical funding, particularly with construction season already underway. The MMA again this year is asking the Legislature to supplement these programs through dedicated funding from the new Fair Share surtax. Last year, supplemental Chapter 90 aid via the surtax provided an additional $100 million for the 30,000 miles of municipal roads, which went to great use in communities across the commonwealth.”

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET INCLUDING $251 MILLION FUNDING FOR SHELTERS (H 4582) — House 123-35, Senate 29-9, approved and sent to Gov. Healey a supplemental budget that includes an additional $251 million in funding for the Emergency Assistance Program that funds the emergency family shelter system which houses migrants. The measure imposes a new nine-month limit on how long families can stay in the state’s emergency shelters, with up to two 90-day extensions available to some and a new hardship waiver process.

Provisions include $10 million for approved workforce training programs; $10 million for a tax credit for companies that provide job training to Emergency Assistance participants; $3 million for family welcome centers; $1 million for supplemental staffing at emergency housing assistance program shelters; and $7 million for resettlement agencies and shelter providers to assist families with rehousing, work authorization and English language learning.

Other provisions keep in place some pandemic-era programs, set to expire, including allowing restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails for take-out; expanding outdoor dining; and allowing graduates and students in their last semester of nursing education programs to practice nursing.

“I’m proud that this legislation puts us on a responsible path forward without sacrificing our values of treating families with dignity and respect,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislative action was warranted because of inaction at the federal level on a challenge of their own creation. Massachusetts has once again shown that we can work together to address complicated issues, as we have done today.”

“Ensuring that people exit the shelter system in a timely manner is crucial to the emergency assistance program’s long-term viability,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This is the current reality due to the status of the migrant crisis, the lack of federal support, the number of people on the waitlist and the revenue challenges facing Massachusetts. It’s also critical that we ensure that folks in the shelter system receive ample support aimed at helping them to successfully enter the workforce, which is exactly what this legislation does.”

“Once again the Massachusetts Senate was given the opportunity to do right by our residents and the majority party failed to do so,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “The supplemental budget did not have a residency requirement nor prioritization criteria for the right to shelter program and therefore earned a ‘No’ vote from me. In a time when the state budget is being trimmed back, adding nearly half a billion dollars to the right to shelter program which has housed thousands of people who are not Massachusetts residents and has only hemorrhaged money is not the answer.”

“I firmly believe that the state of Massachusetts cannot continue to afford to fund this program ourselves without jeopardizing many of the countless critical programs we hold dear,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “Our emergency shelter system was simply never meant to handle the number of individuals it is housing today and unlike the federal government, who has completely abdicated their responsibility to address the immigration crisis, the commonwealth must have a balanced budget and cannot simply run up debt without any consequences.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the supplemental budget. A “No” vote is against it.)

YES: Rep. James Arciero; Rep. Simon Cataldo; Rep. Rodney Elliott; Rep. Kenneth Gordon; Rep. Vanna Howard; Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne; Rep. Michael Kushmerek; Rep. Rady Mom; Rep. Tram Nguyen; Sen. Michael Barrett; Sen. Barry Finegold; Sen. Cindy Friedman; Sen. Edward Kennedy. NO: Rep. Kimberly Ferguson; Rep. Colleen Garry; Rep. Natalie Higgins; Rep. Marc Lombardo; Rep. David Robertson; Rep. Margaret Scarsdale; Rep. Dan Sena; Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik; Sen. John Cronin; Sen. James Eldridge; Sen. Bruce Tarr.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS (H 4460) — House 30-125, rejected an amendment that would change the state’s Right to Shelter Law which requires the state to provide shelter and other necessities to homeless parents with young children, pregnant women and recently the many migrant families arriving in the Bay State. Homeless individuals are not covered by the Right to Shelter law.

The amendment would require that people provide proof that they have lived in the state for at least three months to qualify for the program. It also exempts from the requirement a victim of domestic violence or a person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts.

Amendment supporters said the current interpretation of residency in Massachusetts by the Healey administration is that the person can be in the state for a matter of minutes to qualify to get services.

“The emergency housing assistance program is operating under a 7,500-family cap imposed by Gov. Healey, but the demand for services continues to grow and has created a lengthy waitlist,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Imposing a minimum residency requirement of three months is reasonable and will help to ensure that people who are already living in the commonwealth will have access to housing assistance when they need it.”

Some amendment opponents said the amendment might be unconstitutional. Others said people from around the world who are the victims of rape, violence and oppression are coming to Massachusetts and the state should not impose residency requirements on these suffering migrants.

“I would also just like to underscore, as I did a moment ago, that no families — whether they are longtime Massachusetts residents or families that are new to the state — are being put out on the street,” said Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley). “We do have these overflow shelters. I don’t want anyone to be operating under the assumption that we have Massachusetts residents who are being left out on the street, so once again, I ask you please … reject the residency requirement.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the 3-month requirement. A “No” vote is against it.)

NO: Rep. James Arciero; Rep. Simon Cataldo; Rep. Rodney Elliott; Rep. Kenneth Gordon; Rep. Natalie Higgins; Rep. Vanna Howard; Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne; Rep. Michael Kushmerek; Rep. Rady Mom; Rep. Tram Nguyen; Rep. Margaret Scarsdale; Rep. Dan Sena. YES: Rep. Kimberly Ferguson; Rep. Colleen Garry; Rep. Marc Lombardo; Rep. David Robertson; Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik.

PRIORITIZE HOMELESS VETERANS (H 4600) — House 27-129, rejected an amendment that would prioritize honorably discharged homeless veterans for eligibility for placement in the shelter assistance program.

“Massachusetts is widely recognized as a national leader for the programs and services we provide to our veterans and our shelter system should be reflective of that,” said amendment sponsor GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “No individual who has served their country with valor and dedication should ever be forced to sleep on the street. Ensuring the well-being of homeless veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our country and our commonwealth, is not a policy decision; it’s a moral imperative.”

Opponents of the amendment said it is a political stunt designed to make it appear that Democrats are against helping veterans and noted that nothing could be further from the truth. They noted this shelter assistance funding was designed to protect women, children and families. They noted that the Bay State proudly already has some of the best veterans’ benefits in the nation and pointed to increased veterans benefits in the House budget.

Rep. Gerard Cassidy (D-Brockton), House chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, previewed a veterans bill being prepared by his committee for consideration in May and said it will provide even more benefits for veterans.

“This is not a veterans’ bill. This is basically a political ploy,” said Cassidy.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment giving priority to homeless veterans. A “No” vote is against it.)

NO: Rep. James Arciero; Rep. Simon Cataldo; Rep. Rodney Elliott; Rep. Kenneth Gordon; Rep. Natalie Higgins; Rep. Vanna Howard; Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne; Rep. Michael Kushmerek; Rep. Rady Mom; Rep. Tram Nguyen; Rep. Margaret Scarsdale; Rep. Dan Sena; Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik. YES: Rep. Kimberly Ferguson; Rep. Colleen Garry; Rep. Marc Lombardo; Rep. David Robertson.

HOUSE APPROVES $58 BILLION FISCAL 2025 STATE BUDGET (H 460) — House 153-4, approved a $58 billion fiscal 2025 state budget after three days of debate. The House version now goes to the Senate which will approve a different version. A House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and then sent to the governor.

“This budget builds off the successes of the last few years by prioritizing our residents,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “Whether it is greater investments into programs like housing stability, public transportation or early education, these initiatives are a reflection of our shared values. By reinvesting in the people of the commonwealth, we will continue to make our economy more competitive and equitable for years to come.”

“We take pride in our collective efforts to develop a budget that mirrors the needs of our constituents,” said Rep. Pat Haddad (D-Somerset), Assistant Vice Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The fiscal year 2025 budget underscores our dedication to significant investments in healthcare, education, housing, veteran services, energy and environmental services, among other critical areas. Passing this budget will provide vital protection for the cities and towns of the Bay State, particularly amidst fiscal challenges. Our commitment to supporting municipalities has never been more resolute, with local aid emerging as a top priority to sustain essential local services.”

“This budget contains billions in taxpayer dollars for illegal migrants, cash bail and $35 million for free phone calls for inmates,” said Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica). “All the while in this $58 billion budget, education and local aid are less than 25 percent of the budget. The taxpayers are not the priority in this budget and I can’t support that.”

“Clearly Speaker Ron Mariano has one thing on his mind, which is to spend now and figure out the economic mess later,” said Paul Craney, spokesperson for Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “His budget successfully mugs the taxpayers of their hard-earned money and keeps them on the hook to fund new priorities. The speaker’s top three priorities are to spend, spend and spend. His budget has nothing to show in the way of spending restraint or fiscal responsibility. Through budget amendments, the House had several opportunities to reform how they spend our taxpayer money, but they were all shot down. The speaker was unusually cruel to taxpayers of Massachusetts, as spending continues to grow with nothing to show for it.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.)

YES: Rep. James Arciero; Rep. Simon Cataldo; Rep. Rodney Elliott; Rep. Kimberly Ferguson; Rep. Colleen Garry; Rep. Kenneth Gordon; Rep. Natalie Higgins; Rep. Vanna Howard; Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne; Rep. Michael Kushmerek; Rep. Rady Mom; Rep. Tram Nguyen; Rep. David Robertson; Rep. Margaret Scarsdale; Rep. Dan Sena; Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik. NO: Rep. Marc Lombardo.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COLLEGE CREDITS (H 4600) — House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would require all public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts to develop and adopt written policies and procedures allowing full acceptance of all appropriate college credits earned by students in advanced placement courses who have successfully completed these courses and have also achieved proficient advanced placement test scores to satisfy these credits.

“If a high school student is taking advanced college level courses before graduation and has also achieved satisfactory AP test scores, I think it’s only fair that their hard work be recognized by giving them full credit for these courses once they enroll as a freshman in college,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “With families of college-age students facing large tuition bills, this policy change would help to ease some of their financial burden by giving students the opportunity to begin college with several credits already earned towards their degree.”

Amendment opponents said the Higher Education Committee has already approved a separate, more detailed measure that addresses advanced placement. They said the bill will eventually come before the full House and urged members to vote against this less comprehensive amendment and wait for the more detailed bill.

Rep. Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), the House chair of the Higher Education Committee, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain his opposition to the amendment.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

NO: Rep. James Arciero; Rep. Simon Cataldo; Rep. Rodney Elliott; Rep. Kenneth Gordon; Rep. Natalie Higgins; Rep. Vanna Howard; Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne; Rep. Michael Kushmerek; Rep. Rady Mom; Rep. Tram Nguyen; Rep. David Robertson; Rep. Margaret Scarsdale; Rep. Dan Sena; Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik. YES: Rep. Kimberly Ferguson; Rep. Colleen Garry. Rep. Marc Lombardo Didn’t Vote.

$35 MILLION FOR LOCAL AID INSTEAD OF FREE PRISONER PHONE CALLS (H 4600) — House 29-125, rejected an amendment that would strike a budget section that provides $35 million to subsidize free phone calls for prisoners; and instead use the $35 million to fund additional unrestricted local aid for cities and towns.

“At a time when many cities and towns are struggling to balance their budgets, the House Ways and Means Committee inexplicably opted to fund unrestricted local aid at a level that is $25 million below the governor’s proposal,” said House GOP minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Communities rely on this funding to support a variety of municipal services, including teachers, police, firefighters, libraries and senior centers. The $35 million allocated for unlimited free prisoner phone calls represents a 75 percent increase in the program’s costs, which is unacceptable at a time when revenues are declining and the governor has implemented millions of dollars in … cuts. The state budget is all about setting priorities and boosting local aid represents a more prudent use of our limited state resources.”

Amendment opponents say telephone and video calls are a lifeline for people locked in prisons and their families. They said these calls help families keep in touch and can help incarcerated people succeed when they are released from prison into the community.

Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), the House chair of the Judiciary Committee,  did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain his opposition to the amendment.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment providing $35 million in local aid to cities and towns. A “No” vote is against it.)

NO: Rep. James Arciero; Rep. Simon Cataldo; Rep. Rodney Elliott; Rep. Kenneth Gordon; Rep. Natalie Higgins; Rep. Vanna Howard; Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne; Rep. Michael Kushmerek; Rep. Rady Mom; Rep. Tram Nguyen; Rep. Margaret Scarsdale; Rep. Dan Sena. YES: Rep. Kimberly Ferguson; Rep. Colleen Garry; Rep. Marc Lombardo; Rep. David Robertson; Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik.

PROTECT CONSUMER WHEN PURCHASING CARS (S 2716) — Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters say will modernize protections for consumers in automobile transactions. The bill adds legal safeguards for buyers who purchase used and leased cars in Massachusetts by creating new consumer protections in the car buying process.

A key provision expands the Lemon Aid Law by providing consumers seven days from the date of delivery to inspect their vehicle and obtain a full refund if the vehicle fails inspection. Current law provides this return privilege seven days from the date of sale.

Other provisions would ensure those who lease a vehicle have the same rights to repossession notice and right to cure as those who finance a vehicle; and increase the used vehicle warranty from 125,000 miles to 150,000 miles – a move supporters say that will protect consumers who purchase more affordable vehicles with higher mileage.

Supporters say the bill would expand the rights of car buyers who expect a purchased vehicle to be in a state of good repair and free of problems.

“I am … proud that the Senate has passed legislation I have filed to update Massachusetts used vehicle statutes and close existing loopholes in our laws that prevent the attorney general from adequately protecting consumers during a used car purchase,” said sponsor Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough).

Also up on Beacon Hill

HOME OIL LEAKS (S 2737) – The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would mandate that insurance companies in the Bay State provide residential owners with insurance for damage to home and property caused by a leak in a residential liquid fuel tank or home fuel supply lines.

Current law requires that companies make coverage available for owners but supporters say that while coverage is available, there are many documented cases of companies not making owners aware that the coverage is available. They said this often results in homeowners being unaware they do not have insurance coverage until after they experience a liquid fuel tank leak.

Supporters said that some 100 homeowners experience an oil leak in Massachusetts every year. They noted that leaks can incur costly damage to the residence itself, but under Massachusetts law owners are responsible for environmental cleanup, which can rise to $100,000 or more, to dispose of contaminated soil and mitigate the spread in surrounding areas.

“I am … grateful that the Senate has passed a much needed consumer protection measure to protect homeowners in the event of an accidental home heating oil release so that homeowners aren’t saddled with exorbitantly high clean-up costs through no fault of their own,” said Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), chair of the Financial Service Committee.

MUST PAY BROKER FEE (H 4474) – The House gave initial approval to legislation requiring that in real estate transactions, the fees associated with hiring brokers are paid by the party who hires them.

“It is common practice in the Massachusetts rental market for landlords to hire brokers to list properties and execute lease agreements,” said sponsor Rep. Paul Schmid. “The landlords then pass off the broker’s fee, often half to a full month rent, onto the tenant making the housing market increasingly unaffordable. This bill would ensure that whoever hires the broker, landlord or tenant, pays the fees.

EXTEND TAX BREAKS TO MORE FARMERS (H 2693) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would expand current law and make more farmers eligible for a favorable valuation of property process that results in a tax break.

Under current law, to be eligible for the favorable valuation and the resulting tax break, a farmer must own and be farming a minimum of five contiguous acres of land. The bill would reduce the required number to two and not require the acres to be contiguous.

Supporters said that farming practices have been modernized and farmers no longer need vast contiguous acreage to grow crops and manage their livestock. They noted that in Eastern Massachusetts, contiguous land is getting harder to acquire.

“The bill basically would provide a farmer with multiple parcels of agricultural land the same taxation benefits that a farmer would receive if they owned all their five acres in the same municipality,” said sponsor Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford). “Whenever an owner holds two or more non-contiguous areas of land in one or more subdivisions of the commonwealth equaling not less than five acres, the owner shall have the  right to apply for the provisions of this section provided all parcels are within a 10-mile radius of one another, or within the confines of a single municipality. The acreage would have to meet all the requirements for the benefits of this section as if the land was contiguous.”

CONDO CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY TAX (H 2982) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would change the current law which removes from a city or town’s property tax rolls the land of a large-scale condominium project during the construction phase. The bill would keep the land on the tax rolls during the constructions phase.

Supporters say that this problem is more of an issue on multi-phased projects where a first phase of a condominium development gets built, and for whatever reason other phases of the project languish.

“I filed the bill … to support municipal assessors as they assess their municipal property tax revenue,” said sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “We want to ensure that municipalities receive all the revenue to which they are entitled in order to fully provide for essential service demands.”

“This is about fairness and equity,” said Kevin Rudden, Legislative Chair of the State Assessors Association. “Communities currently lose the value and property tax revenue of a condominium project during a multi-phase project, particularly if it’s delayed.  That means other homeowners must make up for that lost revenue.  This fixes that so the value of the property and its revenue to the community is not lost during construction phases.”

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of April 22-26, the House met for a total of 26 hours and 57 minutes and the Senate met for a total of five hours and six minutes.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 11-15. There were no roll calls in the House last week.

EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE CHANGES (S 2697) — Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House a bill aimed at making early education and care money more accessible and affordable for young families across the Bay State. The bill would make high-cost state grants for early education and care providers permanent; increase the income threshold to make more families eligible for childcare subsidies; and establish recommended salary and benefit guidelines for early childhood teachers commensurate with K-12 public school teachers.

Under current law subsidies are limited to households whose incomes equal up to 50 percent of the state median income, or $73,000. The bill would raise the eligibility threshold to 85 percent of the state median income, or $124,000 for a family of four.

“Access to high-quality, affordable early education and childcare is essential for the healthy development of young children, as well as for the economic well-being of working families and employers in the commonwealth,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), lead sponsor and Senate Chair of the Committee on Education. “With the passage today of the Early Ed Act, Massachusetts is demonstrating national leadership in addressing the broken early education and childcare system in our country.”

“From my first day in the Senate, I have been pushing for expanded access to early education and increasing staff salaries to ensure educators can earn a good living,” said Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “This critical legislation will drastically expand access to affordable, high-quality, early education and childcare and deliver significantly better pay and benefits for early educators. I am proud to support this bill which helps move our state one step closer to guaranteeing every child will receive world-class education from childhood through adulthood. We must get this bill over the finish line and keep our state a livable and welcoming home for families of all incomes.”

CONSIDER TAX CREDIT FOR COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE (S 2697) — Senate 7-32, rejected an amendment that would require a study which would make recommendations on employer-supported early education and care benefits, to include possible creation of a tax credit for employers that provide these early education and care benefits to their employees.

Amendment supporters said this amendment does not create a tax credit but simply requires a study of the possibility of one. They said that all options should be looked into and put on the table in order to help  support employers that provide childcare.

“The bill already includes a new competitive grant program to incentivize    employers to invest in additional early education and care slots for their employees,” responded Sen. Jason Lewis who opposed the amendment. “Furthermore, a federal tax credit has been available to employers since 2001 and has proven ineffective in expanding access to affordable early education and care for workers.”

GOP Minority Leader Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment and its rejection.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment that would include  the possibility of tax credits in the study. A “No” vote is against the amendment.)

YES: Sen. Michael Barrett; Sen. Bruce Tarr. NO: Sen. John Cronin; Sen. James Eldridge; Sen. Barry Finegold; Sen. Cindy Friedman; Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Also up on Beacon Hill

GOV. MAURA HEALEY MOVES TO PARDON MISDEMEANOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION – Gov. Healey has issued an executive order that would pardon misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions that occurred in Massachusetts before March 14, 2024. If approved by the Governor’s Council at its upcoming March 27 meeting, the pardons will apply to hundreds of thousands of people who were convicted of the offense which is no longer an offense. The Bay State decriminalized marijuana possession in 2008 and then legalized it on a ballot questions in 2016.

In October 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation that pardoned many federal and D.C. offenses for simple marijuana possession. In December 2023, he expanded that pardon to include more offenses and issued a call for governors to take action to pardon marijuana convictions in their states.

“Nobody should face barriers to getting a job, housing or an education because of an old misdemeanor marijuana conviction that they would not be charged for today,” said Healey. “We’re taking this nation-leading action as part of our commitment to using the clemency process to advance fairness and equity in our criminal justice system. We’re grateful for President Biden’s leadership on this at the federal level and proud to answer his call to take action in the states.”

“Marijuana laws have significantly changed over the past decade, and it’s essential that our criminal justice system adjusts with them,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “Gov. Healey’s proposed pardon represents an important step toward righting historic wrongs, particularly around our country’s misguided War on Drugs. We thank the Governor’s Council for their careful consideration of this recommendation and look forward to continuing our progress to make Massachusetts a more fair and equitable home for all.”

BAN EMPLOYERS FROM ASKING FOR CREDIT REPORTS (H 1434) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would prohibit employers from obtaining the credit reports of existing or potential employees except in certain circumstances including hiring for a position that requires national security clearance; a position for which a person is required by federal or state law to obtain a consumer report; and some executive or managerial positions at a financial institution.

The [bill] reduces barriers to employment by limiting the use of personal credit reports in the hiring process,” said sponsor former Duxbury representative Josh Cutler who is now Gov. Maura Healey’s Undersecretary of Apprenticeship, Work-based Learning and Policy in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. ”Credit scores were never intended to be used for employment purposes and pre-employment credit checks can create needless barriers for otherwise qualified workers. Eleven other states already taken similar steps.”

Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), the Senate sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the bill and its passage.

NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT (H 3248) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that applies the federal law known as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to any museums and state agencies that receive state or local funding in the state of Massachusetts.

The federal law, according to the National Park Service’s website, requires that federal agencies and museums receiving federal funds take inventory of Native American human remains, funeral-related and sacred objects and provide written summaries of other cultural items. The agencies and museums must consult with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to attempt to reach agreements on the repatriation or other disposition of these remains and objects. Once lineal descent or cultural affiliation has been established, and in some cases the right of possession also has been demonstrated, lineal descendants, affiliated Indian tribes or affiliated Native Hawaiian organizations normally make the final determination about the disposition of cultural items.

Co-sponsors of the bill, Reps. Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) and David Biele (D-South Boston) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on their proposal.

ASSAULT A TRANSIT WORKER (H 4355) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that imposes a prison sentence of between 90 days and 2.5 years or a fine of between $500 and $5,000 on a person who assaults a transit worker while the transit worker is performing his or her duties. The measure also expands the definition of assault to cover flinging a bodily substance including blood, saliva, mucous, semen, urine or feces.

“Before the Carmen’s Union approached me with this issue, I had no idea how bad these experiences were,” said sponsor Rep. Joe McGonagle (D-Everett). “Seeing the statistics, hearing the stories, it is very hard to ignore. It is imperative that our transit workers are able to perform their jobs safely, knowing they have support and protection.”

$500 STIPEND FOR NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS (H 4358) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that amends a current law which provides that a nonprofit group lose its civil liability protection if it pays any amount of stipend to a board member. The bill would allow the nonprofit to retain its civil liability protection as long as the stipend is not more than $500.

Sponsor Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) noted that federal law currently allows this $500 stipend. “This change would allow nonprofits to provide board members with this modest stipend, facilitating their service and improving board representation,” said Peisch.

DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES (H 4429) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would make some changes in the current state laws about debt collection practices.

The measure includes increasing from 85 percent to 90 percent the percentage of a person’s wages that is protected from garnishment. Another provision reduces from the current 12 percent to 3 percent the maximum interest rate that can be charged for judgements issued after 2024.

Supporters said the bill would help people to eventually pay off their debts without being overburdened by them and will ensure that no one in Massachusetts will be imprisoned for failure to pay a consumer debt.

“The [measure] creates common-sense consumer protections to prevent wage garnishment, reduce interest rates on debts and keep more money in the pockets of working families,” said co-sponsor Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville.)

Co-sponsor Rep. Tram Nguyen (D-Andover) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on the passage of her bill.

SEAL EVICTION RECORDS (H 4356) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would allow a person with certain eviction records, including no-fault eviction, eviction for non-payment of rent, fault eviction or eviction resulting in dismissal or judgment in favor of the defendant, to petition for the sealing of those records under certain circumstances.

Supporters said the measure is aimed at providing individuals with certain eviction records opportunities to seal those records under specific circumstances and promotes housing opportunity and mobility by reducing barriers faced due to past evictions.

“I believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to access stable housing and rebuild their lives without being haunted by past mistakes,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Lydia Edwards (D-Boston). “The … bill isn’t just about sealing eviction records. It’s about offering hope and opportunity to individuals and families facing housing insecurity. By giving people the chance to move forward without the shadow of eviction looming over them, we’re not just promoting housing opportunity and mobility — we’re restoring dignity and second chances, essential elements of a just and compassionate society.”

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of March 11-15, the House met for a total of 39 minutes and the Senate met for a total of four hours and 51 minutes.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com. Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.