Rep. Jeff Roy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to create a regulatory impact statement before implementing new rules that increase costs for cities and towns regarding water, wastewater, or stormwater systems. These statements must detail the problem being addressed, the financial effects on various stakeholders, and the specific benefits of the proposed changes. Additionally, the bill establishes a formal definition for "local mandates" imposed by the agency and requires the office to maintain a list of stakeholders who wish to receive advance notice of such proposals.

By Representatives Khan of Newton and Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2209) of Kay Khan, Brandy Fluker Oakley and others for legislation to establish a board of registration in midwifery and further regulating out-of-hospital birth access and safety. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover medications for serious mental illness without needing prior approval or completing step therapy protocols. It applies to various insurance types, including private plans and those covering state employees, by amending multiple sections of state law. The legislation defines serious mental illness as a disorder that causes significant functional impairment based on the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines. By removing these specific administrative hurdles, the bill aims to streamline access to necessary psychiatric medications for individuals with qualifying conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires utility companies in Massachusetts to send written notices to landlords when a tenant's gas or electric bills become overdue or when service is about to be cut off. Landlords must first inform the utility provider in writing that the property is a rental and provide their mailing address to receive these notifications. If the tenant is behind on payments, the utility company must notify the landlord within 14 days of the missed payment. Similarly, if the tenant is terminating the service or is not the official customer of record, the utility company must inform the landlord at least 14 days before any service interruption occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws regarding insurance and leasing for motor vehicles rented on a mileage basis, such as through "drive-it-yourself" systems. It requires lessors to ensure their odometers accurately record distance traveled and prohibits them from knowingly deceiving renters about mileage or leasing vehicles to drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, the bill establishes a clear order for insurance coverage, making the renter's or operator's liability insurance primary over the lessor's insurance to satisfy financial responsibility requirements. These changes aim to clarify liability rules and ensure accurate billing for vehicle rentals based on distance traveled.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to create clear policies for granting credit for high school programs like College in the High School, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment. It mandates that these institutions specify how they award credit for general education, major, or elective requirements and must ensure these credits can be transferred to other schools. Additionally, the law requires colleges to publish their credit policies online and submit them to the state Department of Higher Education for public posting. A new annual review process is also established, where the Board of Higher Education will evaluate how each university applies these credit policies and report its findings to the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to officially recognize fusion energy as a distinct power source alongside existing options like geothermal energy. By adding "fusion energy" to specific legal definitions in the state's energy and utility codes, the legislation ensures that future regulations and policies can explicitly address this technology. The bill also provides a plain-language definition for fusion energy, describing it as the process where light atomic nuclei combine to form heavier ones. These changes allow government agencies to classify and manage fusion projects within the current legal framework without needing new legislation for each specific application.

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3218) of Jeffrey N. Roy for legislation to promote transportation electrification infrastructure. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3215) of Jeffrey N. Roy for legislation to expedite permitting for electric decarbonization infrastructure projects. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.