Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent June sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.
Firefighters (H 5491)
The House, 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters said is designed to boost safety for firefighters and people conducting “hot work,” including welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction. The measure was proposed after the March 2014 deaths of firefighters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy, who died while fighting a fire caused by welders, working without a city permit. The bill requires the establishment of a system of public notification and recording of non-compliance with regulations.
The bill establishes penalties for violations, including a fine up to $1,000 for a first offense; a fine up to $2,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to one year for a second offense; and for a third or subsequent offense, a fine up to .025 percent of the total project value or $10,000, whichever is greater, and/or imprisonment for up to 2.5 years
Other provisions increase from $25,000 to $250,000 the penalty for a wanton or reckless violation of the state building or fire code that causes serious bodily injury; add a penalty of up to $500,000 and/or up to seven years in prison for a wanton or reckless violation of the state building or fire code that causes death to any person; provide that a person found to have acted with criminal negligence may be determined to be criminally liable for damage or death stemming from repeated and reckless non-compliance; and require all certifications and training programs for cutting, welding and hot works processes to be performed using the existing National Fire Protection Association or equivalent program.
“This legislation aims to protect workers in Massachusetts from relaxed workplace practices that can result in significant on-the-job injuries and severe fires that subsequently put firefighters in harm’s way,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
$228 million supplemental budget (H 5496)
The House, 154-2, approved and sent to the Senate a $228 million fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget that supporters said would address time-sensitive budget deficiencies, including winter storm recovery costs, public safety operations, substance abuse treatment services, homelessness assistance and emergency management expenses.
Snowstorm-related funding includes $159.8 million for snow and ice removal costs; $9.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for costs associated with snow emergency response and recovery efforts; and $1.7 million for Massachusetts National Guard expenses related to winter storm response activities.
Other provisions include $22.5 million to support the implementation of no-cost calls for prisoners; $8.1 million for homelessness programs; $14 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; eliminating the $10 surcharge currently imposed on car-sharing rentals like Zipcar and Enterprise CarShare; and updating veterans’ bonus eligibility requirements by requiring a veteran to only currently be living in Massachusetts, rather than having had to live in the state for at least six months before entering service, to qualify for certain veterans’ bonus payments.
“This spending package will allow the commonwealth to settle critical deficiencies and put the difficult winter of a few months ago behind us,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation will also make critical reforms to how school construction grants are awarded to our cities and towns, and lead to online Lottery revenue to be directed toward early education costs.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Also up on Beacon Hill
Rent control question will not be on November ballot
The state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled that an initiative petition to repeal the 31-year ban on rent control does not qualify to go on the November ballot despite the fact that supporters gathered sufficient signatures. The court cited a constitutional amendment that prohibits several types of proposals, including one that relates to religion, religious practices or religious institutions, from being the subject of a ballot question.
The ballot question would have limited annual increases on most residential units to the lower of inflation or 5%. It also specified that facilities operated solely for religious purposes would be exempt from the cap.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell had previously certified the question for the ballot, arguing that the petition was just a rent control matter and dismissing the religious problem. Following the decision, Campbell acknowledged that the SJC “ruled against us and said we got that wrong.” She said her office went into the SJC hearing understanding that the court may focus on the relationship between the petition and religion.
“But we said to the court at the time that the initiative exempts a number of types of housing, including nonprofit housing. And the exemption for religious uses was a minor one within the broader petition. The court disagreed and said that even a minor reference to religion is not appropriate for a ballot initiative,” Campbell said.
Autism and traffic stops (H 5438)
Gov. Maura Healey signed into law legislation designed to improve interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. This program was adopted by the Massachusetts State Police in 2024 but was not an actual law. This bill would codify the program into Massachusetts law.
The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill,” creates a program giving people with the disorder the option to be given a special blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s license and vehicle registration. On the outside of the envelope there would be written information and guidance regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder. The envelope must also include instructions for access to the envelope, including attaching it to the sun visor on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The bill is designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope to a police officer during a traffic stop.
“Today, as Gov. Healey signs the Blue Envelope Bill into law, the commonwealth affirms its commitment to individuals living with autism spectrum disorder,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, the Senate’s lead sponsor of the measure. “By codifying the Blue Envelope program, we are advancing safer, more informed interactions during traffic stops and other public emergencies — making permanent a simple but powerful tool for drivers and first responders alike. This milestone reflects the tireless advocacy of families, organizations, law enforcement and individuals with lived experience whose voices propelled this effort and brought us closer to a commonwealth where everyone can thrive.”
“The Massachusetts State Police are grateful that the Blue Envelope legislation will expand access to blue envelopes for drivers on the autism spectrum across Massachusetts,” said Col. Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police. “Since launching the program in 2024, our troopers have witnessed firsthand how these envelopes improve communication during traffic stops, helping drivers and officers navigate interactions more safely and effectively. The program empowers drivers to communicate their needs while providing law enforcement officers with information that helps them respond appropriately and with greater understanding. By promoting communication, preparedness and mutual respect, the Blue Envelope program strengthens trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve while helping create safer outcomes for everyone involved.”
Literacy education standards (H 5511)
Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill dealing with teacher preparation and student literacy. The measure would establish clear statewide standards for evidence-based reading instruction — requiring the teaching of phonics, ensuring access to high-quality K-3 curricula, enhancing educator training and support, and creating new reporting and accountability systems.
The bill defines evidence-based early literacy as instruction featuring phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and phonemic awareness, and is demonstrated to produce significant and positive effects on student learning outcomes. It prohibits curricula that are not evidence-based and curricula that rely on implicit or incidental word reading strategies.
Another provision formalizes dyslexia and literacy screening requirements by requiring schools to develop protocols for identifying potential neurological learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and to report their screening practices annually.
“Reading opens doors,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “Whether it’s succeeding in school, pursuing higher education or building a career, strong literacy skills create opportunities that last a lifetime. This legislation will help more students build those skills by giving educators additional tools to identify challenges early and provide support when it’s needed most.”
“This is a pivotal moment for children across our state as the governor signs this critical legislation I filed to ensure every student gains essential literacy skills,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett. “We all recognize that teaching our kids to read and write is one of the most fundamental responsibilities we have, yet far too many students are still falling short of basic literacy benchmarks. As co-chair of the conference committee, I was proud to collaborate with many educators to craft evidence-based policies that will strengthen early literacy instruction and set our students on a path to lifelong success.”
Change ‘hearing impaired’ to ‘deaf or hard of hearing’ (S 3142)
The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would strike outdated language from state laws that refer to people who are deaf or hard of hearing as being “hearing impaired.” The legislation would replace the term “hearing impaired” with “deaf or hard of hearing.”
“Words shape how we see one another, and our laws are no exception,” said Senate Majority Leader Sen. Cindy Creem, D-Newton. “This bill takes a simple but important step toward ensuring that the words we use reflect respect, accuracy and the preferences of the communities they describe. I’m proud the Senate is taking decisive action to help modernize our statutes and affirm the dignity of deaf and hard of hearing individuals across Massachusetts, and I’m grateful to the students of Newton’s CAPS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program for bringing this issue to my attention.”