Rep. Kim Ferguson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special task force to examine how financial technology and current banking rules affect Massachusetts. The nine-member group includes state legislators, representatives from technology organizations, and experts appointed by the Commissioner of Banks. The task force will review existing laws, gather reports from banks and tech companies, and propose new ways to integrate financial technology into the state. Within 12 months of passing, the group must submit a final report with recommendations and any draft legislation to the General Court.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove a specific limitation on how bank fees are assessed for tax purposes. By deleting the phrase "established for personal, family or household purposes," the legislation allows these fees to be included in the calculation of property taxes regardless of their intended use. The change directly affects homeowners and the state's tax assessment process by altering the criteria used to determine taxable value.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to regulate rent escrow accounts used when tenants withhold rent due to unsafe living conditions. It requires banks to create two-party escrow accounts upon a tenant's request without needing to verify the landlord's identity beforehand. To qualify for withholding rent, tenants must now obtain a formal violation certification from a local health or building agency and provide written notice to the landlord before taking action. Additionally, the bill specifies that rent must be deposited into a court clerk's account, an attorney-controlled escrow, or the new two-party bank account to be eligible for relief. These changes aim to standardize the process for tenants seeking to withhold rent while ensuring funds are held securely until disputes are resolved.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow cities and towns to reject housing applications that do not align with their approved housing production plans for up to two years. The change directly affects municipalities and developers by giving local governments a temporary period to enforce their specific housing goals once those plans are finalized. By granting this limited right to deny inconsistent applications, the legislation aims to ensure that new housing developments adhere to the strategic priorities outlined in each community's plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts municipalities to invest their funds in credit unions and federal credit unions, expanding the types of financial institutions they can support alongside existing options like banks and cooperative banks. By amending several state laws, the legislation removes previous restrictions that limited municipal investments to specific bank types, thereby opening up credit unions as a potential investment vehicle for local governments. Additionally, the bill sets a safety limit requiring that public funds held by any single credit union cannot exceed 25% of that institution's total assets at any given time. These changes directly affect local governments and the credit unions operating within the state by creating new opportunities for public capital deployment while maintaining a cap to ensure financial stability.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mathew J. Muratore and others for legislation to authorize insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and orthotic devices. Financial Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows manufacturers of alcoholic beverages to sell their products directly to consumers for off-premises consumption in various containers like kegs, casks, barrels, cans, or bottles. The law specifically permits these sales only from the manufacturer's own premises and restricts the products to those produced by that specific manufacturer. Directly affected parties include alcohol producers who wish to bypass traditional retailers and consumers looking to purchase alcohol straight from the source. The legislation amends existing state laws to create this new sales channel while maintaining limits on where and what can be sold.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers from including clauses in pharmacy contracts that stop pharmacists from telling patients about lower cash prices or alternative ways to buy their medication. It directly affects insurance carriers, pharmacies, and patients by ensuring pharmacists can freely share cost-saving information without fear of penalty. Additionally, the legislation prevents insurers from forcing individuals to pay more at the point of sale than they would if they purchased the medication without using their health plan. By removing these restrictions, the bill aims to increase transparency and allow patients to access potentially cheaper options for their prescriptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the sales tax rate on cider from six percent to eight and a half percent. The change directly affects consumers purchasing cider in Massachusetts by raising the cost of the product. By amending Section 1 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, the legislation updates the statutory tax percentage to align with the proposed rate.