There were no roll calls in the House and Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on Senate roll calls from recent sessions.
Extend the time to file an abatement (S 2900)
The Senate, 36-1, approved an amendment that would increase from 30 days to 75 days the amount of time a property owner has to file for an abatement if they feel that their property evaluation was too high.
Amendment sponsor Sen. Nick Collins, D-Boston, said the amendment would help taxpayers by simply extending the abatement period and giving them more time. He noted that people who are in the middle class often don’t have lawyers and accountants on retainer, and that when the municipality increases your property value by a tremendous amount, oftentimes residents just brace to pay it.
“I voted ‘no’ … because tax classification, exceptions and credits, particularly when novel, should be addressed comprehensively and analyzed in the context of other new proposals and existing law,” said Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, the only senator to vote against the amendment.
A Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Further expand eligibility for senior property tax exemptions (S 2900)
The Senate, 36-1, approved an amendment to a bill that would give cities and towns the option to create tax rebate programs for residents who already benefit from a local residential exemption. This new rebate program would allow cities and towns to set income and asset thresholds, tailoring relief to local residents’ needs.
Amendment supporters said the amendment, sponsored by Sen. Nick Collins, D-Boston, would boost the existing senior property tax exemption by giving municipalities the option of further expanding eligibility by lowering the age eligibility, raising the income eligibility, raising the asset eligibility and raising the limit of possible exemption from $1,000 to $1,500.
“I voted ‘no’ … because tax classification, exceptions and credits, particularly when novel, should be addressed comprehensively and analyzed in the context of other new proposals and existing law,” said Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, the only senator to vote against the amendment.
A Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Senior property tax deferral (S 2901)
The Senate, 37-0, approved a bill that would expand eligibility for the Senior Tax Deferral Program by lowering eligibility to qualify for it from the current 10 years to seven years of required state residency.
In addition, the bill allows the homeowner, or their heirs, one year to pay back the deferral with accrued interest rather than immediately after sale or death; allows municipalities to raise income eligibility to the maximum circuit breaker amount; and delays the date on which a foreclosure petition may be filed until 18 months after their death.
Supporters said the measure would allow seniors to keep more money in their pockets at a time when property values and tax bills are steadily climbing.
“Property tax deferral is an important program that can help older adults stay in their homes,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville. “It allows older adult homeowners to defer all or part of their property tax bill, which is paid back to the municipality with interest when the property is sold. It can be a better alternative to reverse mortgages, especially if the municipality sets the interest rate lower than the 8% cap. It is underutilized, and this legislation will remove one barrier by extending the time a municipality can reduce the interest rate, and the time before foreclosure is allowed. Many cities and towns can do more to inform older homeowners of this option, and this is a chance to do that.”
A Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Keep dark money out of ballot questions (S 2898)
The Senate, 6-31, rejected an amendment to a bill requiring more frequent public reporting of fundraising and spending by groups supporting or opposing statewide ballot questions.
The amendment would apply the state’s campaign finance election laws to political expenditures of more than $1,000, made by persons, corporations, associations, organizations or other groups of people, to influence the outcome of local ballot questions in cities and towns. The person or group would be required to file disclosure forms and failure to comply would be punishable by a one-year prison sentence and/or a $1,000 fine.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his amendment.
Supporters said the amendment would close a loophole that allows unlimited amounts of unreported funds by outside individuals and groups to influence and sway the local voters’ decision. They noted the flow of dark money drowns out the vote of the local voters.
“I voted ‘yes’ on this amendment because it guarantees transparency in local ballot questions,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth. “Any individual or entity who is spending a significant amount of money to influence decisions on a ballot question should have to publicly disclose where this money is coming from. This would close a disclosure gap in municipal elections, deter outside influence and keep consistent with existing campaign finance principles. I think that this would keep democracy in check as oftentimes municipal elections are overlooked. Consistency across the board would be the most beneficial to all.”
Amendment opponents said the amendment goes beyond the subject matter of the bill, which deals with statewide ballot questions. They argued that the gist of the amendment is already in several separate bills that are pending before the Legislature. They said the Senate should consider this amendment as a separate bill that would be the subject of a public hearing and be vetted through the legislative process.
“I voted against the amendment because I believe Sen. Julian Cyr’s [separate] bill … is the more appropriate vehicle for meaningful municipal election funding reform,” said Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy. “This is important legislation that I hope to see passed in the Senate soon.”
In December, the House gave initial approval to a related bill that would apply the state’s campaign finance election laws to political expenditures of more than $1,000, made by persons, corporations, associations, organizations or other groups of people, to influence the outcome of articles that appear on Town Meeting warrants. The person or group would be required to file disclosure forms, and failure to comply would be punishable by a one-year prison sentence and/or a $1,000 fine.
A “No” vote is against the amendment.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — No
- Sen. Paul Mark — No
Also up on Beacon Hill
Challenge to possible marijuana ballot question rejected
The State Ballot Law Commission, a five-member body appointed by the governor, issued a decision overruling the objection filed against an initiative petition that would place on the 2026 November ballot a question asking voters to repeal the current laws that legalize, regulate and tax the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana in Massachusetts. The proposal to put the question on the ballot had garnered the required 74,754 signatures and it will now, like 10 other petitions, go before the Legislature for consideration. If not approved by the Legislature by May 6, 2026, proponents must gather another 12,429 signatures by July 1, 2026, for the question to appear on the November 2026 ballot.
The commission’s decision cited the lack of admissible evidence presented by the objector. The commission wrote, “The objector’s call that the unsupported allegations contained in the objection raise serious questions about the petition’s integrity that warrant further scrutiny from the commission itself, rings hollow given that absolutely no admissible evidence has been presented or offered supporting the allegations made.”
Regulate civil arrests in courthouses by ICE agents (SD 3607)
Sen. Lydia Edwards, D-Boston, has filed legislation that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to obtain a judicial warrant to take someone into custody in a courthouse or on courthouse grounds for a civil immigration crime, such as being present in the U.S. without lawful status and overstaying a visa.
The proposal also requires agents to identify themselves to uniformed court personnel and state the specific law enforcement purpose for their presence in the courthouse, and the proposed enforcement action the agent intends to take. Another provision prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks unless medically necessary.
Edwards said “the proposal is rooted in a simple principle: courthouses must remain safe spaces where justice is practiced without fear.” She noted that increased ICE activity in and around courthouses undermines the sense of safety within these buildings and grounds and has had a chilling effect on access to the courts, prohibiting residents from fully exercising their right to due process.
“Courthouses exist so people can seek justice, not to be places of fear or enforcement ambush,” Edwards said. “When individuals are too afraid to show up to court, justice breaks down for everyone. This legislation is about defending the rule of law, safeguarding due process and ensuring our courts remain places where fairness and equal access are upheld for all.”
Make asparagus the official state vegetable (HD 5474 and SD 3498)
Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Rep. Homar Gomez, D-Easthampton, filed a bill, requested by third graders at Hadley Elementary School, to make asparagus the official state vegetable. Other areas in the nation are also working to designate their state as the asparagus capital of the world.
“It kind of started by us asking what our state vegetable was, and we really didn’t have one,” said 8-year-old student James Rathbun. “We thought that was interesting, and it would be cool to invite the senator and representative to the class and ask them to make a bill.”
According to the students, back in the 1950s and 1960s, almost 100% of asparagus grown in Massachusetts came from fields in Hadley, unofficially making the town the asparagus capital of the world.
“I filed this bill because western Massachusetts should be more visibly represented across the commonwealth, and there’s no better way to do that than through our amazing farms,” Gomez said. “The work the children did truly made this a no-brainer for me.”
“When a classroom filled with passionate third graders advocates for asparagus to become the official state vegetable, I listen closely,” Comerford said. “It was inspiring to meet with these students at Hadley Elementary School as they shared the history and regional significance of asparagus — also known as Hadley Grass. I am grateful to these young people for reminding us how democracy works.”
Financial assistance for veterans (HD 4593)
Rep. Michelle Badger, D-Plymouth, filed a bill that would establish a fund to be used to provide temporary financial assistance to veterans who need it.
Veterans would apply to a board made up of veterans and veterans service professionals. The fund would help protect veterans from foreclosures and evictions by providing financial assistance for many things, including the payment of a veteran’s mortgage or rent, meal allowance, temporary housing, transportation or the installation of a ramp at the home of a veteran with a disability.
“I filed this bill after conversations with Denis Russell of Plymouth VFW Memorial Post 1822, who shared powerful stories of the veterans he has helped — and the heartbreaking moments when needs exceeded the resources available,” Badger said. “Our veterans stepped up to protect us, and it is our responsibility to make sure we step up to support them.”
Regulate travel insurance (S 2921)
Sen. Pavel Payano, D-Lawrence, filed a bill that would establish a legal framework for travel insurance in Massachusetts. It defines key terms; clarifies the responsibilities of travel insurers, administrators and retailers; and ensures consumer protections. The bill would mandate licensing requirements for travel insurance providers, set premium tax obligations, and outline permissible sales and marketing practices. It would also regulate policy classification, underwriting standards and the offering of travel protection plans. Additionally, the bill aims to prohibit unfair trade practices, such as misleading marketing tactics, and empower the commissioner of insurance to enforce compliance through regulations.
“This bill would create a clear and uniform statutory framework for travel insurance that encourages openness, consumer trust and ethical procedures,” Payano said. “The legislation is based on the Travel Insurance Model Act, adopted by the National Council of Insurance Legislators and National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Thirty-eight other states have already enacted legislation based upon this Model Act and several more states are contemplating enacting similar legislation.”