Massachusetts Bills

signed · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 5375: An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges

This bill allocates $1.2 billion in state funds to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for long-term improvements to municipal roads, bridges, and rail systems. The funding supports construction and reconstruction of local roads, lifecycle management of bridges and pavements, and transportation projects that facilitate housing development. Additional money is designated for safety modernization of parkways and upgrades to commuter rail vehicles. The legislation requires municipalities to follow state procedures and submit proof of completed work to receive reimbursements, while also encouraging cities to develop long-term capital plans.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 2635: An Act authorizing the city known as the town of Barnstable to use red lights on certain emergency response vehicles

By Mr. Cyr and Mr. Diggs of Barnstable, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2635) of Julian Cyr and Kip A. Diggs (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the city known as the town of Barnstable to use red lights on certain emergency response vehicles. Public Safety and Homeland Security. [Local Approval Received.]

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 3907: An Act amending chapter 445 of the acts of 1960 and establishing a board of election commissioners in the city of Salem

This bill establishes a new five-member Board of Election Commissioners in Salem, replacing the existing Board of Registrars of Voters. The board must include at least two members from each of Salem's two leading political parties, with the fifth member unenrolled, and should reflect the city's racial and ethnic diversity. It transfers all election-related duties - including voter registration, election administration, complaint investigations, and promoting voter participation - from the city clerk and former board to this new board. The bill amends Chapter 445 of the 1960 acts to update references to the new board structure, effective upon passage or July 1, 2026, whichever is later. The current board members become the first commissioners, with two additional members appointed to ensure staggered terms.

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 4498: An Act regulating elections in the town of Conway

HD 5091 eliminates party caucuses for nominating town officers in Conway, requiring candidates to file nomination papers instead. It also removes all political party designations from ballots and candidate names in Conway's town elections. The bill applies specifically to Conway's local elections for town offices and takes effect immediately upon passage. This changes how candidates are nominated and how ballots are printed, focusing on nonpartisan local elections.

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 4434: An Act providing for recall elections in the town of Charlemont

HD 5028 establishes a legal process for holding recall elections against elected officials in the town of Charlemont. It directly affects Charlemont residents who can initiate recalls by gathering signatures on a petition, and town officials who could face removal before their term ends. The bill outlines specific requirements for petition signatures, timing for the recall vote, and administrative procedures for conducting the election. This local bill, approved by Charlemont's town meeting, provides the framework for citizen-driven removal of town officials.

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 5377: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates funds for the 2026 fiscal year to support various state agencies, including those responsible for substance addiction services, homelessness programs, and public safety operations. It also allocates money for specific projects such as technology costs for district attorneys and snow and ice removal services for the Department of Transportation. Beyond funding, the legislation updates legal thresholds for construction projects and expands procurement rules to allow government bodies to bundle broadband and fiber optic services into single purchases. These changes aim to streamline how the state buys internet infrastructure and adjust financial limits for certain construction activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

signed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 10, 2026

S 2963: An Act authorizing the town of Milton to use certain land acquired for conservation purposes for school purposes

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2963) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Milton to use certain land acquired for conservation purposes for school purposes. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Environment

signed · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 4843: An Act providing for the exchange of certain park land in the town of Lexington

This bill allows the town of Lexington to exchange approximately 8 acres of park land (described in two deeds) from the select board to the school committee for school purposes, following a special town meeting vote on November 3, 2025. In return, the town must transfer the land containing the current Lexington High School buildings (shown in "Figure G" dated October 3, 2025) from the school committee to the select board for a new athletic field, park, and recreational space. The exchange ensures no net loss of land subject to constitutional protections (Article 97). The bill requires specific procedural steps under Massachusetts law and takes effect upon passage.

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 4440: An Act authorizing the town of Billerica to transfer control of certain land of the town situated in the town of Billerica for recreational purposes for the purposes of constructing the Yankee Doodle Bike Path

This bill (HD 4854) authorizes the Town of Billerica's Conservation Commission to transfer specific parcels of town-owned land - identified as E-23, FP-9, and PUE-5 on the Yankee Doodle Bike Path plan - to the Town's Select Board. The land, described by Assessor's Parcel IDs 78-282-1-1, 87-258-1, and 87-249-2, is for recreational use to support the construction of the Yankee Doodle Bike Path. The transfer is permitted under state law and subject to constitutional Article 97, with no other legal restrictions overriding this action. The bill directly affects Billerica's land management and the bike path project's development.

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 2692: An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report

This bill (HD 4040) requires all welding, cutting, and hot works training programs in Massachusetts to use a specific National Fire Protection Association program or an equivalent system with an electronic worker status database, multilingual classes, identity verification, and annual refresher training. It adds "criminal negligence" to define repeated, reckless failure to follow safety rules, making such non-compliance potentially punishable as a crime. Penalties for violating welding/cutting rules escalate with offenses: first offense up to $1,000, second up to $2,000 or 1 year in jail, and third+ offenses up to 0.25% of project value or $10,000. The bill also mandates a public system (online database, quarterly reports) to track and notify about safety violations affecting workers and property owners.

Danny Ryan (D) · 40 co-sponsors

signed · Massachusetts · House Jun 8, 2026

H 5478: An Act authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026

This law allows cities and towns to choose whether to let local bars and restaurants sell alcohol for takeout and permit drinking in public spaces during summer 2026. Participating municipalities can set specific districts where public consumption is allowed, while also enabling businesses to stay open for one extra hour until 3:00 a.m. The rules apply strictly between June 8 and July 31, 2026, and establishments must continue to sell only the types of alcohol they are already licensed to serve.

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 3107: An Act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design

Senate, June 1, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design (Senate, No. 3107),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 3107).

Bill results