7-27-2025 4:06am

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

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week's report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at
(617) 720-1562.

Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
50 - Report No. 30

July
21-25, 2025

By
Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill
Roll Call records local representatives' and senators’ votes on
roll calls from the week of July 21-25.

$300
MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4307)

House 157-0, approved and sent to
the Senate a $1.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes
authorizing $300 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and
repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the
state -- a 50 percent increase over last year’s funding. The
measure provides that $200 million be distributed to all cities and
towns based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula
while $100 million would be distributed to all municipalities based
solely on road mileage.

The $1.2 billion package also
includes $885 million for other transportation-related projects
including $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program
which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the Bay State
pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million
for a culvert and small bridge repair program to aid municipalities
for local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a
state of disrepair or require replacement; and $185 million for
capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be
available for a myriad of projects such as shared use paths,
intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings and sidewalks.

“The federal funding uncertainty
from Washington, D.C. is very real,” said Rep. James Arciero
(D-Westford), House Chair of the Committee on Transportation. “The
House is proceeding with caution while balancing the significant
transportation needs of our cities and towns. This bill leverages the
Legislature’s increased appropriations to the Commonwealth
Transportation Fund. These strategic appropriations expanded our
borrowing capacity to allow for additional transportation funding for
cities and towns.”

"This legislation strikes a
balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and
transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fiscal
responsibility,” said Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), House
Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State
Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the governor the authority
to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to
capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term and
preserve general obligation bond capacity for the commonwealth's most
pressing needs."

“Providing funding for critical
infrastructure projects through investments in the commonwealth’s
public transportation, roads and bridges is one of the most important
responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said
House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support
for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and
of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address
congestion hotspots across the commonwealth.”

“The Massachusetts Municipal
Association (MMA) and local leaders across the state are deeply
grateful that legislators appreciate the importance of this program
to the quality of life and economic development in our communities,”
said MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “Chapter 90 is a
program that benefits all 351 cities and towns in the state, and a 50
percent increase in funding would have a substantial impact in all
corners of the commonwealth.”

Chapdelaine declined to respond to a
Beacon Hill Roll Call request asking him whether the MMA wanted more
than the $350 million funding and if it wanted a 2-year commitment of
funds instead of a 1-year one.

(A "Yes" vote is for the
bill.

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

CHANGE
ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (S 2563)

Senate 40-0, approved and sent to
the House a bill that would modernize and remove archaic language in
state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to
persons with disabilities.

Changes include replacing
“handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities,”
replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an
intellectual disability,” replacing “retarded children” with
“children with an intellectual disability” and replacing
“disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with
disabilities.”

“Words are important,” said Sen.
Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), chief sponsor of the bill. “Language
changes. We should use language that respects the people it refers to
and listen to them. Fifteen years ago, a friend told Rep. Denise
Provost and me how disrespected she felt being called ‘handicapped.’
We filed a bill to remove ten sections of the general laws that used
that word. Over the years, we have found nearly 400 sections with
offensive words, including the r-word.”

Melissa Reilly, an advocate for
people with disabilities and former policy advisor to Sen. Jamie
Eldridge (D-Marlborough), said the bill is really important because
all people with disabilities should be treated well and respected by
others and not mocked or judged or bullied by others for their
disabilities. “We are all unique and deserve respect, we do not
want to be known as the ‘r-word.’” said Reilly.

Maura Sullivan, CEO of the Arc of
Massachusetts, said the bill has been a long-time priority for The
Arc and its community. “Today’s vote sends a clear message in an
important moment—such language has no place in our laws or in our
society,” said Sullivan. “At this moment when disability rights
are being threatened, we must show up every day to reaffirm our
commitment to uplifting and valuing this community. This bill does
just that.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen
Spilka Yes

REPEAL
ARCHAIC LAWS (S 2564)

Senate 40-0, approved and sent to
the House legislation that would abolish some archaic laws that are
still on the books in Massachusetts. These laws include prohibiting
adultery, sodomy, blasphemy, “common nightwalking” and being a
vagabond.

The measure also establishes a
Permanent Law Revision Commission to examine the state’s laws and
judicial decisions; identify defects and anachronisms in the law; and
recommend needed reforms to align with modern conditions.

“When dusty and dangerous relics
of a bygone era darken our laws, it creates the potential for real
harm to residents today,” said Senate President Karen Spilka
(D-Ashland). “We are on a path to making our laws better represent
who we are in 21st-century Massachusetts. With a White House that
glorifies—and seemingly longs for—the days when many Americans
were discriminated against because of who they are, now is the time
to make sure our state laws respect and support the rights and
dignity of our residents.”

Chief sponsor Sen. Will Brownsberger
(D-Belmont) said the bill would bring Bay State laws into the 21st
century and align them with the fundamental principles of freedom
built into our Constitution. “The bill would remove archaic laws
that intrude on an individual’s privacy regarding sexual activity,”
said Brownsberger. “[It] would remove existing statutes that
criminalize sodomy and so-called ‘unnatural’ acts between
consenting adults and make Massachusetts laws more inclusive of
individuals who are LGBTQIA+. In some cases, the language that this
bill would strike from the General Laws dates back into the 1800s.”

“This legislation is about respect
and dignity—plain and simple,” said Sen. Robyn Kennedy
(D-Worcester), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, Families
and Persons with Disabilities. “Removing archaic language and
striking outdated laws sends a powerful message that Massachusetts
stands with and uplifts people of all abilities, and all those who
have been marginalized by harmful language and policies. Our laws
should reflect our values. Today we took an important step toward
justice and our committee knows there is more work to be done.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen
Spilka Yes

AUTISM
AND POLICE STOPS (S 2565)

Senate 39-0, approved and sent to
the House a bill designed to improve interactions between police
officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffic
stops. The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill" would
create a program giving people with the disorder the option to be
given a special blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s
license, vehicle registration and insurance cards. On the outside of
the envelope there would be specific instructions for police officers
on the driver’s diagnosis, impairments, triggers, emergency contact
information and best practices for communicating. The bill is
designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope
to a police officer during a traffic stop.

“The Blue Envelope Bill makes our
commonwealth a safer place for people who are neurodiverse,” said
Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “It moves us
closer to equal opportunity and access for people of all abilities.”

“The Blue Envelope Bill would be a
game changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents,”
said Ilyse Levine-Kanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates
for Autism of Massachusetts. “Like many people with autism, my
27-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that
indicate he has autism. In a stressful situation, where split second
decisions must be made, I’m relieved that a police officer could
see a blue envelope in Sam’s car and immediately understand that
any unusual behavior or speech pattern is a result of his autism.
This bill could thereby dramatically decrease the possibility of a
tragic misunderstanding.”

“Massachusetts police officers
conduct thousands of traffic stops each year,” said Tyrone Parham,
UMass Amherst Chief of Police. “While most of these interactions
are relatively ‘routine,’ officers do not know who they are
interacting with before the traffic stop so they proceed with
caution. Each driver reacts differently when they are pulled over by
the police. As a number of communities across the commonwealth have
already rolled out the current voluntary Blue Envelope Program, I've
heard nothing but successes from both the police and motorists. The
early rollout prior to the law being in effect shows the commitment
and importance of this initiative, and the passage of this
legislation is instrumental to continuing to bridge the communication
gap for both motorists and police officers.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen
Spilka President rarely votes

TRAIN
POLICE OFFICERS ON THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM (S 2565)

Senate 39-0, approved an amendment
that would require all police officers in Massachusetts to complete
training every five years on the Blue Envelope Program.

“People on the autism spectrum can
face unique challenges during stressful situations, such as traffic
stops,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “The
Blue Envelope program will help officers instantly understand if a
driver might require a different approach, and my amendment will
ensure that all law enforcement officials in the commonwealth have
the training they need to better understand these individuals and how
to keep everyone safer on the road with training refreshers every
five years.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the
amendment.)

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen
Spilka President rarely votes

YELLOW
ENVELOPE PROGRAM (S 2565)

Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment
that would create a “Yellow Envelope Program,” that would give
drivers 62 and older, who have a chronic illness, the option to be
given a special yellow envelope that holds a recent photograph, the
driver’s name, emergency contact information, physicians’ names
and contact information, medical conditions, recent surgeries,
allergies, medications and any other information the Registrar
decides is relevant information to emergency responders in the case
of emergency.

Amendment supporters say that this
program would be in addition to the Blue Envelope Program and would
be helpful in many situations. They note that 22 other states have
this program.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (D-Gloucester), the
sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by
Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment. Beacon Hill Roll
Call also did not receive a response from any of the other four
senators who voted for the amendment: Sens. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton),
Peter Durant (R-Spencer), Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) and Patrick
O’Connor (R-Weymouth).

Amendment opponents say that the
bill should not be attached as an amendment to the Blue Envelope Bill
but rather should be considered on its own at a public hearing,’

Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), the
Senate chair of the Transportation Committee, did not respond to
repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his
opposition to the amendment.

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

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen
Spilka President rarely votes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

DOCUMENTARY “SHADOWS ON THE HILL” CREATES CROWDFUNDING PAGE - Aaron Singer, the producer and director of “Shadows on the Hill,” an upcoming documentary that he says asks why common-sense bills don’t pass the Massachusetts Legislature, announced the unveiling of his crowdfunding website to raise money for the production.

“I'm making this movie because local media has failed to draw critical attention to a Statehouse that routinely ignores the public’s will,” Singer told Beacon Hill Roll Call. “Voters largely don't understand how Beacon Hill lawmaking actually works. If they did, they’d stop lobbying their representatives and start showing up at Speaker Mariano’s office [because] that’s where the monied interests go.”

Singer continued, “I invite current and former staffers, reporters, lobbyists and lawmakers who understand this broken system to share their story. If you’ve seen firsthand how power is hoarded and democracy is undermined, join me and others in calling it out."

The documentary’s website is www.shadowsdoc.com which includes links to the crowdfunding website.

House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking for his reaction to the making of the documentary.

DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM
COMPANIES THAT SELL WEAPONS TO ISRAEL (H 2984) – The Public Service
Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require the
Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to
divest direct investments with companies selling weapons to the State
of Israel, unless the company announces within 30 days of the
effective date of this bill, if it becomes law, that it will not
renew or enter into contracts for weapon sales to the State of
Israel.

“While I support Israel’s right
to exist and to defend itself, the war on Gaza has exceeded all
legitimate bounds and has widely been condemned as a genocide,”
said Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge), a co-sponsor of the bill. “A
ceasefire is long overdue, and yet the massacre of Palestinians
continues with support from the United States government and weapons
manufacturers. I am co-sponsoring this legislation to help do my part
to ensure our state government is not complicit in Israel’s illegal
occupation of Palestine and crimes against humanity in Gaza.”

Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
(D-Somerville), the chief sponsor of the bill did not respond to
repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to explain why
she filed the bill. Two other co-sponsors, Reps. Natalie Higgins
(D-Leominster) and Samantha Montano (D-Boston) did not respond to the
same request.

DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM
FIREARMS COMPANIES (S 1869) – Another measure heard by the Public
Service Committee would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves
Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with
companies that derive more than 15 percent of revenues from the sale
or manufacture of ammunition, firearms or firearm accessories used
for civilian purposes.

"It is crucial that we take a
stand against gun violence, which is now the leading cause of death
for children ages one to 19," said sponsor State Treasurer Deb
Goldberg. "This bill takes a fiscally responsible approach in
divesting from an industry that has repeatedly refused to work toward
protecting our communities."

PROHIBIT ONLINE TOBACCO SALES (H
2482) The Public Health Committee held a hearing on a measure that
would prohibit the online sale of any tobacco products by requiring
any sale of tobacco to be done in-person with both the buyer and
seller physically present at the time and location of the purchase.
The buyer’s age would have to be verified at the time of purchase
through a valid government-issued photo ID.

“I filed [the bill] to close a
dangerous loophole that allows minors to access nicotine products
online without meaningful age verification,” said sponsor Rep.
David Linsky (D-Natick). “By requiring all tobacco sales to occur
in person, this bill strengthens safeguards and reaffirms
Massachusetts’ commitment to protecting young people from
addiction.”

BAN NICOTINE AND TOBACCO (S 1568) –
Another proposal before the Public Health Committee would eventually
end the sale of all nicotine and tobacco products in the Bay State.
The proposal will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and
tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so.
Instead, the measure would prohibit people under 21 who are not
currently old enough to legally purchase nicotine and tobacco
products, to ever be lawfully able to purchase these products in
Massachusetts.

“Hundreds of thousands of
Americans die from smoking-attributable causes each year, and smoking
continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in
the United States,” said sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester).
“Massachusetts prides itself on being a national and even world
leader in public health, which is why I was proud to file this bill
to establish a statewide Nicotine-Free Generation policy, modeled
after local policies already enacted in many Massachusetts cities and
towns, including every community that I represent. This bill will not
take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from
anyone who is already legally able to do so. Rather, this legislation
will protect future generations, who are being targeted by Big
Tobacco, from the harms of smoking and create a healthier world for
the next generation.”

FREE PUBLIC COLLEGE TUITION (H 1428)
- Legislation heard by the Higher Education Committee would allow
children 18 or older who are being raised by their grandparents or
other relatives, except parents, to have their tuition and fees
waived if attending a state college.

The bill is to allow children who
are raised by their grandparents or other relative to be able to take
advantage of the same benefit of free tuition and fees as those in
custody of the Department of Families and Children,” said sponsor
Rep. Paul Donato (D-Medford).

FREEZE COLLEGE TUITION AND FEES (H
1463) – Another bill before the Higher Education Committee would
freeze the tuition and fees at all state colleges.

"I filed this important
legislation because I believe the leadership of our public colleges
and universities have utterly failed [to] reimagine how they fund
their respective schools,” said sponsor Rep. Jeffrey Turco
(D-Winthrop). “They continue to raise costs on working class
students, drive up student loan balances and then join in calls to
create student loan forgiveness programs. Instead, they could follow
the lead of Purdue University, Indiana's largest public university
and freeze tuition and fees for the past 14 years. Real leadership
can make this happen. In the absence of real leadership, this
legislation is needed.”

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 July 21-25, the
House met for a total of three hours and 51 minutes while the Senate
met for a total of two hours and 50 minutes.

Mon.
July 14 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:46 a.m.

Senate 11:39 a.m. to
11:59 a.m.

Tues.
July 15 No House session.

No Senate session.

Wed.
July 16 House 11:01 a.m. to 1:59 p.m.

No Senate session.

Thurs.
July 17 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:08 a.m.

Senate 12:11 p.m. to
2:41 p.m.

Fri.
July 18 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at
bob@beaconhillrollcall.com