Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of April 13 to April 17.
$4.58 billion for transportation projects (H 5375)
The House, 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that authorizes $4.58 billion in bonding for various local, regional and state transportation programs. The package includes $300 million for cities and towns for local roads and bridges — $200 million of which will be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula and another $100 million will be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.
Other provisions include $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program that aids non-federally funded roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million for capital projects to support housing development, including stormwater management, culverts, and cycling and pedestrian improvements; $200 million for a new accelerated deferred maintenance and modernization program for infrastructure under the care and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; and $200 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for the procurement of electrically powered locomotives.
The legislation also reauthorizes $3.18 billion in funding for several programs from in the 2022 Transportation Bond Bill, including $2.3 billion for projects on interstates and other federally aided highways; $800 million for improvements to non-federally aided roadways and bridges; $65 million for the Municipal Pavement Program for engineering, permitting, design and climate change adaptation on municipal ways; and $12 million for grants for the Shared Streets Program for improvements and projects to municipal streets to create additional capacity for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Local leaders across the commonwealth are deeply grateful to the House for moving so decisively on this legislation,” said Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “The Chapter 90 program remains the backbone of municipal infrastructure maintenance. By continuing this increased funding level, the Legislature is directly committing to improving the safety and reliability of our local roads.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Environmental bill (S 3050)
The Senate, 36-3, approved and sent to the House an environmental bond bill, dubbed by supporters as the Mass Ready Act, which takes action to support the removal of “forever chemicals” from drinking water, help municipalities withstand floods and droughts, and make outdoor recreation possible for more residents through improved trails and parks.
A key provision would prohibit single-use plastic bags at retail stores and instead allow shoppers to check out with a recyclable paper bag or a reusable plastic bag. Customers would be required to pay a minimum of 10 cents per recycled paper bag with 5 cents of the fee going to the Plastics Environmental Protection Fund and the other 5 cents going to the retailer. Retailers would have the option to make the fee more than 10 cents per bag. The bill exempts from the bag fee any business with not more than one store location, with an area of not more than 4,000 square feet of retail selling space and not more than 10 employees, and which provided not more than 10,000 carryout bags in total during the previous calendar year.
The measure also prohibits retailers from providing a customer with food serviceware — including cups, napkins, condiments, food containers, straws, plates, bowls, trays, cartons, stirrers, cup sleeves, cocktail sticks and toothpicks — unless requested by the customer.
Another provision would create the Massachusetts Paint Stewardship Program, run by paint manufacturers, to coordinate the collection, recycling, reuse and environmentally sound disposal of used leftover house paint purchased by consumers. The program would be funded by adding a fee, estimated to be $1.45 per can, to paint sold in Massachusetts. The bill mandates that under the plan, at least 90% of residents have a collection site within a 15-mile radius and that at least one collection site is established in each city and town with a population of 50,000 or more.
The bill would authorize state borrowing to invest in a resilient environment and an accessible natural world, including $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, supporting climate resiliency planning in cities and towns; $450 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to protect access to clean water; $120 million for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remediation in public and private wells; $125.5 million to support resource conservation and preservation initiatives, including $5.5 million for the Healthy Soils Grant Program; $225 million for coastal infrastructure and resilience; $800.5 million for properties and roadways owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation; and $521.6 million for state and municipally owned dams.
Other provisions include $30 million for tree-planting initiatives; $50 million for MassTrails grants, including $10 million for accessibility upgrades that protect access to trails for all Massachusetts residents; $20 million for the growth and economic competitiveness of the state’s agricultural, commercial fishing and cranberry-growing sectors; and $132.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program, including $7.5 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to increase access to healthy, affordable food.
“As the crew of Artemis II recently reminded us, we only have one planet — an oasis of life in a dark and empty universe,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. “The beautiful images of our planet from space reinforce the awe-inspiring responsibility we have to keep the Earth healthy and thriving. Closer to home, the Mass Ready Act will help reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and ensure we have access to clean air and water, as well as numerous opportunities to enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds us for decades to come.”
“Essentially, this bill increases fees and taxes directly upon consumers and businesses in ways I ultimately can’t stand for,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, one of three senators who voted against the measure. “Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states in the nation, and the idea of raising the cost of doing business or even just living is untenable.”
There was opposition to the bill from two outside groups. “It’s Tax Day, which means taxpayers are paying their taxes and State House elected officials are raising them,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, noting that the Senate is trying to impose new taxes on April 15, the same day as the deadline for taxpayers to file their income tax returns. “This level of contempt for the taxpayers only happens in Massachusetts.”
“The last thing commonwealth small businesses need is additional mandates, fees and taxes that make owners’ jobs more difficult and products and services more expensive for their customers,” said National Federation of Independent Business’ Massachusetts Director Christopher Carlozzi. “Customer satisfaction is vital to small businesses, and making serviceware like straws, condiments, napkins, containers, etc. ‘by request’ only could disrupt that business-consumer relationship.”
Carlozzi continued, “If a customer drives away forgetting to request a straw for their iced coffee or milkshake, they will blame the business for not including it, just as with other proscribed items that are expected by consumers. The bill’s new tax on paint in Massachusetts is estimated to cost $1.45 per can of paint, which will drive up costs for shoppers by adding additional expenses on top of the 6.25% state sales tax. This will just drive consumers to neighboring states to make their purchases.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Sen. Jo Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Firefighters and PFAS (S 3050)
The Senate, 39-0, approved an amendment providing $25 million in bonding for the reduction of firefighters’ exposure to PFAS through three avenues — the purchase of PFAS-free protective turnout gear, the responsible disposal of equipment contaminated with PFAS, and the research and development of safer turnout gear that does not contain PFAS.
PFAs is a class designation that includes nearly 10,000 chemicals used to make everyday items fireproof, waterproof or non-stick. Supporters said that even at low levels, the toxicity of PFAS chemicals can be devastating, increasing the risk of cancer, immunosuppression, birth defects, colitis and other diseases.
“We are now one step closer to stripping toxic PFAS chemicals out of the gear our firefighters wear every day,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mike Moore, D-Millbury. “I could not be more thrilled about the huge policy win this amendment represents, and I know that the firefighters who will no longer have to wear toxic gear are thankful, too.”
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Jo Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
$15 million for clean drinking water (S 3050)
The Senate, 38-0 approved an amendment that would create a $15 million grant program, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Executive Office of Education, to ensure access to clean drinking water in public schools and child care centers.
Funds may be used for improvements to drinking water infrastructure to address lead, PFAS and other contaminants; removal of contaminated or outdated water outlets; and to purchase, install and maintain filtered water stations and filtered faucets.
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Jo Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Drought management (S 3050)
The Senate, 38-0, approved an amendment that would create a Drought Management Task Force within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The task force, which would meet at least monthly when drought conditions exist, would assist in collecting and assessing technical information; facilitate coordination and communication among task force members, agencies and the public; and provide recommendations on the existing drought level and any proposed responses.
The amendment also allows the secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish outdoor watering restrictions during droughts and gives municipalities the power to enforce these restrictions.
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Jo Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Also up on Beacon Hill
Governor signs bill making changes to cannabis regulations (H 5350)
Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill that would restructure the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), dissolving it and downsizing its membership from five members to three. It also gives all power to the governor to make the three appointments, replacing the current law that splits that power among the governor, the attorney general and treasurer.
Healey now has until May 19 to appoint the new three-person CCC. The measure requires the governor to appoint commissioners with experience or expertise in any of the following areas: public health, public safety, social justice, the regulation and business of consumer commodities, or the production and distribution of marijuana and marijuana products. It also mandates that at least one commissioner have a background in social justice. Prior to appointment to the commission, a background investigation must be conducted into the financial stability, integrity and responsibility of all candidates, including the candidates’ reputation for good character and honesty. The new law also prohibits a person convicted of a felony from serving on the commission.
Other provisions include making it clear that the CCC chair is responsible for personnel and administrative matters, and the executive director reports directly to the chair; an increase from 1 ounce to 2 ounces in the amount of marijuana that an adult can purchase or possess for recreational use; increasing from three to six the number of licenses a business owner can hold; allowing medical marijuana operators to specialize in cultivation, manufacturing or retail sales by eliminating current costly requirements; directing the CCC to study and make recommendations on the regulation of intoxicating hemp, which has grown in prevalence over recent years and will effectively be banned under federal law this fall unless Congress takes action; and giving the CCC the ability to allow retailers to advertise sales, discounts and customer loyalty programs inside the store and via opt-in email, both of which are currently not permitted.
“The cannabis industry is an important part of Massachusetts economy, supporting jobs and local businesses, and generating revenue for cities and towns,” Healey said. “It’s important that we are doing everything we can to make sure this industry is set up for success and that we remain competitive in this fast-growing market.”
When the House and Senate approved the bill back on April 8, only six legislators voted against it, including Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, who said that the Legislature should work to ensure the cannabis industry operates responsibly and safely.
“I would have liked to see [the bill] put greater emphasis on creating sufficient guardrails to mitigate the potential negative public health outcomes related to a sharp increase in cannabis accessibility,” he said. “I also advocated for more education on public and mental health risks of cannabis consumption. Constituents have shared with me how cannabis has negatively impacted their lives. With them in mind, I voted against the bill.”
Property tax relief for grandparents raising grandchildren (H 3204)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to legislation that would allow cities and towns to establish a personal property tax exemption or abatement program, of up to $1,000 per child, for grandparents over the age of 55 who are raising their grandchild. Supporters, noting this tax reduction would be in addition to any current property tax reduction the grandparent is already receiving, said this would help the grandparents financially by making up for the thousands of dollars in additional costs they are incurring as a result of raising a grandchild.
Injured law enforcement officers (S 1851)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a measure that would allow public safety personnel with impaired health, presumed to have been suffered in the line of duty, to submit an affidavit attesting that the member underwent a physical exam upon beginning his or her service as a law enforcement official, if their employer failed to maintain these records.
Energy assistance for low-income people (H 3509)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to legislation that would require automatic re-enrollment of eligible residents into the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) each year rather than forcing recipients to annually re-apply for benefits, as long as they continue to meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
“In 2022, the Legislature authorized the creation of an online common application portal to streamline the process and allow residents in need to simultaneously apply for state benefits and services overseen by multiple state agencies,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “It only makes sense to allow residents to apply once and be able to continue to automatically receive fuel assistance for as long as they meet the program’s federal and state eligibility requirements.”
Bazaars (H 4238)
The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a proposal that would repeal the current law that prohibits fraternal organizations from conducting more than three bazaars in a single calendar year. The bill does not alter another existing law that limits the organizations to only one event per day for no more than five consecutive hours.
Rounding pennies up and down (H 5138)
The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require that all commercial cash transaction be rounded to the nearest 5- or 10-cent intervals to remove the need for the penny. Amounts ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 would be rounded down to the nearest 5- or 10-cent interval while amounts ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 would be rounded up to the nearest 5- or 10-cent interval. Rounding rules would not apply to payments made electronically, with credit cards, checks, gift cards or other non-cash methods.
The bill was filed in response to the U.S. Treasury’s announcement in November 2025 that it has stopped producing new pennies, after 252 years of doing so, in part due to production costs exceeding 3 cents per coin. While existing pennies will remain legal tender, the Treasury is phasing them out, leading to increased business use of rounding to the nearest 5 cents in cash transactions.
“This legislation addresses a foreseeable circumstance that the federal government has failed to recognize,” said co-sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan, D-Quincy. “The shortage of pennies negatively impacts consumers who pay in cash and hampers retailers from providing consistent and uniform change to customers.”
Disclose tariffs on vehicles (H 5036)
Another bill heard by the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee would require new vehicle manufacturers and retail vehicle establishments doing business in the state to clearly and conspicuously disclose the estimated tariff costs on their retail prices on websites and new vehicle labels.
Supporters said the attorney general would promulgate and enforce regulations that establish the standardized method to calculate tariff cost estimates, the formatting requirements for the disclosure labels and recordkeeping requirements to substantiate tariff cost estimates. They argued that consumers have a right to know how much the costs for a new vehicle have risen due to tariffs.
Uncovering stages suicides (S 2743)
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on a measure that would establish the training, education and certification standards that must be met by law enforcement officers who investigate a death if a history of domestic violence is involved in the case.
Supporters said the bill was filed because there have been cases in which domestic abusers have murdered their partners and then tampered with the crime scene to make it look like a suicide or accident. They argued that the bill would ensure that in death cases following a history of domestic violence, law enforcement officials will ask investigatory questions related to that history and interview family members and close friends of the victim prior to determining whether the death was by suicide.
Commission to examine school bus safety (S 2861)
The Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a hearing on legislation that would establish a special commission to review and recommend updates to school bus safety standards and operator training requirements, including potential adoption of safety sensors, additional monitors, enhanced training and other measures to protect students while on buses, during boarding, disembarking and at bus stops. The commission would be required to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2026.
The proposed law, known as “Summer’s Law,” is named after then 9-year-old Summer Steele of Plainfield, who was run over and killed in October 2016 when her backpack got caught in the door of her school bus.
Supporters said the study would yield proposed legislation that would save lives, prevent injuries and make students safer. They noted that the installation of anti-pinch technology that reacts to very small objects by stopping the closing movement of the door would be a priority.