Rep. Carmine Gentile

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for workers employed by transportation and delivery network companies in Massachusetts, such as ride-share and food delivery drivers. It mandates that these workers be presumed to be employees of their companies, granting them the same wage, hour, and benefit rights as other workers in the state. Additionally, the legislation updates regulations to ensure these companies provide safe and reliable services while remaining accountable to consumers and the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to allow rideshare drivers to form organizations and negotiate with companies to improve industry-wide working conditions. It aims to address issues like pay, health coverage, and scheduling by enabling collective bargaining between drivers and digital transportation platforms. The legislation authorizes the state to oversee these negotiations and approve recommendations that raise standards for workers in the digital marketplace.

By Representative Fernandes of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2516) of Dylan A. Fernandes and Angelo L. D'Emilia relative to disability pensions for violent crimes committed against certain public employees. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes collective bargaining rights for drivers working in Massachusetts' transportation network industry, such as rideshare and ride-hailing services. It allows these drivers to form organizations and negotiate industry-wide recommendations with companies regarding work standards, pay, and benefits. The legislation creates a new chapter in state law that exempts these negotiations from federal and state antitrust laws and sets up a process where the Secretary of Labor reviews and can make these negotiated terms binding. Additionally, the bill permits rideshare companies to form multi-company associations to represent them during these negotiations.

By Representative Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2505) of Daniel M. Donahue and others relative to public employee retiree benefits. Public Service.

By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins for legislation to establish an excise tax for certain applicable taxpayers in excess of the maximum permissible for single-family residences. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to impose a new 2% tax on the sale of alcoholic beverages intended for off-premises consumption and the alcohol portion of restaurant meals. The revenue generated from this local option excise must be used specifically to fund municipal substance abuse prevention and public health programs within the adopting communities. Vendors collecting the tax would report sales by location, and the state would distribute the collected funds back to the participating municipalities based on their respective sales volumes. The measure takes effect only after a municipality formally accepts it, giving local governments the choice to opt in or out of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to raise their local tax rate on meals from the current limit to a maximum of 1.5 percent. By amending state law, the measure gives local municipalities the authority to collect higher taxes on food and beverage sales within their jurisdictions. The change directly affects local governments that wish to adjust revenue collection and consumers who may see higher prices at restaurants.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to voluntarily implement a fee on real estate transfers to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing. Under the new provisions, settlement agents would collect this fee based on the sale price of a property and remit the funds to local or regional affordable housing commissions. The collected money must be used exclusively for adaptive reuse, production, or preservation of affordable housing projects that serve low- and moderate-income households. Local communities that choose to adopt this option would gain a dedicated funding source to support their specific housing needs without state mandates.

By Representative Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2894) of Samantha Montaño and others for legislation to increase the deeds excise to fund emergency assistance needs of certain low income tenants and homeowners. Revenue.