Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Chapter 88 of the Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1 Section 10 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its Emergency Housing Assistance Program bi-weekly report
This bill requires cities and towns with less than 10% multi-family housing to designate at least 1.5% of their "calculable developable land" (land suitable for housing, excluding protected areas like wetlands and public parks) for multi-family zoning. It mandates that these zones allow apartment or condo developments at a minimum density of 20 units per acre without special approval. The bill also streamlines approval for "open space residential" projects and creates a commission to study income limits for affordable housing, with a 2026 deadline for towns to identify developable land. It affects all Massachusetts municipalities and aims to expand housing options by clarifying land use rules.
Senate, November 19, 2025 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 644) of Michael O. Moore, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, David T. Vieira, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court restricting the use of rodenticides in the environment, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2721).
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill ) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to create a behavioral health emergency response pilot program. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of William N. Brownsberger and Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General for legislation to prohibit anticompetitive conduct and agreement and strengthening the Massachusetts Antitrust Act. The Judiciary.
H 4759 modernizes Massachusetts' housing incentive program under Chapter 40R by creating new payment structures for cities and towns that adopt specific zoning districts. It establishes tiered payments based on projected new housing units (e.g., $20,000 for up to 20% growth, $1.2 million for 501%+ growth) for "smart growth" and "starter home" zoning districts, plus $6,000 per new unit for completed housing in those districts. The bill also requires the state department to analyze these payments against housing costs (using the Consumer Price Index) to ensure consistency. These changes apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affect municipalities with approved zoning districts.
Senate, November 19, 2025 -- Text of the Senate amendment to the House Bill modernizing the commonwealth’s cannabis laws (being the text of Senate document numbered 2722, printed as amended)
By Representative Biele of Boston (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Alexander Mattern relative to the reporting of convictions for assault and battery involving motor vehicles. The Judiciary.
This bill clarifies rules for when one alcoholic beverage supplier stops selling to a Massachusetts wholesaler and another entity takes over (a "successor supplier"). It requires the new supplier to honor any existing agreement (written or oral) between the original supplier and the wholesaler. The bill also ensures all sales made to the wholesaler before the transition count toward the six-month sales requirement under existing law, preventing the new supplier from restarting this timeline. The law directly affects alcohol suppliers and wholesalers in Massachusetts who manage brand distribution relationships.
This bill authorizes the state to transfer two specific parcels of land in Brockton for community use. The first parcel (to Catholic Charitable Bureau) is for affordable housing (for households earning ≤80% of area median income) and a community services center, sold for $1 with a reversion clause if purposes are violated. The second parcel (to the city of Brockton) is for redevelopment, also sold for $1, with net proceeds split equally between the city and state. Both transfers require competitive bidding if not used by 2030, and include oversight mechanisms like independent appraisals and committee reporting.
HD 5343 is a procedural communication from the Massachusetts Comptroller explaining a delay in filing the 2025 Statutory Basis Financial Report (SBFR), required annually by law. The Comptroller states the report cannot be completed until the Fiscal Year 2025 closeout supplemental budget is enacted, as it depends on budgetary approvals. The communication notes that delays in other required reports (like the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and federal Single Audit) could risk federal funding, urging immediate budget passage to resolve the issue. This is not a policy bill but a routine update on administrative reporting timelines.
HD 5335 is a procedural bill requesting the Office of the Comptroller to provide a status update on the filing of the Statutory Basis Financial Report for fiscal year 2025. It does not change laws or policies but seeks routine administrative communication regarding financial reporting. The bill was placed on file on November 18, 2025, and directly involves the Comptroller's office. It affects no specific constituents or programs, as it only requests a status report. This is a standard administrative communication, not a substantive legislative change.
