This bill prohibits gas and electric companies regulated by the department from charging customers (ratepayers) for specific non-essential expenses. It bans recovery of costs related to promotional advertising (like encouraging service use), political advertising, lobbying, charitable contributions, executive perks (travel, gifts), and certain other activities. Companies must annually report all prohibited expenses to the department and cannot recover the cost of preparing these reports. Violations trigger non-recoverable penalties, refunds to customers, and potential rebates for ratepayers. The bill directly affects regulated utilities and aims to prevent customer funds from subsidizing activities unrelated to core service delivery.
This bill requires Massachusetts gas companies to evaluate non-gas alternatives (like electrification) before expanding or replacing gas infrastructure. It prohibits gas companies from recovering costs for new gas projects unless they prove alternatives were considered and found unfeasible, and mandates a gradual shift in spending away from gas infrastructure replacement toward clean thermal energy projects by 2035. Gas and electric utilities must jointly create 5-year "tactical transition plans" to reduce emissions while maintaining affordability, including retiring gas pipes and installing clean energy systems. The bill also bans hydrogen injection into residential gas systems (except for specific industrial uses) and requires utilities to share costs for transitioning buildings to non-gas thermal energy. These changes directly affect gas utility companies, building owners, and ratepayers through their energy infrastructure and costs.
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2612) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to provide for utility shutoff protections during periods of extreme heat. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
This bill amends a section of Massachusetts electricity law to change the duration of basic service contracts for electricity customers. It replaces the current rule allowing contracts for "up to six months" with a provision specifying the contract period must match "the period of time resulting from the competitive bidding process." This directly affects electricity customers enrolled in basic service (typically those without competitive provider options), tying their contract length to the timeline of the state's competitive bidding for electricity supply. The change modifies a specific legal phrase without introducing new policy or affecting other aspects of the electricity market.
Order relative to authorizing the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to make an investigation and study of a certain House document relative to the training, certification, and recognition of constables and civil deputy sheriffs.
HD 5228 authorizes the City of Lawrence to exchange a 77-square-foot portion of James J. O'Neil Park (at Lawrence Street and Chestnut Street) for a 363-square-foot parcel of adjacent land. The swap must be for recreation purposes, with both parcels remaining protected for open space, conservation, and passive recreation under Massachusetts law. The bill ensures the transferred park land continues to comply with constitutional protections (Article 97) and Chapter 40, Section 8C, which restrict park use to conservation and recreation. This procedural bill directly affects Lawrence’s City Council and Conservation Commission by enabling a specific land exchange. It does not create new policy but formalizes a limited, constitutionally compliant land transfer.
By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco relative to the training, certification, and recognition of constables and civil deputy sheriffs. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Report of the Department of Public Health (pursuant to line-item 4590-0915 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children May 2026 report
Senate, June 18, 2026 -- The committee on Health Care Financing, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1197) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to strengthen laws combatting human trafficking and protecting survivors of modern-day slavery, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 3129).
Senate, June 23, 2026 -- Order (Senator Rodrigues) relative to procedures to be followed when considering the House Bill relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness (House, No. 5175)
Senate, June 18, 2026 -- The committee on Revenue, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1925) of Michael J. Barrett foe legislation to impose an in-state mileage-based road usage charge on the use of clean energy vehicles; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1929) of Michael D. Brady for legislation to update certain changes to property tax collection laws; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1941) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to establish a highway use tax for heavy trucks; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2011) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to overtime pay for agricultural laborers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2013) of Adam Gomez, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to support educational opportunity for all; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2016) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to payments in lieu of taxation by organizations exempt from the property tax; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2047) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to reform the healthcare cost benchmark; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2084) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to exemption from taxation structures and buildings essential to the operation of agricultural and horticultural lands, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 3130).
Senate, June 18, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3099) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to implement fines on motorboat operators engaged in wakesurfing activity in close proximity to the shoreline, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 3126).
