Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on local representatives’ votes on roll calls from prior sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.
Allow for translation and transcription (H 5093)
The House, 12-145, rejected an amendment to a bill that would prohibit the distribution of deceptive artificial intelligence (AI) communications within 90 days of an election, including audio or visual media that depicts a candidate with intent to injure their reputation or deceive a voter into voting for or against them.
The amendment would narrow the language to allow the use of AI for translation and transcription.
Amendment sponsor Rep. John Gaskey, R-Carver, said the bill travels dangerously close to the edge of First Amendment violations, especially when considering challengers and grassroots organizations that have smaller budgets than establishment and incumbent positions. He noted that AI is now being used as a low-cost tool for these organizations to be able to generate transcriptions and translations to get their information out to more people, and in multiple languages.
Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, opposed the amendment and said the bill does nothing to affect free speech. She noted that the measure refers to misinformation, not just of a candidate, but of the underlying infrastructure that we need to trust to have elections, like where the polling place is and what the times are.
A “No” vote is against the amendment.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — No
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — No
Propane fuel (H 5151)
The House, 25-128, rejected an amendment to a bill that supporters said would result in more than $9 billion in savings for utility ratepayers over the next 10 years.
The amendment would provide that if a propane vendor fails to perform timely delivery of propane, as is required under a signed agreement, and the failure results in the customer’s propane supply being depleted or critically low, the customer would have the right to sign a new contract with another licensed propane vendor, regardless of whether the tank or equipment is owned or leased by the original vendor.
Amendment sponsor Rep. John Marsi, R-Dudley, said many people rely on propane for heat and hot water. He noted that a large propane company bought up several smaller ones and then laid people off, resulting in seniors who weren’t able to get their deliveries on time. He said his amendment simply would allow customers to use another vendor to fulfill their propane needs in an emergency situation, if their contract is broken.
Rep. Mark Cusack, D-Braintree, opposed the amendment, saying this is a more complicated issue and that the amendment should be filed as separate bill so the Legislature can hold public hearings on it. He urged members not to rush the amendment through the House.
A “No” vote is against the amendment.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — No
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — No
Green energy (H 5151)
The House, 25-139, rejected an amendment to a current law that requires retail electrical suppliers to provide a minimum percentage of kilowatt-hour sales to customers from renewable energy generating sources. The amendment would eliminate the renewable energy requirement if compliance would not be cost-effective or would result in additional costs to consumers.
Rep. Paul Frost, R-Auburn, the sponsor of the amendment, said he is not opposed to green energy in general, but he is opposed to its mandated use when it is more expensive than conventional energy. He noted that offshore wind and solar energy is more expensive than conventional energy, and the higher costs result in the ratepayers paying more.
Rep. Mark Cusack, D-Braintree, opposed the amendment because it is duplicative of what is already within the power of state’s Department of Energy Resources to do. He noted that the department did just that this year when it reduced the requirement from 3.7% to 3.5%.
A “No” vote is against the amendment.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — No
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — No
Also up on Beacon Hill
Change the Bay State’s time zone (S 2157)
Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, announced her support for S 2157 — a bill that would make Atlantic Standard Time the standard year-round time in Massachusetts, and would put an end to the practice of switching between Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time. This means that people would no longer change the clocks in the spring and fall. The change would only take effect if two or more neighboring states (Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont) also adopt similar legislation.
Within 120 days of this new law taking effect, Gov. Maura Healey would be required to petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to include Massachusetts within the Atlantic Standard Time Zone. Under current federal law, a state cannot simply unilaterally decide to change its time zone. Any change would have to be approved by the DOT.
Currently, 48 states have Daylight Saving — the exceptions being Hawaii and Arizona. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November, areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. When Daylight Saving Time begins in the United States, you turn your clocks ahead one hour (“Spring forward”). At the end of Daylight Saving Time, you turn your clocks back one hour (Fall back”).
“Observing Atlantic Standard Time year-round would decrease energy usage, reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes [and] car accidents, and increase workplace productivity,” said sponsor Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy. “Tom Emswiler, a constituent and dedicated expert on time zone policy, brought this issue to my attention. I’m pleased to see that his advocacy has helped spur action in the Legislature, a promising reminder of how engaged residents can help shed light on new ideas.”
Supporters of the bill say several studies have shown that changing the clocks has demonstrable negative impacts on health, including: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which says the time change is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, mood disturbances and hospital admissions; Stanford School of Medicine, which finds that disruptions to the body’s circadian rhythm are associated with higher rates of stroke and obesity; and Northwestern Medicine, which has linked the clock change to longer-term health effects, including depression, slowed metabolism, weight gain and cluster headaches.
House Speaker Ron Mariano’s office and Gov. Maura Healey’s office did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking how the speaker and the governor feel about the bill.
Allow tax collector to waive interest, charges and fees on unpaid property taxes (H 3266)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a bill that would allow local tax collectors in cities and towns to waive interest, charges and fees imposed on any homeowner for outstanding property taxes. The bill would amend current law that allows the waiver only if the interest, charges and fees total $15 or less.
Supporters say the bill will help many people, including seniors living on fixed incomes, by providing some financial relief during these difficult economic times.
The same bill was given initial approval in the House in 2024, but it died because of lack of further action by the House.
Rep. Marcus Vaughn, R-Wrentham, the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call seeking comment.
Freeze assessed value of homes (H 3006)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to legislation that would allow cities and towns the option to freeze the valuation of any property in which the owner has lived for more than 30 years. The freeze would only apply to owners whose income does not exceed 100% of the area median income and whose liquid assets, excluding the home, are less than $100,000.
Supporters said that since property taxes are based on the assessed value of the property, freezing the valuation will also help keep the property tax low and help many seniors remain in their homes.
Rep. James Arciero, D-Westford, the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call seeking comment.
Enter property for inspection (H 3212)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a measure that would allow assessors, who deems it reasonably necessary, to enter any lands, waters and premises in Massachusetts to collect physical and functional data pertinent to the proper determination of said property’s fair cash value for the fiscal year tax roll. The bill does not allow entrance to an actual building.
Supporters say the bill would ensure that these inspections are legal and not considered to be trespassing. They note that the assessor would be required to act in accordance with the Department of Revenue’s requirements as well as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices that both allow an assessor or their authorized agents to enter a property, after reasonable notice. They noted that the legislation would not relieve an assessor of liability for damage caused by entry to the property.
Co-sponsors Rep. Bridget Plouffe, D-Brockton, and Sen. Michael Brady, D-Brockton, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call seeking comment.
Ban minors from being on social media (HD 5696)
A late-filed bill would prohibit minors under the age of 16 from opening a social media account unless the account provides primarily videoconferencing, emailing or educational services. The measure would require the social media platform company to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from having accounts and includes a requirement that applicants provide a birth certificate or valid government-issued identification, proving that they are over 16.
Supporters say this age restriction is long overdue, and cite the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory that highlighted a strong correlation between prolonged social media use and adverse mental health effects in minors, including increased rates of anxiety, depression and social isolation. They noted that being on these platforms risks the possibility of minors being cyberbullied, harassed and exposed to sexual predators.
Rep. Michael Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg, the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call seeking comment.
Official state crustacean (HD 5691)
Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth, and Rep. Joan Meschino, D-Hull, co-sponsored a late-filed bill that would make the American lobster the official state crustacean.
O’Connor said the bill recognizes the maritime heritage of Massachusetts and the hardworking fishing communities that have shaped our coastal economy for generations.
“Specifically in the district that I represent on the South Shore, I have long worked with members of the lobstering industry, and experienced firsthand the vital role lobstermen/women have in supporting local jobs, small businesses and our broader seafood economy,” O’Connor said.
“This bill is about celebrating and uplifting a significant sector of the state’s blue economy, our historic maritime culture and a sustainable fishery,” Meschino said. “I am glad to file this bill in partnership with the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association and help to honor a crucial industry in the commonwealth.”