Rep. Simon Cataldo

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 393) amends Massachusetts tax law to remove a specific tax exemption for sole proprietors who contribute to 401(k) retirement plans through their business. It directly affects self-employed individuals operating as sole proprietors in Massachusetts. The change eliminates the existing tax exemption (previously provided under subparagraph D of section 2 of chapter 62) for these contributions, meaning such contributions would no longer qualify for the same tax benefit. The bill modifies the state's tax code to adjust this provision for sole proprietorship 401(k) contributions.

Maddy summaryHD 409 allows the Town of Concord to impose a surcharge on building permits for construction projects exceeding a value set by the Select Board. The funds collected must be deposited into Concord's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing initiatives. This surcharge applies only to projects qualifying as "affordable housing," defined as units rented or sold to households earning no more than 150% of the area median income, with long-term affordability restrictions. The town must approve the surcharge via a Town Meeting vote before implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 1% real estate transfer fee on residential property sales in Concord exceeding $1 million, paid by the buyer. It directly affects high-value homebuyers and entities owning residential property in Concord, with exemptions for government transfers, affordable housing, family transfers, and low-value sales. The fee funds the Concord Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing programs, and requires buyers to submit affidavits verifying the purchase price and fee payment with property deeds. The Town must annually report fee collections and program impacts to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 644) is a procedural amendment to jurisdictional language in Massachusetts law. It modifies Section 26 of Chapter 218 by adding a reference to "subsections (b) and (c) of section fourteen of chapter two hundred and sixty-nine" after a specific phrase. The bill does not create new policy or affect specific groups; it solely adjusts how district courts handle certain threats. The context provided does not explain the content of the referenced sections or the practical effect of this amendment. A fuller summary of its impact cannot be provided with the given information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts warehouse employers to provide workers with written descriptions of work quotas (including performance standards and potential job consequences) at hire and within 30 days. Employers must also disclose an employee's personal work speed data and aggregated performance data for similar workers upon request, and cannot enforce quotas that prevent taking meal/rest breaks or bathroom access. It directly affects nonexempt warehouse workers at facilities meeting specific NAICS codes (e.g., warehousing, delivery services) with 100+ employees at a single site. Key mechanisms include mandatory written quota disclosures, record-keeping obligations for work speed data, and employee access to their own performance records. The law applies to all employers controlling wages/conditions for 100+ warehouse workers at a single location or 500+ across multiple locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Commonwealth Water Infrastructure Trust Fund, financed by new fees charged by cities and towns for water/sewer connections ($250 for residential, $1,000 for commercial/industrial). The fund distributes 50% of collected fees back to the cities/towns that collected them for local water infrastructure projects, 40% to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, and 5% each to the Department of Environmental Protection (for economic target areas) and the Department of Revenue (for administration). Municipalities receiving funds must report annually on project use, and the Department of Environmental Protection must create a specific initiative to assist municipalities in economic target areas with water infrastructure planning. The bill directly affects local governments, the Clean Water Trust, and the DEP, with funding flowing without needing annual legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHD 2205 establishes a pilot program providing diapers to low-income families with infants and young children through a new diaper benefits trust fund managed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The fund will receive state appropriations and private donations (without restrictions) to support up to 12 nonprofit organizations - such as diaper banks or food pantries - across Massachusetts' regions, with no more than two organizations per region selected based on demonstrated need. Organizations can use funds for purchasing, storing, distributing diapers, or running diaper drives. After one year, the Department must report to lawmakers on participation numbers, regional distribution, fund usage, and whether the program should expand.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the town of Acton to use ranked choice voting (RCV) for all town elections (annual and special) starting in 2025, with exceptions for single-seat races with two or fewer candidates or multi-seat races where candidates equal the number of seats. Under RCV, voters rank candidates by preference, and votes are counted in rounds: lowest-ranked candidates are eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until a winner achieves a majority (for single seats) or all seats are filled (for multi-seat races). The bill includes specific rules for handling ties, batch elimination of candidates, and allows the Select Board and Town Clerk to make minimal procedural adjustments to ensure election integrity. It directly affects Acton residents voting in town elections and candidates running for local office.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Acton to require retail businesses to charge customers for checkout bags. It mandates a minimum fee of $0.15 per bag (with fees appearing separately on receipts as "checkout bag charge"), applies to all retail establishments (including stores, restaurants, and pharmacies), and excludes specific bags like those for prescriptions, produce, or frozen food. Retailers keep all collected fees, and the Acton Board of Health oversees implementation. The bill takes effect three months after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the town of Acton to raise the 15-mile residency requirement for its police and fire department members, as currently set by state law. The town may set a higher limit, but any increase must be agreed upon through a collective bargaining agreement with the relevant unions under state law. It directly affects Acton police and fire personnel who would no longer be required to live within the current 15-mile radius. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.