4-20-2024 8:41pm

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

If you have any questions about this week's report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562.

Volume 48 - Report No. 16

April 15-19, 2024

By Bob Katzen

GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications.

MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/aPTLucKs

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators' and representatives’ votes on bills that are currently in separate House-Senate conference committees which are trying to hammer out a compromise version of each bill following House and Senate approval of different versions of the bill. The members of a conference committee are appointed by the Senate president and House speaker.

Once a conference committee works out a compromise version, the full House and Senate vote on that version which, if approved, goes to the governor for her signature.

Here are some bills currently in conference committees, or soon to be in a conference committee, and how senators and representatives voted on the version originally approved by each branch.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET INCLUDING $250 MILLION FUNDING FOR SHELTERS (H 4466 and S 2711)

House 121-33, Senate 32-8, approved different versions of a supplemental budget that includes an additional $250 million in funding for the Emergency Assistance Program that funds the emergency family shelter system which houses migrants.

Other provisions keep in place some pandemic-era programs, set to expire, including allowing restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails for take-out and expanding outdoor dining.

The bills have been in conference committee since March 28.

(A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A "No" vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

USE INTEREST FROM STATE’S “RAIN DAY FUND” TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDS (H 4446 and S 2554)

House 154-0, Senate 39-0, approved different version of a bill that would leverage the interest from the state's Rainy Day Fund to better compete for federal dollars, to ensure the state receives the maximum possible share of federal funds and to pay down the state’s long term debt liabilities. The Rainy Day Fund currently has a historic balance of $8.2 billion.

The bills have been in conference committee since March 25.

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

APPROVE FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4139 and S 2572)

House 120-38, Senate 37-3, approved different versions of a bill that would change some of the state’s gun laws including limiting the carrying of guns into public places including schools, polling places, government buildings and the private residences of others, with an exemption for law enforcement. Another provision would crack down on the spread of ghost guns -- unserialized and untraceable firearms.

The bills have been in conference committee since February 29.

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

EMPLOYERS MUST DISCLOSE A SALARY RANGE WHEN POSTING A JOB (H 4109 and S 2484)

House 148-8, Senate 38-1, different versions of a bill, dubbed the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act, which would require employers with 25 or more employees to disclose a salary range when posting a job position.

The bills have been in conference committee since October 30.

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

REVENGE PORN AND TEEN SEXTING (H 4241 and S 2703)

House 151-0, Senate 40-0, approved different versions of a bill that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission— commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners.

Massachusetts is one of only two states that does not have a law about this crime. The measure makes it illegal to do so and establishes a sentence of up to 2.5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000; increases the upper limit of the fine for criminal harassment from $1,000 to $5,000; and allows a victim to petition the court for a harassment prevention order against a person who has violated this statute.

Another provision changes current law under which minors, under 18 years of age, who share explicit images of themselves or other minors, can be charged with violating Massachusetts child pornography laws and are required to register with the Sex Offender Registry. The bill allows minors to be diverted to an educational program that would provide them with information about the consequences of posting or transmitting indecent visual depictions of minors.

This bill has not yet been sent to a conference committee because the Senate has not yet appointed its members of a conference committee.

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

EXPAND PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS FOR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS (H 2890) - The House gave initial approval to a bill that would expand the current law which provides a property tax abatement to the surviving spouses and minor children of police officers and firefighters “killed in the line of duty.” The bill provides that the abatement also go to the families of officers who “died in the line of duty.”

“Killed in the line of duty” has a limited definition usually meaning the individual lost their life in an incident, accident or due to violence that are directly related to their service. “Died in the line of duty” is broader and can account for a number of medical emergencies like stroke or heart attack.

"This legislation honors the sacrifice of our brave police and firefighters," said sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham). “This simple language change will assure that surviving family members receive the tax benefit they are deserving of and what I believe was the original intention of the exemption."

TAX INCENTIVE FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE (H 2852) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would promote urban agriculture and horticulture by allowing Gateway cities as well as cities and towns, with populations of more than 50,000, to exempt from property taxes any land of two acres or less that is used for commercial urban agriculture and horticulture. Additionally, the parcel must have had at least $500 in gross sales of agricultural or horticultural products in the prior year to be eligible for the tax exemption.

“Rep. Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) and I filed this bill together to support small-scale urban agriculture, which expands access to healthy food and promotes economic growth in cities,” said co-sponsor Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “In addition to these benefits, urban agriculture also improves environmental health and makes local food systems more resilient. By incentivizing urban agriculture, this bill will help cities obtain the benefits of these operations.”

INCREASE PARKING FINES (H 3326) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow cities and town to double the mazimum fine for some parking violations. Current law sets a maximum fine for many violations at $50 if paid within 21 days, $55 if paid after 21 days and $75 if paid after the parking clerk reports the parking offense and fine to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

The bill increases the fines to $100 if paid within 21 days, $110 if paid after 21 days and $150 if paid after the parking clerk reports the parking offense and fine to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Rep. Susan Gifford (R-Wareham), the bill’s sponsor, said the current maximum fines established in have not been changed since 2004, nearly twenty years ago. “This bill does not establish any minimum fines or mandate an increase in any existing fines,” continued Gifford. "It merely gives communities the option to adopt policies that better suit local needs and enforcement priorities.”

REPLACE PROPERTY TAX (H 4271) – The Revenue Committee held a hearing on a measure that would allow cities and towns to abolish the local property tax and replace it with both a personal and business income tax to fund the local city or town’s budget.

The bill was filed by Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford) at the request of a constituent, under the state law that allows citizens to requerst their local legislator file a bill on the constituent’s behalf. These bills are known as “by request” bills and do not necessarily have the support of the legislator who filed it for the constiuent.

“This bill was filed at the request of Mr. Peter Barbella of Littleton who is interested in ways to decrease the real estate tax burden on seniors who typically are on a fixed income,” said Arciero. “He feels this would help seniors, who in many cases have already paid taxes for many years to their local town government, to stay in their long-term residence instead of being forced out by rising real estate tax rates. This bill would essentially allow a municipality to change from a revenue stream based on real estate taxation by replacing it with both a personal and business income tax to support a local town’s budget.”

INCREASE TAX ABATEMENT FOR BLIND RESIDENTS (H 4458) – Another bill heard by the Revenue Committee would increase from $457 to $1,800 the amount of the real estate tax exemption for blind residents.

Supporters said this exemption has remained at $437 for more than 20 years and has not provided the intended benefit to blind residents.

“I sponsored this bill after being made aware of this issue by a constituent who had received this tax abatement for most of his life,” said sponsor Rep. Angelo Puppolo (D-Springfield). “It does not make sense for a benefit such as this one to lose its value with the US dollar. The figure should be updated to reflect the proportional assistance that was intended to be given to blind residents.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“Utility accidents from damaged underground lines and pipes are both dangerous and costly. Calling 811 is the best way to ensure a line won’t be hit when starting a new home project this year.”

--- James Van Nostrand, chair of the Department of Public Utilities, highlighting April as Dig Safe Awareness Month to remind excavators, contractors and residents to call Dig Safe’s 811 line before starting any outdoor digging projects. 811 is the line for Dig Safe, an organization that notifies gas, electric, telephone and cable companies about any intended digging project to ensure underground lines and pipes are not tampered with.

“I am honored to be here tonight to express my support for Dana-Farber's proposed adult inpatient hospital that will expand access and equity, reduce costs and save lives. I’ve always had great respect for the work Dana-Farber does, and even more so now that I’m a patient. This proposed cancer hospital will ensure Dana-Farber is equipped to provide every patient with world-class care in an environment that supports the best health outcomes. But most importantly, it will offer more of what every single cancer patient and their families is looking for, which is hope.”

---Rep. Frank Moran (D-Lawrence) testifying in support of a new hospital dedicated to cancer patients and a new collaboration between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

“Although we are heading into warmer weather, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can provide much needed assistance for customers who are struggling to keep up with their energy costs and helps to cover energy usage dating back to November 1, 2023.”

--- Damaris Dominguez, Manager of Customer Advocacy at National Grid, urging people to sign up before April 30 for the fuel assistance program that can help them pay and manage their energy costs.

“Over a million people each year use the MassLegalHelp website, often in moments of crisis. By providing information that folks can trust and presenting it in an understandable format, we hope to help make stressful situations less overwhelming and make the legal system more navigable.”

---Marlena Idrobo, MassLegalHelp Website Project Manager, announcing the official relaunch of MassLegalHelp.org --one of five websites it manages.

“Our hospitals and research institutions are key contributors to Massachusetts’ global leadership in health care and thriving sectors such as the life sciences. Every day, patients’ lives are being transformed thanks to the hard work and innovation taking place at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and across Mass General Brigham. The Mass Leads Act aims to accelerate these efforts, particularly in areas like women’s health that have been historically overlooked and inspire breakthroughs for a generation to come.”

---Gov. Maura Healey, announcing $2.8 million in new grants through the Women’s Health Project and highlighting Massachusetts’ leadership in life sciences and her proposed 10-year reauthorization of the Life Sciences Initiative in her Mass Leads Act

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of April 15-19, the House met for a total of 49 minutes and the Senate met for a total of one hour and 31 minutes.

Mon. April 15 No House session

No Senate session

Tues. April 16 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:34 a.m.

Senate 11:12 a.m. to 12:21 p.m.

Wed. April 17 No House session

No Senate session

Thurs. April 18 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:18 a.m.

Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

Fri. April 19 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com