Senate, November 6, 2025 -- The committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 182) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation for community housing packages, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2699).
This bill, the MassMakers Act, creates a new one-stop online portal (MassMakers Portal) to help businesses handle state compliance and access resources. It requires state agencies to consider whether bidders are based in Massachusetts when purchasing goods or services, with agencies setting how much weight to give local businesses. The bill defines key terms like "MassMade business" (manufacturing or agriculture in MA) and "microbusiness" (25 or fewer employees) to clarify eligibility for support programs focused on downtown revitalization and small business growth.
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.
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.
By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tackey Chan relative to powers and duties of judicial court officers. The Judiciary.
This bill allocates $2.65 billion in state funds for capital improvements at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. It directly affects all 15 public institutions by funding deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization projects, and facility upgrades - including $1.25 billion for campus infrastructure at state universities and community colleges, $80 million for energy efficiency and fossil fuel reduction, and $10 million for lab modernization and student support facilities. Key mechanisms include requiring projects to align with campus master plans and decarbonization plans, mandating inclusion in a capital asset management system, and creating reporting requirements on student collaboration outcomes. The funding covers repairs, construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects like converting campuses for housing, all subject to oversight by the Division of Capital Asset Management.
