Massachusetts Bills

H 4829 clarifies that specific regional planning commissions (like the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission and Merrimack Valley Planning Commission) are treated as members of the state retirement system. It requires these "non-Commonwealth entities" to pay monthly retirement costs based on actuarial calculations of employee payroll, deposited into the state pension fund. The bill also protects these agencies from liability for past due retirement contributions. This directly affects the named regional commissions by establishing their retirement obligations and payment mechanisms under state law.

The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2108) of Nick Collins for legislation to provide for equal access to certain roadways under the jurisdiction of the department of conservation and recreation on the Columbia Point peninsula located between William T. Morrissey Boulevard, William J. Day Boulevard and Dorchester Bay, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2879).

The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 382) of John F. Keenan, Dylan A. Fernandes, Adam Gomez, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation to require opioid use disorder education in public schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 413) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to save lives through increased fentanyl awareness, aka Andrew's Law; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 432) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to prescription opioid abuse prevention education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 433) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to substance use education in public schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 447) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to provide hands only CPR training and the use of defibrillators; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 456) of Bruce E. Tarr, Madeleine Elizabeth Jackman , Patrick M. O'Connor, Shirley B. Arriaga and others relative to requiring instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of defibrillators for high school graduation, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2863).

This bill updates Massachusetts business improvement districts (BIDs) by allowing them to set annual fee caps for individual properties, establish minimum fee thresholds for exemptions, and implement phased fee increases over up to three years. It clarifies that property owners who pay BID fees (excluding exempt owners) count toward voting thresholds for renewal votes, which must occur every five years with options for 10-year renewals. The bill also requires BIDs to publicly report financial information via municipal websites or offices, aligning with public charity reporting standards. These changes directly affect property owners within BIDs who pay or may be exempt from annual BID fees.

H 4762 establishes a commission to study housing affordability and zoning reforms in Massachusetts. The commission will analyze current zoning rules (like minimum lot sizes and restrictions on multi-family housing), examine exclusionary practices affecting low- and moderate-income residents, and study successful approaches from other states. It will use data modeling and expert input to evaluate how zoning changes could increase housing supply and reduce costs, with recommendations due by December 2026. The bill does not enact new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions by the legislature. This study directly affects Massachusetts housing policy development and could influence future zoning regulations.

Senate, December 8, 2025 -- The committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 539) of Peter J. Durant, Daniel Seitz, and Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida relative to requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of entry; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 542) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to ensure the health and safety of the commonwealth’s students and educators, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2815).

By Representative Haggerty of Woburn, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Richard M. Haggerty relative to restrictions on highway breakdown lane travel. Transportation.

Senate, December 4, 2025 -- The committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2234) of Michael J. Barrett for legislation to align state electric vehicle charger reliability regulations with the national electric vehicle infrastructure program; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2236) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation relative to delivery network companies; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2237) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to define clean energy storage; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2238) of Joanne M. Comerford, Steven George Xiarhos, John C. Velis and Adam Gomez for legislation to protect consumers from unreasonable utility rate increases; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2241) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to promote access to zero-emission school buses; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2248) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to city council or select board consent in gas utility work; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2251) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to a just transition to clean energy in transportation fuel; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2252) of Brendan P. Crighton, Hannah Kane, Adam Gomez, John C. Velis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to municipal light plant emergency mutual aid; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2253) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to reduce congestion and encourage shared rides; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2254) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to permit of electric vehicle charging stations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2256) of Brendan P. Crighton and Michael O. Moore for legislation to establish the GREEN initiative to retrofit existing low-income and moderate-income housing in qualifying municipalities to be highly energy efficient; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2257) of John J. Cronin relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2259) of John J. Cronin for legislation to protect transportation network driver data privacy and integrity; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2261) of William J. Driscoll, Jr., Joanne M. Comerford and Manny Cruz relative to achieving a green future with infrastructure and workforce investments; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2263) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation relative to the clean heat standard and reducing greenhouse gas emmissions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2265) of Peter J. Durant and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to extending customer service hours for ride share companies; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2266) of Lydia Edwards for legislation relative to the electrification of new and substantially remodeled or rehabilitated building; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 2267) of James B. Eldridge that provisions be made to conduct a review of the policies and procedures related to rooftop solar energy systems; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2268) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to alternative portfolio standards; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2271) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to natural gas shut-off valves, gate boxes and public safety; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2272) of Paul R. Feeney, Paul W. Mark and Vanna Howard for legislation to ensure safety and transparency in pipeline repair; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2273) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to reduce administrative burden for government and industry; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2274) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to solar energy grants at posts of veterans' organizations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2276) of Paul R. Feeney, Michael D. Brady, Patricia D. Jehlen, John F. Keenan and other members of the Senate for legislation to require each company engaged in the sale or distribution of gas as part of performance-based ratemaking to submit a clean energy transition plan; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2277) of Paul R. Feeney, Hannah Kane, Adam Gomez, John C. Velis and other members of the General Court for legislation to allow municipal light plants to provide services to any municipal or state utility, tribal utility or any other publicly-owned or operated utility, whether located inside or outside of the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2278) of Paul R. Feeney relative to clean fuel standards; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2279) of Dylan A. Fernandes and John F. Keenan for legislation to support climate progress through sustainably developed offshore wind; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2280) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to establish a body politic and corporate to be known as the Massachusetts clean energy technology center; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2286) of Adam Gomez, James K. Hawkins, Jacob R. Oliveira, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a zero carbon renovation fund; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2291) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to protect ratepayers from gas pipeline expansion costs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2293) of Edward J. Kennedy and Rodney M. Elliott for legislation to promote energy and economic resilience through clean energy education and job pathway programs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2295) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to reform the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company board of directors; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2297) of Paul W. Mark and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation relative to fair and stable utility pricing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2298) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to establish standards for cost disclosure at public electric vehicle charging stations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2299) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to establish an energy efficiency authority, and a green jobs program and loan fund; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2300) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to provide for natural gas workforce safety; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2301) of Paul W. Mark, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Natalie M. Blais, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation relative to investor-owned utilities and expedited approval processes ensuring timely access to funds for energy efficiency and conservation programs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2303) of Liz Miranda, Steven Owens and Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to ensure that the benefits of transitioning to clean energy sources are distributed fairly across all communities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2304) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to strengthen offshore wind regulations; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 2305) of Mark C. Montigny, Patrick M. O'Connor, Mark D. Sylvia, Michelle L. Badger and other members of the General Court that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to study the high cost of electricity delivery; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2306) of Michael O. Moore, Ryan C. Fattman and Estela A. Reyes for legislation relative to utility meters and the rights of utility ratepayers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2307) of Michael O. Moore, Brian W. Murray, James K. Hawkins, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to transparency in private utility construction contracts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2309) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Bradley H. Jones, Jr. for legislation relative to solar-powered mobility networks; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2310) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to the impact of natural gas transfer facilities on public health; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2311) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Steven George Xiarhos, Patricia D. Jehlen and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to modernize competitive energy supply; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2312) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to air monitoring stations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2313) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to require public and investor-owned utility companies intending to dispose of real property to notify and offer right of first refusal to the municipality in which the real property is located; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2314) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to the maximum storage charges on motor vehicles involuntarily towed; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2316) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Todd M. Smola for legislation to establish a resilient electric vehicle charging system pilot program and river restoration fund and veterans and emergency responders’ fund; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2317) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to distribution company payments of energy credits to a customers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2319) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to reduce gas leaks; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2320) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to conduct an assessment of the infrastructure for the transmission and distribution of electricity; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2321) of Bruce E. Tarr and Rodney M. Elliott for legislation relative to renewable energy production technologies; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2322) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to ensure adequate and affordable energy; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2323) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to custom vehicle emissions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2324) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to reduce emissions; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2326) of John C. Velis, Adam Gomez and Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to certain exemptions to the vehicle emissions standards, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2774).

Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1021) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to update and modernize appropriations to smart growth zoning and housing production, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2827).

Senate, December 8, 2025 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1379) of Michael D. Brady for legislation to provide more focused care to individuals suffering from mental health and substance related disabilities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1399) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation to increase investment in behavioral health care in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1404) of John F. Keenan for legislation to ensure equitable behavioral health access and care for Masshealth recipients; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1409) of Gary Lowell, for legislation to mandate psychiatric evaluations in a hospital emergency room if a restraint authorization is given, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2813).

By Representative Silvia of Fall River, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Alan Silvia for legislation to establish a violent and dangerous persons mental health information system within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Senate, December 8, 2025 -- The committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 62) of Adam Gómez and Homar Gómez for legislation to establish community fridges to address food insecurity, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2804).