6-21-2026 4:05am

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. 25

June 15-19, 2026

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives' and senators' votes on roll calls from the week of June 15-19.

LITERACY EDUCATION STANDARDS (H 5511)

House 153-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey 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.

“This is a pivotal moment for children across our state as we advance the 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.”

“It is unacceptable that less than half of young students in Massachusetts are proficient in reading at their grade level,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate chair of the Education Committee. “This important legislation ensures that educators use evidence-based early literacy curricula that are backed by science while leaving schools flexibility to decide what curriculum is best for their students and teachers. Strengthening student literacy through evidence-based instruction has decades of scientific research and improved outcomes backing it up. With the passage of this bill, the Massachusetts Legislature continues its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students across the commonwealth.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

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

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS (H 5510)

House 151-0, approved a $3.5 billion bond bill that supporters said will modernize environmental laws, strengthen climate resilience, support agricultural and food systems, streamline permitting processes and improve the management of the state’s natural resources. They noted the bill advances a broad set of reforms designed to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change, accelerate critical infrastructure projects, improve environmental protections and support Bay State cities and towns.

The Senate has already approved its own version of the bill, and a House-Senate conference committee will likely be appointed to hammer out a compromise version.

Provisions of the House bill include establishing a new Resilience Revolving Fund to help municipalities, tribal governments and public water and wastewater districts finance climate-resilient infrastructure projects and technical assistance; creating new commissions and advisory bodies focused on flood mitigation, air quality, coastal resilience and long-term climate preparedness; streamlining permitting and environmental review processes for priority housing developments, nature-based solutions projects, culvert replacements, wetland restoration efforts and other projects that advance climate resilience while maintaining environmental protections; expanding representation on the Massachusetts Food Policy Council; modernizing commercial feed regulations; strengthening enforcement tools for agricultural programs; and improving transparency for prospective homebuyers and tenants by requiring flood risk disclosures.

Funding includes $385 million for the Water Pollution Abatement Trust to support wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects; $315 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Program for cities and towns to assess climate risks; and $308 million for the repair, construction and removal of state-owned dams and coastal infrastructure including seawalls, docks, culverts and salt marshes.

“There is perhaps no responsibility more fundamental to the role of government than ensuring that residents have access to clean drinking water and are breathing clean air,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy.) “This legislation is the latest example of Massachusetts’ ironclad commitment to protecting our environment and to leading the fight against climate change. At the same time, the bill takes steps to ensure that the commonwealth’s environmental regulations aren’t unnecessarily burdensome when issuing permits for new housing developments and other critical infrastructure projects.”

"Today, the House passed … the largest state investment in climate resilience in our state’s history,” said Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House Chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “We aren’t just talking about protecting our environment against climate change, today we’re taking action. Our communities have real, immediate needs – clean drinking water free from PFAS contamination, protection from flooding and storm damage, accessible parks, restored beaches, rivers and coastlines and healthier forests. These investments we voted on today will fortify our environmental infrastructure and build a sustainably rich future for generations to come."

(A “Yes” for the bill.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS (S 3116)

Senate 35-4, approved and sent to the House legislation that supporters said would make it easier for Massachusetts residents to get a primary care doctor and an appointment with him or her. They noted the bill reduces the amount of time providers have to spend on administrative paperwork and aims to reduce health care costs.

Provisions include requiring health care providers and insurers to invest more heavily in primary care services; ensuring fairer compensation for community health centers, which serve as the frontline of primary care for many residents; and increasing the Massachusetts’ primary care workforce by unlocking matching federal funds to train and recruit more primary care doctors.

“Massachusetts has always led the way on health care, and today the Senate is doing it again,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Too many of our residents are struggling to find a primary care doctor or putting off basic care because of the cost. That's not acceptable, and it's not sustainable. This legislation takes direct aim at the problem. It requires greater investment in primary care, lifts up the community health centers at the heart of so many neighborhoods and grows the workforce our residents need. When we get primary care right, everything else in our health care system works better.”

“After an exhaustive and thorough analysis of our primary health care delivery system, the Senate today acted on a comprehensive package of provisions informed by recommendations from the Primary Care Task Force, improving access to primary care for all Massachusetts residents,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This sweeping legislation supports residents of the commonwealth by incentivizing significant investments into primary care, grows our health care workforce, assists community health centers and cuts down on administrative bureaucracy.”

“With this nation-leading approach, the Massachusetts Senate is confronting the primary care crisis head-on with the thoughtfulness and urgency it deserves,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “For far too long, our health care system has put too much emphasis on costly medical interventions, rather than incentivizing preventive care delivered in our primary care practices and community health centers. The legislation passed today delivers an historic increase in primary care funding in Massachusetts by reprioritizing and shifting how we spend our health care dollars to support our primary care providers, increases access to value-based care and delivers better health outcomes for patients.”

Opponents said the bill has some good points but does not do enough to control skyrocketing medical costs. They supported a number of failed amendments that they said would improve the measure.

None of the four GOP senators who voted against the legislation responded to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the measure. 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 bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT BANS INCOME TAX REDUCTION QUESTION FROM THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT – The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled that the ballot question reducing the state income tax from 5 percent to 4 percent over a three-year period, is ineligible to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, with justices concluding Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office provided a "significantly misleading" summary of the proposal that was likely to influence voters.

Opponents of the tax cut filed a lawsuit with the SJC in January contending that Campbell's summary of the proposal is flawed and unfair because it fails to make clear that voter approval of the question would also automatically reduce the tax rate for long-term capital gains income, which under current law is tied to the income tax rate.

Campbell's office had argued that her summary accurately summarized the proposal because the initiative "does not specifically propose to amend the statutes setting the rate of taxation for capital gain income.”

The court did not buy the argument by supporters of the ballot question that a reduction in the long-term capital gains tax rate is not guaranteed, because the Legislature could amend the current law before the election and untether the capital gains rate from the income tax rate. The court ruled that that possibility does not make the summary fair, noting that the court reviews the summary against the law as it exists, not based on speculation about a hypothetical future statute.

"The court has made its decision. I think what doesn't change is the need for everyone to focus on driving down costs and making life more affordable for people in Massachusetts,” said Gov. Healey. “That's been my top priority. That's what I've been doing, you know, cutting co-pays and deductibles when it comes to healthcare, fighting utility rate increases, you know and doing the things that we need to do to make life more affordable, so that they can afford homes.”

"A $5 billion annual loss in state revenue would’ve meant significant cuts to services and programs that Massachusetts residents rely on, while doing little to bolster competitiveness and address the affordability challenges facing the commonwealth,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m grateful that this irresponsible initiative petition won’t appear on the ballot in November."

“The dark-money proponents of this reckless ballot initiative tried to hide an enormous give-away to the richest 1% within the appearance of a broad-based tax cut,” said Max Page, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. “It’s good that the court stood up for the principle that voters deserve to know what they’re voting on. However, the out-of-touch billionaires behind this initiative are continuing to push their revenue cap ballot initiative, which would cost the state billions of dollars over the coming years and force cuts to public schools, healthcare and other critical programs.”

“This is a disgraceful outcome for Massachusetts taxpayers and a direct result of the attorney general’s failure to do her job properly,” said Mass Fiscal Alliance executive director Paul Craney. “More than 100,000 residents signed petitions to put tax relief before the voters. They followed the process, did the work and earned a place on the ballot. Now, because the attorney general’s office produced a summary the court found to be significantly misleading, voters are being denied the chance to decide for themselves whether Massachusetts should lower its income tax.”

The Pioneer Institute said, “Today's ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is a serious disappointment for commonwealth families struggling under one of the highest tax and cost burdens in the nation. The court's decision rests on a drafting error in the attorney general's summary of the petition — a matter entirely outside the control of voters and petition signers. As a result, the people of Massachusetts will be denied the opportunity to decide whether the commonwealth should reduce the income tax rate from 5% to 4%.”

PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS (H 5488) – The House and Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would create a public database of violations of the state’s fire prevention laws and a public notification system to alert workers of violations.

The measure is designed to boost safety for firefighters and people conducting “hot work” including welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction. The proposed law has been ten years in the making and was first prompted by the March 2014 deaths of firefighters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who perished while fighting a fire that was caused by welders, working without a city permit, on a building next door to the brownstone in which they died.

“I am grateful to the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Boston Firefighters Local 718, whose advocacy never wavered throughout this process,” said sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (D-South Boston). “In the wake of an unimaginable loss, they remained committed to ensuring that future firefighters, tradespeople and workers would be better protected. This legislation is the result of that commitment, as well as the collaborative work of my colleagues in the Senate and House. While it was born from tragedy, it leaves behind a lasting legacy, one that will help save lives and make workplaces safer for years to come.”

“This legislation is another important tool in protecting the safety of residents, firefighters and trades workers across the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep. David Biele (D-Boston). “Collecting statewide data regarding fire code violations and non-compliance with fire prevention laws and hot works requirements in a publicly available database combined with an automated notification system for relevant property owners will increase public safety.”

“With this bill, we honor the memory of Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy by doing everything in our power to make sure no firefighter or tradesperson faces those conditions again, and no family has to experience that kind of heartbreak,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation ensures that dangerous hot work violations are tracked, reported and acted upon, so we can prevent tragedies before they happen.”

AUTISM AND POLICE STOPS (H 5438) – The House and Senate approved, on a voice vote without a roll call, and sent to Gov. Healey 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 is not an actual law. This bill would codify the program into Massachusetts law.

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 and vehicle registration. On the outside of the envelope there would be written information and guidance on the envelope 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.

“Enacting the Blue Envelope Bill is a major win for the commonwealth and for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “Enshrining the Blue Envelope program in law will help ensure safer, more informed interactions during traffic stops and emergencies, making permanent a simple but powerful tool for both drivers and emergency responders. This legislative victory is a testament to the tireless advocacy of families, organizations, law enforcement and individuals who have pushed us to act and move closer to a commonwealth that works for everyone.”

“I’d like to recognize the many advocates who have shaped and led this legislation, including disability rights organizations, law enforcement and especially those with lived experience,” said House sponsor Rep. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst). “UMass Amherst student Max Callahan brought this issue and its solution to the Legislature, and he and his peers' expertise has been pivotal in its advancement.”

Domb continued, “Max, who has autism, shared how his desire to drive was overshadowed by his concern that if he were to be pulled over, his reaction to stress could be misinterpreted as dangerous or avoidant, potentially putting him in danger. The Blue Envelope is a simple, common-sense solution to this challenge, one supported by law enforcement and affected individuals. This bill will increase use of this important program and strengthen the commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and independence of all residents.”

REDUCE WRONG-WAY DRIVING – Gov. Healey announced a statewide plan to reduce wrong-way driving incidents on Bay State roads through a combination of advanced detection technology, enhanced roadway signage, infrastructure improvements and targeted safety upgrades. The multi-year effort will focus on over 500 high-risk locations across Massachusetts where drivers may be more likely to enter roadways in the wrong direction due to driver confusion or roadway design.

“We've seen firsthand the devastating impact that wrong-way driving crashes can have on families, law enforcement and communities across Massachusetts,” said Healey. “People deserve to be safe on our roads, and we're taking action. By investing in new technology, stronger safety measures and targeted infrastructure improvements, we're working to prevent these crashes before they happen and help save lives. Our hearts are with every family that has lost a loved one in a wrong-way driving crash, and we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent these tragedies from happening again.”

“Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we are implementing targeted investments to improve roadway safety with measures that help prevent tragedies before they happen,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Wrong-way driving remains one of the most dangerous behaviors across the nation’s roadways. As a state that chooses to lead, our goal is to reduce these incidents across the state with these safety measures, so we can help identify wrong-way drivers more quickly, alert law enforcement faster and create a safer transportation network for residents and all who travel on our roadways. Every life saved is a reminder of why these investments matter, and we remain committed to using innovation and data-driven solutions to make our roads safer for everyone.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“We are heartbroken each year as we learn the stories of people walking who lose their lives in crashes that are often preventable. One factor continues to show up again and again: speed. Our streets are still designed in ways that allow people to drive too fast, making it harder for drivers to see and safely yield to people walking.”

--- Brendan Kearney, executive director of WalkMassachusetts, commenting on a study that showed that in 2025, one in every five traffic deaths in Massachusetts involved a person walking.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and many are still feeling the effects of the Blizzard of 2026. These loans will help businesses recover from lost revenue, keep their doors open and continue serving their communities. We encourage eligible businesses to apply."

---Gov. Healey announcing that low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million are available from the federal government for eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Plymouth, Nantucket, Norfolk and Suffolk counties to help pay for working capital and operating expenses that could not be met because of the storm's economic impacts.

"We want Massachusetts to be the best place in the country to start, grow and scale innovative companies. This initiative will help lower barriers for entrepreneurs and researchers, strengthen our innovation ecosystem and create new pathways for students and workers to participate in this growing industry."

--- Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announcing that the state awarded nearly $2 million through the Massachusetts Robotic Digital Twin Initiative to six organizations advancing robotics innovation across the state. The funding will help accelerate commercialization pathways for robotics hardware developers by expanding access to digital twin technologies.

"Families are at risk of becoming collateral damage in a system that is growing increasingly difficult to navigate and sustain. Without meaningful action to stabilize reimbursement and restore predictability, providers will be forced to make difficult decisions about capacity, staffing and their ability to serve MassHealth members. We are running out of time to address this issue."

---Rebecca Thompson, Chair of the Massachusetts Providers for ABA Access and Quality, on autism service providers from across Massachusetts warning that a series of recent policy decisions and ongoing reimbursement challenges are creating an unsustainable environment that could reduce access to care for some of the most vulnerable children and families who rely on Medicaid-funded autism services.

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 June 15-19, the House met for a total of 13 hours and 18 minutes and the Senate met for a total of seven hours and seven minutes.

Mon. June 15 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:39 a.m.

Tues. June 16 No House session.

No Senate session.

Wed. June 17 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:17 p.m.

No Senate session

Thurs. June 18 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:53 a.m.

Senate 11:09 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Fri. June 19 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com