By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1484) of Joanne M. Comerford, Mark C. Montigny, Danillo A. Sena, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer. Public Health.
By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1748) of Natalie M. Higgins and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to establish penalties for the knowledge of suicidal ideation. The Judiciary.
By Representative Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2094) of Daniel M. Donahue and others relative to wage theft, employer accountability, and public enforcement. Labor and Workforce Development.
By Representative Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1876) of Christopher M. Markey, Dennis C. Gallagher and Joanne M. Comerford relative to compensation rates for bar advocates. The Judiciary.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the MBTA to conduct a feasibility study on restoring year-round daily commuter rail service between Boston and several Cape Cod towns. The study will evaluate costs, infrastructure needs, funding options, and environmental impacts while considering existing commuting patterns. If the study finds the service feasible, the MBTA must create a schedule with at least one morning and one evening weekday trip between Buzzards Bay and South Station. The department must submit a report on the findings to state officials within nine months of the bill taking effect.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2929) of James J. O'Day and Michael D. Brady relative to retirement benefits for certain employees of the Department of Correction. Public Service.
By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2885) of Meghan K. Kilcoyne relative to retirement benefits for public safety dispatchers. Public Service.
By Representatives Diggs of Barnstable and Moakley of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3654) of Kip A. Diggs and Thomas W. Moakley relative to establishing year-round daily commuter rail service to Cape Cod. Transportation.
By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2649) of Meghan K. Kilcoyne relative to the membership of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Blue Communities Program to help local governments reduce nutrient pollution and ocean acidification through grants and loans. To qualify, municipalities must adopt at least five of nine specific initiatives, such as hazardous liquid waste collection, rain barrel programs, shellfish restoration projects, and fertilizer restrictions. The program is funded by a new state fund that may draw from offshore wind contributions, fertilizer sales taxes, and other environmental revenue sources. The executive office will oversee the program, prioritize funding for environmental justice communities, and require participating municipalities to report progress every two years.
