Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent debate on the House rules. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

Require roll call votes (H 2026)

The House, 23-128, rejected an amendment that would require that a roll call be held on conference committee reports, budgets or gubernatorial vetoes at a formal session that is convened after July 31 of the second year of a legislative session.

“Prior to the 2023-2024 legislative session, the House and Senate typically ended formal sessions on July 31 of the second annual session, with the remainder of the legislative session reserved for informal sessions where roll call votes are not taken,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “That changed last year because there were several conference committees that were unable to complete their work until after the traditional July 31 deadline. Requiring roll calls on major legislation during what has often been considered the lame duck portion of the session is a good way to promote transparency and accountability by making sure members are on the record in terms of their support or opposition to a particular bill.”

Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, D-Melrose, said requiring a roll call vote on everything after July 31 unnecessarily hamstrings the Legislature from moving legislation efficiently and nimbly. She argued that a one-size-fits-all standard could slow progress on important matters, especially in the House where in-person attendance is needed for a roll call vote.

A “No” vote is against requiring a roll call.

Rep. Natalie Blais — No

Rep. Aaron Saunders — No

Rep. Susannah Whipps — No

Require two weeks’ notice (H 2026)

The House, 23-128, rejected an amendment that would require two weeks’ notice to be given to legislators prior to a vote on conference committee reports, budgets or gubernatorial vetoes at a formal session that is convened after July 31 of the second year of a legislative session.

“This amendment was offered to provide more predictability for the House and Senate members when a formal session is planned after the July 31 deadline has passed,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “It simply gives the members sufficient advance notice to thoroughly review and understand legislation before taking a vote.”

Rep. Carole Fiola, D-Fall River, said she opposed the amendment because a full-time Legislature needs to be responsive, nimble and ready to vote on important matters.

A “No” vote is against requiring two weeks’ notice.

Rep. Natalie Blais — No

Rep. Aaron Saunders — No

Rep. Susannah Whipps — No

Get opinion of Supreme Judicial Court (H 2026)

The House, 23-128, rejected an amendment that would require the House and Senate to request an opinion of the justices of the state’s Supreme Judicial Court when they have a conflicting opinion with a constitutional officer relative to the constitutionality of legislation being considered.

“The separation-of-powers doctrine allows each branch of the Legislature, as well as the governor, to ask the SJC for opinions on certain occasions, at their discretion,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “This amendment would require the House or Senate to seek an opinion of the SJC if there is a disagreement with a constitutional officer over the constitutionality of a specific piece of legislation. The state auditor has been given the voters’ approval to audit the Legislature, but the Democratic leadership in both branches have argued that this would be a violation of the separation of powers. Since the SJC would be the final arbiter, we could easily resolve this situation by having the House or Senate request an opinion to settle this matter once and for all.”

Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, D-Boston, said the amendment poses unnecessary delays on the legislative process and undermines the authority of the Legislature. She noted the Legislature already has the ability to seek advisory opinions of the SJC, and in fact does so when appropriate. She argued the amendment would require the Legislature to halt its work any time a constitutional officer raises a concern.

A “No” vote is against the amendment requiring the Legislature to get an opinion from the SJC.

Rep. Natalie Blais — No

Rep. Aaron Saunders — No

Rep. Susannah Whipps — No

Also up on Beacon Hill Over-the-counter birth control

Gov. Maura Healey announced two standing orders that will allow eligible MassHealth members and Health Safety Net patients to access prenatal vitamins and over-the-counter oral contraceptives at no cost. Advocates say the move is part of the administration’s commitment to improving reproductive and maternal health outcomes and reducing health disparities for women and infants.

“Our administration is committed to expanding access to reproductive and maternal health care across Massachusetts,” Healey said. “We know that prenatal vitamins and birth control play a really important role in women’s health. With these orders, we are making it easier and more affordable for people to make the best health care decisions for themselves, will improve health outcomes for women and babies, and will reduce health disparities.”

“We’re working to make sure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the health care tools they need to live their best lives,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Now, MassHealth members can get prenatal vitamins and birth control pills for free, over-the-counter. Removing barriers like this is one of the simplest ways we can work toward better health outcomes for mothers and infants in our state.”

$5.8 million to expand mobility

The Healey administration announced the awarding of $5.8 million in funding to 44 organizations for 56 projects that expand and enhance mobility for older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals across the state.

The awards will allow regional transit authorities, municipalities and nonprofits to provide rides for people who would otherwise be unable to get to their destinations, and to hire staff to help people learn about and learn to use transportation options.

Local allocations include $78,804 to the Franklin Regional Transit Authority to pay for a travel trainer/outreach worker to educate people about FRTA services, and a pair of grants to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: one for $122,315 to provide travel training to older adults and people with disabilities on the PVTA fixed-route system, and another for $313,586 to offer senior transportation through participating councils on aging in the PVTA region.

“As a former mayor, I have seen first-hand how money going to public transportation can make a difference in people’s everyday lives, especially when it helps to advance projects that help everyone get around,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “We are proud to support our local and regional partners who are putting forward innovative initiatives to connect people to important destinations and increase access to locations and connections.”

“We are pleased to see such a variety of initiatives aimed at improving transit services, including travel training for individuals in need of assistance, services for older riders and the expansion of existing offerings,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Efforts like these greatly contribute to making our transportation network more accessible and equitable.”