4-12-2026 4:10am

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 51-Report No. 15

April 6-10, 2026

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on local representatives' and senators' votes on roll calls from the week of April 6-10.

CANNABIS REGULATION CHANGES (H 5350)

House 155-0, Senate 33-6, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a conference committee version of 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 the power to the governor to make the three appointments, replacing the current law which gives that power to the governor, the attorney general and treasurer. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the measure and a conference committee was appointed in December 2025 and took more than three months to hammer out this compromise version.

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 one ounce to two 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 for the regulation of intoxicating hemp, which has grown in prevalence over recent years and will effectively be banned under federal law this fall unless the U.S. 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.

“Massachusetts has one of the most established cannabis industries in the country, and our laws need to evolve with that reality,” said Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield), Senate Chair of the Committee on Cannabis Policy and co-chair of the conference committee. “This legislation strengthens oversight of the Cannabis Control Commission while making smart updates that support small businesses, improve accountability and ensure consumers can access cannabis safely and legally. By modernizing license caps, clarifying delivery and advertising rules and increasing transparency across the industry, we are building a more stable, equitable and responsible cannabis marketplace for the commonwealth.”

“This bill takes clear steps towards a safer and more equitable cannabis industry across the commonwealth,” said Rep. Daniel Donahue (D-Worcester), House Chair of the Committee on Cannabis Policy and co-chair of the conference committee. “It also restructures and clarifies roles within the CCC to promote a more effective and accountable regulating body. This action demonstrates that the House and Legislature remain committed to ensuring that the rapidly changing Massachusetts cannabis industry continues to thrive.”

“This bill ensures that as the cannabis industry grows in Massachusetts, it expands opportunity and reflects our values,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “It opens doors for those long left out, modernizes access to safe and legal cannabis and brings our laws in line with a maturing industry. The result is a more stable, fair and equitable marketplace that keeps public health and safety front and center.”

"We should work to ensure the cannabis industry operates responsibly and safely,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) who voted against the measure. “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. 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."

None of the other five senators who voted against the bill responded to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on the bill’s passage and to explain why they voted against it. Those five senators are Sens. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton); Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton); Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).

(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

KIDS AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND CELL PHONES (H 5349)

House 129-25, approved a bill that would prohibit the use of cell phones by students from the time they arrive in school until dismissal. School districts would be required to notify parents of this policy and ensure that parents still have the ability to contact their children during the school day and vice versa.

Other provisions require the secure storage of personal electronic devices; allow the use of technology that renders personal electronic devices inoperable; require school districts to make accommodations and exceptions as necessary for documented medical needs, language access and translation needs for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or disabilities that require the use of personal electronic devices; and in cases of an emergency.

The bill also restricts the use of social media by children. Provisions include requiring social media companies to implement an age verification system based on the best technology available in order to reasonably and accurately identify a current or prospective user’s age; banning minors under the age of 14 from social media platforms, by requiring platforms to terminate users under that age and delete associated personal information effective October 1, 2026; requiring social media platforms to acquire verifiable parental consent for 14- and 15-year-old users of their platforms; prohibiting social media platforms from sharing information about a minor’s LGBTQ+ status or other characteristics protected under state law; and fining platforms which violate any of these provisions.

The Senate has already approved a different version of the cell phone ban without the social media restrictions. A House-Senate conference committee will hammer out a compromise version.

“A bell-to-bell prohibition on cell phones and similar devices has long been a priority of mine,” said Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley). “I believe this measure, combined with age restrictions on social media, will support learning, personal growth and meaningful human connection. A social media ban for children under 14 is not extreme, it is responsible. Technology will continue to play a powerful role in our society, but it must not come at the expense of our children’s ability to learn, to connect with others and to develop into healthy adults.”

"Social media is robbing our teenagers of their time, their education and most importantly their health,” said Rep. Bill MacGregor (D-Boston). “By removing addictive social media feeds for users under 15 years old, we’ll be making major strides towards protecting our kids, and helping them build healthy habits online before they’re addicted. I supported this amendment to protect all the kids that have been or will be online, and the parents like me that have a hard time saying no to their little ones but worry about an unregulated and safe Internet. With this legislation, we're one step closer to a safer and more healthy world for our kids to grow up in."

“Today the House took an important step in helping protect the children of the commonwealth from predatory social media platforms,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The science is clear that exposure to social media at a young age can have a harmful effect on a minor’s development. By banning it for those 13 and under and allowing for parental consent for those who are 14 or 15, we will ensure that children are protected while giving them the ability to express themselves online at a safe and appropriate age.”

“A vast majority of superintendents urged us to take the lead in restricting cell phone use from bell-to-bell in our schools,” said Rep. Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House chair of the Committee on Education. “This legislation will help ensure students stay focused in the classroom, are protected from bullying and other forms of distraction, while also encouraging them to engage with one another and be present during non-instructional time. Beyond limiting cell phone use, the bill takes important steps to protect children from the harmful effects of social media on their health and well-being.”

“I support getting phones out of the classrooms, but a one size fits all law with no funding to help school districts implement those policies, I am against,” said Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) who voted against the measure. “I think the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education should develop a policy that removes cell phones from classrooms but gives the school district the flexibility on how that is done.”

“Although marketed as a child protection law, this social media ban would force all social media users in Massachusetts, including adults, to submit biometric information to tech companies to prove that we are over 16,” said Scotia Hille, executive director of the progressive group Act on Mass. “Allowing parents to request the social media activity of children under 16 puts LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized teens at risk. At a time of mass surveillance and a crackdown on political speech, the privacy risks of this legislation are staggering.”

“While I strongly support the ban on cellphones in schools and the intent and goal of limiting youth access to social media, I voted ‘No’ on the bill due to concerns with data privacy in the social media sections,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). “Age verification for minors means age verification for all users, and this raises big questions of data privacy and protection.”

"While I support the underlying goals and intentions of both aspects of the bill passed, I have concerns with several aspects including First Amendment rights, personal data collection and storage for minors, and unintended unfunded mandates on our schools,” said Rep. Joe McKenna (R-Sutton). I believe that school districts already have the ability to craft and implement phone-free policies without needing a state law to mandate such."

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

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

NO UNFUNDED MANDATES (H 5349)

House 27-136 rejected an amendment that would exempt any school district from paying any additional costs for implementing the provisions of the social media/cell phone legislation approved by the House. The amendment would allow the districts to pay for the additional cost only if they want to do so.

Rep. Kevin Sweezey (R-Duxbury), the sponsor of the amendment, said it is important to note that when we give authority to agencies to create regulation for our cities and towns, it often comes with a cost. Even if it doesn't have dollars and cents in the line items, it can still end up costing municipal budgets. He argued that the amendment simply ensures that no policy made by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education incurs a cost for cities and towns and negatively impact our school districts.

“Cities and towns across the state are struggling with rising costs and increasing budget constraints, with more and more communities being forced to pursue Proposition 2 ½ overrides to preserve essential municipal services,” said co-sponsor House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Given the potential costs associated with implementing this bill, this amendment would help to ensure that we are not placing an additional financial burden on our cities and towns by imposing an unfunded mandate at the local level.”

Rep. Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) opposed the amendment and said that nothing in the bill calls for a district to spend a penny. He noted that if a district wants to, it can tell the students to simply not bring their cell phones to school. There's no requirement they get the pouches or anything else and spend the money.

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

Rep. Jeffrey Roy No

$1.57 BILLION FISCAL 2026 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 3041)

Senate 35-4, approved a $1.57 billion fiscal 2026 budget. Some of the funding will come from the $1.3 billion generated by the 2022 voter-approved constitutional amendment, known by supporters as the Millionaire’s Tax and the Fair Share Amendment, which imposes a surtax of an additional 4 percent income tax, in addition to the current flat 5 percent one, on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million annually. Language in the constitutional amendment requires that “subject to appropriation, the revenue will go to fund quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation.”

Provisions include $1 million in legal defense services for immigrants; $10 million for full-tuition scholarships for UMass Chan Medical School students pursuing family medicine if they commit to remaining in Massachusetts and serving populations in need for five years after graduation; $100 million to ensure that Massachusetts’ public universities are able to withstand reductions in federal research funding; a new $32 million investment to provide immediate relief for strained municipal budgets by increasing special education reimbursement rates; $150 million for high-quality and accessible early education and care; $40 million for early literacy initiatives; $18.3 million to expand financial assistance offered to Massachusetts students enrolled at state universities and UMass campuses; $2.5 million to boost school-based mental health support; and $1 million to help public schools pay for costs incurred to implement the ban on cell phones use by students during school hours.

Other provisions include a new targeted sales tax exemption for building materials to incentivize the construction of new affordable, moderate-income and middle-income housing units for certain housing projects; $535 million in direct support for the MBTA for operational funding, commuter rail support and the low-income fare relief program; and $535 million for the MBTA for operational funding, commuter rail support and the low-income fare relief program; $20 million for the Home Energy Assistance Program to assist eligible low-income elders, working families and other households with assistance paying a portion of winter heating bills; and $1 million to help public schools pay for costs incurred by cities and towns to implement the ban on cell phones use by students during school hours.

“By including innovative policy solutions with strong investments, we are going beyond just allocating funding in this budget,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are lowering taxes to spur housing, building our health care workforce and protecting our immigrant neighbors, on top of making generational investments in statewide transit and education.”

“Today, the Senate passed a consolidated Fair Share supplemental budget that makes significant strides in educational initiatives and transportation infrastructure, while maintaining our focus on municipal relief and regional equity,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The Senate continues to support special education, literacy growth and also establishes a primary care higher education scholarship pilot program at UMass Medical that will help fill the shortage of primary care physicians in the commonwealth. We also go big on transportation, investing Fair Share dollars to support the ongoing renovation and infrastructure improvements at the MBTA. This spending plan also addresses the harsh winter and historic blizzard of 2026, dedicating $100 million for municipal relief to beleaguered municipalities all across Massachusetts.”

“The Senate found time to pass yet another massive supplemental budget that did not include any reforms to our broken welfare system, any tax relief for our small businesses and taxpayers and no relief for ratepayers,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Mass Fiscal Alliance. “The Massachusetts Legislature thinks it’s their job to spend every penny they can extract from the taxpayers for their pet projects.”

None of the four Republican senators who voted against the budget responded to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on the bill’s passage and to explain why they voted against it. Those four senators are Sens. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton), Peter Durant (R-Spencer), Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) and Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).

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

Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

DON’T MISS THIS EVENT - THE AI REVOLUTION IN MASSACHUSETTS: DISRUPTION, RISK, OPPORTUNITY - As Massachusetts looks to both lead and regulate the AI revolution, join leading legislators and thought leaders for a timely forum on AI's challenges and opportunities, hosted by the State House News Service and MASSterList. The timely policy forum is on Thursday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the MCLE Conference Center (Downtown Crossing), 10 Winter Place, Boston. Register at: https://events.humanitix.com/massai

ALCOHOL DONATIONS FOR CHARITIES (H 442) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would allow local licensing authorities to issue temporary licenses to charities in order for the charities to accept donations of wine, beer and alcohol for their charitable events. These licenses were previously allowed under 1997 legislation, but the authorization has since expired.

“Today, more than ever, nonprofits are in need of charitable donations to stay afloat,” said sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This bill would allow for safe and regulated alcohol licensure for nonprofits in order to raise revenue at charity events by partnering with alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers. This bill was brought to me by Deborah Goldberg, the Treasurer and Receiver General, and has her full support.”

PROTECT RIGHTS OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS (H 4783) – The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on legislation that would prevent the punishment of individuals experiencing homelessness for conducting life-sustaining activities on public property when no shelter is available. The measure also prohibits discrimination in the use of public areas based solely on housing status and affirms rights such as the right to practice faith and the right against unreasonable search and seizure for individuals experiencing homelessness in public areas.

“I filed this bill in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 Johnson v. Grants Pass decision, which allowed communities to penalize people for life-sustaining activities in public when no alternatives exist,” said sponsor Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton). “These policies effectively criminalize homelessness, impose burdensome fines and make it harder for people to secure stable housing, without improving public health or safety. Our approach prioritizes directing resources toward real public safety needs and lasting housing solutions.”

PROTECT MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT VIOLATIONS (S 2976) – The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on a bill that supporters say will protect Bay State residents from direct actions by federal law enforcement that violate individual protections under the United States Constitution. Under the proposal, a person who subjects a resident of Massachusetts to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the constitution would be liable to the injured party.

“Over the past few weeks, federal agents have brutalized people on the streets of Minneapolis,” said sponsor Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont). “No police necessity can explain their excessive use of force, which has shocked and disgusted fair-minded people across the political spectrum. In the absence of a federal administration willing to hold its agents accountable when they depart from civil norms, states need to impose liability and make court-ordered relief available.”

"I co-sponsored this legislation because no one, regardless of their position or badge, should be above the Constitution," said Sen. Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence). "When someone’s rights are violated, they deserve a clear and accessible path to accountability and justice. This bill ensures that Massachusetts residents have that protection, even when the harm comes from federal actors operating in our communities.”

"Our commonwealth has long been a place where civil rights are respected and protected," said co-sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). "At a time when abuses by federal agents have caused fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities and protesters, this legislation makes clear that no one is above the law. By creating a pathway to hold federal agents accountable for civil rights violations, we are reinforcing our commitment to fairness, due process and the protection of our immigrant neighbors.”

STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS – The Healey Administration announced it is soliciting innovative ideas from educators, providers and community partners on how to strengthen mental health support for Bay State students, from birth through higher education.

The administration seeks this input while it is currently developing a framework that will guide a coordinated statewide strategy to strengthen mental health support in Massachusetts, improving alignment among early education providers, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, families and community-based service systems.

“This is an opportunity for practitioners, community organizations, researchers and educators to help shape the future of student mental health in Massachusetts,” said Education Secretary Stephen Zrike. “We are looking for bold, thoughtful ideas that are grounded in evidence, centered in equity and built to last.”

“Supporting mental and behavioral health from the earliest years is essential to helping every learner thrive,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “We know that strong early foundations are critical, and we’re proud to be part of this statewide effort to align partners and systems. By working together and inviting new ideas, we can build a more connected, responsive approach that supports children, families and educators across Massachusetts.”

“This administration is committed to supporting the mental health of students of all ages,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Developing a statewide framework for mental and behavioral health will allow us to better align and integrate supports throughout students' educational journey.”

“Strong mental health support should be a throughline in a student’s educational journey,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “I look forward to the commonwealth establishing a cohesive approach that will support students’ mental health needs not only when they arrive at college, but well before.”

For more information and to learn how to submit an idea, go to www.commbuys.com/bso/

HEALTHCARE FOR STATE WORKERS (H 5348) – The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill that would provide $300 million for health insurance coverage for the 460,000 public employees, retirees and dependents who access health care through the state’s Group Insurance Commission. Supporters said that these additional funds are necessary because of higher-than-anticipated utilization and pharmaceutical expenses.

“Health care is a fundamental promise we make to the public employees, retirees and families who keep our commonwealth running,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today the Legislature acted together to ensure that more than 460,000 people can continue to access the care they rely on without disruption.”

“Given that hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents access their health care through the Group Insurance Commission, ensuring that it is adequately funded is of vital importance,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).”

“With the swift passage of this mini supplemental budget, the Legislature is prioritizing access to vital health care for state employees and doing our due diligence, paying providers on time for the health care services our residents depend on,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I look forward to the governor’s quick and decisive action on this bill.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“While state ethics rules forbid public officials from accepting gifts worth more than $50, lobbyists are allowed to underwrite travel worth up to many thousands of dollars. The recipients of these gifts have only to claim that the travel has a ‘legitimate public purpose’ to promote the interests of the commonwealth. No explanation or supporting documentation is required.”

---Jeff Klein, a retired local union president and a longtime member of Boston’s Ward 13 Democratic Committee, on why he supports S 2109 – a bill that would close a loophole which allows lobbyists to underwrite travel by public officials.

“This was one of those once-in-a-generation storms, comparable to the Blizzard of ‘78 and 2015’s ‘Snowmaggedon,’ that people remember for the rest of their lives. While the snow has melted, the financial impact of the tremendous state and local effort remains, which is why this Major Disaster Declaration is so important. It ensures that our communities can recover, rebuild and be reimbursed for the extraordinary work it took to keep people safe.”

---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on the Healey Administration requesting a Major Disaster Declaration to obtain federal funds to support communities impacted by the February 22-23, 2026 blizzard, which brought whiteout conditions, record snowfall and hurricane-force wind gusts to much of eastern Massachusetts.

“GE Aerospace’s investment in Lynn is a strong signal that Massachusetts remains a leader in advanced manufacturing and defense innovation. We have the talent, infrastructure and ecosystem that companies need to grow and compete … We are continuing to invest in that foundation and make it easier for companies to build and scale here.”

---Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley on the Healey Administration highlighting GE Aerospace’s $42 million investment in its Lynn manufacturing facility, which is strengthening Massachusetts’ defense industry, supporting local jobs and advancing the state’s leadership in advanced manufacturing.

“Massachusetts needs basic protections against excessive rent hikes. That’s why renters, homeowners, small landlords, unions and community groups all across Massachusetts are coming together to support commonsense rent stabilization. Together, we can protect tenants from big corporate investors who unreasonably increase rents, while still allowing landlords to earn a reasonable profit and enabling new construction to address housing shortages.”

--- Katie Talbot, Organizing Director for Springfield No One Leaves, at a rally on Beacon Hill, supporting the possible November 2026 ballot question that would limit annual rent increases to no more than 5 percent.

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 6-10, the House met for a total of ten hours and nine minutes and the Senate met for a total of six hours and 44 minutes.

Mon. April 6 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:54 a.m.

Senate 11:16 a.m. to 11:57 a.m.

Tues. April 7 No House session.

No Senate session.

Wed. April 8 House 11:02 a.m. to 7:17 p.m.

Senate 11:10 a.m. to 11:19 a.m.

Thurs. April 9 House 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Senate 11:14 a.m. to 5:08 p.m.

Fri. April 10 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com